To say I was surprised would be an understatement, I was shocked. In the span of one week, I had seen the ugly sides to special people in Winchester but I didn't expect to see it so deeply embedded in the Burrows'.

Inspector Davies told me how Marie Burrows had bribed him on several occasions, and how she had threatened his family on his refusal to let Michael Stone go. While I sympathized with him on some level, I was annoyed he had accepted so easily instead of fighting back or calling officers in.

So when he was done with his story, I left him to Dave's care and went to talk to John Burrows.

He had to say all he knew.

"I know everything about your mom, John. So spill.", I spat, as soon as I got into his room.

He sighed, "I hope you can save us all, Detective Bella. It all started when..."

*****

We couldn't wait until nine p.m., especially with all we had and especially not with so many people in danger.

Oblivious to the amount of danger they faced, Winchester citizens continued to be in high spirits. Every shop had a beautiful Christmas tree adorned with lights and the air was filled with Christmas hymns coming from every street. The still snowing air made it all the merrier as little children dressed in festive colours made and threw snow balls at one another.

The town's tradition of gathering at the town hall to do the Christmas countdown was not stopped, even with the Mayor's disappearance, as men and women from all over the village decorated the town's biggest tree. The pine tree, traditional as well, stood at over ten feet tall decorated with all the lights, balls, stars and other decor they could find.

I was sincerely sad to be missing the Christmas countdown this year, call me pessimistic, but I had a feeling we wouldn't get Emily fast enough to make it till Christmas morning.

The road to the house was way longer than I thought, and I had half a mind to use the mayor's short-cut. It was still inside the town, along a road where the old mining company used to be. The road was well used until the company moved towns and being the only building there, the area quickly became abandoned and a place to tell scary stories about. The house, as we learnt, belonged to the owner of the mining company.

It still looked desolate as always, but as we moved closer, I sighted a silhouette at the top floor.

Not so desolate now, I thought.

I quickly sent David to the car to call for more back-up while Linda and I moved towards the house. Up close, she offered to head through the back and see if she could find anything while I continued through the open front door.

I was greeted with the metallic smell of blood, and something burning. Covering my nose, I moved further clutching my gun with my free hand as I moved carefully across the misplaced furniture and papers scattered everywhere.

Soon, I had gone through the ground floor and found nothing significant, everything present was either useless trash or writings of the power spell they were planning on casting. Besides the smell seemed to be coming from upstairs, so I began the steps and slowly moved up, more slowly because of the creaking floor boards.

Just at the edge of the stairs was Michael Stone. He looked at me quite shocked to see me so close to me. Quickly masking my own shock, I butted his head with the side of my gun and held him as much as I could as he slipped to the floor, unconscious. Even if this was the first case I had with so many twists, I had learned enough to know I couldn't rush into this head-on.

Using stealth and the power of the shadows would help me much more. I checked his pulse and headed on, satisfied he wouldn't be conscious for some time. This floor had five rooms in it, and I needed to check all if I needed to but I also knew all the people I was looking for were in this house, and they couldn't find me first.

I inhaled the air and followed the metallic smell to where it seemed to be at a peak, and stopped in front of one of the doors. Tested the knob, it was locked. With no time to waste, I picked the door with a hair-pin which wasn't as easy as it seemed on films. After a short while, the lock clicked and I entered the dark room filled with the smell of blood.

Hearing muffled cries, I pushed negative thoughts away and put on the light. There was Emily Brooke, the girl everyone had been looking for. Right now, she looked nothing like the picture; I saw she had a bald head, cuts along her arms and legs, and blood was pouring out of her side and even with all of this, she was tied and gagged.

Untying her, I whispered, "I'm Detective Bella, head detective of Winchester town.", I paused to show her my badge, which calmed her down and changed her wary eyes to one of recognition. "I'm here to rescue you, and anyone else with you. Is there anyone else?", I asked. She nodded eagerly, and pointed to the far corner of the room I had not noticed. Lying there, seemingly unconscious, was Mrs. Brooke.

I moved away from Emily, and quickly made my way over to untie the frail-looking woman. She seemed to come alive when I was done, as she cautiously looked around before seeing Emily and moving to hug her. I was touched with the way they hugged each other and whispered, even though they had told me nothing.

"What's been going on here? Is there anyone else? Where's your father?", I asked, directing the last question to Emily. Somehow, the girl still had the strength to glare at me, "That evil cannot be my father, after all he's done to us. He and the greater evil."

I needed more information, "Have you seen Detective Linda, ma'am?", I inquired. When she shook her head, I became truly confused. Where did Linda and David vanish to? I had been pressing the automatic call-back button but none of them was answering.

I looked back at them prepared to ask about the mayor and his mistress, Marie when I saw the look on their faces. Their eyes were fixed on me, no something behind it and they were filled with horror. Moving to act fast, I ducked my head and moved forward when something crashed to the ground. Immediately, something else crashed on my head and as I faded away to unconsciousness, I turned and came face to face with the people of the hour, Marie and Mr. Williams holding a staggering Linda.

*****

We're getting to the end people! Let me know your thoughts. Remember to tap the vote star 🌟