Home / Mystery/Thriller / Hills Of Pain / Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-three
Author: Dharniel
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56
The moon shone softly on the city streets, bringing with it an end to the night's activities. The sound of screeching tires could be heard in a distance as Johan brought his car to a halt outside his apartment.

The smell of cigarette hit him as he pushed open the door of his car. He swept his eyes up and down his apartment with one arm on the door, the other on the car top, while his foot remained on the brake. There was no reason whatsoever for him to perceive the scent of a cigarette. More so, he was the only one staying in the apartment.

Did someone visit? Or is it a ghost lurking around?, He cogitated. Unfortunately, there was no light bulb outside his apartment to brighten the environment.

He head dived into his car, gripped his torch, then shut the door of his car as he slowly paced cautiously towards the backyard which happened to be ghost quiet, sniffing his nose as he held his torch firmly in like manner of a cop in the strategic weapons and tactics team.

“Hello?” he said,
Continue to read this book on the App

Related Chapters

  • Hills Of Pain   Chapter Twenty-four

    The just-risen sun shone softly on the city streets, bringing with it a flurry of early morning activity.“You may have your seat.” Darron said.“Thank you.” Graeme Clough replied, pulling a seat for himself.The sudden silent afterwards felt so awkward, it was their first time meeting each other yet, it felt like they've had a thing or two in the past. Graeme Clough flicked the arm of his chair with a finger as he kept Darron firmly in his gaze. He had figured Darron gave the order to drop the murder case of Edwin but by the look of things he only acted out as a puppet since the order to drop the case was too sudden so, who exactly was the master? Darron rubbed the sides of his mouth with his two fingers. “No bruises or injuries yet, confirmed dead?” his words tore through the silence as he arched a brow. Graeme Clough kept mute for some seconds as he gazed at the open window binds.“Ok, I get it” Darron said, automatically shutting the windows. “You can start talking, now!”“Is th

  • Hills Of Pain   Chapter Twenty-five

    The bright smile on Hahn's face needed no one to interprete, the long wait was over, he would finally get to see Everly in a few hours time. Standing before the mirror on his turquoise blue suit, he buttoned his shirt at the wrist level and straightened his tie.“You look perfect, son.” Luis Maria praised from behind. The smile on Hahn's lips lengthened as he gazed at his father through the mirror.“Do I?” he asked, thrusting his hands into his pockets as he turned to him.“I bet she'll realize how good of a man you are the moment she sees you.” “We don't have to be quick to judge father. Or don't you think so?” Hahn pointed out. His words painting a clear picture that he'd always gotten rejected, in case his father had forgotten so soon. However, his rejection came as a result of his arrogance and wrong idea that women could be easily gotten with the affluence of his father's wealth, not leaving out his unchecked temper. Luis Maria struck a finger on his chest. “Just keep that l

  • Hills Of Pain   Chapter Twenty-Six

    “This way sir.” one of the cops led the way into Johan's apartment while Graeme Clough who was accompanied by a squad of policemen followed behind.The creaking of boots could be heard as he approached the crime scene, which was shortly barricaded with barrier tapes after the arrival of his subordinate, Phanuel.“How bad is it?” Graeme Clough asked as he got close enough.“Awful sir.” “Did you find anything similar?” “Yes sir.” Phanuel nodded. Beside him was a cop holding out an arm as he offered a pair of rubber gloves which he'd earlier requested for.“I'd like to have a pair also.” —Graeme Clough gazed at the entrance door to Johan's apartment before being offered a pair of rubber gloves.“A moment please.” Phanuel excused himself as he forced his trembling hand into the glove. He'd certainly had a rough week. Maybe he needed more than an excuse to get over with this situation that happened to grow worse each breaking day.Coven town wasn't safe anymore. Two deaths recorded in le

