"Why do you look like everything I have lost?"

Edric has asked this question to every woman here. Even to the dead ones. Now, he can only talk to their chopped fingers. They will turn up soon, alright.

"Why do you look like everything I have lost?" Edric asks Zora. Again. Lily has conveniently busied herself in watering the flowers.

Zora's brown eyes and kohl seem to blink simultaneously. She lets out a squeak after clutching a handkerchief between her fingers. "Mr. Irfing, you lost something? I help?"

Edric shakes his brown head before facing Dominique. She is still sulking. Dom, your gelato is calling you, girl.

"Why do you look like everything I have lost?" The radio is on again, then.

Dominique's thick eyebrows almost reach the bridge of her nose. "Is this is a joke, sir?" She huffs before almost stomping away.

The police officer shouts at her, "Hey, where are you going?"

Dominique almost growls. "I am hungry."

The police officer resumes using his cell phone. Candy Crush Saga, Level 1142, his screen flashes. That's a hard one.

Edric takes in a deep breath before holding me in his palms. My diamond drops are sprawled over his cold skin. His nose reddens and he whispers, "I have lost you, haven't I? Where can I find you again?"

Can you find someone who is lost? I'm here, yet he can never find me.

I won't let him expose me. My job needs to be done before that.

"Is everyone here?" The police officer pockets his cell. He couldn't clear Level 1142 then. "Who saw the body?"

Edric, Spike, Lily, and Zora glance at each other. Edric clears his throat and speaks, "It was me."

"You, again? Weren't you the one who found madams Whitney and Willow dead too?" Wisteria's elder sisters. Two more witches who were buried with fingerless hands.

I was shaken after killing Whitney. I'm shaken even after the third murder.

Is there a way of redemption for tainted ones like me? Do I even want to get redeemed? I don't know. I don't think so. After what has happened, I can't forgive anyone.

Did I miss some conversation? Stupid brain. Stupid heart.

Edric shifts uncomfortably. The lines on his forehead settle in a frown. "What is that supposed to mean? You think I killed them?" No, I didn't miss anything.

"I never implied anything, Mr. Irving. I know this is a suicide, just like the previous ones."

"Why would three people chop off their fingers before cutting their wrists?" Edric doesn't call them his cousins. That's a plus, right?

Before the officer speaks, Dominique enters, her cat-like eyes gleaming. That bowl of gelato in her palms looks frozen. Watch out for the fun part, people.

She gobbles up almost half of the chocolaty mess. I feel sick. I know what's in it.

Three seconds to go before she realizes what's mixed in her ice cream.

Two...

One...

Shriek. Smash. Thud.

The officer has fallen down, unconscious and Dominique's usually red face is almost green.

In between the mess of glass shards and chocolate gelato, sit 15 fingers as if displayed.

Three murders, three different souvenirs. They disgust me, creep me out even.

The shock of it hasn't even passed and the entry of a vulture raises everyone's eyebrows. Lily shrieks like the rabbit she is, and hides behind Spike, who places an arm around her.

The Andean condor is uniformly black, with a frill of white feathers at the base of his neck. He walks as if he owns the place. His brown eyes glance at the fingers before he tears them with his hooked beak.

They are gone. Gone are the souvenirs I never intended to keep. My quest was a good scare. I have done that.

Hey, everyone! How are you all doing? 💝 I'm back with Chapter 3!

I think this one sounds a bit off, I donno, or maybe it's just me coz I'm writing after 11 long days. With Eid celebrations going on, feasts, and outings, I finally got my inspiration today.

What do you think? Personally, I'm not a fan of creepy stuff, but it was necessary to write it in this one.

Do you think the creepy part has gone overboard? Or is it okay?

What did you feel while reading part one of Chapter 3? Do you think it's intriguing enough? Yes?/No?

Do you think Edric is hiding something? What about the others?

What do you think of Glittering Death? Or is the information not enough to make an opinion? Please let me know.

Your criticism, suggestions and opinions are welcome. I'd love to improve as much as I can as this is my first attempt.

Keep smiling! 💖
Lots of love💝
Sakina

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