Chapter 6

• Audrey became shocked.
• "I hate you," Audrey sobbed as she wiped the juice from her body after being shocked by Belle's story.
• "You're so focused on my story," Belle chuckled as she assisted her friend with drying the wet clothes.
• "Why are there stray animals at school? Doesn't the school administration know that stray animals are dangerous to students?" Audrey exclaimed.
• "Don't worry, someone has already reported on wild animals; Impact, my father, isn't here because of the report about animals," Belle explained.
• She stood up and took the medical kit from her bag to replace the gauze on her wound. Audrey followed Belle and examined the dog bite on her leg.
• My God! What animal bit you? Why is it so big? How can you show off your long legs?" Audrey cried as she stared at the deep mark in her leg.
• "The important thing, Audrey, is that I didn't die!" Belle exclaimed, laughing at her friend's exaggerated reactions.
• But the truth is that she is also depressed; the only thing she is proud of about her body are her long and smooth legs
• ———
• Meanwhile, Sheriff Stone and the other cops were present in the woods near town.
• "Sheriff, half the body of the corpse is already being examined to determine identity," said the police officer.
• "The victim's half body?" Sheriff Stone asks. They walked to the location where the body was discovered.
• "Have you spoken with the person who saw the body?" he asks.
• Sheriff Stone sat down and examined the blood drops on the leaves and the ground.
• "Those who reported were a group of campers who were on their way to the lake when one of them tripped over the body," the police said.
• "All right, tell everyone that we are going to conduct a search operation here in the entire forest because we don't know if it is just one person or if there are others," the Sheriff declared, and was immediately followed by police officers.
• The search has already begun, with ten police officers combining various areas of the forest.
• In their search, they discovered a house in the middle of the woods.
• Stone looked at his companion, and the two of them walked towards the house, which appeared to be empty due to its old age and stench.
• They knocked a few times, but no one answered or opened the door. His partner examined the side of the house and peered out the open window.
• "Sir, it appears that no one is inside, but there are boxes," he explained.
• Their gaze was fixed on the pick-up truck approaching them.
• "Be prepared," Stone said.
• "Officer, what can I do for you?" asked the car's driver.
• "May we ask you a few questions?" Stone asked.
• "May I ask your name?" Stone began his inquiry.
• "Oh, I forgot to introduce myself; my name is Killian Chen."
• "Does this house belong to you?"
• "It belonged to my parents, and when they died, it became mine," Killian explained. "Excuse me, officer Stone, can I know what these questions are for?"
• "A dead body was discovered here in the forest, so we're looking into it—Mr. Chen, when did you arrive?" officer Andres interrupted.
• "I just arrived yesterday; you can ask those who delivered my belongings; they were with me yesterday. Officer, my parents said this place is safe, so I decided to move here, but I appear to have made a mistake," Killian declares.
• "Mr. Chen, our place is safe, and this is the first time something like this has happened; we don't know if the victims are truly from here." Sheriff Stone explained.
• "If at all possible, please inform me of the case because I am afraid to settle here if there is a circulating killer," Killian said.
• "Don't worry, we will come here to ensure your safety, and you can also pick up my number if you need the officers' assistance," Stone said as he handed over his card.
• Killian reached for his wallet, took his card, and handed it to him.
• "Then we won't bother you anymore, and it looks like you still have a lot to do," Stone extended his hand to shake Killian's hand, which he quickly accepted.
• "I'll wait for your word," Killian said.
• When the officers turned around, Killian's face became solemn. He sighed as he entered his house.
• "Killian Chen—a doctor. What does a successful person do in a small town, particularly in the woods?" Stone remarked.
• "Sir," Andres said, "I'll look into it if he only came yesterday."
• ———
• It was late at night when Henry Stone returned to their home, and the food that Belle had prepared for him was already on the table.
• He'd told Belle several times not to bother preparing food for him, but she refused. So he got into the habit of not eating out, no matter what time he got home.
• Belle's mother has been missing for ten years. Because they hadn't found her yet, everyone assumed she was dead. But Henry Stone didn't consider finding another wife and instead concentrated on taking care of Belle.
• After eating, Henry went to his daughter's room.
• He found Belle sound asleep.
• Sadly, Henry pulled his daughter's hair from her face.
• His friend called him last night to say he saw Belle.
• He also mentioned that Belle had a large wound on her leg and that she was walking alone in the dark while crying.
• Earlier, he wanted to ask Belle, but he didn't because she didn't seem to want to tell him what had happened.
• Belle awoke as a result of Henry's caress on her cheek.
• "Dad, did you just arrive?" Belle asked when she noticed the time was past midnight.
• "I've heard a lot of complaints today; how are you feeling?" He looked at Belle's bandaged leg.
• "Hmm, it appears that your friend reported what happened to me last night," Belle said with a smile.
• "He called me last night, and I wanted to talk to you about it earlier, but it looks like you're not ready to tell the story yet," Henry explained.
• "Don't worry, Dad; I'm fine; my eyeglasses fell off, and I couldn't see where I was going, so I stumbled," Belle explained with a smile.
• "He said you were crying," Henry explains.
• "Of course, Dad, I cry; falling hurts, especially on the street," Belle replied, laughing. "It's best if you go to bed because you'll be up early tomorrow," she added.
• "Okay, but when you have a problem, tell me, huh?" Henry sighed. He stood up and exited the room. "And one more thing," he adds, "don't go to the forest."
• "Why?" Belle asked.
• "We found a body, and we're still trying to figure out who the victim is, and we have no leads on the suspect," he explained.
• Belle shuddered and nodded