حقیقت

The truth

It was almost over.

After nearly 30 years of serving the country as a policeman my time as a police chief was coming to an end.

And perhaps this case could be my last one.

I was at my office the time was almost 3:30.

I went to the window.

drew the curtain and looked outside.

Being on the fifth floor had its own benefits.

and since my time was coming to an end.

I had a better chance to take a better look at my city.

The sunshine was so beautiful to watch.

I lit a cigarette.

And stared at outside.

Someone was knocking the door.

“Come in” I said.

It was officer Parker.

Sir we checked everything.

His name is David Jackson.

He works as an accountant for a guy named Bryn James.

He owns the biggest stock exchange company of this area.

He did some shady stuff but nothing was related to Jackson.

The guy has almost the cleanest profile we’ve ever seen.

“Almost” I said curiously.

Yeah I mean he hasn’t done anything crazy but…

lately some people say he isolates himself at his home and takes some medications like Prozac.

Prozac?

Does he have any mental condition we have to take into consideration?

I checked that too. I talked to his Psychiatrist he said the reason he’s taking Prozac these days is because he can’t sleep properly.

He said he always hears a man’s voice in his head.

A man who laughs ferociously and bothers him all the time.

So with medications he’s trying to avoid his voice.

The Psychiatrist mentioned

he sometimes forgets things too.

hmm

Things are getting mysterious.

Give me his number I have to talk to him myself.

“Yes sir.”

I received the number and called David Jackson.

Hello Mr. Jackson. I’m officer James.

Can I take some of your time?

It’s about Mrs. Johnson’s case.

I could hear he was breathing heavily.

Like he was dealing with a stressful situation.

Yeah.. Yeah… umm. Should I come to the police station?

Yes

Ah Okay.

Finally at 5 pm I got to the Police station.

I hate to be somewhere crowded.

But for Mrs. Johnson I had to do it.

So I got in.

The police station was full of people who were dealing with different officers.

I asked one of the officers Excuse me, officer James…

He didn’t let me finish my sentence.

he pointed towards the elevator and said.

take the elevator, fifth floor.

To your right you’ll see his office.

I thanked him and walked towards the elevator.

Look officer… that’s not mine. I swear.

Yeah… Yeah… everyone says that.

Get in the cell and shut your mouth.

But…

I called the elevator and waited.

I got in.

He said fifth floor.

I touched the button five.

Finally I reached the fifth floor.

I got out and started to walk towards officer James’ office.

Unlike the first floor, this one was almost empty.

I could see no one.

I found the door and knocked.

Yeah?

“It’s me David Jackson.” “Ah, Mr. Jackson please come on in.” I opened the door and went inside.

Two officers were there.

Officer James and another one.

I squinted hard to see his badge.

Parker

His name was Parker.

“Please sit Mr. Jackson”. “ yeah sure.”

I sat tight

To be honest the atmosphere was a bit heavy.

“Are you nervous” said officer James. No sir. I mean yeah…

I’ve never been in a situation like this so…

Don’t worry, We just have a couple of questions.

And then you’re free to go.

Plus the good news is Mrs. Johnson is home now.

She’s discharged from the hospital.

“Oh really? That’s great news.” Yeah sure. We make it quick so you can visit her sooner. Thanks sir

Ok Mr. Jackson, tell me

where were you when the incident happened?

He asked and Officer parker started writing.

I was at the office in the afternoon.

He looked at officer Parker and looked back at me.

Okay. Tell me how close you are to Mrs. Johnson?

Very close. I do her gardening.

and sometimes I buy the things she needs and pretty much everything I can do I said. While I was talking.

officer James analyzed every bit of my reactions.

He wouldn’t even blink a second.

“ Officer… I…”

“Do you want to say something?”

“ Yeah. Today someone was in my house”. “Who?”

“ I don’t know; I…”

“Did you see him?”

“No…”

“Did he take something from your house?” “No he didn’t take anything but”… “what?”

When I was checking the house.

he was laughing at me and

I know it seems crazy but…

when I went to capture him he ran away.

He looked at officer Parker and nodded.

Officer Parker left the room.

So you didn’t see him at all?

No I couldn’t, he ran away.

Are you suspicious to anyone?

He said looking into my eyes.

I guess yeah.

This afternoon I saw someone wearing dark sunglasses and a black shirt with blue jeans.

I think he was the guy.

This is exactly the guy who broke into Mrs. Johnson’s house. Did you know that?

Yeah, one of the officers told me that.

Did you see him up close?

No I just saw him from far.

He finally moved his eyes from mine and said Okay. We’re done Mr. Jackson. Thank you for coming.

Please fill up these forms, and then you can leave.

Oh yeah. Sure.

I filled up the forms, got up and left the room satisfied. While I was going out officer parker came.

So what did you find Parker?

Sir. I called his office.

He wasn’t there in the afternoon.

Sir, someone called a minute ago.

Who?

A neighbor of Mrs. Johnson.

We recorded the conversation.

Here…

Today David was acting weird.

He came home in the afternoon and…

there were a lot of noises coming from his house.

and suddenly he came over and ask me for a shovel.

At first I joked around and said.

Do you want to hide a treasure or something?

But he didn’t answer me.

