The Muffins

Sebastian, a sprightly young man in his thirties, was a passionate dramatic theater artist. Even though his passion fulfilled him, he knew that the profession of a theater actor was not the best way to make a living. That evening, hungry, he had to settle for a modest meal of canned beans and vegetables.

His small apartment was modest, with walls where the paint was peeling, but he still managed to find happiness in it. An air of antiquity lingered, permeating each of his belongings, but at least, during the few hours he was on stage, he was filled with joy. During these moments, he could revel in the audience's admiring glances at his theatrical performances. That was enough for him, and he didn't need anything else.

After his frugal dinner, he set out to go to the store to buy cigarettes, putting on his coat to shield himself from the evening chill. After a few minutes of walking, a breeze picked up, tousling his medium-length hair, like the dancing stems of tall yellowish grass in a savannah. Suddenly, a woman in her sixties emerged from an alley, dressed in a thick cotton dress of a soft yet bright blue. She gave him a warm smile and, without saying a word, handed him a plastic tray filled with muffins. Sebastian was initially surprised and wary, but he quickly felt reassured by the woman's kind smile. He took the muffins, locking eyes with the woman who conveyed sincere kindness. Not a word was exchanged, just a mutual nod of thanks. Then, he continued his way to the store.

Back home, with cigarettes in hand, the young man placed the tray of muffins. He opened the plastic jar and the smell of warm muffins emanated, as if they'd just come out of the oven. A heavenly fragrance filled the room, the muffins releasing a tantalizing blend of flavors that momentarily transported him from his modest surroundings to a world of culinary bliss. Not satisfied by his canned meal, he couldn't resist biting into one of the muffins. They were delicious, their flavor hard to describe—a subtle blend of vanilla, hints of caramel, and chocolate all at once. Sweet, but not too much. Their texture was of impeccable consistency, just firm enough without being too soft. The sweet aromas led to an immeasurable delight. These muffins were perfect, a true gustatory perfection. Sebastian indulged, savoring every bite with delight.

The next morning, the woman who had offered him the muffins was found dead in the alley. Her body was covered in multiple stab wounds, precisely forty-two. Sebastian woke up and noticed some dried blood stains on his hands. One of his kitchen knives was placed on the counter, also stained with blood. He cleaned the knife, then took a long cold shower, mentally preparing himself to face another day in his fabulous career as a dramatic theater actor.

Despite the shock of this gruesome discovery, Sebastian showed no sign of it. He had long learned to conceal his emotions behind a mask of theatrical expression. He told himself it was a mere coincidence, that he had nothing to do with the murder of this benevolent woman. After all, he had no memory of the previous night, no concrete clues about what might have happened.

The day unfolded as usual, with rehearsals and hours spent perfecting his art on stage. Sebastian was a talented actor, capable of taking the audience on a whirlwind of emotions. He loved the feeling of power and admiration he experienced when spectators were hanging on his words, captivated by his stage presence.