mistaken a collection of short stories by the 2nde 7

8/11/2019 MISTAKEN a Collection of Short Stories by the 2nde 7

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Rocroy Saint-Vincent de Paul

Paris 10e

MistakenA collection of scary short stories

that will make you doubt

by the pupils of 2nde 7

lass of 201!

All illustrations by "ine Scheiblin#


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$ere is the selection of the nine best detecti%e short stories written by the pupils of 2nde 7&

class of 201!' (hese works of fiction were sent to participate in a creati%e writin# competition&

the Paper Planes )n#lish Pri*e 201!'

All the selected students recei%ed a Promisin# +oun# ,riter Award& and this year& we had the

#reat pleasure to ha%e one of our students& )mma roman& recei%e the second pri*e for her

short story& rackin#'

(o all my students& . am always ama*ed at your ima#ination and talent'

Please keep writin#& keep creatin#/

A' esfosses


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MistakenA collection of short stories by the 2nde 7, class of 2014

Table of Contents

1. Cracking, by Emma Groman !age 2"

!a#er !lanes English !ri$e %inner, second best short story

2. Gossi#, by Elsa &o'ge !age 4"

(. The crime %as almost #erfectby &ine )cheibling !age 7"

4. *eath C'#,by +arie amea' !age 10"

-. loody Christmas,by +athilde !arfait !age 1("

/. Amnesia,by alentine !'ig !age 1/"

7. The ose +an,by omane ermond !age 1"

. loody 3riday,by ictor 3orissier !age 22"

. At 2.40 #m, in the #ark, by arine 5atrin !age 2-"


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Cracking

by Emma Groman

5inner of the !a#er !lanes English !ri$e

for se ond best short story6

Annas heart was pounding so fast that night, she still remembers it. She still remembers

the sweat on her forehead dripping down her neck, the cold air filtering through the dark

and gloomy closet she had been hiding in. Tonight was the night. The night she was going

to revenge her parents death. She knew Jack had done it, she just did. After all, her sister

phelia had seen him do it.

Anna jumped, she had just heard a noise. She waited for a few minutes before concluding

that it was probably nothing. So, youre probably thinking, why not just go to the police!

"f you knew he had done it and your sister saw the guy do it# $ut there was only one

problem% phelia was psychotic. So when she had gone to the police, they obviously

didnt believe her. She had tried her best to convince them, but they just wouldnt listen.

Anna had told them e&actly what phelia had told her% she had seen Jack come into their

house and shoot both of her parents in the head. And phelia insisted she had seen Jack.

Anna did consider that her sister might be confused, but the more she thought of it, the

more possible it seemed. Anna had never liked Jack. 'e just looked so, so# (ou know

when you just dont feel comfortable around someone but you cant really e&plain why.

)ell thats how Anna felt around Jack. And she hated the way he would always crack his

fingers. After she had gone to the police and no one had listened to her, she had made a


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big decision. She was going to kill Jack, the bastard who had killed her parents. She went

and bought a gun *this is America, anyone can buy a gun+ and planned it all. Jack only

lived a few blocks away. 'e always went out for a drink around nine, so she would go intohis house through the kitchen window and hide there until he came back and then# well

you can guess what would happen then. Anna heard another noise. This time it was

definitely him. She heard his footsteps come up the stairs, and then his bedroom door

where Anna was hiding opened. She could see him, right there, but he couldnt see her.

She could hear him cracking his hands. 'ers were shaking so badly, she wondered if they

would be stable enough for her to shoot him. She didnt move for about two minutes,

probably forgetting to breathe too, and then she just got out of the closet and pointed thegun at him. )hen she saw him, his e&pression in his eyes, she just knew. Jack only had

the time to say )hat the#- And she pulled the trigger.

Anna didnt remember much after that, just coming back home and telling her sister that

she had taken care of things and that everything was going to be ok.

A year later, Anna and phelia were having breakfast in a little caf. The sun was shining,

they were both smiling and laughing. This tour around /urope was an e&cellent idea.

They were leaving the ne&t day for 0aris, where they were joining a great aunt of theirs.

The waiter came to take their order. 'e was a young and good1looking boy, probably in

his twenties. Anna had noticed that the boy was cracking his hands while phelia was

ordering. )hen he had left, phelia became blank. Slowly, she turned and said in a flat,

toneless voice, Anna, this is the person who killed our parents, "m sure of it2-


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Gossip

by Elsa &o'ge

3y name is Sara, " am thirty years old and " have been living in 4ambridge

'ospital since my daughter5s death. The doctors say that " can5t leave this hospital

because " am too fragile6 they also tell me that " have to find some friends not to be alone,but the other patients are delirious. Today " have an idea% if " can5t speak with the other

patients, " can speak with you, readers, tell you the story of Amy5s death, it will be hard to

look back on this dreadful night.

