Suspicious Encounter.

“Beside this knife, did you find anything suspicious when you got here?” the police, inspector Kingsley, asked me as he studied the bloodstained knife.

I feel numb. Although I heard his question, but my brain couldn't process it and I simply shook my head. My eyes were focused on Nike's lifeless eyes.

“You mean, you didn't see any suspicious person lurking around when you arrived?” he asked again.

I shook my head again, and he sighed.

“Don't worry, Miss Peterson, we'd take care of everything concerning your boyfriend's murder case” he told me. “And we'll contact you for further questioning, but first, we need you to go home and get some rest” he looked behind him and called a police officer over. “Officer West will walk you home for protection because we don't know if your boyfriend's murderer is going to come after you”

He's a wise man, he knew I'm not in the right state of mind to give him any useful information…not that I have any, though.

My lips quivered tremendously as I silently looked at Nike's lifeless body for a moment, then a lone tear ran down my cheeks, and a few others came after that.

“I know this is a huge blow to you, Miss Peterson, but you must pull yourself together and…"

“I want to be alone” I cut inspector Kingsley off. “And I would like to go home alone, I don't need an escort”

“But Miss… "

“Thank you, but I'll be fine on my own” I said firmly, and without waiting for his response, I rushed out of Nike's apartment.

******

I don't know how long, or how far I've walked, but I know it's been a few blocks. I was lost in my thoughts, wondering why anyone would kill Nike, who did he offend that they decided to kill him.

Although the streets were bustling, but it felt like they were deserted, as a heavy silence hung in the air, matching the weight on my chest.

Why did you choose to leave me, Nike? Don't you know how much I love? How do you expect me to go on without you? These were the thoughts running about in my mind.

I didn't watch where I was going, and so I crashed into someone.

“Bloody watch where you're going, bitch!” a gruff voice rudely growled at me, making me take a frightening step back.

I raised my head and saw a broad, tall, handsome man staring down at my petite form. There were deep frown lines on his forehead, and a small but deep scar on the top of his left eyebrow, making him look even scarier than how his broad form has already made him.

“Sorry,” I muttered in my cracked voice, my words barely audible.

“Scram!” he growled again, his voice dripping with anger and frustration.

“Sorry,” I muttered again, my voice barely a whisper.

I quickly turned to run away, not wanting to provoke him any further. But before I could make my escape, I saw him glance towards Nike's apartment, where the police were still investigating his murder.

My heart skipped a beat. Don't tell me he's the killer – I thought, my mind racing with fear and suspicion. The man's intense gaze lingered on the crime scene for a moment before he turned his attention back to me. His eyes were cold and distant, as if he was hiding something.

Isn't this what inspector Kingsley meant about a suspicious person lurking around?

I sighed quietly, trying to calm my racing thoughts. I couldn't suspect everyone I crossed paths with of Nike's death. It was irrational and would only lead me down a dark path of paranoia. But the man's reaction to my accidental collision and his connection to the crime scene left an unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach.

As I continued walking, my mind couldn't help but wander back to Nike. He was a kind-hearted soul, always willing to lend a helping hand. He had no enemies, or so I thought.