Jack

Shocking News

It was after midnight at the Jackson family's home. Buck, Amelie's father, had heard his daughter sobbing inside her room. He assumed that his princess had returned safely, but when he heard his daughter sobbing, his heart sank. Nothing is more precious to him than his princess.

He knocked twice at her door and asked if she was alright? “I’m okay, please don’t worry about me.”

“What are you talking about? I’m your father, so it’s natural that I’m worried about you.” He sighs.

“I’m okay Father, really” She assured.

“Alright then, if you need anything, know that Father and mother will always be here for you, Princess. Goodnight.” He reminded his daughter. It took a lot of willpower to dismiss his daughters’ sobbing a while ago. But he knew if he insisted on it, it would only make his daughter upset at him.

But if only he knew that was going to be their last conversation. He should have paid attention to her sobs instead of ignoring them. He should have stormed into her room and wrapped his arms around her but it was too late because Amelie hadn’t been seen since that night.

...

Last night, when I came home, I immediately went to bed. When I woke up, I saw my brother staring at me. It’s a little annoying that the first thing I’ll see in the morning is my brother's ugly face.

“What?" I scowled at him, my brow furrowed.

“How did it go?” He teasingly asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, brother, come on, your date night with Amelie, of course.”

“I told you it was nothing like that and, since, when did you learn about things like this?” I said that with a tone.

“Do you already have a girlfriend?” I was curious where he got the idea for date nights.

“I don’t have a girlfriend and I’m already 15, so, of course, I know things like loveeeeee.”

Talking to him early in the morning would only make his head hurt, so he ignored him while taking a hot bath. As a poor family, three baths per week is the most they can afford.

When he entered the kitchen, he saw his father getting ready to leave for work and his mother working in the kitchen. Jack, on the other hand, ripped a piece of bread in half and handed half to his brother.

“Father, I plan on going to the neighborhood and see if I can find myself a job there.” I informed him.

“As long as you are treated fairly and let you go home at six” while he smiled weakly at me. I saw regret and sadness in his eyes as he smiled. I know that he wants to provide for his family, but I don’t plan to be sheltered all my life. I want to help them because I've always envied people who had it easy in life.

His brother goes to school after he finishes the bread. And, as for him, he had already stopped because it would only add to his father's burden. Though studying and joining Amelie in her studies under Professor Anderson benefits him, it is not enough for him to make a living. After all, before recommending a student, the professor only looks for someone who is impressive.

Some students do not need to attend school in order to graduate if they receive a recommendation from their professor. Also, if you have mora, you can pay the lecturers.

However, a poor family like the Morgans must attend school, but progressing and graduating is difficult. That is why his brother, Max, needs to do well in school if he is to achieve his goals.

He saw a group of officers at the corner of the street as he was retracing his steps back to town. It was at this point that he noticed the mess on the floor: a dead body with dried blood spilled in every corner. Such events could only be carried out by a heinous murderer. It looked like a wild animal did it, but how could a wild animal do it in the middle of the city? It's bewildering. What happened the night before?

As he passed by the group of police officers, the old man who was talking to the officers and, I assume, giving his statement about what happened the night before was strangely staring at me. Then he furrowed his brows and seemed to recall something.

Jack's heart sank when the guy pointed at him while talking to the police. He immediately looked around to check if there was someone around him. Jack realized that the guy was pointing at him when he saw no one was around. They began to walk in his direction as he remained still and waited for whatever business they had with him. The old man asked jack when he reached his destination.

"Boy, were you the one who bought the bread from me last night?" Jack remembered that this old man was the bakery owner from the night before.

“Yes sir, it was me. What about it, Sir?” He cautiously replied. Jack looked at them both.

"Well, I saw you running from this corner last night when you bought some bread from me."

"Sir, I rushed home last night because it was late. I was with a friend last night, but we parted ways because she had a professor's lecture." he had replied honestly.

He got goosebumps thinking about what happened to him last night. Someone was following me last night. It couldn't possibly be the murderer, could it? I was just passing through here last night. Would he have been in there instead of that dead body if it hadn't been for the dead bodies on the floor? His expression changed as he realized he had survived being brutally murdered the night before.

The middle-aged officer was staring at me intently, as if he was examining me and making sure I was telling the truth. His body is well-built, and he exudes the aura of an officer. He then smiled at me, as if he had already decided that what I had said was true. Wait, he couldn't tell if I was telling the truth or not, right? What exactly is he? Are you a mind reader? When the police officer spoke to me, I was pulled back in my thoughts.

" There's no need to be tense because we're only asking questions. You're the last person we'd suspect of being the murderer. Things are not what a young boy like you could accomplish." The police officer smiled as he said that.

Jack didn't know whether to laugh or cry; he just felt like his body was being criticized, but it was true that he couldn't do such heinous things.

“You may ask me anything, sir. I'm glad I could help you." Jack suggested.

“HAHAHA what a great young man, you can just call me Desmond” His laugh is so loud that it makes Jack nervous. This police officer is odd. Jack observes the two other police officers, whom he assumes are working under Desmond, as they examine the dead body.

"My name is Desmond Maspien, and I'm a Deputy Chief who is investigating this crime scene. Do you mind if I sit with you for a chat? I'll buy you a cup of coffee."

Jack was perplexed. Is his statement significant enough for them to take seriously? I mean, I just told him I was passing through here last night. He's odd. Nonetheless, he agreed to his proposal. He's not going to be able to refuse it anyway. Everything has been strange since last night, as if strange things were happening to him.

They went to the stall and sat down. Desmond ordered two cups of coffee and a croissant, making Jack's stomach growl. Desmond offered it to him, and he accepted. Who could say no to a free meal? Desmond asked a question that almost made him choke on his hot coffee while he was sipping it.

"So, why would a young man like you wander the dangerous alleys late at night?"

"Well, Sir Desmond, my friend insisted on taking me with her last night because she had an appointment with her professor. We also parted ways after I took her to her professor's house because my father asked me to buy some bread." I explained.

“What is your friend's name?” He asked.

So, I naturally replied “Amelie sir. Amelie Jackson.”

I couldn't believe the next statement made by the police officer.

"Amelie Jackson? We received a report from her parents that she was missing and hadn't been found since this morning."he said.

“What?!!!!” My eyes widened as I unconsciously yelled at him.