"t was a 7riday, my friends invited me to an ama8ing party downtown and " was so

e&cited that " forgot to find a baby1sitter for my daughter. The district was peaceful so "

decided, with a guilty conscience, that Amy could stay alone... She was eight. " kissed her

and told her Stay in your bed " will come back soon9, and she answered with a huge

smile and went to bed. " was stupid and immature, shame on me for being a horrible

mother. " danced all night on a wild rhythm with my friends. " was a little drunk and

came back home at :.;< am. " opened the door and " stumbled against an Amy5s cuddly

toy, a small doll. " came to a standstill% Amy couldn5t sleep without her doll, it was strange

that she left it here... " grabbed her doll but it slipped in my hand because it was wet but

not with water. 3otionless, " made out a pool of ....blood.

The floor was covered with blood2 " would not forget this moment. "t was Amy5s

blood. " screamed, my body shuddered and " was sweating in my skinny dress. " couldn5t

move, " was speechless. After five minutes, " moved forward and " discovered a terrifying

sight% in the kitchen Amy was laid on the floor. 'er face was pale, her eyes staring at the

ceiling and her body was cut in several places. " heard a creaking door and, in the

darkness of the night, " saw a figure, " saw his eyes. There was no light in the street but

his eyes were shining in the dark. "t seemed to me that his face was smiling and he

disappeared. " reeled and fainted on the floor.


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The ne&t day, my neighbor rang at the door because she had heard me screaming

during the night, but " was still unconscious. She called the police and " woke up in the

hospital. After five days, a detective named 4kaj came to =uestion me about the crime.4kaj was strong and tall, he had a moustache and his e&pression was familiar. 'e

interrogated me to know e&actly what had happened that night but " was so shocked that

" couldn5t speak and it was horrible for me to try to remember the details. 9>id you see

someone!9 4kaj asked me. 9(es, my daughter on the floor9 " answered. /very time he

asked me something, " mumbled words to say that my daughter was dead, it was too hard

for me.

After several days, 4kaj told me that his team had not found any clues so the

murderer was clever and e&tremely dangerous. )e made a list of all the suspects% it could

be a neighbor because one of them had already been in jail, it could be a serial killer who

probably didn5t know Amy or my e&1husband whose name was Jack. Jack was wrathful

and when he heard gossips in our district, he became violent. "t was said that Jack was not

Amy5s father. 'e started to hate Amy and he hurted me so " decided to separate from him

and now Jack was living at the end of the world. 4kaj thought that the best suspect was

the neighbor and he appealed for witness but my neighbor had an incontestable alibi, hecouldn5t be guilty. The police went into action in the district to investigate but the

criminal was still at large and we didn5t have clues. " was depressed and became cra8y, the

doctor was worried for my health because " was shocked. " didn5t want to see my friends

who came to the hospital to visit me because they reminded me that " was not a good

mother and should have stayed with Amy that night.

ne evening, the detective paid me a visit to know more about Jack, he seemed to

be very interested by my e&1husband. ?ervously, he asked me something that made me

understand who he was% 9Jack was violent because you were unfaithful to him, weren5t

you!9. " stared at him and " saw the e&pression of a murderer but also my e&1husband5s

e&pression. 3y heart was thumping but " tried to keep impassive. " replied that Amy was

Jack5s daughter but he had never believed me. The detective was speechless with a

strange and une&pected gleam in his eyes. " had seen that gleam before, it was in the

darkness of the kitchen when " discovered Amys body. All of a sudden " understood that

4kaj was a strange name and if " switched the letters, 4kaj became Jack. The detective was


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Jack22 . 'e stood up and left the hospital. "t was the last time " saw him because according

to the police, he hurled himself into the river.

"t had been impossible for me to recogni8e him because he wore a wig and a false

moustache. @ater my neighbor told me that she had never called the police because, on

the sidewalk in front of my house, she met a man who told her he was a detective named

4kaj.

Jack wanted to take revenge on me because he thought " was unfaithful. 'e

believed what was publicly rumoured. Those gossips made him a murderer. " can5t live

without thinking that " am a criminal too because " left my daughter alone. )riting this

book calms down my pain.


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Thecrimewas almostperfectby &ine )cheibling

One month. One month since my wife died. Everything began at that moment. I was smitten with

her. One afternoon, I came home earlier from work and found my wife with her lover. I hadnt

suspected anything. Mad with rage, I grasped my gun and I shot. Both of them. It happened so fast.

I had to make the bodies disappear before someone had noticed they were missing. I found a

solution cut them into pieces and bury them in my garden. I managed to conceal everything not to

leave any traces behind. I would recover from this tragic story and start from scratch.

