SURVIVAL

Mysterious Intruder

Mr. Collins stood in the principal's office, the air heavy with concern. The principal, a stern-faced woman with sharp eyes, paced back and forth behind her desk. "Mr. Collins, this Red virus is spreading faster than we anticipated. We need to educate our students, make them aware of the dangers and how to prevent it.

"Mr. Collins nodded, his mind racing with ideas. "I agree, Principal Hayes. Perhaps we could arrange an educational trip for them? A sort of exposure trip to the local health center. It would give them a practical understanding of the situation.""That's an excellent idea," Principal Hayes said, her expression softening. "Organize it. We need to act fast."With the meeting concluded, Mr. Collins hurried home. His thoughts were on the trip and how beneficial it would be for the students. But he also had another plan.

As a science teacher with a background in virology, he wanted to conduct some experiments of his own to understand the Red virus better.He pushed open the door to his house, the quietness of the space greeting him. He made his way to his makeshift lab in the basement, thinking of the equipment he would need. But as he reached the bottom step, a chilling sight stopped him dead in his tracks.There, lying in the middle of the room, was a body.

Mr. Collins's heart pounded in his chest as he approached the corpse. It was the stranger he had met just days before, the one who had given him too many answers about the red virus. Mr. Collins knelt beside the body, checking for any signs of life, but it was clear the man was dead. Panic set in as he tried to piece together what had happened. Who could have done this? And why in his house?He stood up, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. He needed to call the police, but first, he had to make sure there was nothing in his lab that could implicate him in any wrongdoing.

As he frantically searched through his papers and equipment, the doorbell rang.Mr. Collins froze. Who could it be at this hour? He wiped his hands on his lab coat and ascended the stairs. Through the peephole, he saw two police officers standing on his doorstep. His heart skipped a beat. Had someone seen the killer leave his house?He opened the door, trying to keep his voice steady. "Officers, how can I help you?""Mr. Collins?" one of the officers asked, his eyes scanning the interior of the house."Yes, that's me. Is there a problem?""We received a call from a neighbor. They reported a suspicious person entering your home earlier today.

Have you noticed anything out of the ordinary?"Mr. Collins's mind raced. Should he tell them about the body in the basement? What if they suspected him? He decided to play it safe. "No, nothing unusual. Just a quiet evening at home."The officers exchanged a glance. "May we come in and take a look around?" the second officer asked.Mr. Collins hesitated. If he refused, it would raise suspicion. But if he agreed, they would find the body.

He took a deep breath. "Of course, officers. Please, come in."As the officers stepped inside, Mr. Collins led them through the house. His heart pounded with each step they took toward the basement door. He had to think fast."Is everything alright, Mr. Collins? You seem tense," the first officer noted."Just a bit tired, that's all," Mr. Collins replied, forcing a smile.They reached the basement door, and Mr. Collins's hand trembled as he reached for the knob. He opened the door, and the officers peered down into the darkness.

"Shall we?" the second officer asked, gesturing to the stairs.Mr. Collins knew he couldn't stall any longer. "After you," he said, his voice barely a whisper.The officers descended the stairs, their flashlights cutting through the darkness. Mr. Collins followed, his mind screaming for a way out of this nightmare.And then, as the beam of light landed on the body, the officers stopped. "What the hell is this, Mr. Collins?" the first officer demanded, turning to him with a mix of shock and suspicion.

Mr. Collins opened his mouth to explain, but before he could say a word, a loud crash echoed from upstairs. The officers whirled around, their hands on their holsters."What was that?" the second officer barked."I... I don't know," Mr. Collins stammered, his thoughts in turmoil.The officers rushed back up the stairs, leaving Mr. Collins alone with the corpse. He knew he had to act quickly. He needed to call his lawyer, to explain that he had nothing to do with the stranger's death.But as he reached for his phone, another thought struck him.

The stranger had been telling him about his research on the Red virus. Could there be a connection? Mr. Collins's hand hovered over the phone, indecision gripping him. And then, the sound of footsteps returning sent a shiver down his spine.The officers appeared at the top of the stairs, their expressions grim. "Mr. Collins, you need to come with us," the first officer said."But I haven't done anything wrong," Mr. Collins protested.

"We'll sort that out at the station. Right now, you're coming with us."As Mr. Collins was escorted out of his house, his mind raced with questions. Who killed the stranger? What did they want with his research? And most importantly, how could he prove his innocence? The police car drove off into the night, leaving the house silent and dark. But inside, something stirred. A shadow moved in the basement, slipping away into the hidden corners of the house.And in the darkness, a single question lingered, echoing in the silence:Who was really behind the death of the stranger?

The ride to the station was tense and silent, save for the occasional crackle of the radio. Mr. Collins sat handcuffed in the backseat, his thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and fear. The officers exchanged glances but said nothing, their faces set in stone.