He had this evil smile.

Don’t take me wrong. David is a great guy but…

today he was acting all weird.

Parker we have to go to Mrs. Johnson’s house period. She might be in danger.

Yes sir

I got in my car

And started driving towards Mrs. Johnson’s house.

I really like to see her…

I said smiling

Today was such a mess.

It was almost 7 p.m.

The sun was gone completely and the street became dark.

Finally I got to her house at 7.15.

Mrs. Johnson… I said happily.

But why was everywhere so dark?

Why I could only see a small light?

Only a door…

I moved towards Mrs. Johnson’s door.

It was open.

Why?

Only one light.

Someone was there…

a laugh…

again…

I could hear the laugh…

The evil laugh…

I moved towards the light.

I couldn’t stop myself… I saw a shadow.

A man was in front of me…

The more I got closer.

the more revealing his face would become.

“Hello David…”

“Oh my goodness”

“Welcome back”

The guy was me.

And I couldn’t say a word.

I was waiting for you.

Finally you and me can become one.

“ Who are you?”

Who am I?

I am you.

I’ve been living inside of you.

and you’ve been calling me for so long and here I am.

With you…

What are you doing here?

Where is Mrs. Johnson?

Don’t you remember?

We had a deal

“A deal?”

Yeah

He said and started laughing again.

We wanted to kill Mrs. Johnson.

Kill?

No way

I don’t know what you’re talking about?

You don’t know?

We did it once

and you were laughing the whole time And you don’t know?

Did I kill someone?

I said shocked

I was stuck in a dark room with only a light.

and who is this guy telling me that I had killed someone?

Yes

this afternoon

We did it

You did it

No way

The guy you saw in the traffic. The guy who barged in Mrs. Johnson’s house. He was begging you

to let him go but…

you didn’t…

don’t you remmember?

I was recalling something.

Gradually I could see a scene.

The man was in my house.

Why did you barge into her house?

Who are you?

Nobody sir

I swear I have a family

I found out she was alone and I could take some stuff. I didn’t mean to hurt her. I swear, please.

I had to steal. I was out of money and…

Shut up.

I took a knife and a gun out of my pocket.

Sir please… No…

please let me go. I beg you.

I have a family…

I started laughing like I didn’t care at all.

Sir please…

He started to run away but he slipped and fell down.

And I attacked him and started stabbing him.

Once…Twice…Three times…Four times…

He didn’t move anymore…

No…No…Eh…This is impossible.

This is bullshit.

Bullshit?!

Why don’t you look at your hands?

I looked at my hands.

and I had a bloody knife and a gun.

“What are these?”

“Don’t act like you don’t know”

David…David… please… What are you doing?

“Mrs. Johnson? Where are you?” The blackness faded away and she was in front of me.

I was in the dining room.

I Had the same knife and gun.

Mrs. Johnson was laying on the ground scared.

She had a glass of water on her coffee table Almost empty…

“ please stop it” She said with a shaky voice.

oh she’s scared, we like it…

No… please don’t be scared of me…

I don’t know what is going on here?

“David do the job. We had a deal. You have to do it.” “Shut up…”

“Stop it David”, Officer James said pointing the gun at me. Next to him was Parker.

I immediately pointed my gun at them.

“This is the end, drop your weapons” He said. Parker was making a radio call to his crew asking for back up.

“Kill them all David, kill them all”

“Shut up”

Look David, I know you have a condition.

We can help you. You need to trust us.

He said leaning a little forward.

Don’t listen to him, He wants to destroy everything we’ve built.

Kill him. Kill him now.

“Shut up…Shut up… Shut up…” I said holding my head in my hands.

“I don’t know what is going on officer James.” It’s okay. Just drop your weapon, we can help you.

I know a doctor he can take care of you.

He’s lying. He’s manipulating you.

He wants you to drop your gun to take you to the jail.

Just kill him David.

I don’t know who I am…

I feel lonely…

I don’t know what to do.

Just drop your gun David…

I know you’re a good guy…

I know who you are. You are not alone…

You have me… we have each other.

Just pull the damn trigger…

This is your only chance David, do it…

I was stable.

Lifeless

Scared

a voice made me come back to life…

“David please stop it” Someone said coughing.

It was Mrs. Johnson’s voice.

I look at her for a moment with my eyes full of tears…

“David… Don’t… David…Don’t” I dropped the weapons.

They started moving towards me…

They handcuffed me and I was looking at Mrs. Johnson.

“I’m sorry Mrs. Johnson; I’m really sorry” I said.

The backup crew arrived

They pushed me in a police car and I had two people by my sides. I could hear someone was talking to Officer James.

Officer, we found a corpse in the backyard.

A man…He was buried there.

Okay, any ID card?

No sir

Alright, you’re dismissed. Yes sir

This was the last sentence I heard from officer James that night.

The car moved slowly

While two other cars escorting it.

I felt calm

There was no laugh

No whisper

No noise any more.

Was this the end of this nightmare?

Officer James… Mrs. Johnson is dead.

I heard someone saying.

What?

Officer James said

“Dead? No…”

I said shocked looking back from the rearview window.

“No… but how?”

“The glass of water…” I heard a whisper in my head. And the laugh came back again.