I started watching him.
I’m not a detective. I’m a surgeon. But surgery teaches you patience. It teaches you to watch closely and wait for the right moment.
I took mornings off and parked down the block from his school. I watched him arrive at eight, smiling at colleagues, carrying the same old leather briefcase he’d had since college. I watched him leave at three, sometimes later, after his after-school reading club.
I wrote down his schedule. When he came and went. Where he got coffee on weekends.
He called me once while I was sitting in my car a block from his school.
“Hey, big brother! Haven’t seen you in forever. How’s Sophie?”
“She’s fine,” I said. “Just been busy.”
I watched him through the windshield while I said it. Laughing on the phone. Waving at a student across the parking lot.
I wanted to be sick.
My mother had given me a spare key to Matthew’s house years ago. “Just in case he locks himself out,” she’d said. “You know how forgetful he is.”
It had been on my keyring ever since.
I didn’t rush. I waited for a night I could be sure he’d be gone for hours.
It came on a Friday. His school was holding a literature festival in the evening, and Matthew was the main speaker. I called him that afternoon.
“You busy tonight? I was thinking about stopping by.”
He laughed.
“I’m at the school thing till late, bro. Won’t be home till eleven at least. Tomorrow?”
“Sure. Tomorrow.”
I asked my neighbor, Mrs. Patterson, a retired nurse, to stay with Sophie. Sophie was already asleep.
At 8:45, I put on a dark jacket and a baseball cap and drove to the edge of town.
The road to Matthew’s house was pitch black, lined with oak trees. My headlights swept across them like searchlights. My hands were wrapped so tight around the steering wheel they hurt.
What are you doing, David? I asked myself.
And then I thought of Sophie’s bedroom door clicking locked from the inside.
And I kept driving.
Ethan Blake is a skilled Creative Content Specialist with a talent for crafting engaging and thought-provoking narratives. With a strong background in storytelling and digital content creation, Ethan brings a unique perspective to his role at TheArchivists, where he curates and produces captivating content for a global audience.
Ethan holds a degree in Communications from Zurich University, where he developed his expertise in storytelling, media strategy, and audience engagement. Known for his ability to blend creativity with analytical precision, he excels at creating content that not only entertains but also connects deeply with readers.
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Passionate about the art of storytelling, Ethan enjoys exploring themes of culture, history, and personal growth, aiming to inspire and inform with every piece he creates. Dedicated to making a lasting impact, Ethan continues to push boundaries in the ever-evolving world of digital content.