After the terrifying storm passed, Jeremiah and Emilee headed outside with brooms and dustpans to help sweep up broken glass. They’d only been in town for about a week and didn’t really know anyone. 

“I told you we should’ve picked somewhere more north to live…”

“You’d say the same thing about the north if we ended up in a snowstorm.” Jeremiah smirked at his wife Emilee.

“Touche. Just look at the amount of damage it caused over just a few hours,” Emilee replied, walking towards her little cafe on the corner. “It’ll definitely be awhile until I can have the grand opening. I have such bad luck.”

The winds of the storm had caused most windows of the buildings on the block to bust.  Appliances, tables, chairs, mugs, dishes, coffee beans, and bakery goods covered the sidewalk. Jeremiah could see tears forming in Emilee’s bright amber-colored eyes. 

“You don’t babe. It’d have been much worse.” He grabbed her waist and kissed her forehead. “Imagine opening and getting injured by the storm. All of this can be replaced. You can’t. ” 

“Such a sweet talker…” Emilee flashed a smile and kissed him. “Come on… we have lots to do.”

Jeremiah started picking up the debris outside while Emilee inspected the inside. 

“Lovely…” She groaned at the dirt and moisture that fully caked her counters and cabinets. 

She continued walking to the back where the kitchen was. Everything looked like the same as the front, except Emilee spotted an enormous crack in the wall behind the storage shelves. As she got closer, Emilee froze in shock when she noticed a yellowish white circular object tipped out as two rats scuffled out of the wall.

“Jeremiah! Come here! Quick!”

Jeremiah dropped his trash bag and headed to the back. He could hear the panic in her voice.

“I’m comin’! What’s it? Did you find another roa…”

Emilee blanched and her knees shook. Jeremiah turned to what she was staring at. His hazel eyes widen.

“What the…. You don’t think it’s a…” 

“I…It…Don’t…” Emilee tried to reply.

Jeremiah walked closer and moved the shelves. He swallowed hard as he kneeled down to get a better look. Chills ran down his spine as he noticed the circular object had eye sockets and a small patch of hair. Jeremiah slowly peeked at what else was in the crack. He gasped at the discovery of a small torso and limbs.

“What… is it…?” Emilee asked. 

“Dial 9-1-1. I think we just found a corpse…a child’s corpse,” Jeremiah answered.  

***

“What is the possibility? Could it actually be her?” 

“It seems like it has been over three months since the decaying started,” Forensic Scientist Berber replied. “We will know for sure once we test for DNA.”

“Truly hoped that this would not be the outcome…” Juvenile investigator Madsen exhaled.

Madsen glanced at Emilee and Jeremiah. Jeremiah was soothing Emilee, who was bawling into his chest. Madsen pulled out her mini notebook and walked towards them.

“Hi Mr. and Mrs. Dolson. I’m investigator Madsen.  Would you mind if I ask you a few questions?”

“It really isn’t a good time…” Jeremiah huffed.

Emilee shook her head and wiped her face. “No. No. It’s fine. We’d like to help any way we can.”

Madsen knocked and cleared her throat.

“How well do you know the previous owner? Did he mention anything odd about the building or a little girl?”

Both Emilee and Jeremiah raised an eyebrow.

“We met Mr. Irwin through the retailer Ms. Nolin. He mentioned the building had electrical issues, but that’s it,” Emilee said. “He said he was moving. Didn’t mention where though.”

“What little girl are you talking about? Clearly, Mr. Irwin is some type of sicko,” Jeremiah added.

“Sally Eggers, a nine-year-old who went missing a few months ago.”

Emilee felt her heart drop to her stomach.

“Do you have a picture of her?”

“Yes.” Madsen slipped a picture out of her notebook. “This is her.”

The girl in the picture had an olive complexion, straight red hair, and big dark brown eyes. Emilee couldn’t believe it. 

“Does she look familiar to you?”

Emilee went poker-faced.

“No. Not at all.”

“Ok. Well, would you let me know if Irwin contacts you?” Madsen said as she gave them a business card.

“Of course.” Emillee smiled.

“Alright. Hope you have a better night.”

“Thanks,” Jeremiah said.

Emilee exhaled once Madsen left. Jeremiah lifted an eyebrow.

“Are you ok? You looked like you saw a ghost when you saw that picture.”

“I think I did,” Emilee thought. “I’m fine. Just devastated for the little girl and her family.” She frowned.