Crime of the Heart

Ch.1 - Nick of Time

His hand shook as he set the pen across the freshly written paper—an enclosure of his deepest thoughts that he could never voice aloud. A finality that was meant to serve as his last goodbye.

It all felt so permanent, yet it was how it had to be. He couldn't go on like this anymore—not even if she would have wanted him to. The mask of pretense felt suffocating, and he realized he hadn't truly lived for years. Two years had passed since that fateful night, but it felt like an eternity.

Time had lost all meaning for him; not since his girlfriend was murdered in a shootout on the streets two years ago. Something that wasn't even supposed to happen. This was London, you had more knife attacks than shoot outs, but it didn't change the fact that it had happened all the same.

He had been running late—stopping to get a corsage to ensure everything was perfect for their evening together. He had made her favorite meal and was just finishing up when he texted her, promising to arrive in ten minutes.

Who could have imagined that tragedy would strike just five minutes after that message was sent?

Her last response—a message he replayed in his mind daily for those two years—felt like an endless cycle of torment, reminding him of the last thing she typed to him.

He looked down at his phone, silent tears streaming from his eyes onto the screen. He had tried to move on. Zaelyn had gone through the recommended grief counseling, but none of their suggestions provided solace or comfort.

Zaelyn:

Running late, be there to get you in ten. Love you.

Natalie:

I swear, you're going to be late for your own funeral one of these days. ; -) You're lucky you're cute. See you in ten. ❤️

Read

He picked up his phone and began to type a message—something he hadn't had the courage to do for two years. Not that she would ever see it, but he thought maybe it would ease his mind before he left.

Zaelyn:

It's been two years. Two years tonight, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about you. You're a constant thought, a reason I've forced myself to move forward, but I can't. I take one step forward and ten steps back. I was going to ask you to marry me, you know? Mum always said our relationship was just young, dumb love, but I know it wasn't. We met at Kensington Park when we were kids, then we started primary school and went through secondary school together. I've realized that you're in every word I say, in everything I do. We celebrated so much together that these past two years have felt like pure hell. And what's worse? The person responsible for your death was already released. Justice is a joke, and it feels like your life wasn't worth anything. The judge called for your murderer's release—but I can't help but think you would have forgiven him. You always did forgive those who didn't deserve it. I still have that picture of you from Halloween five years ago. I can close my eyes and see your face as clearly as I could two years ago. It feels as if it all happened yesterday. Your eyes are burned into my memory, and your smile is something I'm dying to see again. I know that once I achieve what I'm about to do, I will finally rest with you and be forever in your embrace. I can be happy and free. Knowing that brings me peace.

Sent

Precipitant unavailable. Message not sent.

Zaelyn paused, contemplating for a moment before typing one last thing.

Zaelyn:

I know you wouldn't want me to do this, but I've tried everything to hold on. I've done my best to move forward, but you've always been a part of me. Knowing that I had a piece of you connected to me when you died has haunted me. How can everyone expect me to move on? You're everything that I am and have always been. It wasn't just some fleeting, pointless love. Mum was wrong. Even she can't convince me that this was temporary. You were my life. Just like you will be my salvation in death. Together, we will never be apart—come Heaven or Hell; it will be us forever.