Proof
A Story Every Day in 2024 Nov 13th 318/366
Bethan glared at Dave. She wouldn't go down without a fight. She hoped Laney had done the same. She wouldn't make this easy and she was not a victim.
"You killed her, didn't you? That's why you had the camera. You killed our daughter."
Dave was deeply affronted. "No, Bethan. No! I swear! I would never have hurt Laney! I was devastated when she disappeared. How could you think that?"
Bethan glowered, her fists clenched, her instinct to survive making her back away a little.
"What do you expect me to think? You have her camera. Her camera, Dave!"
"I know, I know, but I found it by chance. That's all."
Bethan sneered. "In a quarry? Really? You're telling me that you just happened to be in the quarry and found our missing daughter's camera because you fancied a walk there?"
"Yes, Bethan, yes!" Dave reached for Bethan and she backed further away. "I used to go for walks all the time, you know that! When I entered that fell-walking challenge, I used the quarry for training. Remember that?"
Bethan thought back and did recall Dave training evening and weekends for some fitness thing. It would have been that same year, probably.
"After Laney...I used to go up there still. Sometimes at night."
He'd never told her where he was. He liked to keep his movements a secret.
Bethan looked at Dave. He continued. "I liked it up there. It was...quiet. A bit of a sad place. It sort of reflected my mood, you know. Sometimes, Bethan, I felt...like..."
Here, Dave struggled to find words, to convince Bethan of their veracity but managed, "...like you'd rather have your grief for company than me." Dave realised that this was true and Bethan felt the smart of it, even after all these years. In this, at least, he was being honest.
"I went up there one evening when you were sleeping and I found the camera. You won't have known because you were 'resting'."
Sedated. He hadn't said as much but the accusation of her weakness was there. Bastard. She would not feel weak.
"Show me then."
"What?"
"Show me where you found it."
*
The silent observer followed.
***
366 words
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The Devil Gets What He Wanted
“Hello Old Scratch. My name is Glabon. I assume you know why I am here?” “Of course, Glabon, as you no doubt know, I know many things, most in fact.” “Well, despite that I am required by my superiors to inform you of my intentions in any case.” “And, you always do what you are told don’t you my friend Glabon?” “Of course, and I am not your friend, nor are you anyone’s friend, but that matters not for purposes of this discussion.” “No need to hurl insults, it was only a figure of speech. I would suggest you lighten up, but I assume your superiors would find that objectionable, and my guess is you are not capable of it. Do you ever even smile Glabon? Or laugh? No, I presume not.” “Mr. Scratch I am not here for banter or games, I am here for your interview. As you know a select group has been commissioned to write your biography for the historical record.”
By Everyday Junglist7 days ago in Fiction
Comments (11)
I’ve fallen behind, but will catch up now 😊… Amazing! A sliver of honesty from Dave✅.
Also wondering about the observer and what Bethan hopes to see. Very well written intense scene!
I agree with Lana....
I still wonder who the silent observer is. Also, I hope Dave is not going to push Bethan into the quarry.
Don't accuse Bethan of being weak matey - there is still nothing I like about Dave. You've done such a splendid job of making him thoroughly disagreeable! Great stuff Rachel.
The watcher has to be someone with something to gain or looking for payback.
I still think it's Katie.
Simply amazing, Rachel! Your story keeps defying the odds, getting better and more gripping with each episode!
Bethan, you idiot! Ask him to show what's on the camera! Not where he found the camera! Ugh! Also, maybe the stalker is Katie's mum? Or Mark? Wait who's the one who's still alive? Mark or Matt? I forgot 😅😅
I don't think, I want to believe Dave.
A thrilling prologue, Rachel. That silent observer!