As with every Saturday morning, 3r.$ellick went to see his psychologist to forget what he

has been through during his work % he was one of the most famous and renowned

inspectors of ?ew (ork 4ity and he mainly dealed with murders and rapes. 'e was clever

and crafty. 'e could be trusted.

But as soon as I saw a woman with blue!eyes and long!dark!hair, I thought of my wife. I thought of

all the pains she had made me endure. I needed to kill all the women who looked like her. "nd that

one would be my ne#t victim. I followed her and I discovered she was a teacher. I waited until she

finished her classes to come nearer. I appeared courteously and I drove her back to the $th of

Branks "venue. %hen we arrived, there was no one fortunately. I didnt lose time and I strangled

her. I saw in her eyes all the panic and the fear she felt and I loved it. &es, I loved it. I liked hearing

her piercing screams, until her throat couldnt emit audible sounds. I saw her suffering and

gradually dying. 'he smell of her perfume thrilled me and intensified my pleasure. 'hen, she didnt

struggle anymore and she violently fell to the ground. I got my knife out and I savored this most


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e#citing moment I cut her flesh into pieces. 'o finish the work as usual, I carefully cleaned up

everything.

ne hour after his consultation, the inspector 3r.$ellick received a call from his assistant

3r.Scofield. nce again, it was about a murder. A woman. The fifth one who5s been killed

in the same way.

The victims husband called us as soon as he came back home. 'e found his wifes body

in pieces# )e are dealing with a serial killer. 3eet me on the crime scene at the Bth of

$ranks avenue. C

3r.$ellick immediately joined his assistant. 'e stares at the womans body.

3rs.0ing, forty1two, mathematics teacher, married, two children. C declared

3r.Scofield.

'ave you found any trace of the culprit ! C asked the inspector.

?othing. The murderer seems to be a professional. 'e hasnt left anything behind him

for the fifth time 2 C

Duestion her family, the teachers, they might have information about her relationships

which could lead us to the criminal. C ordered 3r.$ellick.

I have planned my crime and thought about every detail I went to the school where Mrs.(ing

worked ) they let me enter after having shown them my identity, I inserted a sleeping pill in one

teachers coffee and left the same knife which I would use later in his locker. %hen the professor

finished his coffee, I brought him to a secluded corner, where he couldn*t be seen. I stole his phone

and sent a te#t to Miss (ing for a meeting to talk after +the argument+ they had.

After his investigation, the assistant summari8ed %

3r.0ing has no particular suspicion, the kids even less. 'owever, we have discovered a

message on the victims phone % she was supposed to meet one of the teachers at the


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witching hour# )e went to interrogate him and he denied being guilty. (et the message

was sent from his phone. 'e doesnt have any valid alibi, he said he was sleeping at this

moment but nobody can prove it. 'e obviously had a motive for, he had a closerelationship with 3rs.0ing and they had just argued.

Eood work 3r.Scofield. 'e seems to be our guy. Feep him in custody. 'ave you found

the crimes weapon ! C asked 3r.$ellick.

?ot yet# C

(ou may look in his locker# or inside his house# C got a grip on him.

The assistant dashed off and ran to check the teachers locker. 'e found the knife there#

'e looked for further information in the archives which confirmed his theory. 'e made a

call. /verything was clear for him 2 'e rushed to his superior to announce his

discovery. " understood he could be the criminal himself, " just missed his motive and

alibi. $ut " remembered he had recently lost his wife of whom he never speaks of. " saw a

picture % she had blue eyes, and long dark hair. /&actly like the five other dead women 2 "

checked his alibi. 'e has an appointment every Saturday morning at his psychologist. 'e

hasn5t been to see her for a month. Astonishingly, all those crimes took place at the same

time 2 C

uddenly, I reali-ed I have made a mistake. I

revealed a clue which allowed my dumb

assistant to understand I knew something I was

not supposed to But it was too late, I had todisappear I immedialtely ran away to my

car

'es not in his office anymore 2

'e knows we know# C

The deadly pursuit has begun...


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Deathcup

by +arie amea'

Abbys shouts kept me awake all night. " was choking with anger, clenching my

fists, sticking my nails into my flesh. "t became unbearable. " remembered the day " had

met her for the first time, the day she had married him.

'er dress was maybe too tight for a family dinner, and too red for a wedding party. 'er

audacity was e&pressed by her poppy coloured lips and by the glow of her bla8ing mane.

'er milky carnation flattered the emeralds of her feline eyes. "n a subtle sway, she moved

slowly towards me like a panther. She might have felt " was staring at her, at her bare

shoulders.

Swann, how long have you been working for my husband! -she asked me with the mostda88ling smile " had ever seen.

" have served him for ten years, my lady9" answered.

