Chapter 3

At the end of the sentence were two large dried bloodstains that seemed to contain a few strands of hair.

My stomach convulsed. I couldn't help dry heaving twice as my temples pounded like insects were drilling through them. Instinctively, I looked at the sofa. The spot where I'd found the letter was exactly where Bella had been sitting yesterday.

Just then, a strange sound came from Bella's room upstairs.

Bell didn't go to work...

My heart felt ready to burst from my chest. I swallowed hard and slowly approached Bella's door.

Just as I steeled myself to press down on the handle, the door suddenly flew open from inside. Bella's face—pale as chalk—and her sinister gaze met mine head-on. Five centimeters away.

Something seemed to grip my throat. A scream lodged in my windpipe.

I jerked backward violently, my back slamming hard against the railing. Goosebumps erupted along my arms, following every hair root.

"What's wrong, Alvin?" Bella's expression shifted into something like malfunctioning surprise.

"Bell, you... you're here. I thought you went to work. When I heard noises from your room, I thought... thought there might be a mouse, so I wanted to check." I hastily rearranged my expression, stammering.

"I called in sick."

"Oh, oh, I see. Does your room actually have mice? Let me take a look for you." As I spoke, I eagerly leaned forward, straining my eyes to peer inside.

Unfortunately, the door was only cracked open, and Bella's body blocked it completely.

"No need." Bella's flat response was followed by her firmly closing the door.

I let out a long sigh, staring at the shut door in front of me. Thinking of how Bella had looked moments ago—seriously ill and weak—I couldn't help but doubt myself. Could a seemingly fragile young woman like her really kill two adult men?

But Bell has been acting so strange lately...

Sitting at my desk, I stared at the two letters in front of me, my mind torn. Whether it's Bell or not, I should turn these letters over to the police first...

With that thought, I threw on my jacket and prepared to head to the station.

As I bent to put on my shoes in the entryway, I glanced up casually. My scalp seemed to explode with a buzzing sensation. A ringing filled my ears as goosebumps shot up instantly.

Upstairs, Bella's door had cracked open slightly. An eye stared through the gap, fixed intently on me changing shoes below.