The room glowed faintly under the soft light of a nightlamp, shadows stretching across the walls in hushed silence. The only sound was the steady rhythm of the officers’ boots as they stepped closer to the bed where the girl’s parents lay. Both adults were still, their faces calm but unnaturally pale. An unfamiliar, unsettling scent lingered in the air.
The first officer leaned forward, cautiously checking for signs of life. None were found. A pang of sorrow struck him as his eyes fell on the little girl, standing in the doorway, clutching a worn teddy bear to her chest. His partner quietly began examining the room, searching for any explanation for what had unfolded.
At first glance, everything appeared in perfect order. No broken glass, no overturned furniture, no sign of a struggle. It looked as though the couple had gone to bed and simply never awakened. The officer knelt slightly and spoke gently:
“Sweetheart, do you remember if your parents were feeling sick today, or if anything unusual happened?”
The girl slowly shook her head, eyes wide. “No… we just had dinner, watched TV, and went to bed. Mom kissed me goodnight, like always.”
The officers exchanged a solemn look and resumed their search. Then one of them spotted a few details: two coffee mugs on the bedside table, each still half-full, and a small pill bottle that had rolled beneath the dresser. It was nearly empty.
“Did your parents take medicine sometimes?” the second officer asked in a careful tone.