GILDED SILENCE
1
The morning fog hung low over the Gray-Silt District. James, an old waste collector, was pushing his cart along the cracked road when a sharp, terrible smell hit him. It was thick and metallic, unlike anything he had smelled before.
James
**covering his nose with his sleeve**
Ugh, what is that? Something must have rotted in this heat. 🤢
James
*stops his cart near a huge, black plastic bag*
This wasn't here yesterday. It’s heavy... and it’s leaking something dark.
The bag was tightly sealed, sitting right in the middle of the empty road. Curious, James poked the plastic. As it tore, the smell became unbearable. He caught a glimpse of something pale and human inside.
James
*stumbles back, his heart racing*
NO! NO! HELP! POLICE!
James ran down the street, screaming for help until he found a patrol car. Within minutes, sirens echoed through the industrial ruins.
Detective Ethan Cross arrived as the police began sealing the entire area with yellow tape.
Ethan Cross (Detective)
*wearing gloves, carefully opening the bag*
Everyone, stand back.
Dr Aris (Chief of Forensics)
*gasps as the plastic falls away*
Dr Aris (Chief of Forensics)
Detective... look at the face. It’s him. Arthur Harthan, the former minister.
Ethan Cross (Detective)
*stunned*
Ethan Cross (Detective)
The man who went missing last week? We’ve had the whole city looking for him... and he was here the whole time.
The area was locked down as the body was shifted to the city hospital for examination. By then, the news had leaked. Media vans rushed to the scene, their cameras flashing in the grey light.
Speaking urgently into the microphone.
Breaking News. The search for the public’s favorite leader, Arthur Harthan, has ended in tragedy. His body was found abandoned in a plastic bag this morning. The city is in shock.
As the news report begins to stream on every television across the country, a cold silence falls. The minister is dead, and the mystery has only just begun.
2
The heavy doors of the city hospital morgue swung shut, sealing out the noise of the frantic city. Inside, the air was freezing and smelled of chemicals. Dr.Aris stood under the bright surgical lights, his face grim as he looked at the body of Arthur Harthan. Detective Ethan stood by the door, his hands trembling as he waited for the truth.
Ethan Cross (Detective)
*staring at the floor*
Ethan Cross (Detective)
I’ve been on the force for ten years, Aris. I’ve never seen a crime scene that clean. What did you find?
Dr Aris (Chief of Forensics)
*pulls back the white sheet*
Dr Aris (Chief of Forensics)
Because this wasn't a crime of passion, Ethan. It was a calculated masterpiece of pain. He was kept alive for exactly seven days before his heart finally gave out.
Ethan Cross (Detective)
Seven days? You mean he was being hurt that entire time we were searching?
Dr Aris (Chief of Forensics)
Yes. Look at his hands. Every fingernail was pulled out, and the beds were packed with crushed bird’s-eye chilies. The killer wanted him to stay awake through the burning pain.
Ethan Cross (Detective)
*wincing*
And the eyes... the sockets were empty at the scene.
Dr Aris (Chief of Forensics)
They were removed with surgical precision while he was still alive. He spent his last days in total darkness, feeling every cut. His body was then sanitized with professional care. No DNA. No hair. Nothing.
As the anatomy report was finalized, the news leaked to the press like wildfire. Across the city, television screens turned bright red with emergency updates.
BREAKING NEWS: THE CHILLING TRUTH. We have received the autopsy details of Former Minister Harthan.
Headline {On Screen}:
CRUEL MURDER: MINISTER TORTURED FOR A WEEK. EYES REMOVED WHILE ALIVE. A NATION IN SHOCK.
News Reporter {TV}:
The details are too graphic to describe fully. The public is asking who could commit such a barbaric act? Police have no leads, no suspects, and no motive. A ghost is haunting our streets.
The city fell into a fearful silence. The "Public's Favorite" was gone, and the sheer cruelty of his end suggested that this was only the beginning of something much darker.
3
The atmosphere at the police headquarters was reaching a boiling point. The Commissioner’s office was a storm of shouting and ringing phones. Every news outlet in the country was demanding an arrest, but the evidence lockers remained empty.
Ethan Cross (Detective)
**slamming his notebook on the desk**
I can’t invent a suspect out of thin air! The crime scene was scrubbed clean. There isn't even a stray hair!
Commissioner
The public is terrified, Ethan! If we don't give them a name soon, the city will burn. Do whatever it takes, but find me a lead!
With the Commissioner’s threats echoing in his ears, Ethan left the station. He felt the weight of the city on his shoulders. He drove to the one place where the world felt quiet the penthouse of his most trusted friend.
Ethan Cross (Detective)
**entering the penthouse and slumping onto a chair**
Ethan Cross (Detective)
I hope you have something strong to drink. I’m at my breaking point. 🥃
The penthouse was a world of calm and luxury. Lucas stood by the window, holding a gold-plated trophy, looking thrilled.
Lucas Reed (bff)
**beaming with pride**
Ethan! Perfect timing. We’re celebrating! Our friend Adrian Vale just officially won the "Business Man of the Year" award! 🏆
Ethan Cross (Detective)
**looking at Adrian and nodding with genuine respect**
Congratulations, Adrian. Truly. In a city full of chaos, it’s good to see someone actually doing things right. You’ve worked hard for this.
Adrian Vale (bff)
**giving a small, modest smile**
Thanks, Ethan. I appreciate that. But you look like the world is crashing down on you. I’m guessing the case isn't getting any easier?
Ethan Cross (Detective)
**staring at his glass**
It’s a dead end. Whoever did this to the Minister knows exactly how we work. They didn't leave a single mistake for us to find.
On the large wall-mounted TV, the gala footage of Adrian’s award ceremony was suddenly cut off. A red "URGENT" banner filled the screen.
**standing outside the morgue**
The city remains on high alert. Police sources confirm that the investigation into the Minister’s brutal murder has stalled. No DNA, no suspects. The killer remains a total mystery.
Adrian Vale (bff)
**looking at the news screen with a neutral, thoughtful expression**
It’s a strange world, Ethan. One minute we’re celebrating a business award, and the next, the city is hunting a ghost.
The three friends stood in silence, watching the news ticker scroll. While the city outside was gripped by fear, inside the penthouse, the silence was heavy and unbreakable.
Download NovelToon APP on App Store and Google Play