(ou may know him =uite well, " guess. )hat do you think about his character! -

Sir $olling was a charming and passionate lover, some times a little bit impulsive.

'e occasionally became wrathful, especially with his previous wives. 'e already had

gotten married twice. ne had died, the other had committed suicide.

Sir $olling always treated me with respect, my @ady,-" told her.

4an " count on you, Swann!-she purred.

"m ready to fulfil any of your re=uests, my @ady,-" said, trying to keep the same tone.

She put her hand on my arm. The contact of her flesh made me blush.

0lease, call me Abby.- She whispered.


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7or the first weeks, they lived moments of flawless happiness, love and passion.

/very time he could, he clasped her tightly in his strong and hairy arms while she stared

hungrily at him with a forthwith desire. 'owever Sir $olling had to travel a lot, leaving

her alone, coming back in the dead of night. As time went by, her delight withered. 'e

became unpleasant, his first hearts passion flame changing into a fire of anger. A month

later, " had to wash the first blood stains on a collar shirt. She began to wear long1sleeved

shirts in summer and sun glasses during the dark winter. )ith her friends, she was

giggling with a forced laugh, a pale smile stuck on her cheeks. )hen she thought she was

alone, she slumped into the armchairs depths, her red hair surrounding her spectral

face. )hen he was home, she usually hid in the cellar but, one evening, she came under

my blankets. She cuddled up to me, her twitchy breath tickling my neck. /choing

footsteps crossed the corridor. ?either of us moved. )e remained silent and motionless

until the sunrise. 7inally, she walked to the door and, without turning round, she

whispered thank you-, leaving her perfume in my sheets. Some nights, she could not

escape.

'er cries snatched my heart. "t made me sick. " was suffocating with fury. 7or

those following dark hours, " figured out how " could stop this tragic situation. " couldnt

denounce him to the police. 'e was one of those men very able to find a way to be easily

released and then take revenge on her. 3oreover, Abby might have refused to testify% "

could see in her frightened eyes that she still loved him in a kind of desperate manner.

)herever she might flee, he would find her.There was thus only one way.

)hen the first sun rays appeared, " went to the forest soaked by dew. The redleaves floated in the grey sky of ctober. " peered at the carpet of dead leaves with fever.

$etween some roots, " cut a death cup, wearing my pink dish gloves. " brought it to the

kitchen. " grated the mortal mushroom as a nutmeg, mi&ing it with Sir $ollings coffee.

The breakfast prepared, " raised the silver tray to the couples bedroom.

)hy were you so late !-Sir $olling asked me when " opened the creaking door.

'alf1laid under the cover, he was glaring at me with his shaggy head. ?e&t to

him, still wrapped into the sheets, Abby slowly opened her cat1like eyes.


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" was cleaning the kitchen, my apologies, Sir,-" murmured, looking at my feet.

)ell... (ou may leave.-

This was my day off. " went to the village, coming back late at night. " could not

sleep, wating for his whine with an indecent impatience. Suddenly, Sir $olling5s voice

rang out in all the rooms of the manor % 9'elp 2 She needs help 2 4all the doctor 29

3y heart stopped beating. >id he say she-! " ran into the bedroom and all of a

sudden " fell petrified. She was laying on the par=uet. n his knees, Sir $olling was kissing

her cheeks. 'e was crying as a lost child, letting big tears sinking on her pale face . " felt

my legs shivering. 3y ears was whistling. " fell to the ground...

There was only darkness, a deeply empty darkness. A sound drew my attention. "t

was Sir $ollings voice. 'e was calling me.

Swann, "ve been told that you can hear me now... )hen youre asleep," can see you have

got the same e&pression as $arbara, my first wife. (ou never met her, did you! )hat a

pity2 She was an adorable woman. "m sure you would have liked her, probably not as

much as you liked Abby... "m so sorry... Today, it5s the first anniversary of Abby5s death.

)hile she had a heart attack, you fell into a

coma. The house is empty without you.

/verybody is missing you. "m missing you. "

miss your polite shyness, your grace, the way

your freckled cheeks blushed... " come every

morning to the hospital, waiting for you to

awake. " couldnt stand losing you. " think... "

am afraid that " am slowly falling in love

with you.9

" woke up with a start, my eyes

blinded by the hospital lights.


