1) What Happened To Erin? (Published on GALATEA)

Seven Years Ago.

The Day of Erin Lockwood’s Disappearance.

The moon was like a phantom-silver orb, moonlight filtered from above, silver dappling the ground as branches swayed, driving the chill from her bones. Mia hobbled forward at the forefront. The damp undergrowth of the forest floor moshed between her toes, squelching beneath her bare feet with each step. Keila trembled beside her, the red summer dress she wore was caked in filth and grime. Akin’s long, bony legs wobbled, his hand clutching his side. Opal’s arm was draped around Aries’s shoulders and his arm was wrapped around her waist, which kept her bolstered at his side as she hopped on one leg.

They all emerged from out of the woods, scathed, broken and irrevocably traumatized. Soon all they could hear was the blaring sounds of sirens that screamed into the midnight sky, tyres screeching as four police vehicles descended upon the scene. Eight officers rushed out of their cars, briskly and yet cautiously making their way to the dazed children.

Bright blue lights reflected in Mia’s unblinking eyes as a policewoman approached her. Mia remained stagnant—frozen—trapped in a paralyzing stupor. Tormented by the harrowing image of Erin’s desiccated body, inert, and the light in her eyes snuffed out eternally.

“Hey there, I am a police officer.” She gestured to the star pinned on her chest. “I’m not going to hurt you. I’m here to help.”

Mia remained still, numb and unresponsive.

The policewoman moved to stand right in front of her and sunk to her haunches. She lifted her hands to hold onto her small frame. But the moment her hands touched Mia’s bare skin, she jolted as if she had been burnt and gasped as if struck. Mia’s eyes blinked rapidly, darting from place to place as the horrific reality of what had happened finally dawned on her.

“Jim!” the policeman exclaimed. He clasped his hand on Akin’s gaunt shoulder pointedly. “This one claims that his other friend is still in the woods,” he said to the other officer, who scooped up a whimpering Opal and carried her to the passenger seat of one of the police cruisers.

“Carter, John. Go with Jim and find the other kid,” he ordered. The three police officers sprinted into the woods, engulfed by darkness as the other four remained and tended to the five children.

“Let’s get you to the car, warm you up,” The policewoman said softly and rubbed Mia’s arms, friction creating fleeting heat. “And take you back to the precinct. Your parents are worried sick.” She then moved her hand and had it placed behind her shoulder to gently guide her.

Mia refused and slipped from her grasp.

“N—no. I—I have to go back! She needs me!” Mia cried hysterically and she swiveled around to run back into the woods.

The policewoman lunged and swiftly wrapped her arms around her petite frame.

Mia thrashed and wailed in protest. “She needs me! She...needs me.” Her wails quietened and softened into snivels as she bowed her head. Tears welled in her eyes and slid down her dirty cheeks in strings, clearing a clean path.

The policewoman receded but kept her at arm’s length, adjusting Mia so she could face her fully. Head still bowed, she tried to get Mia to look into her eyes.

“What do you mean, sweety? What happened to her?”

Mia lifted her head gradually, and the policewoman stared back into her haunted gaze.

“It killed her—we killed her—uh, um,” she stuttered.

Rebecca’s eyes exploded with alarm, pierced by a nameless dread. She adopted a serious tone. “Hey, I need you to focus for me. What is your name?” she demanded.

“Mia.”

The policewoman nodded and flashed an encouraging smile. “That’s good, Mia, really good. My name is Rebecca.” She patted her hand on her chest and placed it back on Mia’s shoulder. “I need you to do me a small favor. Can you do that for me?”

Mia’s trembling head bobbed a yes.

“Can you tell me what happened here?” she asked, and flicked her gaze at the woods. Her eyes drew back down to Mia’s face that was contorted in a woeful expression.

Mia raised a hand to clutch onto the pendant that hung from her neck.

“Mia.” Brusque. “What happened?” she asked firmly.

Mia yielded, and her hand dropped to her side. “I killed her. I never meant to,” she whimpered, tears welling up anew. “I didn’t have a choice.”

Rebecca’s mouth fell ajar.

“I killed her.”