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Billions of people crept about the globe, each minding their own business. Looking on from the outside, mankind seemed busily occupied with themselves, and only concerned about the next few moments of life. People moved about their daily lives, caught up in the small matters of life. Man moved along at a rapid pace, trapped in a torrential flood headed to who knows where. Few knew where it led and fewer still realized its importance. Two figures stood looking on at all of this, this complete ignorance by the human race for the world they never saw, or cared to see. “They still don’t get it, they are concerned only about themselves. We give them signs, hope, mercy, and others to lead them. But they still don’t get it. We need to give them a little wakeup call.”
“Patience my son. They’ll get their wake up call soon, and this time, no one will be able to ignore it.”
Another officer passed by the door, announcing from the hallway, “Everyone needs to calmly move downstairs so we can ask you some questions. This entire floor is now a crime scene. Do not touch or move anything as it may yield clues to the murder.”
Jared stopped in mid step. Murder? Who was dead? He stumbled forward when the officer shoved him toward the open door. Jared stepped into the narrow hallway, hastily grabbing a shirt from his dresser on the way. As he was herded with the rest of the students from his floor, he wondered if this happened at other dorms. Frustration began to inch its way into his attitude. “Why can’t I just have a normal life? I wish these things would quit happening to me.” he thought.
Jared Mason gave his report to the police several hours later as hazy sunlight filtered through the window into the tiny office. “I heard nothing at 3:00 this morning. I was fast asleep in my room.”
“Where were you around midnight when the murder occurred?” asked the policeman behind the oak desk.
“I was in my room asleep. I just told you that.”
“And you didn’t leave the room after you went to bed?”
“No.”
“Did you know Joseph Conrey?” asked the officer.
“I’ve never heard of him.” answered Jared. This conversation was going nowhere fast and he wanted to leave.
“He was the one murdered and a piece of paper found in his pocket had your dorm room number on it. We believe he was on his way to see someone in your room when he was stabbed in the back of the neck. Do you know of anyone who might have wanted to visit you?”
“No.”
“Mr. Mason, why did you kill Conrey?”
“I didn’t do it! When something happens in the area why am I the first one you people blame?” This wasn’t the first time he’d been questioned by policemen. The last time was in another state about three and a half years ago. The police entered his home much the same way they had earlier this morning. He hoped the end result would not be the same.
“You have a past history of…”
“My record doesn’t matter. That’s done and over. I just want a normal life. Is that too much to ask for?” interrupted Jared.
He glanced down at the file in his hands. “It says here your roommates name is Jay. Where is he?”
“I don’t know. He usually comes in between 11:00 and 2:00 on Friday nights.”
“Where is he before that?” the officer asked while scrawling on his clipboard.
Jared was ready to leave the small office boring office. Other than a clock on the wall, the cluttered desk, and three chairs, the room was empty. “He usually goes wherever his friends are having a party. Sometimes its at one of the bar’s or to someone’s house. Sometimes the party’s on one of the dorm floors.”
“Do you know who he was with and where he was last night?”
“I know he left my room around 8:00 with Sam Granger. I don’t know where they went. They might have stayed in the dorm because last Friday, they went to the bar. The parties are never in the same place two weeks in a row.”
“There was a party on the seventh floor last night. Most of the attendees came through your floor on their way up. Was that where Jay was?”
“Probably.”
The officer was surprised at Jared’s attitude. Most people he questioned usually lost their calm demeanor and were sweating bullets by the fourth question. Aside from the little outburst, Jared was different. He didn’t really seem to be bothered by the questions other than the fact that he seemed…well…distracted. “Do you have a grudge against those parties?”
“No.” Jared was getting tired of the questions.
“You didn’t want to hurt any of the attendees in any way because they don’t follow your religion?”
Jared let out a sigh and replied rather pointedly. “Of course not! Listen sir, I am not a murderer. I don’t care about what goes on at the parties and I certainly haven’t planned on killing any of them. I don’t mean to be rude but my uncle just died in an accident and I’ve got a lot of accounts to settle. If we’re done here, I would appreciate it if you’d let me go.”
After considering the request and examining Jared’s file one last time, the officer slowly nodded his approval. “We don’t have enough evidence to hold you.” Without offering his hand, the investigator stood and motioned Jared to the door. Jared gave the man his contact information as well as his roommates cell number. “We’ll contact you if we have any further questions. We’re through searching your room. So you can pack up and go on your way to Alaska.”
“Maybe you should investigate the other people in the dorm to see if any of them know anything.” advised Jared as he walked out the door and past the one way mirrored glass. Jared ran his hand through his hair. Why can’t they just leave me alone? Police officers never forget the past. Time to get out of here. He strode from the station to his truck and drove back to the dorm. As he moved his gear from his room on the sixth floor, he was glad he hadn’t accumulated tons of stuff since his release. Classes were over for the summer and he a much needed break awaited him from the strenuous life of a structural engineer student.
His uncle’s place would give him a chance to sit down and figure out where he wanted to work. With luck he might even be able to find a job where his uncle used to live. After he carried everything to the truck, he picked up his mail surprised to find an unmarked package among the letters and bills which he promptly opened. The manila envelope contained a note attached to a small stone pyramid. The paper read, “Jared, in case I can’t make it to see you, I thought this was the best way to safely get this into your hands. Be very careful as I fear for my life. It killed your father don’t let it kill you.” Signed at the bottom were the initials “J.C.” Joseph Conrey. Jared briefly considered contacting the police but immediately dismissed the idea. Besides with his luck, they’d probably say he planted the note.
Jared turned over the small black stone. It was about three inches tall with a one inch square base. Every side was covered in the curious symbols some kind of writing. Jared felt suddenly cold and a chill ran down his spine. No! Please God this can’t be happening. I just want a normal life. I don’t want anything to do with this!
The note Conrey left implied that his father had been murdered. This contradicted the police report that his parents died in a car accident many years ago. Remorse washed over Jared, because of the parents he never really knew. Jared didn’t want to be dragged back to remember the past but memories flooded in like a storm.
He was only nine years old when the police knocked on the door. Jared hopped up and dashed to the door grateful for the excuse to get out of bed. Jake next door got to stay up until nine in the summers. Why did he have to go to bed at eight? Jared’s joy was crushed when the babysitter reached the door first. He slipped around the corner not wanting her to know he was up and slowly climbed the first few worn steps. Jared stopped there on the off white carpet and listened to the conversation below.
“May I speak to the closest relative to either Karl or Andrea Mason please.” asked the officer standing at the door.
“I don’t know anything about their extended family; I’m just here to baby-sit Jared and Katie.”
“I understand. We’ll look for other relations later. Unfortunately I have some bad news concerning the late Mr. and Mrs. Mason.”
Sarah’s breathe caught in her throat as she struggled for words “Late?”
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly, “there was a car crash, they died instantly.”
Jared remembered running around the corner and beating the officer with his fists as hard as he could. Words like, “No! You’re a liar! Mommy and Daddy are alive and their coming home to see me.” rushed from his throat. The officer kindly pushed Jared away and Sarah tearfully told him to go upstairs so she could talk to the “evil man”. Jared left after he’d gotten Sarah to promise he would see mommy and daddy again. He tore into his room, slamming the door behind him, refusing to believe that mommy and daddy were gone.
Sarah lied. Jared never saw his parents again. Not even in the casket because the police claimed the bodies were too disfigured for public exposure. He and Katie, his little sister, went to live with Tim and Jean, their Uncle and Aunt. Jared pulled himself away from the memory and tried to focus on what was before him. This note hinted that his parents were murdered. Now the man who carried it here was dead too.
