Coroners Assistant

TW for light gore and swearing.

“I’ll see you tomorrow!” I shouted over my shoulder to Dusitn. Today had been a long day in the morgue.

I left the cold, damp, cement lower levels of the hospital, making my way home. Today had been absolutely nasty and disgusting. The Jane Doe we got had been all cut up and beat from something. Or I guess someone. She was found in an alley a few blocks down from my apartment.

I hated all the damage and pain I saw everyday. I hated seeing all the poverty, beaten people, murdered prostitutes or spouses, missing persons, or even just people dying of old age. Everyday was death, death, and more death.

Dustin was still pretty new as my coroner assistant, but he helped lighten the mood. And he passed the background and vibe check about not assaulting the female bodies. We have been working really well the last few months together. My last assistant had suddenly stopped showing up for work. I never heard from him again, but it was alright. He was a little creepy sometimes.

It was starting to rain as I turned the final block to my apartment, making sure not to pass the alley from that last body. I seriously debated just staying out here. My apartment was messy, filthy, and rundown. It was a miracle the door still locked and the pipes had water. My landlord was talking about raising the rent again. Greedy leech.

Unlocking my door, I hooked my keys on the command strip by the light. I had done my best to decorate my apartment in an effort to make it not look like my job. I had plants everywhere. There were some on the windowsills, shelves, hanging from the ceiling from hooks my landlord definitely did not know I screwed in, and even more sitting on the floor by windows.

“I’m home!” I called out to Milo, my turtle. Landlord Leech also didn’t know I had him. I let him wander around my studio apartment while I was gone. It’s not like he could go very far if I forgot to lock the door.

I found Milo eating the leaves of a kale plant near the window by the kitchen. “There you are. I hope you had a better day than I did.”

I took him back to his enclosure, not wanting to risk stepping on him now that I was home.

Flicking on the news, I started making breakfast. I hated that all the bodies came in at night. Made the graveyard shift that much more horrible.

Chopping an onion to mix into the omelet, I heard the local newscaster, “Reports on the streets for random violence and murder have been on the rise the last four months. Local police are continuing to search for any leads and connections. Sources say all victims were unknown individuals that have yet to be claimed. Reports also state that all victims vary in ethnic and demographic backgrounds."

I stopped listening, going back to my breakfast. That was terrifying. Usually with this many uptakes in murder and assaults, there was a common type. I had dyed my hair dark after the second Jane Doe came into the morgue. We had shared similar eye and hair color. Last week, I chopped my hair into a brown bob, trying to further differentiate myself from the victims.

The Jane Doe from last night was a completely different race then me, but she had a brown bob.

There was an uptake in male victims, too. We had several come in who were starting to look more and more like Dustin. I hoped he would change something about his appearance soon. Maybe I could tell him to bleach that black hair of his. Maybe help keep him out of harm's way.

I mindlessly finished my breakfast before hopping in the shower.

After, I got a text from Dustin telling me the cops showed up again to warn us about a new John Doe they found a few alleys down from the Jane Doe last night.

I took a quick nap, not wanting to tempt fate and sleep forever.

I placed Milo back on the floor by the kale plant, “I’ll be gone a while this time, Bud. Try not to eat too many leaves and kill it.”

Grabbing my keys, rain jacket and boots, I left for work yet again.

I crossed the street, trying to stay clear of both alleys where the bodies were found. The proximity to my apartment was getting more and more daunting. Maybe I watched too many crime shows, but I felt like these assaults were personal. I had been getting more money and more hours, but I was dog tired.

I ran into Dustin on my way into the hospital, “Hey! Did you manage to get any sleep?” He asked me, take a large gulp of coffee.

I looked up at him, glaring, “Why couldn’t you have called someone else? I’m already working overtime.”

He had the gall to roll his eyes, “You need the money just as bad as I do. My apartment isn’t much better than yours. And unlike a lot of other people working here, neither of us have Mommy and Daddy to help out with our bills or loans.”

I grunted in response, swiping his coffee. He was right about that at least, “Your coffee tastes like shit, by the way.”

He laughed, pressing the button in the elevator to take us to the morgue, “That’s because I knew you would take it. Serves you right.”

I seriously debated throwing it in his face. HR would have a field day with me.

Walking in, we plopped our stuff on my desk, reading the new report about the new John Doe in my freezer. “It says he’s fresh. Murdered this morning, actually.” I was shocked. Most of the time it took a couple days for the bodies to get down here. CSI was never this fast.

Dustin moved over to our steel table, getting our tools ready to be sterilized, “Maybe there’s a connection to the other victims. Maybe they finally figured something out. Are the police looking for anything specific, or just the normal tests and autopsy?”

