Ricky and Danny went up the tallest hill in the village to catch up. Ricky and Danny are older gentlemen who have had a brotherly bond since the beginning of their youth. They always trekked up the tallest hill to talk or play, a tradition by this point. It is a special hill, the village’s trademark.

And a great spot for gossip.

“Ricky! There you are brother!” A friendly greeting, a hearty embrace. Ricky looks like he barely slept. Danny is bright and jovial.

“Hey there, Danny. Nice to see you.” They sit. Ricky pulls out two cigarillos. Danny, two home brewed beers. They lit and popped the tops, cheered, drank and took a drag. Quickly falling into routine. They savor the moment for a couple of blinks before Danny turns to Ricky, mischief sparkling in his wide, evergreen eyes and secretive smile. Ricky takes a longer drag and even longer drink as if to mentally prepare his tired and aching ears for what he’s about to become privy to.

“Did you hear about the Blue Bonnet case?” Danny inquires, conspiratorially. Ricky doesn’t say anything for a minute.

“Of course I have. That’s all anyone has been talking about, man.” He responds as if he is already bored of the conversation. And perhaps he is. He wasn’t lying when he said everyone was talking about it. He doesn’t even remember when the buzz even started, he was so out of it. But ever since his morning started, there have been whispers about the case. From the youth to the pastor’s wife, whom he enjoyed the warmth of that night. The case spread amongst the people of the village.

“Allegedly, the witness had pleaded to remain anonymous. Said they knew who did it.” Ricky said. The wind is starting to pick up around, making the clothes stick to them. Danny catches a whiff of his brother’s strange smelling perfume. Smells familiar. He didn’t comment on it.

“Yeah! It must be so weird knowing someone who may have something to do with such a thing. The witness must feel so betrayed.” Danny said, sympathy in his tone. His bright eyes dimming at the thought of the witness wishing to remain anonymous due to the heavy nature of what they saw. He notes Ricky tensing up after he said “betrayal.”

“Maybe they lied about it? Wouldn’t be the first time.” Which was true. But this time, it didn’t seem like it. There have been many disappearances and key items being left behind. Though, many have come forward about being responsible for them. It was often the younger adults or teenagers causing such chaos. Can’t really blame them- nothing “exciting” ever happens here.

“Hm, I don’t know man. Seems way too spooked to be fake. Said they recognized the shape of the so-called killer and the clothes. Couldn’t see their actual face but knew it was them. Scared they might have been seen!”

“You sure know a lot about this. Do you know who the witness is?” questioned Ricky.

“They came to the confessional to speak to me last night, brother.” Danny chuckled while clapping Ricky on the back and jostling him. Ricky choked on his drink as Danny took a long sip from his own, his chuckling dying down. An awkward silence hangs deep between the lifelong brothers.

Ricky is tense now. His eyes are darting about as he pulls at the tall grass blades, ripping the little white daisies and tossing them about. Taking hurried swigs from his almost forgotten beer. Takes quick puffs of his cigarillo. Danny is very quiet, yet he can feel evergreen eyes piercing his soul. He’s sure Danny knows about the affair. Ricky can’t sneak for shit! Danny has a gift. He can see right through people, said it was a gift from God. Ricky quickly rises to his feet, dusting himself off and clearing his throat. He shoots the empty bottle inside the stone trash can. Danny follows suit. Ricky missed.

“Another score for me, brother.” Danny jests, grin not meeting his eyes. Neither is Ricky. Still, he turns to Danny to say goodbye.

“I have to get home to prepare for work. New shipments at the port today. Stop by?” He invites Danny. The hug isn’t their usual send off. A side hug, which leaves Danny confused, but goes through with it, nonetheless. Something is definitely wrong with his brother, but he agrees. He gives Ricky the brightest smile he can muster as his brother finally meets his eyes. Upon seeing such a sweet smile, Ricky visibly relaxes and lets out an air of relief. He claps his brother on both shoulders a few times before descending the hill.

Danny watches this, the same bright smile plastered on his bearded face as he watches Ricky leave like he always does. His smile promptly falls off the face of the earth the moment Ricky is out of sight, leaving behind a blank stare and clenched jaw. He clenches his fists, nails digging in his palms, making a little blood dribble from his hands. Does nothing to quell the forest fire in his eyes nor inside his heart and mind. He takes a deep breath, closes his eyes, falls to his knees and begins to pray.

Ricky never made it home.