Page 66 of The Unravelings

Can I survive this? The tension between these two has the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end. If I’m not careful, I’ll be the only thing stopping them from murdering each other. Or me.

Case number: 2020-RA-1847

Decedent: Ezra Michael Thornton

Date of Examination: November 15

Time of Examination: 08:45 am

Examined by: Dr. Patrick Moore, Chief Medical Examiner.

“Ezra Thornton,” Wilder mumbles. “Why does that sound so familiar?” he says, more to himself, reading the name of the man we’re studying.

“I remember this,” Mack says, twisting his expression and then eyeing our professor. “It happened like five years ago. I remember when they found his body behind some businesses down the main strip. Like near what used to be a medical facility, close to the casino with bars and shit.” Mack reads a little bit more and strokes his chin. “Yup. His heart was completely missing, and all his blood drained from his body.” He shakes his head. “What a way to fucking go,” he mocks.

“I remember.” Wilder purses his lips.

I wrinkle my nose. This case happened after I left town. How odd. Yet, so similar to the shit happening now.

Heart and blood missing?

“Seems to be a common theme in this town. People popping up with missing organs,” I mumble without thinking about my audience.

“Know anything about that, Oliver Davenport?” Mack snarks, cocking his head.

“Only that my roommate got murdered at your party, missing organs and shit.” I frown, turning to glare into his eyes. “Know anything about that?”

Wilder snorts, holding back a laugh behind my back.

“Nope. But if I did, I wouldn’t tell you shit.” He grins at me. “You know, not too many people go into those woods where Dane was found. You ever venture out into the woods alone, Oliver?”

Something about his question has my hackles rising, like he’s fishing for information.

“Not lately,” I say, looking over the paper again, reading the man’s name. It seems familiar. Like I’ve heard it somewhere before.

DECEDENT IDENTIFICATION

Name: Ezra Norman Thornton

Age: 44 years

Sex: Male

Race: Caucasian

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 195 lb.

Eye Color: Brown

Hair Color: Dark brown

Circumstances of Death:

The body of Ezra was found at 6:05 p.m. at 1010 Mound Road in the parking lot located behind several buildings. The body was found in the prone position, located in the middle of the parking lot, completely nude.

No identifying materials were found on site. Fingerprints and dental records identified the victim.