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ABloodyChristmas

by +athilde !arfait

" rushed out of this dead1end street, limping, and tried to find my way through the

blinding snow. " was running despite the pain and when " was far enough from this

horrible street, " rose up the collar of my coat and put my hat on. " looked around me in

order to make sure that no one had seen me. n that special night of 4hristmas, @ondons

streets were deserted and " was alone, my feet crunching in the snow. " leaned against a

wall, and caught my breath. " closed my eyes, persuading me that it was just a nightmare

and that " was going to wake up but the throbbing pain on my leg brought me back to

reality. )hat had " done! "t was not possible#

/our hours before

" hate 4hristmas. "t is the only celebration that " cannot stand. 'ow can " celebrate it

without enough money! "n order to please my children, " went to the attic and while " was

looking for the decorations of the 4hristmas tree, " found an old bo&. "ntrigued, " opened

it and " found lots of old papers which belonged to my grandfather. " read them and " saw

the property deed of an old goldmine. " immediately saw the opportunity of getting out of

poverty and paying out our debts. " decided to show it to one of my friends, a notary, in

order to know if this deed was still available. "f it was, " could be the owner of a minewhich brought in millions of pounds each year. Are you sure you want to get out! The

weather is awful today2- my wife asked, worried. (es, " am, it is really important for me2

>o not worry honey6 " will be back for dinner.- " kissed her and got out, e&cited as if " was

a young child about to open his 4hristmas gifts. " ga8ed at myself in a store front and "

saw a joyful and handsome man whose life was about to change. " could not imagine that "

was that right.

GGG


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)ell, this deed is still available, you can still own that mine,- he smiled and added,

3erry 4hristmas John2- " was over the moon6 nothing could have made me feel more

delighted. " thought that finally " could like 4hristmas. Suddenly, the doorbell rang and "turned over. "t was 3r. $ryan, a tall, strong man. 'e was also my landlord and was really

greedy for money. " greeted him and got out of the office. 'alf1way from my house, "

reali8ed that " had forgotten my papers and " gave in to panic. )hen " arrived at the office

once again, " was running out of steam. " rushed into the office, asking for my deed. 3r.

4onnor looked sorry and showed me 3r. $ryan with his chin. 3r. Smith2 " am glad to

see you and to say that all your debts are paid off, thanks to this,- he showed me my

papers and took a pen in order to sign them. $...but they are mine2- " staggered. ?otanymore,- he simply replied. " stood there gaping in front of him. " reali8ed that my

whole life would be destroyed if he signed those papers, so " suddenly snatched the

papers out of his hands. " then ran out of the office but the man swore and started

hunting me down. )e arrived in a dead1end street and " turned over. 'e looked at me

and sniggered% (ou are ridiculous, what are you going to do now! Eive me this back2- "

shook my head and put the deed in my pocket. 'e teased me and moved forward,

threatening. 7rightened, " punched his head. 'e stumbled, a bit groggy, and " took a littleknife in my pocket. 'e tried to catch it and he plunged it into my leg. " screamed out in

pain and fell down. 'e leaned over me and took the papers in my pocket. " managed to

pick up a piece of wood and " knocked him out. " got up, picked up my papers and saw

that he was still alive. " then looked at my leg and took the knife out of it. " stared at him

and was soon sei8ed by a desire for revenge thinking that what " was about to do was

better for me and my family. " slaughtered him mercilessly. " heard a surprising gasp and

" turned over. The notary, who had followed us, was standing motionless in front of me. "

could not leave him alive if he was the only witness of my crime. " stabbed him in the

stomach. 7inally, " wiped the handle of the knife and put it in the notarys hand. )hile

blood was spreading into the white snow, " ran away, injured.

GGG

" went back home after " was sure that the children were asleep. 3y wife looked at me and

at the blood on my clothes and whispered horrified )hat happened! Are you hurt!- "

answered that " had found the bodies of our landlord and of the notary in a dead1end


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street. " said " was thinking that they had killed each other for money and " continued

lying, saying that " had hurt my leg by sliding on ice. She took me in her arms and helped

me to take care of my injured leg. The following morning, " picked up the newspaperbehind my door and read without any surprise the headline T) 3/? F"@@/> /A4'

T'/H ? 4'H"ST3AS /I/-. " sat down in the armchair ne&t to the fireplace and looked

at my sons who were opening their presents. 3erry 4hristmas >addy2- they said

joyfully. " did not answer and looked at the papers. " felt guilty and threw them into the

fireplace. " watched them burn and mumbled " definitely hate 4hristmas-.


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Amnesia

by alentine !'ig

" opened my eyes. $lack, no matter where " was looking, " could only ga8e at black. "

closed my eyes. " fainted.

" opened my eyes again. This time, " managed to make out blurry shapes spinning in front

of me. " touched the ground beneath me. "t was cold#so cold one could think it was

fro8en. " decided to try standing up but " had barely raised my left arm that an unbearable

wave of pain invaded my whole body, immediately knocking me out. " fainted. Again.

" was floating in nothingness. 3uffled sharp screams reached me. )hat could it be !

