20 Yousve Solved the Case? (1/2)

My head was planted on the pillow, my eyes glued to the ceiling as I re-envisioned the body. There had to be something. Even with my meager understanding of the subject, the possibility of someone wearing clothes that fit them 'that' poorly usually means something. As I thought about it, I felt my eyes drooping.

If it was a miracle or just how tired I was, I don't know, but for the first time in years, I fell into a sound sleep. No dreams haunted me. Nothing dragged me off my bed or grabbed my throat when I closed my eyes.

When I woke up, I felt dread creep up my spine. As if lightning had struck me, the thought passed through my head.

'Dressed in borrowed robes.'

All the tension left my body. In an instant, I felt like I had just returned from a battle, victorious. My breath was laborious, my palms clammy with sweat, and my eyes still unable to focus on my surroundings.

The links quickly started forming in my head. The child must have been wearing someone else's clothes. Going by the several concepts that Mr. Butler had explained to me in the past couple of days, I was sure that the link was closer to home to the killer. It was definitely someone he knew. Maybe, someone else who worked on the same farm? Or someone from his own family? It was possible.

I was shaken by how motivated I felt to solve this. I felt the connection to the missing boys. I had been there, in the same dark hole, hoping that someone would rescue me. I knew what they thought. I knew what they felt. And how could I not help them? How could I not try?

This human connection was something I was forgotten. Being able to understand what others felt, not calculate their reactions, was new to me. I quickly slid off the bed and changed clothes. The time was perfect. As I rushed down the stairs towards the entrance, I saw Mr. Butler sipping on his cup of tea. He spared me a glance. He looked tired, but still somehow enthusiastic.

”Are you going somewhere?” he asked, a small smile playing across his lips.

”The market is open today and I want to see if what I am thinking is a possibility.” I didn't want to tell him my theory. I didn't want him to take away from me the little reassurance I could get by doing… something.

”Won't you share it with me?” It surprised me that he didn't seem to ask the question in a way that would force me to answer him. It was as if he wanted to know why I wouldn't tell him.

”I can be wrong,” I said in a low voice.

”Yes, you could be.” Was all he said. I stared at him for a moment before finding the right words.

”Why don't you ask me what I theorized?”

”I will be heading over to the police station soon,” he said as he got up from his seat. He leaned over to pick up a paper and handed walked over to hand it to me. ”This should help you a little.”

”You've solved the case?” The surprise in my voice made him burst out into laughter. It was the first time I had seen him do that. I was slightly taken aback.

”You seem to be very close to solving it, yourself. How could I let myself lose to you?” his carefree words were equivalent to a pat on the shoulder. ”Now, go. Early bird gets the worms.”

He strolled away.

His permission was all I needed. I had already taken the car out and driving away. I saw Mr. Butler standing at the front door with what seemed like a satisfied expression on his face. I didn't think much of it then.