Chapter 4 Shocking News

Chapter Four - Shocking News

Laura's POV

Game on? What was that supposed to mean? I felt my heart race extremely fast and fear washed over me as I gripped my chest tight, trying to calm my rapid heartbeat.

I gulped a lump down my throat as tears pricked from the corner of my eyes. I bit my lower lip to hold back my tears as I stared at the red-written words. I wanted to pick up the paper but I was afraid of ruining evidence so I left everything just as it was.

I fetched my phone out of my pocket and tried to dial 911's number but my phone slipped out of my sweaty palms. I watched my phone fall flat to the hard floor, causing the screen to shatter. I was about to bend low to pick it up when I suddenly heard shuffling noises come from the stairs.

I snapped my head up to gaze at the direction of the stairs and I gasped loudly in shock as I saw a familiar shadow run up the stairs. It was the same mysterious lady dressed in the bridal dress. It suddenly clicked to me that there was only one way to discover whether I was hallucinating or not. I needed to find out who the mysterious lady was and why she had a veil covering her face.

I abandoned my phone and began to rush towards the staircase. I could hear her footsteps growing faster as I slowly approached her. I had to admit, she was fast. I caught her rushing into Alice's room. I followed her from behind but I was too late to catch her. Before I could grab her, she jumped right through the window.

If I could not catch her, I knew the police could. I rushed back downstairs and dialed 911, explaining the entire situation to them. I contemplated on whether to not call Kendrick or to call him. I ended up settling with the latter because I knew it would be harder if someone else told him.

Kendrick arrived on time before the police officers. He rushed into the house and I watched his face drop at the horrific sight of his mother. Kendrick slumped to the floor in defeat and choked out a bitter cry. "Mother."

"Kendrick, I am so sorry this had to happen." I said immediately pulling him into my arms. I wanted to mention the mysterious bride to him but I had a feeling that would only worsen his mood so instead I gave my full statement to the police, then they could tell Kendrick about it but I would not want to be the one to bring it up.

"Wh-o did this to m-y mo-ther?" Kendrick choked out a bitter cry. My hands reached for his shoulder, I squeezed it tight and I began to mutter soothing words to him. We watched the police officers take Alice's lifeless body at the house. They told us to leave the house so they could perform further investigations.

I drove Kendrick back to the Alberto mansion and decided to spend time with him before leaving because I knew it would hurt him if he was left alone.

Kendrick and Alice were close to each other. Alice adored Kendrick and that was why I understood why she never really liked me, it was because she wanted nothing but the best for her son.

"I just do not get why someone would have killed my mother and left such a note like that? Why would anyone do such a heartless thing to her?" Kendrick said, he shook his head in curiosity. I sighed heavily and caressed his hair gently.

"Some people just do the most heartless things without having a reason to back it up. That is why psychopaths exist." I whispered softly into his ears but Kendrick shook his head in disagreement at my response. "No, it seemed exactly like this person had a target, I mean the note said game on which probably meant that the person was only getting started." Kendrick said.

I sighed heavily knowing fully well that Kendrick was right. That mysterious bride was only getting started and I had a feeling that I was her target since she was only appearing to just me and no one else. It made me afraid, from appearing at my house with a knife, to stalking me and then to going as far as killing Alice, all of that was beginning to look really serious.

"What are you thinking about?" Kendrick's soft voice interrupted my thoughts. I sighed heavily for the umpteenth time and shook my head in disagreement. "Nothing at all, just random thoughts." I muttered

"Or wait a second, did you by any chance see anybody lurking around the house? Just a glimpse? Anything at all or was it just you?" Kendrick threw questions at me as he sat upright in curiosity.

I wanted to mention the mysterious bride, I badly wanted to but I was unsure of Kendrick's reaction. The last thing I wanted to do was get into a serious fight with him, especially in a time like this.

"No, it was just me." I lied with a straight face.

Kendrick groaned in frustration and went back to brooding.

A few days later, Kendrick's family invited the both of us for a family dinner. All of his family members were present including his brother, Bruno. Bruno and Kendrick never really got along well but for today, they were not on each other's neck. Maybe because the discussion was on the preparations for Alice's burial.

"While we are preparing for Alice's burial. There is something else I would like to discuss. Something important." Francis Alberto, Kendrick's father said in a serious tone.

"We do not have the luxury of time for that. Investigations are around the corner. I need to see detective Brooks to discuss some important stuff." Kendrick said.

Detective Brooks was Kendrick's best friend and also the detective handling Alice's case.

"It is about the wedding." Francis said, casting a glance at me.

I sat upright and I felt anxiety wash over me as Francis' face went blank.

"I want you both to call off the wedding"