Misery loves Murder

A Pair of Moaning Swans

The man had seated himself on a chair in front of the bed, his hands tied together, he leaned back into it, before finally resting his hands back on his knees.

"So why don't you tell me what happened?" he asked, licking his dried lips. His gaze was as sharp as an eagle and there was just something about him that made him quite intimidating.

"U-ugh… What exactly do you want me to tell you?" I asked. Noticing a slight squint in his eyes it was quite evident he was suspicious of me, whether he had any proof to back it was another story.

"Everything and anything you know." He moved his hands to the side.

"Whatever you saw during the fire," he asked.

I wasn't sure what his motives were or how much he actually knew but the only thing that could've given me away were my own words. I decided not to complicate things and tell him a simple but believable story.

"I was asleep in my apartment, I was pretty drunk." As I started telling my lie the environment around me changed. Both of them were listening to me with all their combined focus, I couldn't mess this up.

"When I noticed the fire I ran for the door. I was able to get out but my dress caught on fire." slowly caressing my burned hand I continued.

"First thing after getting out I called the ambulance." the old man's eyes suddenly perked up.

"Why the ambulance?" he asked, his face wore a slightly puzzled expression with his eyebrows both squirting together.

"Wouldn't someone normally call the fire department in case of a fire and if you were able to make a sound decision like calling an ambulance and give them the address," the way he talked and his raspy voice had an weight to it even if he were talking in an non aggressive manner I probably would've felt somewhat threatened.

" Then why didn't you call the fire department instead. "

I wasn't sure how I should've answered his question so I went with the clumsiest excuse.

"That's just what I did at that moment. I didn't have time to think things through." even Emma had a confused face hearing my answer. Perhaps I really shouldn't have said anything.

"Listen." Emma said looking at Billy. He turned around to look at her.

"She had health issues even prior to this and I don't think you should disturb her more right now." her words brought me comfort a little bit, at least I won't have to handle this alone. Also there was something that could help me escape this situation.

"And I have Amnesia, I'm not sure how much my testomony could amount for in your investigation." he turned back to face me and this time he seemed slight bit convinced.

"If anything I might not even remember what happened properly and it might simply cause more trouble than good." I felt as if a huge load had been lifted from my shoulder. He dropped his frows and sighed in utter defeat.

"I'm sorry for the trouble." he said getting up.

"Stay safe and healthy Miss Rhodes." he said as he walked towards the door. Once again I felt relived but before long i got hit with what sounded like a threat.

"Just so you know." he turned back his left hand in his pocket while the other still held onto the notepad.

"We checked the surveillance cameras on the road that's goes by the apartment complex." he had no expression on his face, no anger, no sign of discomfort or even the slightest hint of disgust he was simply one terrifying individual. "Nobody that didn't live in those apartments entered the building yesterday." he eyes once again peircing sharp.

"Someone in the building set the fire, try to say safe and away from that place." he walked off leaving us with something horrifying to consider.

for me it was about how to do handle this man named Billy macbel, he without a doubt still suspected me. As for Emma she had worries of her own.

"What kind of monster does something like this?" she said. Even as I saw her in pain I felt nothing neither Joy nor despair. Billy had an effect on my happiness, I was uncertain of how thing were going to be. Will my happiness be trample all over again, will I be sent to jail?

I wasn't sure what to do, even if I deal with Billy the case will simply fall under someone else.

There's only one way to deal with it then.

I had to look for the other that survived the fire and have them take the blame. How would I do that was a complete mystery but first I needed some fresh air.

"Emma can you call the nurse, I want to walk around a bit if possible." I asked in a soft voice.

"y..yeah same." she replied.

It took a few minutes for the nurse and Emma to get back, the nurse detached the needle from my hand, then with the help of a looping knot around my neck she tied my hand just under my chest. I was even offered crutches but since it hindered the way I walked more than it helped I didn't use it.

The hospital was the closest one form the apartment and it wasn't too big just three floors, the ground floor served as an parking spot for ambulances, doctors along with some patients.

I was on the second floor and it seemed like some of the other survivors were on the same floor as well. I even saw Billy talking to one of them through the door. I wanted to check out the other patients and see for myself who survived, I wasn't too friendly with my nieghbour and barely knew them except Emma so it would be quite weird for me to visit them and even more suspecious considering Billy just left my room a few minutes ago.

"There's not much fresh air to be had on this floor." Emma wasnt wrong, roaming around here wasn't doing anyone any favors specially me.

"The roof is open till eight maybe we should go there." she said pointing at the elevator.

"Maybe we should take the stairs." I wanted to at least get a chance to see who was upstairs but no matter how much I would've insisted Emma wasn't just gonna let me do as I pleased in my condition.

I was low on blood and had amnesia, stress was the last thing I need, specially physical stress.

We took the elevator it took us directly to a small balcony joined to the roof, it was questionable to keep the roof of an hospital open at all but just like us everyone needed a breath of fresh air once in a while.

The roof had a few benches scattered throughout, a single vending machine filled with drink was right around the entrance.

When we finally sat down the sun was as low as it could be, the sky was a calming red and the chirping of birds herald the night.

When was the last time I saw the sunset? I thought to myself. I wanted to enjoy the moment but the possibility of my happiness being shattered was looming over my head.

I had to find a scapegoat and do something about the whole mess.

Even as I sat side by side to a person who's husband I had murdered I felt nothing but a slight bit of comfort. I held her hand and gazed at the view both of our eyes wet. She cried for the death of her husband, I cried for having moaned enough and can move towards a future, a future where John wasn't by my side but the widow of the man I murdered. Like a pair of swans we sat there leaning onto each other's shoulders. Both our minds filled with nothing but the thought of the ones we loved.

"You know a Swan who's partner dies, can die from heartbreak." I said. She lifted her head off of my shoulder and wiped her tears of her face.

"Don't think I'm that weak, Anna." she said in an enraged tone.

Now that would be a shame wouldn't it. I wouldn't want her to die, not yet.

"I know that's the reason I'm here." what I said and what I meant was not properly conveyed, what had been a threat was taken as words of comfort coming from a friend.

"I'll help you too." she said grabbing my hand once again.

We sat there on the roof for a long time that night, we only went down when one of the nurse came up to lock the roof door.

At very least I became certain of one thing that night, that I made an ally who would stand by me even if I were accused of the dirtiest of deed.