  • Hills Of Pain   Chapter Twenty-Seven

    The pale crescent moon shone like a silvery claw in the sky.Edwin tossed himself to both sides of the bed as he continued to wrestle with his thoughts before finally sitting up. He rubbed the skin on the neck as he gazed out through the half glass window.All this while Ellie kept him firmly in her gaze as she stood by the door. The burden upon him was too much to bear although, she felt a strong desire to embrace him from behind, but that wouldn't lift the burden off his shoulders. “Are you unable to sleep?” she asked.“Huh!” he yelped. His eyes held a flash of shock as he half turned to her.“I thought you were asleep already.”“Well, I was,” she threw her eyes to the top of its frame. “But, not anymore.”A watery smile creased his face, remembering Everly as he gazed at her before breaking eye contact.“Yes, I'm. Come on in.”She paced in on her night gown and sat beside him, but the night sky again captured his attention. She gazed at his lips, but that was all she could do, l

  • Hills Of Pain   Chapter Twenty-eight

    Legs crossed, Everly clicked her fingernail against the round table.“Can you go straight to the point?”Her eyes searched his handsome face for answers.“Take it easy,” Hahn said. “I've….”“Something to say?” Everly interposed. “Is that it?” “Yes but…”“Look here, I don't know what my father has assured you of,” she paused and smirked. “But, you and I, we can't be a thing.”“How sure are you? Your father.....”“My father will do nothing.” her eyes brightened at her words. “The decision is mine to make.”Hahn drew in slow, steady breath as he hid his arms behind him and clenched the chair with a death grip. After which he squeezed his eyes shut, tilted his head to both sides and exhaled deeply.He leaned forward and placed his hands on the table, his gaze boring into her cheeks.“I understand but….”“No,” Everly said, pursing her lips. “ You don't.”Hahn withdrew his hands and hid them in between his thighs as he formed them into a fist. “Can I talk?”“No, I think we're done here.”

  • Hills Of Pain   Chapter Twenty-nine

    Graeme Clough tapped his foot as he hummed his favorite song while rocking his chair back and forth. The process seemed to be longer than he thought, besides he never wanted to sit idle while Diane did all the work, but she'd earlier told him to do so since he'd no medical knowledge whatsoever. More so, she thought he would be a big distraction, which he actually was, by engaging her in discussions she wouldn't want to be a part of. Security, politics, and clocks were the favorite of his topics. She'd always wondered but kept mute anytime he began his talks on clocks.She definitely wouldn't tell him how it felt, but within the few minutes he'd say a thing or two about it, she felt a hollow weakness in the pit of her stomach. Although, she never did speak to him about, but compared to the ill feeling the clock gave her, the rocking chair and tapping foot felt worse. She raised her eyes and smiled at him whilst placing her thumb firmly on the marked spot on Johan's corpse.“Alright, I

  • Hills Of Pain   Chapter Thirty

    Graeme Clough's eyes ran both sides of its frame as he gazed at Naylor, who moved to both sides of his office.“You should stay calm. There's nothing you can do to bring him back.” he leaned forward on his chair. “He's gone.”Naylor's heart shook at the word as a shadow of doubt crossed his face. “No, that can't be true. He tried to say something.” Naylor stuttered, moving to and fro.“So?” “I never gave him a chance to do so.” He stared at his palms with the eyes of a murderer. “I could see it in his eyes,” he swallowed the lump in his throat. “He was scared.”“Of course, he…” Graeme Clough paused and blinked his eyes.If he was scared and tried to speak then, it could mean he already met with the psychopath and for some reasons, he knew he would die.The sudden silence left its warmth on Naylor's skin, he tilted his head to the side and gazed at Graeme Clough who seemed to be lost in thoughts before waving his arms across his face to get back his attention.“Are you still here?

  • Hills Of Pain   Chapter Thirty-one

    The rising sun cast a rosy hue across the morning sky, bringing with it a flurry of early morning activities. Dressed in a white plain shirt, blue denim jeans and white sneakers, Karl gazed at his wristwatch as he gulped down a mouthful of hot lavender tea prepared by Ellie, after which he clenched his briefcase and turned to leave.Waiting for answers appeared to be difficult than he thought. Although, he'd no idea on how to get the answers he required, however, finding the cop who helped him that night was a good way to begin.“Don't you think I should come along?”Ellie's voice matched the softness in her gaze. For a brief moment, he gazed at her as though she were Everly while he raised his arm halfway to her face, then paused as he realized he was making a mistake.She gazed at him and blinked back tears as he slowly retracted his arm and thrust it into his pockets. This was one of those moments she'd wished he would do something without the thought of Everly coming into play.A