Eradually, they became more and more audible#as if they were getting closer. " felt

scared, threatened, oppressed 2 )hat for heavens sake was going on ! )hen the cries and

screams seemed to come from right behind me, they suddenly stopped. /verything wentsilent again#an oppressive silence#disturbing silence#threatening silence. " scanned the

landscape, peering at something which might be useful, but " was staring at the void. "

turned around. A red ghost dripping with blood was waiting for me. 'is terrifying vacant

look stared at me for a moment and abruptly, he went for my throat in a terribly shrill

screech.

GGG

" woke up with a start, shrieking. " tried to catch my breath and pull myself together.

nce " had managed to calm down, " started thinking things through. )here was " ! "

ga8ed at my environment. " was in a large bedroom, richly decorated with paintings,

curtains and ornaments. "t was probably a mansion.

" stood up and dusted my clothes. $ut suddenly, something really disturbing occurred to

me. )ho was " ! " couldnt remember my own name 2 " noticed a huge mirror on my left.0anic1stricken, " rushed to it and looked at myself#At first sight " was#=uite tall, slim


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and#chesty. 4hesty ! F, first of all, " was a woman. 3y long curly light1auburn hair was

cascading down my shoulders. " took a step forward to have a better look at my eyes.

Ereen eyes." started panicking#)hat was " supposed to do now ! " still didn5t have a clue who " was,

where " was or what " was doing here#" tried to calm down and to comfort myself, " said

out loud "d better take a look outside. 3aybe there are other people out there 2-.

" looked at myself smiling in the mirror and then, " turned round toward the door. $ut as "

was doing so, " finally saw my back and " came to a standstill. 3y simple brown dress was

completely stained with a red li=uid. " frowned, frightened. )as#was that blood on my

dress ! " took a deep breath and, more determined than ever " stepped outside." had entered what looked like the first floor of an entrance hall. Just in front of me there

was a splendid balcony giving onto the ground floor and the majestic front door. At my

left and my right, two staircases were leading to it. " rushed to the huge door but

something held my attention behind me. A slight wind silently blew, making my hair and

my dress flutter. Then, a strange smell got to my nose.

"s there anyone here !- " shouted. 'ello ! "m here 2-. ?o response came to me. Just the

free8ing bree8e. 3y vision went blurry. h no- " thought# this is starting again#-. Andas " had the horrible impression that somebody was watching me, " knelt down for my

legs had given up on me. A strong headache took hold of my skull. " closed my eyes.

GGG

0carlett 12 shouted the old lady from downstairs.

0Oh 3 %hat is the matter now, mother 12 a voice replied from upstairs.

0&ou shall come here immediately carlett (rowler of Brennenburg 32 the old lady yelled, upset.

" young lady appeared at the balcony. 4er wild auburn hair was uncombed and she was wearing a

dressing gown. he sneered at her mother who started yelling again.

0&oure not dressed up yet 1 "ll the guests are waiting for you 3 4urry 3 &our father is about to

make his speech 32

555


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" opened my eyes. )hat on earth had just happened ! 'ad " had a vision ! " had seen

myself talking with my mother 2 And she had been calling me Scarlett 2 3y name was

Scarlett2 'ad " been hallucinating ! "t sounded so real yet#as if " had already been livingthis scene#nfortunately, " still had no idea how to e&plain the blood on my dress#and

why " was alone in this house#

The disturbing odour " had smelled escalated. "t was coming from the door leading to the

east wing of the mansion. 3y instinct made me understand that " had to go this way. So,

carefully " stepped toward that door.

06ome on, carlett 3 7ont make our twenty!two guests wait any longer 32

555

As " came to a halt in front of the door, a very bad feeling invaded my soul. " was scared to

death. " had absolutely no idea what was e&pecting me behind that door but once my

fingers gra8ed the door handle, " got a foreboding of something bad, awful, formidable#

and imminent. The wind had stopped blowing. " slowly turned the handle. The oppressive

silent reminded me of my gloomy disturbing dream. " was terrified#but " opened thedoor.

GGG

04O% 6O897 &O8 1 &O8 4"7 :O ;I


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splashing everywhere#screams#pain#death. " remembered my head crushing against

the cold stone to make me forget#That e&plained everything#the blood on my dress, the

silence, the smell#"n front of me, in the large dining room, twenty1four corpses

were lying, slaughtered, butchered#in revenge#by me#


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TheRoseMan

by omane ermond

"t was a cold night, the pattering rain and the wind met to make me feel hopeless. " was

running to save my life but " knew that " was about to die. "f only " had stayed at home, if

only " had listened to them # The worst ! " knew that " deserved it. " was punished for

what " had done#

A few weeks ago, cops came to my house saying that the rose man- had struck another

time and that " was his ne&t target. The rose man-, as newspapers called him was a

serial killer who assassinated young long1black haired girls before putting a red rose in

their right hand and a photo on their chests. KKnd

of ctober, inspectors had found thebody of 4amelia Stevens, a nineteen1year1old girl and on her chest was put a photo of me.

