When Blood Speaks

Part Four

Sunlight breached the wooden blinds as dawn arrived. I rolled over, reaching for him. The other side of the bed was cold, telling me he was awake. Probably in the shower. I listened but there was no sound. Nothing except Maddie licking between her toes.

My eyes opened, remembering the events of the night before and what was to come on. With a sigh, I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. Maddie felt me move and jumped onto the bed, asking to cuddle. She circled my lap twice before laying down and purring.

"Are you awake?" a voice yelled from the hall.

I groaned, "Yes."

Against her wishes, I pushed Maddie from my lap so I could swing my legs from the bed. Yawning, my arms stretched out, feeling the muscles pop as they ached from the cold. Maddie laced herself between my feet when I walked toward the dresser in search of clothes.

In the reflection of the mirror, I saw him walk into the bedroom with a grin. He leaned to kiss my cheek before backing out the door. "I'm running late, but I'll see you when I get home tonight."

"Love you," I shouted.

"You too!" He yelled from the hallway as he ran.

It wouldn't be long before the police would return. I pulled out a pair of my heavy winter pants and long underwear. Considering what they were coming for, it was safe to assume I would be outside for the majority of the day. 

The cabin was silent as I moved to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth. With every step, Maddie howled, continually lacing herself between my feet. She knew with each step I wasn't planning on staying in the house with her.

Outside, we heard the sound of birds singing by the window. It was very faint, but in the distance, I could hear the same owl, continuing to call. Though strange, I let it go, as my mind was preoccupied. 

I stared into my reflection in the bathroom. The dark circles under my eyes were evident. I didn't sleep well. The shock of the corpse stayed with me as I continued to feel his eyes on me. My husband slept through the night as I tossed and turned, never getting comfortable. 

In the corner of my eye, I caught the glimpse of something shining. Whatever it was sat behind the toilet, close to the pipes. Bending down, I reached for it. It was a lighted nock, covered in dried blood. Holding it close, I realized it must have come off of my clothes from the kill with the buck. It was possible since I had lost sight of the arrow in the snow.

Maddie jumped onto the dresser when I returned to my room. I held the nock up to her. She leaned close, sniffing the nock, before licking it. Chuckling, I opened my black and blue jewelry box to store it for later.

They came as promised. I had already moved into the kitchen to cook my oatmeal when I noticed the swarm of vehicles pulling into my driveway. Maddie jumped onto the kitchen windowsill to get a better look at what was to come. She bolted into hiding at the first door knock.

Bowl in hand, I walked over to unlock and open the door. On the other side stood Jeff with his brigade behind him. "Good morning, ma'am. I'm sorry we arrived so early."

Nodding, I waved them inside. "I was already awake."

He shook his head and said, "Ah, ma'am, would it be possible for you to lead us to the body? We've brought some equipment to help us follow you safely."

Sighing, I took the last bite of my oatmeal. "Sure. Give me a couple minutes to get my boots on and I'll be right out."

"Great. Oh, and is your husband home?" he asked.

I shook my head. "No, he has already left for work."

Jeff's gaze shifted to my garage before his reassuring smile returned. "Okay. Thank you, ma'am. We'll just be out here."