I read the paperwork, looking closer. “Nothing. Maybe you’re right. Maybe they are all connected.”

I dawned my gear and coat, making sure everything was covered so I wouldn’t get corpse goo all over me.

Dustin finally finished his set up, helping me move the body onto the table. Taking off the sheet, our breath caught. He could’ve been a sibling to Dustin. They had the same skin tone, same dark color hair.

I looked up at him, seeing the blood had drained from his face, “You know how I’ve changed my appearance with all these murders? Maybe it’s time you do, too.”

His gaze was locked onto the body. I felt bad for the kid. He had barely graduated college and took this job. He had no one and was drowning in debt. Maybe I could take him out tonight to lift his spirits.

“Hey,” he looked up at me finally, “it’s alright. I’m sure these murders will cool down. I’m sure the police have found a lead.”

He cleared his throat, starting the autopsy process, “On the news they actually mentioned they think there’s a connection involving the dumpsites. All of them have been in the same eight block radius.”

My heart stuttered for a moment. I lived in those eight blocks. “Do you think the killer lives there? Or do you think that it’s their hunting ground?” Maybe I should move.

“I’m not sure. Let’s just get through this one, yeah?”

I gave him a sad smile, “Of course. After, let’s get a drink or something. Not a date, Dustin! Get that grin off your face.”

His face bore a large smile, “Whatever you say, Boss. I do hope you’re not taking advantage of me.”

I rolled my eyes, “Let’s just get through this one.” I turned my head down, hiding my smile. Dustin and I had become good work friends. I’m glad my plan had cheered him up. I really did feel terrible he didn’t have anyone. Even I had Milo.

The rest of the shift went as agonizingly slow as the previous night. We were able to get off early, around two a.m. This time.

We made our way to a bar near my apartment. I felt better with Dustin here. Safer.

“I never really asked, but you don’t have anyone to help you out?” I finally asked the question that had been nagging at me all day.

Dustin stated in his interview he moved here from across the country about five months ago and needed a job. I took pity on him. We were both alone and no one who would miss us.

We talked the rest of the night, sharing stories of our past and why we were alone. We had a lot in common.

Dustin decided to walk me home, and I let him. I made it clear I wouldn’t invite him in, but I would take the walk. It was still dark out. You never knew who was around. And with the recent murders, I didn’t want to chance it. Everyone was walking in groups lately.

He turned down an alley, the same alley they found a body in a couple months ago. I didn’t realize how many of the bodies had been found so close to me.

He looked back at me, seeing I didn’t enter behind him. “What’s wrong? It should be a shortcut.” He was right, but I still hesitated.

“A body was found here a couple months ago. Remember that John Doe who’s head was almost severed?” I shivered, remembering the ungodly amount of stitches it took to sew it back together.

He shrugged, “Yeah, but I doubt the killer would strike twice in the same spot. So far, they haven’t”

He was right about that, I guess. Slowly, I entered the alley with him.

We were about halfway through when I stopped him. My adrenaline and fear were pumping. This was a bad place. “Dustin,”

He turned back to me, his face concerned. “What? You okay?”

I moved closer to him, looking around for more people. We were alone, anything could happen, “Do you think they have any leads? On the killer.”

He smiled a little, “I think so. All the murders have been around here. I think it’s only a matter of time.”

I smiled back, “That’s good. I could really use a night off.”

He laughed, continuing to walk towards the other end of the alley.

I picked up the lead pipe I knew was on my left, and swung hard for his head. He went down with a dull thud. I checked the alley ends, making sure no one was around.

I quickly went to work bashing his head in. I made sure to do enough damage to his face and jaw where he would remain a John Doe. I took his wallet, keys, and anything else that could be used to identify him.

I blew out a breath, a large smile spreading over my face. With all these murders and overtime, I would be able to leave this shitty apartment in no time. I guess I should move, though. I didn’t realize how close to home I’ve been working.

I walked the rest of the way home grinning from ear to ear. This never got old. This feeling was euphoric. Made all those long graveyard shifts worth it.

I stopped by the pet store on my way home, needing to grab a few things for Milo. I hoped he didn’t eat too much of the kale plant. Maybe I should buy another couple plants for him to eat throughout the day.

“I’m home!” I called out again, looking for Milo. I found him near the crappy sofa this time.

I put him in his enclosure, taking out some new food for him. “I hope you like it, Buddy.”

I got out a flyer to start another “Help Wanted” ad for a new coroner assistant.

“Oh! I almost forgot,” I turned back to my bag of supplies from the pet store. I put a new turtle bed and large bowl of water in his enclosure, “I got you a new Buddy.”

I placed it gently in the enclosure, giving Milo time to meet his friend, “This Dustin. He’s going to be your new friend.”