Weeping Willows: A Thrilling Mystery Novella (Dark Desires Book 1) by Zak Khan

 
    - CHAPTER 1
-
     
    B right scorching sun glinted on the shiny metal of the red
buses lining the busy street corner. A man bent over a metal bucket
and ran his fingers through the soapy sudsy water making ripples to
speed up the process. He dipped his rag into the bucket, soaking it
as he washed the grime off the exterior of the bus. He sang a song
in a language that the little girl standing in the corner did not
understand but she listened, mesmerized by the tune. Oblivious of
being watched he happily continued his task.
     
    The girl looked away guiltily
remembering what mum and dad had said, “ It’s rude to stare at people, Suzie!” were the words that echoed in her head. She looked into the
shop where her parents were busy paying for their purchases. A
sudden feeling of dread was settling in the pit of her stomach.
Their shopping trip was coming to an end and it would be time to
head home. She hated being at home - it felt so cooped up. They
lived in an apartment in the city, not in the very best part of
town but it was all that they could afford for now. Mum stepped out
of the shop and held Suzie's hand as she steered her towards the
entrance of their apartment building, whilst dad trudged behind
with all the shopping bags.
     
    Suzie could never explain why the
foyer of their building petrified her. The shabby dark brown carpet
smelt musty, a strong smell of cheap detergent could never disguise
the cold dank stale cigarette smell that permeated the air. It was
pitch black and the long flight of stairs to their flat on the
2 nd floor felt like a
huge mission. The lifts were permanently out of order. The darkness
was so eerie that it felt like little fingers were clenching her
chest, squeezing tightly making her feel breathless. Just as she
felt dizzy they reached the landing to Suzie's relief.
     
    Long corridors with floors coated with thick
lavender smelling polish, a soothing scent met them at Flat 22. A
simple agreement with all the tenants to maintain their corridors.
Fresh, spicy aromas of mouthwatering cooking wafted through as
Suzie and her parents entered their door.
     
    This was home.
     
    They settled in for the day, had lunch that mum had
prepared before they had left for shopping. It was a deliciously
divine mutton stew with veggies. Mum was an amazing cook.
     
    A soft knock at the front door sent mum to answer.
It was probably Aunt Ivette from next door. Suzie brushed the thick
fringe of her silky black hair off her forehead and stared at the
tall woman in the doorway. She was one of the most beautiful
creatures she had ever seen. A very tall blonde haired woman with
flawless milky skin, a soft pink lipstick on her shapely lips
dressed in a white wispy chiffon flowing dress. She had always
looked like she had just stepped out of a movie.
     
    “ Hello
Judy, just came to bring Suzie a chocolate bar that Jimmy bought
for her .” she said in that soft husky
(warm) voice as she held out the chocolate bar to Suzie gently.
Even at such a young tender age, Suzie knew that Aunt Ivette loved
children.
     
    Grandma May always said that children had a natural
sense of what people were really like. Suzie thought about that,
she argued that grandma was probably right, there was warmth and
kindness emanating from the lovely woman. She reached out and took
the chocolate bar smiling a thank you at Aunt Ivette.
     
    Suddenly, the loud clanging of crashing metal in the
courtyard reverberated through the building. The noise was
deafening! Suzie remembered that Aunt Ivette, Mum and Dad exchanged
knowing looks that only adults knew how to do.
     
    “ Ugh! It's probably the hooligans in
the courtyard. ” said Dad. Suzie followed
her parents and Aunt Ivette into the corridor, it always amazed her
how all the tenants would stand with their arms on the wall,
nervously watching, on the tips of her toes peeking at the
frightening brawl occurring in the courtyard in spite of Dad
warning her to stay indoors. It was a