The Dead Man

Confusion radiated in me as I sat in the car, my impatience growing as I waited for the people to leave. Despite my intentions to be far away from here by now, I found myself unable to resist the temptation to see the dead man. With each passing moment, the funeral parlor grew more crowded as people continued to enter. I would rather steer clear of all these people attending the wake.

I ignited the car engine with a turn of the key, which roared to life. Just as I was about to drive away, my plan was interrupted by a sudden knock on the window that startled me. It was my friendly neighborhood butcher, clad in a stylish black dress instead of her typical white uniform and leather butcher apron. I couldn't help but admire her unconventional attire. Black complimented her features, enhancing her natural beauty.

She knocked on the window again. I slowly rolled down the window, letting in a gentle breeze.

''Not coming in?" She smiled.

I nodded. ''You go first.'' I switched off his engine.

''It's such a shame what happened,'' she said while she shook her head.

I nodded again. My mood was not conducive to conversation at the moment.

''I will see you inside.'' She waved.

I fixed my eyes on the woman as she entered the funeral parlor, just like the other individuals present.

As I exited the car, the cool breeze brushed against my skin. Instead of walking toward the funeral parlor, I headed toward the trunk. With a click, I turned the car key in the trunk lock, releasing the latch. My eyes darted from side to side, ensuring there were no people nearby. I carefully lifted the trunk lid, revealing the long cloth. Using my fingertips, I carefully brushed the fabric aside, uncovering a fraction of what was hidden. My eyes peered, confusion not leaving my mind. I still didn't understand how all this was possible. I took a deep breath and closed the trunk lid.

With skepticism weighing on my thoughts, I embarked on a quest to ascertain the veracity of the man's alleged death. The first person I noticed was the wife of the deceased. A boy and a girl were standing next to her. It was the children of the dead man. Occasionally, I have spotted them together in town.

''Sorry for your loss,'' I said.

''Thank you,'' she said, tears rolling down her eyes.

I shook the boy's hand and tapped on the girl's shoulder before

I walked past them and headed toward the casket. As I inched closer to the casket adorned with a profusion of flowers, my heart started racing. As I took a deep breath, the fragrance of flowers filled my nostrils. With a mixture of shock and curiosity, I found myself transfixed by the sight of the dead man. His eyes closed. He looked so peaceful.

I closed my eyes, and the world around me faded away. My mind raced, desperately seeking answers to the perplexing events. I couldn't come up with anything logical. Nothing made any sense. Out of nowhere, the haunting sound of his cry for help reached my ears, sending shivers down my spine. I opened my eyes wide, and a rush of brightness flooded my vision. His anguished cries for help didn't stop. It was reminiscent of an undesirable symphony. I rubbed both ears to relieve the pressure and block out the noise dancing inside my eighth cranial nerve. I sighed with relief as the sound came to an end. Despite my ears being free from the noises, the actual problem didn't disappear. The confusion in me prevailed.

When I first heard about the man's death, I was taken aback. How was it possible for him to be dead? The revelation of an impending funeral left me in further disbelief. Though I had no desire to be here, I couldn't deny the necessity of attending the wake and witnessing his body firsthand to comprehend his passing. I took a peek at his grieving children. Was this dead man their father? No, he wasn't.

''Your father was a great man, one of a kind.'' I heard someone tell the boy.

A forced smile appeared on the boy's face, but his eyes betrayed his genuine emotions. My instinct was to scream and inform them of the mistaken identity, but I restrained myself, unwilling to take the risk.

My eyes rested on the son as I approached him.

''Sorry for your loss.''

''Thank you.''

Despite knowing the answer to the question, I still had to ask.

''I was wondering if your father has a brother. A twin brother?''

''He was the only child.'' The boy shook his head in confusion.

I tapped on the boy's shoulder; the movement was barely noticeable as I swiftly moved away before I did something I would regret. What I wanted to do was to drag the boy aside and tell him the truth. He deserved to know that he and his family were grieving for the wrong man. However, it was not my burden to bear.

As I reached my car, the dimly lit streetlamps cast long shadows on the parking area. I opened the trunk and gently lifted the cloth. His eyes snapped open, his mouth muffled by a gag, and his limbs tightly bound. Blood dripping from his head. I let out a sigh. He tried to speak.

''Shush! No noise. Do you understand?''

He nodded.

''Your fam is having a funeral for you.''

His eyes opened wide. His face twisted in bewilderment and uncertainty, his eyes squinting in an attempt to make sense of the situation. It was the same confusion I had when I first heard the news of his departure.

The job was simple. Kidnap the man, take him far away from here, and keep him for a few days before killing him. I accepted the contract without hesitation. I was no stranger to this kind of job, having done it many times. The target was from my hometown, which made the task much more accessible.

I covered the man's face with the cloth and shut the car trunk.

I couldn't help but wonder who the dead man was and why they shared such a striking resemblance?