)hy me ! " dont even know him# " dont want to die#- " murmured when " learnt that

my life was threatened.

)ell do everything to catch the murderer and protect you 3iss /vans, " swear- replied

inspector >avis.

"nspector >avis was a blond1haired man with black eyes. 'e seemed to me a nice friendlyguy and " believed that " was safe with him. 'is partner, inspector )illiams, a black1

haired man with cold green eyes seemed much more rude. 'e wasnt really kind with me

but " guess it was because he wanted to do his job and nothing else.

" was forbidden to go out without cops to protect me and lots of policemen were around

my house to prevent anyone from coming in. nfortunately, the rose man- managed to

enter all the same. ne night, " was laying in my bed when " heard a faint breath. " was

speechless and " was practically able to hear my thumping heart. " grabbed my pillow


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strongly and closed my eyes while " could feel him come nearer and move things in my

room. After a while, when " was sure he was gone, " got up and " reeled to the door to go

out as fast as " was able to. nce outside, " ran downstairs and screamed when " feltsomeone catch me. "t was just inspector >avis#

)e went to my room to check with a few cops and we were motionless when somebody

turned the light on. 0hotos of me doing daily things such as seeing my friends were

e&posed everywhere and something was written on one of my walls. (ou can run but not

hide. " found you, "m around you, "m gonna kill you-.

h my god#- " said when " realised that no matter what, 'e would kill me.

"ts one of us 2 3ake a list of every cop who works here and make research on

everybody 2 ?ow 2- yelled >avis.

)illiams isnt here# >o you think he could be the murderer ! -

Theres no way to be sure#- mumbled the inspector as he stared at me.

"nspector )illiams became the suspect number one and was arrested making me feel

safer. ?othing happened then and " was convinced that my life wasnt threatened

anymore. >avis was often outside, probably investigating on his partner. " was tired to be

always followed by cops and a couple hours ago, " took advantage of their lack of

attention to go out alone.

"t was raining but " didnt care as " felt free. After a while, " was alone in a street and "

heard screeching tyres with a purring engine. 7ear won me and when " peeped out behind

me, " saw a tall man going out of his car and walking along me. " wanted to cry but "

recogni8ed >avis. " smiled at him till " saw him grab his gun with a sadistic smile and saw

a rose in his coats pocket.


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>avis# >avis # 'is name was running in my mind and " understood. "t was all on me# "

dated a Fyle >avis a few years ago but " broke up# 'e looked like the inspector % same

eyes, nose, # 'e drank a lot and killed himself in a car accident a few hours after " lastsaw him# "ve always felt guilty for his death.

" started running in the cold even if " knew that my fate was sealed. " should never have

trusted >avis# And inspector )illiams# 'e was innocent6 he had never wanted to hurt

me# Things are never what they look likeTears were running down my cheeks and

it was difficult for me to breathe but " knew that if " stopped, it was over. 'ope came back

when " saw a light but it disappeared when " stumbled and fell on the ground.

>avis came closer, smirked at me and brandished his gun.

ne bullet in the stomach to have a painful and long death. " have been waiting to kill

you for so long honey# " have killed lots of ladies to prepare the perfect death for you.

Say hi to my son deary- boasted >avis.

" heard a whistling bullet and then felt an awful and burning pain, >avis came closer and

put a red rose in my right hand as " was crying and bleeding. Then, he walked away

laughing proudly. ?e&t, everything went

fast % " heard purring engines, slamming

doors, people running and screams, " felt

someone grab me and " saw inspector

)illiams looking at me.

Stay alive "vy, help is coming- murmuredthe inspector.

"5m sorry... "t5s over...- " said before

closing my eyes knowing that " would

never open them again.

/verything was over now, including mypain.


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BloodyFriday

by ictor 3orissier

3ike was e&hausted, the air was stifling in >allas. 'e had spent the night

relentlessly checking the 0residents intended transport route. 7rom the beginning, he

had wanted to be in charge of the 0residents transfer through the city.

3ike had been working in the security team for over :; years. 'e was a small LK1

year old guy, stocky but nimble. 'is mother had brought him up all by herself, in a

shabby housing project in >enver. 'e was proud to have managed his way out of poverty

and to have obtained a job that many coveted. 7rom his earliest days, he had to face

omnipresent violence in his neighbourhood. 'e deeply hated $lacks, Jews and

4ommunists. 'e had learned to estimate danger, cope with it and defend himself.

0'he president is too e#posed2, he sighed wiping off his forehead.

