As the operator asked me that question, I've realized I had no clue. Once finding my parents lying in a pool of blood, I didn't even think to check the house to see if the person responsible was still inside. If they were, then they would know by now that the police have been contacted. “I’m not sure. I haven’t checked.” My head swayed around the room, wondering if I was being watched right now.
“I’m gonna have to ask you to step outside the home until the officers arrive.”
“I can’t leave them here...”
“It’s for your own safety, ma’am. Please go outside by the street until officers arrive. ETA is three minutes.”
I ran out the front door, and to the street. Our next-door neighbor rushed over and began asking if I was okay.
“You’ve got blood on your clothes.” She yelled to her husband to call the cops.
“They should be here any minute...” I said, trying to calm down and pull myself remotely together. Well, as much as I could after finding my parents brutally murdered.
More neighbors began coming outside, and staring. My shirt and pants had blood all over them, and as bystanders, they probably thought I had killed someone.
The sirens were getting closer, and when the cops and ambulance finally got on scene, I couldn’t breathe. One officer approached me, cautiously, and asked if I was the one who called 911.
“Yes. I found them.”
“Okay, is anyone else inside the house?”
“I didn’t check.”
Another squad car pulled up. “You will need to stay with them until we clear the house. They will have questions for you.”
Liam’s arms were around me, and trying to keep me calm. Once I started explaining, my mind wouldn’t stop. It filled in the blanks as I was speaking.
“So, you never thought it was Keith? Didn’t tell the cops about him?” Liam asked.
“I did, but he ended up having an alibi.”
Alright, he knew the story, and right now that was as much as I wanted to talk about him. Keith is gone and there is no need to mention his name ever again.