The comfort

Liam

That annoying fellow! He's seriously working when his anniversary is in literally less than 5 minutes. What's up with him, really? I huffed as I made my way up the stairs to call the bastard. I was grumbling to myself when I swung the door open, not giving a damn about his privacy.

The frown on my face morphed into shock as I saw the sight in front of me. Ethan's head tilted back, his eyes a weird shade, his lips a darker shade than usual, and several stab marks all over his torso as blood seeped through them. His hands were an unsettling red as something was carved on his arm. As it registered, I couldn't help but hear a scream escaping.

"Ahh!!" I screamed with equal parts terror, shock, and emotions I couldn't quite place my finger on.

I heard footsteps as everyone gathered around the room, first looking at me and then at where my eyes were fixed. I didn't need to see them to know that their state wasn't much different from mine. Though I'm sure that they weren't feeling as much as I was at that moment.

I suddenly heard that soft voice, gentler than usual: "Liam."

 I couldn't bring myself to move my head to the source of the sound as much as I wanted to. I couldn't make myself speak or even move my lips to do so. I just couldn't. I felt a hand over mine as it was held by the other's hand. I knew who it was but couldn't do anything about it. 

She repeated it, this time even gentler than earlier. If that was even possible, "Liam,"

 I managed to turn my head a little, just enough to get a glimpse of her face. Worry was plastered over it. I hated that I made her worry after we were met with this ordeal, but at the same time, I couldn't do anything about it.

 I somehow managed to speak, but not enough. "So-" She rubbed her hand over mine in an effort to calm me down. 

"I'm here, Liam, right here with you."

 It actually worked; it took time, but it gradually worked as I relaxed a bit.

I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tight as I buried my face on her shoulder. She stroked my back gently, making me feel better. I held her close for a long, long time before I pulled away.

"We have to call the police." Carl said, his own face not able to comprehend what just happened.

 My eyes turned to Iris. She stood near the door, still frozen. If I'm like this, then God, she must be in such a bad state. She was usually the person to regain her composure before one could blink their eyes. And if she was still like this, then we could get an idea of her state. Of course, it isn't completely unbelievable. She loved Ethan, probably more than life itself.

Sophia turned her gaze towards Iris, wanting to comfort her but not wanting to leave me at the same time. I could tell. She must be having a silent battle within herself. Before I could tell her to go to Iris, Isla reached next to her, making Sophia's face relax a bit.

Isla called out to Iris several times, but it was as if Iris couldn't hear her. She was too deep in shock. After Isla called out to her for what felt like the millionth time with no response, Isla moved to stand directly in front of her, shaking her shoulders. Iris finally looked at Isla; I couldn't quite tell what she was thinking. Her face was unreadable. But I know this must be so hard on her. Poor girl.

As Iris was finally responding, Carl then dialed the number of the police. He informed the police of the murder. This island was so secluded and away from humans that the police would take a while to reach it. We all knew that. We decided to go down and wait in the hall, neither of us wanting to have to see that sight any longer.

We all sat there, asking an occasional question or two, but mostly none of us talked. It was difficult to talk or relax with the dead body of your friend just upstairs. Our friend, who was just cruelly murdered.

About 2 hours later, the doorbell rang, making most of us dart our gaze to the door. Claire got up, walking to the door as she opened it. The officer at the door made his way inside as he introduced himself. "Myself, Officer Gede." The officer paused and looked around, taking note of the surroundings. "I'm here because I was alarmed about the murder and am here to investigate the same," he said in a monotonous tone.

"Where's the body?" He asked as he seemed to be studying us.

"Upstairs," I said, and we all got up to go upstairs with him, but then he stopped us. 

"Not all of you," he said, shaking his head. 

"Does the dead person have a spouse?"

 Iris stepped forward as she nodded, making it clear that she was the spouse.

"Only her; the rest of you stay put and don't try anything funny." 

I wanted to argue but knew better than that, so I sat back down on the couch, some of them joining me and the rest sitting on the single-seater couches.

After about an hour, the officer returned with Iris trailing behind him. 

"It's very late now; I'll come back tomorrow for the investigation of this case. As for the body, don't worry about it. I'm having it taken; it will be a great help in the investigation." The cop said, and we understood as we all went to our respective rooms except Iris. She went with Isla since she didn't want to stay where her husband was killed not too long ago.

Sophia was in the washroom as I sat on the bed. All the moments and memories with Ethan flash through my mind. Our first meeting, our first fight, our first trip, his marriage, my marriage, all his and my previous anniversaries, our calls, the matches. Everything. And then the sight of him, ruthlessly stabbed, flashed before my eyes. I felt my eyes sting as I couldn't hold back tears from running down my cheeks. I sobbed, feeling so overwhelmed. I couldn't stop crying; the tears just kept falling down as Sophia came out of the washroom. Seeing my state, she rushed to my side, embracing me and holding me close to herself. She rubbed my back as she whispered things to me to calm me down. Her shirt was now soaked in my tears, but she didn't care. All she cared about right now was my state. She comforted me, making me finally relax as the tears stopped.

She made me lay down on the bed with my head supported by a pillow. She covered me with the blanket as she laid down next to me, holding me close. I was so tired after everything, and with the help of her soothing words and calming aura, I finally drifted to sleep.