Chapter 4 - The Homecoming
The clock struck 7:00 PM when Travis's sedan finally pulled into the quiet driveway. The house was completely dark, save for the faint glow of a single light emitting from the front living room window.
"Look at that," Deborah snorted as she opened her door. "Dark house. She didn't even bother to turn the porch lights on for us. So passive-aggressive."
"I'll set her straight," Travis growled, trying to play the dominant husband in front of his parents. He unlatched the front door, pushing it open with a heavy huff. "Sarah! We're back! Get down here and help with the—"
The words died in his throat.
A thick, metallic stench hit their nostrils instantly. Travis stepped over the threshold, his shoes making a sickening, sticky sound against the floorboard. He reached for the wall light switch, flipping it on.
The bright overhead light illuminated a nightmare.
Deep, dark pools of blood drenched the living room carpet. The coffee table was splintered in half. Ripped pieces of maternity clothes lay scattered near the couch, soaked in crimson stains. The single, bloody handprint smeared down the drywall looked like a desperate plea from someone who had been dragged away into the dark.
And right in the center stood the white bassinet, draped in stained blankets, standing eerily silent.
Deborah dropped her luxury shopping bags; the leather purse tumbled onto the ruined carpet. Chloe let out a ear-piercing scream, clutching her mother's arm in sheer terror.
Travis took two trembling steps forward, his face draining of all color until he was as pale as a ghost. His eyes locked onto the pool of blood where he had left his pregnant wife hours ago. The reality of what he had done slammed into his chest like a freight train.
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"Sarah?" Travis choked out, his voice cracking into a pathetic, terrified sob. "Sarah?!"
His knees buckled beneath him. He hit the floor hard, falling right into the dark stain on the carpet, clutching his head as violent panic seized his entire body. He dropped to his knees, sobbing hysterically, utterly destroyed by the horrific scene before him.