'e had despised daddys boys and heirs since his earliest childhood... All profiteers 2

3ike was aware that because of the political climate, he shouldnt have these kinds

of thoughts. Anyway, he was conscious of being a little jealous and he had not voted for

this rich little snot who had succeeded without any effort and had kept hold of money,

women and power. $ut 3ike had a conscience. 'is job was too important for his

convictions to be an issue. 'e was on the look1out, seated in front of his car, behind the

0residents one. 'e kept a close eye on the roofs and the crowd along the avenue. That


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would have been the perfect spots for potential shooters. "f $olsheviks were prowling in

the crowd, we could not even recogni8e them 2- he grumbled.

7rom his window, Sam peered at the presidential cortege, a hamburger in his right

hand, a >r. 0epper soda in the other. A splendid )alther )AK


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?oiseless, Sam sat down and grabbed the rifle in his hands. 'e brought his eye

closer to the scope. The convertible limousine was in range. The 0resident was radiant, he

was waving and smiling at the crowd. Sam was scanning him. 'is heart was thumping. 'ismuscled body was sweating streams. 'e was as =uiet as the grave. 'e was going to shoot.

'e bent forward and aimed, one bullet would be enough. The weather was perfect, there

was no wind and the sun in his back was blinding the presidential security. 'e was going

to change the face of the world. This was >1>ay, the day he had been e&pecting for so

long. A first bullet whistled through the air and hit the 0resident in the neck. 'e was

speechless, he hadnt fired yet. A second shooter had double1crossed him. Another bullet

smashed the 0residents head. Sam was in a panic 6 he had already understood he wastrapped. 'e was staring at death in the face. "t was his turn now. 'e felt a huge pain

tearing his shoulder. 'e reeled and stumbled. Then a few seconds before he fainted, he

heard three men talking behind the door. 0Its here. :o evidence, no fingerprints.- 3ike

pulled on gloves, grabbed the )alther and removed two bullets.

Fennedy was dead.

And Sam was now the most hated criminal in the world.


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At2.!pm i, nthe park

by arine 5atrin

" took the gun, locked the attache case and closed the hiding place where " usually

store my weapons, money or other suspicious objects that " shouldnt own. " glanced at

the clock, it was K.


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)ednesday, in S # 0ark, at K 03 L< e&actly. She will accompany me, and we will sit down

on the bench near the little pond. (ou, hidden in the thicket behind the bench, you will

shoot. " will provide you with a $rowning @OA:, her brothers gun6 you will leave it on thespot.- So he wants to make her brother take the blame, " see ...

"n a public place, very risky- " replied, calmly. 'e made a pause, and then he abruptly

added a high number. A very high number. 'igh enough for me to accept the mission.

n )ednesday, at K.L< 03- " declared with a smile.

K.;P 03. they appeared. 'e, wearing his elegant suit, she, warmly wrapped up in abeautiful fur coat, a wide brimmed hat protecting her face. As they sat, back to me, "

aimed. A bang6 the body collapsed. According to the plan, " let down the gun and escaped

discreetly #

"t was raining when " opened the house door. " called out 'elen while taking off my

jacket and my gloves. ?o answer. " strained my ears a few seconds, and " reali8ed that,

apart from the blowing wind, the house was silent. 'elen wasnt there. 'owever, she had

left a note informing me she was going out. " turned on the 4> drive, preferring a

classical piece of piano to the gust of the wind, and " started to leaf through the

newspaper. " tried to focus on an article about politics, so as not to think about the

murder of this afternoon. "n vain, the image of the woman falling down obsessed me

again and again. A strange feeling arose in my mind, an ine&plicable dread. " had felt that

way the first time " had murdered, but, with the years, it had disappeared while the

crimes became a habit for me6 and now it came again, more violent and deeper than " had

ever felt. " was lost in thought, far from the melancholic piano chords #

" suddenly heard someone knocking on the door. " stood up, trying during a few

seconds to regain my self1control6 'elen was not to see me in this state. " yelled "m

coming-, took a step forward, and, as " was just about to open the door, " reali8ed that

'elen had her own key. )ho could want to meet us so late! Suspicious, " peeped through

the spy1hole at the visitor. A policeman.The presence of a cop in front of my door frightened me. Should " escape! "t was


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impossible, he must have heard me. The only way to save me was to attack him, even if it

was risky. " scanned =uickly the room, in order to find an object which could be used as a

weapon6 " grasped a little statue. )ith it " could knock him out at least #3y hidden hand behind my back, " opened the door. Am " at 3rs >#!- the cop

asked. (es, "m her husband- " answered, understanding that he wasnt here to arrest

me. Although " should have been relieved, my fear increased within me. " dreaded

something had happened to 'elen.

" regret to inform you of the death of your wife. She was assassinated this afternoon at

K.L< 03 in S# 0ark-.

mistaken a collection of short stories by the 2nde 7

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