Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: BRAND (01/12/17)
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TITLE: Accused | Previous Challenge Entry
By JC Hummel
01/19/17 -
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He felt uneasy, but agreed to be there as soon as possible.
Liam Nelson had moved to Corogin eight years before. Relocating to the small country town gave him the opportunity to finally live his dream and become a full-time writer. It was a remote place away from everyone with only the landscape for inspiration, and his three-room cottage out in the middle of nowhere would be the perfect place for him to write his novel.
The first few weeks were exciting and he spent hours in complete solitude with only the sound of clicking computing keys to keep him company. The only person he saw was a young local teen, named Scarlett Marsh who stopped by a few times to tell him that he was crazy to move to such a dull town. He was usually busy and she would only stay for ten or fifteen minutes each time. He didn't mind her visits too much and figured she was just a bored teenager looking for something to do over the summer break.
He hadn't seen her for a days when the police showed up and told him she had been reported missing by her father. Then they put him in a police car and took him to the police station for questioning. He was there for hours, insisting that he had no idea where she could be.
Now eight years later the inspector held out his hand and shook Liam’s. “It’s been a few years.”
“Yes, can you tell me why I am here.”
The detective led him into a small room, “Why don’t you sit down,” and he indicated for him to sit on the chair. “We’ve found Scarlett March — alive.”
Liam sat back stunned and relieved.
“Turns out she ran away with some boy she met online. She recently learned that her father died last year and came back to claim her part of the inheritance.”
Liam remained quiet for a few minutes, trying to process what he was hearing. “I see so, I have been living under a cloud of suspicion for eight years. You people tried to brand me as a kidnapper or even a murderer and now you tell me she was alive all along. Do you know how many people in town believed the worst happened to Scarlett and I was to blame? My reputation has been damaged beyond repair. Most people in town haven't spoken to me in years. One even wrote a letter, unsigned, claiming that the people didn't want a murderer in their town and I should leave.
“I am sorry Mr. Nelson everyone was questioned but some people decided you must be guilty of something simply because you were an outsider. I wanted to tell you in person that we found her, before the locals find out, or before it is in the newspapers. If it is any consolation, people will know the truth. She tricked everyone.”
Liam walked out of the police station and went to the general store a block away. For the first time in years he held his head up high and made eye contact with the cashier.
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Well written. Thanks for sharing.