The House of Horror

Nasser entered the kitchen, where his wife, Noor, was preparing dinner. Meanwhile, Malik and Sophia were in their rooms. With slow, heavy steps, Nasser approached one of the kitchen drawers. He opened it and pulled out a sharp knife. The kitchen was fully visible from the seating area of the living room. Without warning, he lunged at Noor and stabbed her repeatedly in different parts of her body. A piercing scream shattered the silence of the apartment. Noor cried out with the very first stab. Malik and Sophia heard the scream from their rooms. Terrified, they rushed toward the kitchen. Sophia reached the kitchen first, followed immediately by Malik. She froze for a moment, staring in horror at what she saw. Then she let out a scream that made the entire apartment tremble. Sophia, horrified: Mom! She dropped to her knees and cradled her mother’s lifeless, blood-soaked body on the kitchen floor. Malik lunged at his father, but Nasser shoved him forcefully backward. The knife was still in Nasser’s hand. As he pushed Malik in the chest, the blade sliced across Malik’s upper shoulder, leaving a deep, bleeding wound. Blood spilled across the kitchen floor. The kitchen had become a scene of pure horror—a nightmare that had only just begun. Inside Nabil’s Apartment — Bedroom Nabil, who lived in the apartment adjacent to Nasser’s, was lying in bed preparing to sleep when a sudden, piercing scream broke the silence. Sophia, from behind the wall: Mommy! Nabil immediately sat upright, his heart pounding. The building was usually quiet, and he had never heard anything like this before. Suspicion and anxiety began to creep into his mind. He slowly moved to the edge of the bed, reached for his phone on the bedside table, and immediately called the building’s security office. Nabil, anxiously: Hello? This is Nabil from Apartment 30 on the fifteenth floor. I just heard a girl screaming Mom from the neighboring apartment, number 29. Please, someone needs to check immediately. Mina: Understood, sir. Inside the Security Office — Ground Floor Mina sat behind his desk, calmly answering the call. Ashraf and Shadi sat nearby, alert and focused, waiting for his instructions. Mina, firmly: Ashraf, you and Shadi go to the fifteenth floor, Apartment 29. A resident reported hearing a girl screaming Mom. Go there immediately, check the situation, and report back to me. Ashraf and Shadi immediately sprang from their seats and rushed out of the office. They entered the elevator and headed toward the fifteenth floor. When the elevator doors opened, they stepped out immediately. Hallway Outside Nasser’s Apartment Nasser flung open the apartment door and bolted toward the elevator, still holding the bloodied knife. Malik stood in the doorway behind him. Malik, shouting: He killed Mom! Stop him! Nasser collided with Ashraf as he ran toward the elevator. Shadi quickly seized the knife from Nasser’s hand. Ashraf restrained Nasser from behind, and together they forced him into the elevator. Ashraf pressed the button for the ground floor. When the elevator reached the ground floor, Shadi opened the doors and dragged Nasser into the security office. Inside the Security Office Mina sat behind his desk, watching as Ashraf and Shadi brought Nasser into the office. Nasser’s clothes were soaked in blood. Mina froze in shock. Mina, astonished: Mr. Nasser?! He stared at Nasser in disbelief, unable to comprehend what he was seeing. Mina, to Shadi: What happened, Shadi? Shadi, seriously: Mr. Nasser killed Madam Noor—his wife. Nasser lowered his gaze and remained silent. Mina immediately grabbed the phone from his desk and called the police. Mina, after a moment: Hello? This is Mina, head of security at Tower 16 in Cairo. We have a murder in the building. A resident has killed his wife and is currently being detained in the security office. Police Officer, over the phone: We will be there in a few minutes. Outside the Building — Police Arrival Police officers arrived at the entrance of the building, led by an officer. Beside him was a journalist carrying a camera in one hand and two bags over her arms. Several other officers followed closely behind. Mina stood at the entrance to greet them, accompanied by Shadi and Ashraf, each holding one of Nasser’s arms. The officers took control of Nasser and escorted him forcefully toward the waiting police car. Mina: This is the knife he was carrying when he ran out, sir. Officer, gesturing to one of his aides: Take it. Officer: Where is the crime scene? Mina: Fifteenth floor, Apartment 29. Shadi and Ashraf can accompany you, sir, if you allow them. Shadi: This way, sir. Shadi and Ashraf led the officer toward the elevator. Outside Nasser’s Apartment — Minutes Later The officer stood in front of the apartment, surrounded by members of his team. Shadi: This is the apartment, sir. The apartment door stood wide open. The officer entered, guided by Shadi, and walked through the living room toward the kitchen. Inside, Noor lay motionless on the floor. Sophia cradled her mother’s head in her lap, tears streaming down her face. Malik stood nearby, broken and devastated. He stared at the officer with red, tear-filled eyes. The tears refused to fall, as though frozen by the horror of what had happened. Blood continued to flow from the wound on his upper left shoulder, running down toward his elbow. A drop of blood fell from his arm onto Noor’s lifeless face before pooling in Sophia’s hands. Officer, seriously and firmly: Cover the body. Police Aide, standing beside him: Understood, sir. Officer, looking at Malik and Sophia: Both of you, come with me. The officer led them out of the kitchen and toward the apartment entrance, with the journalist following closely behind. Journalist: Excuse me, sir. May I ask you a few questions? Officer, firmly: No interviews are allowed. You may attend the interrogations at the prosecutor’s office. Journalist, disappointed: Thank you. But could I at least take a photograph of the victim? Or perhaps one of you? Officer: I will not allow that. The officer gestured toward the kitchen. Officer: The victim is over there. You may photograph her. The officer and several members of his team left the apartment, leaving the renowned journalist, Susan, alone in the kitchen with the crime scene. She raised her camera and began taking photographs of Noor. Noor’s lifeless eyes stared blankly at the ceiling. Meanwhile, one of the police aides approached the body and gently draped a white cover over Noor.