Skedale Forest

"Why are we here?" asked Mr. Robert.

"I got a wire this morning. It precisely mentioned this location and that we would find additional information about the Disappearance of Mr. Harry," replied Detective Rhode. "If this is a false wire, then I would ensure…"  

"I won't disappoint you," said a voice. Detective Rhode was cut short before he could complete his sentence. They had just entered the designated room. A distinctive figure was seated in the chair, but Detective Rhode could not see his face.

"Who am I speaking to? What light can you shed upon the case?" asked the detective.

"Take a seat, sir. And please do not interrupt when I'm speaking."

Detective Rhode took a seat, and Mr. Robert stood near him. The guy in the chair began the tale.

"Mr. Harry was running when he saw a guy jumping over the wall and approaching him from behind. From his behaviour, it could be concluded that Mr. Harry had identified the trouble. He ran faster towards the forest and hid behind a tree. He anxiously waited for Mr. Ozaki to come closer to the tree. As soon as he did, Mr. Harry revealed himself and gave a heavy blow. Blood came out of Ozaki's nose.

 

He taunted, "Is that all you have got, Ozaki? I thought you could survive this blow. Ah! I forgot you have a weak body…" With this, he gave another kick to Ozaki's stomach.

On the other hand, Ozaki always had a way to turn their opponents' advantages into his. Mr. Harry's leg was retreating after placing the kick but made unfortunate contact with Ozaki's knife. Blood oozed out of the opening. Mr. Harry used his arm to push Ozaki down and sprinted into the wilderness, the Skedale Forest.

"Run, Harry, run! Ozaki is behind you."

With these words, Ozaki stood up, removed some leaves stuck to his arm, and continued the chase. 

The Skedale Forest is notoriously known for several heinous crimes. The death of Mistress Eva, the infamous mayor of Skedale City, before Mr. Herbert. The murder of Mr. Rupert, the President of the Wild Club of Skedale. The death of Dr. Towford, the psychiatrist who cured Crazy Cathy. The list goes on. Mr. Harry, the only son of Sir Ivans, was going to be a billionaire. He was outside town but had to come here to accept the responsibility and, of course, the money. No wonder the papers are now flooded with the news of Mr. Harry's disappearance!

Sorry, I drifted away a bit. The cut on the leg had a visible impact on Mr. Harry, slowing him down ultimately. He heard footsteps approaching him. He turned back to see the face of Ozaki, still hot in his trail. Mr. Harry immediately devised a new plan as a last-ditch effort to save himself. He took a firm stand and looked straight. Ozaki positioned his hand with the knife so that he could stab Mr. Harry. As he neared, he saw Mr. Harry fall down to the ground. Suddenly, he felt a force on his already weak stomach and saw himself entirely in the air. He looked below; Mr. Harry had lifted him with his legs. He felt the thrust pushing him away. He saw a final chance to finish Mr. Harry off. He threw the knife from his hand. Gravity gave it the direction. Mr. Harry's heart was exactly beneath. 

I will now open the floor for questions if you have any."

"Umm, ok, you were some random guy who pursued this chase? And what happened to the stabbed body of Mr. Harry? Ozaki, tell the truth if you want to live or else the bullet goes into your stomach," threatened Detective Rhode. He was pointing his gun beneath the table.

"Calm down, Detective Rhode. He is not Ozaki. It's a dummy on the chair, and this is where the recorded tape ends." Detective Rhode heard a familiar voice from his back.

"You?" exclaimed Detective Rhode. "Didn't you disappear, leaving the entire city worried and searching for you? I don't understand."

"Yes, I have disappeared, and now I need your help to prove that I am dead. My father was murdered because of his wealth, and my grandfather had the same fate. As far as I know, even my ancestors had their money to blame when they breathed their last. I don't want to fall victim to it." Mr. Harry took a brief pause before he continued again. 

"I want you to distribute the inheritance for the city's development. I will create a new identity, take a little money, and leave for elsewhere. I need you to convince the world of this story so that everyone knows I am no more and stop searching for me. You and Robert are good friends, so I trust you both."

"I can understand. You needn't worry anymore. Stay hidden and stay safe. So, before leaving, where can I find Ozaki?"

"I don't know. I just came up with the name. I fabricated the story since everyone saw me running into the Skedale Forest, and some amateur journalists found knives and some blood at places to report in their tabloids. For all I care, it could very well be Robert." 

While others started laughing, Mr. Robert didn't find it amusing.

Siba Smarak Panigrahi

         (Remastered on 15 Sep 2024, originally published on 14 Jul 2020)