Trifecta Entry: Deliberate

Came across this writing competition, and decided to give it a shot. Here is my entry for this week's word: Deliberate. Enjoy!

Callie walked with a deliberate pace, giving her time to think about the case before she confronted the victims’ family. It didn’t make sense. How could a perfectly healthy 21-year-old drop dead in the middle of the street? Something just wasn’t right.

Callie reached the front door of Mr. and Mrs. Madison’s house, and raised a fist to knock. However, something caught her attention and she lowered her hand. The door was open just slightly, giving the impression that someone had just gone in. She opened the door farther, and called out.

“Bill…..Harriet….”

No answer.

She took a step into the house and looked around. Nothing seemed out of place. Everything was as it had been the last time she had been there. The hair rose on her neck.

She walked to the living room and saw that the tea Harriet had served her just two days ago was still on the coffee table. The cups still half full of the dark amber liquid, now ice cold. Everything was EXACTLY as it had been the last time she had been there.

Callie headed toward the stairs leading toward the second floor of the house. Reaching the top, she began to investigate the rooms on either side of the landing. Each one she looked in was empty.

Except one.

She gasped at the sight of Bill and Harriet lying side by side on their bed. Their faces showed signs of fright, twisted and frozen in horrible expressions. A message in blood could be seen on their mahogany headboard.

YOU’RE NEXT!

264 words @bookwormattack