Latest Chapter

  • Hills Of Pain   

    Chapter Forty (Final Chapter)

    Savannah sat beside Everly on the hospital cot and searched deep into her eyes, while Jenkins leaned on the wall with arms folded across the chest and legs crossed. “Hey, what's wrong?” —she patted Everly's face as tears streamed down her eyes, but, Everly returned the gaze with a painful stare. She wouldn't have thought that the answer she sought for months, the reason she'd to abandon her dreams of a model for a prosecutor, was right in front of her all along. How thoughtful of a father to steal the happiness of his daughter. She figured It must have been him who ordered to drop the investigation on Karl's attempted murder. How sure was she that her father didn't have a hand in this accident or in the mysterious murders in the city if he could attempt to eliminate Karl.Hot tears welled in her eyes, remembering the words said to her by her mother. Never did she imagine that her father would be on the other side of this war. Perhaps, her mother was aware of it but chose to stay q

  • Hills Of Pain   

    Chapter Thirty-nine

    “Can you go faster, please?” Every said, a flicker of impatient shone in her eyes as her words forced a smile out of Graeme Clough's lips.The harder he thought about it, the less he understood the reason she fought so hard to meet with Karl, despite being told he's got a woman with him.“Ok, I'll.” He fired the engine of his car and took a glance at the side mirror, then he noticed a black car on their tail. His skin prickled with alarm.“We're being followed. Hold on tight.” —Graeme Clough fired the engine of his car again, drifting between lanes as he overtook other vehicles while Ercan who had Allender with him, brought his car to a halt. Having drove some few kilometers ahead, Graeme Clough stole glances at the side mirror but didn't see a trace of the car trailing them. If they weren't after him, then why did they stop? Unless they'd other plans. He felt his blood rise in a wave of heat through his body. “Did we get away from them?” Everly asked, her heart pounding beneath

  • Hills Of Pain   

    Chapter Thirty-eight

    The living room held beautiful frames on the thick wall, some of which had Graeme Clough's pictures, designs of clocks while others held a glimpse of nature.Mild light from the sun shot through the windows framed with blinds, scattering its rays over the end tables holding a flower vase. Ellie perched on the edge of the couch with a colorful pillow as she brushed her feet against the area rug and swept her eyes up and down the room.“We thought you died,” —Diane, killed a year halfway in her cheek. “Well, the doctor said so. Days, weeks, and months went by, yet I'd to live with that pain that I couldn't save you.” Karl gazed at Ellie who was beside him yet paid little or no attention to the words said by Diane. “Why would you hold in to that pain?” —Karl turned to Diane. “You did all you could, besides, I haven't thanked you enough.”“You wouldn't understand,” Diane said, a teary smile creased her lips. “I once had a son who unfortunately died in a fire incident.” The words buzze

  • Hills Of Pain   

    Chapter Thirty-seven

    The indistinct chattering of people, hissing of pop cans opening and chairs scraping the floor could be heard as Darron stood in the doorway, his gaze darting from one line to the next while he clenched his tray of hamburger and energy drink searching for a perfect spot to seat. The bright florescent light strips running across the ceiling painted soft irregular patterns on the tiled floor. The recent happenings in the city had left him with no choice than to take a break from all working activities and breathe the freshness of a new self.Meanwhile, he noticed a vacant seat at the extreme right corner of the sleek wall, just opposite the cash register stand. He ambled past the rows of long tables with comfortable plastic chairs spaced along them, then he carefully placed the tray on the round table and pulled a seat for himself.He showered warm breath on his palms as he rubbed them together before getting hold of a hamburger, just halfway to his mouth his phone rang. He picked up

