529.
Edward's favorite number. He loved it. Simply because it's a square number.
23. The square root of 529. His second favorite number. Today is October 23.
710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxkw8lCH47
529. The number of times I've texted Edward's phone after he passed away in hope of a reply.
710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RU7jMLF2v
529. Edward's house number.
710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfRDoMbU1t
529. My hospital room.
710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCBMXLdDWY
I wake up in a haze. I expected to be cramped in a dryer but instead I'm spread out on a hospital cot.
710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamiy6Wh5Yh
An officer near me speaks. "Jade, correct?"
710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkejRrvsJ3
"Yes," I croak.
710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3H4lIlZ9y
"May I ask you what the number 5-2-9 means for you?"
710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYBYS8d0tg
Wow it's been a while since I've actually heard someone say it like that. I usually head five hundred and twenty nine, not just five-two-nine.
710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVPSfLoms4
"It... represents the mental and emotional utopia or paradise that remains unharmed after the death of my lover," I say neutrally.
710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLLzSDSoxe
The officer looks shocked at my response. "I was just wondering... Since you've been repeating the number in your sleep without even realizing you're in a room with that number."
710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETJUjH9QXj
I say nothing.
710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokUcnstF0J
"Let's get to the point. You are going to be charged because you broke into Brandsmart. You—"
710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmCVYiDm1o
"But I didn't steal anything! I was... simply on my way to give the security guard a meal since he looked hungry," I interject.
710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSag3WpBSCE
He chuckles some. "Miss Jade, that 'officer' is dead. Were you referring to the dead officer that was never hired by Brandsmart?"
710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPYBXhWAge
...
710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLTOFVsokE
"What?! Of course he works there! I saw him in the uniform and—"
710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc74xNAd4qW
"I don't have time for games. We took a blood sample of the guy and got his identity and the manager of Brandsmart showed me a list of all hired and fired employees of the last 5 years. This man, Derek White, was fired about 3 and a half years ago, after being caught and arrested for killing a man in some park a few years ago."
710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWQnuJ8EjN
And finally all the puzzle pieces are fitting together.
710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfLznJSael
It was a setup.
710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRHtJiXTxY
"Officer? May I ask on what date did this 'officer' kill a man?" I ask.
710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4WLlNhJn7
"It was May 29."
710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSfyqo2E3v
5/29.710Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvunE8A7hP
