Member-only story
Chapter 31
The ten o'clock news carried the story of the fire at the Pagoda Inn. This fire did more damage than the one at the flower shop because the fire started in the basement. Thus, allowing almost everyone above the basement enough time to escape. One victim was trapped in the basement. The fire was under investigation at this time. The News didn’t say if Shen Lee was dead, alive or anything on the Diamond.
Again, I prayed for his life.
I sat up all night. Willoby brought food for us, but our appetites were suspended. We were just there staring at each other in suspenseful silence. He carefully took the Diamond from his backpack, and handed it to me, then asked, “What are you not telling me? “
For a second, the color of the diamond blinked between red and yellow quickly, and then go back to yellow. Willoby didn’t seem to notice. He hands me a glass of water that was on the night table beside me, sat watching me, then painfully said, “Shen Lee is dead!”
“Oh God! I killed them both!” I cried, rushing towards the door. He stopped me, gently turning me around, subdued me with his arms, trying to calm me. He helped me to the bed and we both lay down.
‘How could they die? Only their hands were on fire.’ I lay there all night in torment, fighting the images of Juan Luiz and Shen Lee from taking away my sanity.
Willoby left at dawn and returned with all our belongings and breakfast. My appetite was still asleep. I was uneasy and frightened. The Diamond had killed two persons. Why?
Thank you for reading this piece. I hope I have intrigued you.
