Hard work

Chain

Fidelo and Ben both decided to take the stairs and have a look down in what they already called the hole.

"Are you sure? We don't know what we will find it might not be too pleasant and if this is your first..."

"Don't worry I am fine. You read my file, read what I did, saw before I was transferred over here."

Fidelo nodded. He was kind of relieved his younger colleague would join him. The fact he had seen more dead bodies as he wanted didn't mean he became used to it. Each one of them became a clear picture in his memory. A picture he would never forget. He took a deep breath as he stepped on the stairs that would lead him to most likely the cause of the smell.

"Sir! Can't we better lock the front door? There's a crowd outside and the colleagues outside are working hard to keep them away from here."

"Close the door, call for more assistance. Tell them to arrest everyone who is still outside at their arrival, press included!"

Within five minutes Ben had locked the door, closed the curtains, asked for assistance and told the ambulance to leave as fast as they could with the sirens on. Not much later he stood next to Fidelo. The smell was overwhelming but not worse than upstairs. With their flashlights on they shone around them.

"What a strange place this is. Not one single window, not even some ventilation and look at these walls."

"They look rather new to me. Those bricks I mean. Aren't these cellars built at least a hundred years ago?"

"I guess this one is renovated."
Slowly, following in each other's footsteps they searched the basement.

At the same moment they saw the man in the corner.

"Jim", was all that Fidelo said. The guy on the floor could hardly be recognized but he was sure.

"We better get him out of here as soon as possible, he isn't dead".

Ben sat in front of the man and had quickly examined him.

"Bruises all over, dirt underneath his nails, he looks a bit purple and is dehydrated for sure."

"Can we get him out of here?"

"Let's give it a try, I don't think he broke something and the sooner the better. We better call the paramedics."

"That awful smell.."

"It isn't him I am a hundred percent sure he isn't the reason."

As they lifted the man Fidelo couldn't help groaning.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine I just thought about what more will be found once these walls are broken down. That terrible smell comes from behind these walls. I bet my hat against it."

Carefully they put Jim down on the sofa. They agreed they would keep him inside as long as possible to avoid people telling more wild stories as they most likely already did. Both would wait for the paramedics who were told to enter the house by the back door dressed as civilians. They had closed the door to the basement. Whatever was hiding behind these walls it could wait. It wouldn't harm anyone.

"You like a cup of tea while we wait!"

It had been a long day and both had skipped their breakfast and lunch. Carefully Been dripped some water at Jim's lips.

"She didn't show up yet?"

"Who didn't show up?"

"Jim's sister."

"I haven't seen her, did you?"

Ben nodded. He had expected her but not seen her.

Fidelo frowned. Was she still mad or was something else going on? With that woman everything was pissible.

Prompts: working hard + purple

#kittywu #story #freewrite