Chapter 33: Chapter 33

MYSTIC HOLLOW

(Homicide)

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BY NAOMI INNOCENT

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CHAPTER 33

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She took a breathe and glanced around the questioning looks on their faces.

"Well, it's because I know homicide is the talk of the town. And lots of people have died recently, so who am I to question nature? I just got lucky to escape death anyway " She said with a shrug as they started walking home.

*. *. *. *

"I summon this meeting because of the bill Sheriff Ruth Gilbert submitted for---"

There was murmuring in the city council as the council Clerk called for order then the murmuring died down gradually.

Ruth stared at Fedrick Bellos with daggers eyes as she wondered why he would present the matter to the city council.

"Mayor, please continue" the clerk urged him.

"She is tempering with the way I rule this city" Fedrick stated as Ruth flared up.

"For the fact that the mantle of Burgomaster is in your family doesn't mean you have the right to abuse it. Many citizens of Mystic Hollow have died already and I wouldn't wanna loose anyone again, it's my duty as the sheriff of this town to protect them. That's why I brought the bill to be passed. It's High time the town goes into a state of emergency, the curfew would be the best. That way, people's contact with the outside world would be limited and we would be able to look for the culprit. Seriously, I lost one of my men already, I wouldn't love to loose another" Ruth said.

"Well well, I guess you really did a great rehearsal for that speech. You want the town to go into a state of emergency because you are incompetent to do your job as a Sheriff" Fedrick stated.

"Well, that makes the both of us two" Ruth blurted out.

"My good people, I know what this young woman is planning to do. She wants the citizens and the locals to think that the council is incompetent to do their job. She wants to turn the locals against the people. Right now, I can't even go to the grill because of the sentiment they have against me now" Fedrick said.

"You and I know that's not true. I'm only doing this to protect the citizens. After all, isn't

it true? Are we really competent enough to get the killer? How would we be able to do it when the culprit is amongst us!" Ruth said with teary eyes as Fedrick smiled.

"That's enough! We aren't going back to that topic! The bill won't be passed!" One of the council members said as Ruth bowed her head.

Fedrick smirked and stared at Ruth who cleaned the tears off her eyes.

"Please you have to liste--"

"Enough of that!" Fedrick shun her as she bowed her head.

"Very well then" she said.

"But I won't stop looking for the culprit, I'm gonna burn him alive when I find him!" Ruth said looking at Fedrick who was smiling at her. With that, she left the council.

"Is anything the matter?' Kate asked her as she walked out of the room with teary eyes.

"No, something is wrong somewhere" Ruth said as Kate followed her outside.

"What is it?" Kate asked her.

"Remember when Phillips said the killer is an insider?" Ruth asked as she nodded.

"I'm begining to suspect the Mayor and some of the council members " Ruth said as Kate closed her mouth.

"Why would you say so?" She asked.

"They always oppose any suggestion I bring for the good of the town. They don't want to make the locals know how this stuff is out of our control and worse of it all, they are less concerned about this shit. The last time Fedrick, sorry, Mayor Bellos came to my office, he made this statement 'who knows if she is next' he said that pointing at my little girl's photo, Elena. I don't know if you are getting what I'm trying to say" Ruth said as they stopped at her car.

"I don't know, but why would he do such? This is his town too" Kate said.

"I don't know too. That's what I'm gonna find out. And please, I told you this because I do trust you. Tell such to no one" Ruth said in a whisper as the council members came out of the building and were shaking hands and laughing.

"Only God knows what they have discussed there in my absent" Ruth said as her gaze met Fedrick's.

"Just be careful" Kate said as Ruth nodded and entered her car.

"Goodbye" Ruth said to her as she ignited and revved the engine.

*. *. *. *

Ruth drove home and stopped at the front of her apartment. She alighted and walked inside the building feeling frustrated.

The smell of cupcakes hit her nostrils as she smiled.

"Elena" she muttered to herself as she took off her Police jacket and placed it on the couch.

"Who's there?" Elena screamed from the kitchen after she heard footsteps at the living room.

"Its me, I'm home!" Ruth said to her hearing.

"Oh, food would soon be ready. Just freshen up" Elena said as Ruth shook her head and smiled.

"If only it would be delicious as the name implies" she muttered knowing fully well Elena doesn't know how to cook.

Well it was her fault, she hasn't always been there for Elena ever since she gave birth to her. She is always busy with work and same time had to deal with her dad's death. She doesn't just blame her at all.

Ruth walked inside the bathroom as she went straight to the sink. She switched it on and washed her face as she stared at how pale her reflection was on the mirrror.