  • Hills Of Pain   

    Chapter Thirty-six

    “This is taking too long.” —Everly complained under her breath. She could barely welcome the thought of something else, not even that of herself except Edwin's as she glanced at her wristwatch sporadically. Waiting wasn't the best of exercises she loved doing, at least, not now that she knows he's alive and out there somewhere.“He'll be here soon.” —Phanuel flashed a smile across her worried face.“How sure are…”The honking of a car in a distance stole the rest words from her mouth. “Told you, he's here.” Immediately, Everly bolted out of the station to meet with Graeme Clough. She wouldn't spend another minute waiting for him because she's been doing that for a long time, waiting for answers.“You're him.”“Yes, I'm” —he shuffled some steps forward. “Let's go in.”“No,” —she clutched his arm with a desperate look in her eyes. “I wish to see the bodies of the murdered victims.” “Why do you wish to see that?” “It's” —she tossed her head down, blinking back tears. “It's personal

  • Hills Of Pain   

    Chapter Thirty-five

    Allender rose to his feet, gripped his arm behind him and bowed as Hubbard strode into his office in a white instead of his favorite black suit. The devil dressed as a saint. The color of his outfit always complimented his mood, and this was just that part of him no one would beg to see. The sudden change sent icy chills down Allender's spine. Despite being a highly skilled hitman, he knew Hubbard wasn't the type to joke or joke with because his past was able to cripple the minds of those who would dare to give a listening ear.Be it in his youthful days or presently, Allender knew quite well he was no match for him so if he'd requested to meet in his office, then it wasn't just a bogus statement, it'd to be a fact. Hubbard fully aware that if Edwin, now Karl, happens to be alive then it was only a matter of time before fate brings him to his daughter.“You may have your seat.” —Hubbard loosened the knot of his tie and sat. “I don't know what to believe anymore.”“I shot him and I

  • Hills Of Pain   

    Chapter Thirty-four

    Everly scampered into the clangorous station house while she panted and raked her eyes all over the place searching for Graeme Clough. Although, she didn't get a good look at him the last time he came around to see Darron but, she was however certain that she could recognize him if he did come around.“How may I be of help to you?”—a random cop approached her.“I seek an audience with,”—she raised her heels and gazed above his broad shoulder. “A certain cop, which obviously isn't you.” A smile pulled his lips to the side. “Very well then.”—he half turned to Phanuel who was busy. “You should meet with him. He'll certainly be of help.”“Thank you.”—she strode up to him and pulled a seat for herself.“Would you like a coffee,”—Phanuel copied some information from the computer screen. “Or tea?”“Pardon?”His hand came to a halt as he noticed the voice wasn't that of Kylie. Perhaps did she have a change of mind? But, he clarified it for her not to send any of her friends because this was

  • Hills Of Pain   

    Chapter Thirty-three

    “Sir, I need a favor from you.” Everly said, cuddling the files in her arm. She'd just arrived at the office a moment ago but, didn't see the need to get some rest despite going through the heavy traffic and having a flat tire on her way. She scooted into the office, picked up the files on her desk, and found her way to Darron's office. “Don't you think you should rest?” She clearly understood what he meant but, she couldn't risk waiting, not even for another minute, so she swept an arm across her forehead and got rid of the sweat.“No, sir, I'm fine.”Although, she didn't seem anything like her words but, pulling the matter any further would be of no use because determination was well written over her face.“So, what is it?” he asked, leaning backwards on his chair.“I seek an audience with the cop who came by a few days ago concerning the recent killings.”Darron tilted his head to the side and arched a brow. “How did you know about that?”“It's all over the internet, sir.”“Oh,”

  • Hills Of Pain   

    Chapter Thirty-two

    Ellie strode with Karl into the clangorous station in her blue mini gown and white blazers, which got cops tilting their heads in her direction with parted lips. She'd always wanted to grip his arm and walk side by side with him like a couple, but each time she tried to do that, he'd always move a step ahead of her. Fortunately, she gripped his arm as they walked towards Phanuel who sat at the extreme right corner.“Where's your boss?” Karl asked.“Who are you?”Not much of a surprise to Karl if he didn't remember him, besides, he was out on duty while Graeme Clough was the one who actually helped out.“Just put him on the phone.”“Alright.”—Phanuel did as he requested and put a call across to his boss.“Sir, there's someone waiting to see you.”“Who's that?” Graeme Clough asked.“I don't know.” the words seemed to drag themselves from his mouth as he raked his eyes up and down Karl. “They don't look familiar but, it seems really urgent.”“I'll be with you right away.”—Graeme Clough