The Tyrant's Trophy
I'm to Blame.

Abijah:

Something felt off. The second I woke up, there was sadness in my chest; like I lost something precious to me. I figured it was because I missed Basil. I haven’t made contact with him since I left. There’s still so much I need to process but haven’t had much time to do that.

Kelly put effort into making a fun girl’s night out but we ended up discussing her changing primary doctors. Eventually, she took my advice. She hasn’t told me when she would request a transfer of hospitals but I told her to keep me informed so I could tag along or at the very least, have one of our colleagues tag along so she wouldn’t be alone with Sweetheart.

“Kelly…” My heart sank saying her name. It sank deeper when I saw she hadn’t texted me she made it home. It’s not like her. We always text each other when we walk through our doors. I should text her, and see if she’s alright.

‘Morning, Kel. Did you make it home alright? Text me back please.’

It’s been four hours since then and still no response. I continued checking my phone every ten minutes and dialed Kel but she wasn’t picking up. If she doesn’t respond in the next hour, I will be heading over to her house while dialing 911. It sucks that something like this won’t be taken seriously until 24 hours but I’ll kick up hell for something to be done.

My phone buzzed as I headed to the cafeteria. I immediately looked at the screen, hoping it was my friend, but it wasn’t. It was actually Kelly’s dad. He usually didn’t call me unless…he can’t get a hold of Kel. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I answered the call. “Mr. Knox?”

“Iogair; I’m sorry for bothering you.” Mr. Knox croaked; He sounded worse than usual. “My daughter went to see my doctor today and she was supposed to be back but it’s been hours already. Have you heard from her?”

“No.” It was becoming hard to breathe. “Um, sir, where are you right now?” Why wouldn’t you tell me, Kel, that you went to see that blasted doctor today?!

“I’m home - Can you tell Kel to call me back, please?”

I wanted to cry. “Sir, Kel’s not with me right now. Wait a moment - I’m coming over to get you, ok?” It was time to make some hell: Kelly needs to be found and I need to make sure her dad stays safe. “Don’t answer the door, sir, I have keys to your house.” Kel gave me a copy in case she couldn’t be there for her dad. “If your doctor tries calling you, don’t answer him. I’ll explain everything along the way.”

Mr. Knox may be old but he was wise. He would be able to tell that something wasn’t right by the urgency in my voice. Thankfully, he also sees me as one of his kids and trusts me as he did Kel. “OK.”

Hanging up, I turned to leave but bumped into Chad. Any other day I could ignore him, but today I begrudgingly need him. “I need you to come with me, please.” God, it hurt my pride to say that.

“I’m not -” I cut him off.

“I know but it’s an emergency.” After explaining the situation, Chad seemed to come around. He was a bit hesitant still, because of Maybell, but she was safe with Quinn in their session. In the end, he agreed and followed me outside.

We took his car (since it was faster) and thankfully traffic wasn’t as horrid. We made it to Mr. Knox’s house in record time. As soon as we parked, I ran out of the car and up to the house. Unlocking the door, I stepped inside, calling out for Kelly’s dad. “Mr. Knox?”

He was in the bathroom, vomiting. “Mr. Knox!” I crouched down, holding him up. “Are you alright, sir?”

The man was weaker than normal. Just a few months ago he wasn’t this… fragile.

“I’m fine, dear. I think I just need to take my medicine.” That’s when it clicked.

“Chad!” Chad came around the corner. “Mr. Knox's Medicine should be in his coat pocket in the closet. Do you think your sister could analyze it?” He nodded, shooting off to fetch those pills. Facing the elder man again, I assured him things would be ok. “Let’s get you to a safe place, sir.” And get him off those meds.

“Where’s Kelly?”

I winced. “I don’t know sir. That’s why we’re going to the police station.” And as I promised, I reigned hell on the CPD. As expected, they didn’t believe me about Kelly missing or Sweetheart being involved in any way. Still, I pushed, subtly threatening the chief himself with just Adam’s name. Chad didn’t say anything - something I was thankful about.

In the end, they had no choice but to concede and send out a search party for Kelly. At the same time, another cop was sent to Kelly’s house to do a welfare check. All that was left to do now was head back to Quinn’s clinic and get Kelly’s dad a proper examination.

The night wasn’t over, however, and the morning after was no better.

Kelly was found…deceased and tossed in the dumpster a block away from her own home. Kel sustained many injuries; it was so bad that Quinn couldn’t tell if it was asphyxiation or the wounds to her body that finished her off. What was clear was Kelly’s killer had peeled her open and took out her heart.

She seemed relieved in the end; something I know she didn’t get during the torture the Dr. put her through. “Why didn’t you listen, Kel?” I whimpered as I shakenly wiped the bangs away from her forehead. She was cold and stiff and wrong.

Quinn gathered all the evidence she needed from her body for forensics, being mindful to show more respect for the deceased, than she did to the living. I wouldn’t trust anyone else to examine Kelly; no doctor aside from Chad’s sister could be trusted at this point.

I remained in the background as Quinn performed the autopsy, though I stayed close enough by my friend’s side as every crook and cranny of her body was examined. Kel was bruised all over and there were multiple shoe marks on her chest and side. The doctor kicked her as if she was nothing. Along her collarbone, there were deep bitemarks - as if some animal had tried ripping out her flesh. I suspected though that it was no animal but sexual assault.

I grimaced, imagining the extent of pain my friend endured. She didn’t deserve any of it.

As she did the forensics Quinn wouldn’t allow me to touch Kel - it could contaminate any evidence. My urge to hold my friend had to wait until Quinn finished. However, I immediately zoomed forward the second the examination was completed.

Quinn allowed me time to grieve my Kel’s passing. With a squeeze to my shoulder, she left and I was now alone with my dearest friend. A friend who would never come back to me. Hearing the doors close, I hung my head in shame.

This…this is all my fault. I warned Kelly…I begged her to find a different doctor to take her dad to.

I even showed her the evidence and voice recordings I gathered and it made me happy to have her finally see the beast under the mask of that doctor. But why didn’t I pester her to stay at my side? I should have known she would try to remove her dad from Sweetheart’s care without involving me - she wanted to protect me but I should have been the one protecting her.

I should have stuck with her as two papers glued together and gone with her to that doctor. Heck, I should have just gone to confront the doctor myself; use every piece of evidence as leverage to blackmail him. How could I have turned a blind eye?

Bringing her unnaturally cold hand to my face, I rubbed it against my cheek, wishing time could be taken back and changed. Kelly was a sister to me and I loved her as myself. My heart felt torn, wanting justice and wanting to take the blame.

Briefly, my accusing thoughts turned to Maybell. I should have never gotten involved; if I didn’t stick my nose into Maybell’s marriage, Kelly would still be here. As quickly as that thought occurred, it went and was replaced with more guilt.

It wasn’t Maybell’s fault.

This blame is solely mine.

...I'm to blame.

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