The Silent Witness

Some things don't need explaining--you just have to see.

This is the first of a microfiction series following Evan Lee and his Special Needs guide dog, Max. Join them as they unravel mysteries around their neighbourhood.

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Evan Wong rubbed his eyes and stretched his arms, closing his laptop in front of him. He sighed. Epilepsy meant that his world existed within four walls, and Max, his ever-faithful seizure alert Golden Retriever. Since his condition had worsened, conducting investigative journalist work from home had become his best bet.

His focus was on a scandalous expose that night--one that would put a corrupt corporate developer away for many years. He was midway through making edits to his work when he heard a familiar whine.

"Not now, bud," Evan patted Max on the head and murmured, fingers still caressing the keyboard.

Max remained at his window seat, his ears standing, his body rigid. His hairs stood on end.

Sighing, Evan followed his gaze. Across the street, a window framed a woman's pale features, unreadable apart from the dim glow of a streetlamp. Her lips mouthed two distinct words.

HELP ME.

Evan stood. The curtain snapped shut.

The quick-thinking journalist needed only a moment before starting a new post. "If anything happens to me, it's Apartment 12, Fairview Mansions." He hit the send button and dialled the police--anonymously.

And then, his body turned on him. A sudden spasm, a flicker of white light at the corners of his eyes. His body's final warning.

But Max beat Evan's odds. Nudging Evan to the side, he yanked the emergency cord that bound his wrist. Then, a knock on the door. Police sirens.

In bed hours later, van read the news. Female journalist exposes corporate developer on the take. She had been chasing the same story--and nearly suffered the fate he could have.

Evan scratched Max's ears. "Guess you deserve a hamburger, huh, bud?"

Max nosed him and let out a sharp bark.

Some stories, Evan realised, didn't need chasing. You just had to see.

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This story is entirely original. The presence of AI tags is coincidental.