‘As Dark as Ink’ by Isla H
The cat padded over the stained sheets, avoiding the dark green liquid and broken glass. This was the seventh disappearance this week, totalling eleven. The police of Bromwood had tried to solve them and failed miserably. They were all just... gone. Worried that they would be next, the citizens of the town had taken it upon themselves to solve this mystery.
The cat walked along the bedframe and pillows, searching for a place to sleep. She was tired from the journey in the cramped box, and the discomfort of being thrown through the balcony by the man was getting to her. Taking a breath, she settled onto a pillow. It had obviously not been washed for at least a week, but there was nothing she could do about that.
As she drifted to sleep, she remembered the man. “Almost done.” he would say. “Two more ...disappearances, as they say.”
Cats in cages, constantly yowling, almost drowned out his voice, but that evil menace in his eyes were engraved on the cat’s soul permanently. She didn't know what he was up to, but it was bad.
***
Violet hung onto her chair, bracing herself for another jump+* scare. Indigo, her best friend, mock punched her on the arm.
“Come on, why are you so scared? It's not even that bad.”
“Are you joking? A monster jumped out at me two minutes ago.”
“Apparently this is based on the disappearances happening.”
“Indigo!”
“We should totally look at that crime scene house.” said Indigo. Violet gave her a look that meant ‘if it will shut you up.’
Later, back at Violet’s house, they were discussing a way to access the crime scene house and agreed that their parents probably wouldn't agree with their plan. So, they decided to go in the dead of night, the exact time that the disappearance had happened. It probably wasn't safe, but they didn’t bear it any thought.
That night, Violet packed a bag of the following: cheese sandwiches, a torch, an A4 notebook, four batteries, about 6 pens, and a metal bottle. At 11 pm, she left her house and dashed across the street to Indigo’s house. As she ran, she wondered if twelve-year-olds could take a bus by themselves. Probably not; she’d just have to walk to the crime scene with Indigo.
“There you are!” said Indigo. “I’ve been waiting at least half an hour.”
“Let’s just go.” replied Violet.
As the two girls walked to the house, they discussed how they would get in. Indigo suggested smashing a window, but Violet didn't agree. As they neared the house, they saw that the door was conveniently open for them. They crept in, careful not to break anything. From the shatters of glass, and dark green stains on the floor and bed (which was downstairs), Violet could see that this had not been a peaceful disappearance. She was uneasy, feeling as if something had been watching them.
“Don't worry about it,” said Indigo, “we wouldn't get in trouble even if we were seen. They can't arrest kids.”
Violet just nodded. The bleak surroundings scared her, but she didn't say. However, when something rustled, it became apparent that they were not alone. Eyes flashed under the bed. They flickered and turned away. Violet turned to Indigo, and the look on her face showed that she had also seen the eyes. They backed away, Violet’s bag still on the table. Suddenly the eyes reappeared, jumping onto the bed and it was revealed to be a pitch-black cat.
“It's one of those cats that show up after disappearances. The police round them up and put them in big salt circles to keep them out.”
“Indigo, what. Cats contained by salt?”
“Yep. Pretty stupid.”
The cat flopped onto the bed, bringing their attention to a vial of green liquid. It was labelled as ‘snake venom’. But the only place you could get it was in the zoo’s laboratory. Which meant that the culprit must be someone who worked at the zoo.
“Indigo, I have an idea. We need to go back home.”
“Ok, let me say goodbye to Ink.”
“The cat?”
As they headed home, Violet explained her theory about the zoo. Indigo sat with her by the side of the road, and they compiled a list of all the possible suspects. The list was as follows:
Darcy Hodgeson- snake keeper
Micheal Carter- laboratory worker- until fired two weeks ago
Jack Redon – snake keeper until resignation three weeks ago
Grace Smith-laboratory worker and cover reptile keeper
After sneaking back into their bedrooms, the two girls texted each other and agreed to visit the zoo the next day. That morning, they left for ‘school’. “Two tickets please, and here’s 20 pounds,” said Indigo, handing it over and taking the tickets.
They then sought out the main office and Indigo looked through the window. Nobody was there – and Indigo took this as an invitation to push the door open and walk in.
“I'm surprised that it has no lock. I thought they had security,” she muttered. As Violet stood outside of the door trying to look as least suspicious as possible, Indigo rifled through paperwork and charts, before hissing “I think I have it. Let's go.” they walked over to a bench and looked at the documents. They saw that one of their suspects, Jack Redon, had resigned before the zoo even started producing snake venom for antidotes.
They put a cross through his name. After speaking to a worker (pretending to be doing homework, and that it was an inset day) they crossed Darcy off the list. Their journey brought them to talk to Grace, who explained she was relocated to crocodile care. Their list only had one more person.
Micheal Carter.
Violet rang the police and told them of her research. The police, having nothing else to do, investigated. It was on the television that night. Carter had two more vials of venom, and plans. Plans to assassinate the mayor. It was unknown why he wanted to do this, but he did. The cats were part of a ploy to convince the town that it was the devil’s doing and not his. He was sent to jail that same day.
10 days later, Violet turned on the news and was met with a reporter saying, “Micheal Carter has escaped from prison” ...