"I'm wearing away. I guess it's high time I take a break from all these nonsense. But I can't. I still have to look for a solution" she said to herself whilst Elena listened to her mom talk from the bathroom.

Elena face fell as she walked away. She went to the dining and sat down as she thought of everything that had been happening in Mystic Hollow.

Ruth walked out of the bathroom as she walked straight to her restricted room. She looked at the wall she plastered the photos of people that have died recently. She stared at the map of Mystic Hollow and the red markings on some locations indicating homicide as she sat on the chair and went deep in thought.

A knock was heard from the door, bringing her back to earth.

"Mom, I'm waiting for you at the dining. I'm starving" Elena lied hoping her mom would stop thinking and come eat with her.

"Just go away. I'm fine. You can eat without me" Ruth lied as her stomach grumbled.

"I heard that mom! Just come out already. If you starve yourself, you won't be able to catch the culprit!" Elena stated as her mom sighed.

Elena didn't hear a sound as she sat on the floor beside the door and sang the song her mom always sing for her when she was little.

¶Close your eyes

¶ Give me your hand darlin

¶ Do you feel my heart beating?

¶Do you understand?

¶Do you feel the same?

¶ or am I only dreaming?

¶is this burning an eternal flame?

¶I believe its meant to be darl--

Her mom crack the door open and walked out of the room, her eyes were teary.

Elena stood up and hugged her mom as she cleaned the tears off her eyes.

"It's ok mom, it's ok. Go take your bath now. Please stop crying" Elena said patting her mom's back as Ruth nodded and sniffed.

"I'll be waiting for you at the dining" Elena said and disengaged the hug.

*. *. *. *

Ruth finished taking her bath as she walked to the dining to meet Elena who was waiting at the dining.(this story is written by Naomi Innocent)

Her mom sat down and smiled at her as she smiled too.

"Let's eat" Elena said as she opened the dishes.

"Wow! It looks... " Ruth stopped and stared at the cup cakes that doesn't look like cupcakes at all.

"Horrible?" Elena said downcasted.

"That wasn't the word I was looking for. It looks nice actually" Ruth lied and took a bite and smiled.

"Delicious" she lied again as Elena smiled and they started eating.

"But it doesn't taste nice to me" Elena confessed.

"That's for you. For me, it's the best cupcakes ever" Ruth said as Elena smiled.

"Mom can I ask a question?" Elena asked as Ruth nodded.

"Sure" she said.

"Why do you always cry when I sing that song?" Elena asked her as she stopped eating.

"Because that's the song I and your dad always sing together before he died" Ruth said facing down as Elena felt bad.

"I'm sorry mom. Sorry for bringing back the memories " Elena apologized as Ruth smiled and wiped her tears.

"It's ok honey, it's fine. I'm ok" she said as they resumed eating.

"Mommy?" Elena called again as her mom raised her face up to meet her gaze.

"What is it?" Ruth asked.

"I heard you talking to yourself at the bathroom--

"Don't mind that, I was just angry at what happened at the council meeting" Ruth said.

"Mind sharing?" Elena asked.

"Nope, it's confidential from the locals" Ruth said.

"But you have to tell me, you know soon I'll be sheriff, just like you" Elena said proudly.

"Are you hoping I die soon? You can only be sheriff when I die" Ruth said amidst laughs.

"Oh, I never meant it that way" Elena said as her mom smiled and struck her hair.

"Come here" Ruth said and side hugged her as they both smiled.

"So mom, can I ask you the last question?" her mom rolled her eyes at her.

"Seriously? Is today question and answer day? What have you been up to huh? Why all these questions?" Ruth was suspicious.

"No no, nothing at all. Just that.." She stopped talking and bowed her head.

" I'm sorry if I'm being too inquisitive" she added.

"It's ok don't mind me. A good leader is always inquisitive, so you can ask your question" Elena's face beamed with joy.

"The thing is, I wanna know why it's so difficult for you guys to actually catch the culprit" Elena interrogated as Ruth lifted up her glass of orange juice and gulped down.

"Because the culprit is an insider, he knows everything about us already"

"He knows our next move even before we make them" Ruth added.

"Thanks mom" Elena said and climbed down from the chair and walked straight to her room.

"Did I say anything meaningful?" Ruth asked rhetorical as she shrugged and took a gulp of the orange juice.

Elena went to her room as she sent a multiple message to her friends.

##Guys, get ready, we are going back to the mall

Elena dropped the phone on the bed as she glanced at her wardrop searching for what to wear.

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TBC