Crime and Escape

the introduction

Before beginning to narrate the events of the novel I would like to dedicate these verses which I composed inspired by the novel to my dear readers

Do not despair even if you lose someone dear and accept fate for fate is inevitable

Being dissatisfied with fate deprives you of the best of your principles

And he will make you obedient and subservient to Satan

It leads you to the path of evil cruel and loving cruelty devoid of humanity

And remember my friend the saying Do not follow your desires lest you become forgetful of God

Life even if it takes something from you will compensate you with something else that remains

Be brave and refuse to obey Satan and his desires for they will lead you to vices and a fleeting life

He will reward you with wine and the meat of cheap prostitutes on a dark night a night in which you will find fleeting happiness

True honor lies in upholding principles a precious thing though not easy but it will surely endure

The House of Horrors opens its doors

Nasser entered the kitchen where his wife Nour was preparing dinner while Malik and Sofia were in their rooms With slow heavy steps Nasser approached one of the kitchen drawers opened it and took out a sharp knifeFrom the living room seating areathe entire kitchen was clearly visibleNasser rushed towards Nour and stabbed her repeatedly targeting different parts of her body A sharp scream shattered the silence of the house Nour screamed with the first staband her voice echoed through the roomsMalik and Sofia heard the scream from their rooms and rushed in terror to the kitchen as fast as they could Sofia arrived firstwith Malik right behind her She froze in place when she saw what had happened then let out a scream that seemed to shake the entire apartment

Sofia:My mom

Sophia fell to her knees cradling the lifeless body of her newborn Malik lunged at his father but Nasser shoved him back with tremendous force The knife was still in Nasser's hand and as he pushed Malik into his chest the blade slashed across his upper shoulder leaving a deep bleeding wound Blood covered the kitchen floor and in a moment the scene transformed into a horrific nightmare

Sophia's voiceIn the house next door to Nasser's Nabil was lying on the bed getting ready for sleep when a sudden sharp scream broke the silence

The sound came from behind the walls Nabil sat up immediately The building was usually quiet and he had never heard anything like it Doubt and anxiety began to creep into his mind He moved slowly to the edge of the bed reached for his phone on the nightstand and immediately called building security

Nabil: HelloWith you Nabil at homeNumber 30 fifteenth floor I just heard a girl screaming Momfrom the houseAdjacentHouse number twentynine someone must go there immediately

Voice from the phone: Understood sir

Inside the groundfloor security office Mina sat behind his desk answering the call while Ashraf and Shadi sat nearby alert and waiting for instructions Mina finished the call and looked at them

Mina: Ashraf you and Shadi go to the fifteenth floor of the houseNumber twentynine A resident reported hearing a girl screaming Mom go there immediately and check what happened then tell me

Ashraf and Shadi immediately jumped up from their seats and rushed out of the security room They entered the elevator and went up to the fifteenth floor When the elevator doors opened they got out Nasser suddenly opened a door violently and rushed towards the elevator the bloodstained knife still in his hand Malik quickly followed him out and stood at the door panting and shouting

Malik: He killed my mother Stop him

Nasser bumped into Ashraf as he rushed towards the elevator Shadi quickly grabbed the knife and snatched it from his hand while Ashraf restrained Nasser from behind Together they managed to get Nasser into the elevator Ashraf pressed the button for the ground floor and when they reached the lobby Shadi opened the elevator doors and pulled Nasser into the security room Mina was still sitting behind his desk when Ashraf and Shadi brought Nasser inside Nasser's clothes were soaked in blood and Mina froze in shock

Mina: Mr Nasser?

He stared at him in disbelief unable to comprehend what he was seeing

Mina: What happened Shadi?

Shadi answered seriously

Shadi: Mr Nasser killed his wife Mrs Nour

Nasser lowered his gaze and remained silent Mina immediately grabbed the phone from his desk and called the police

Mina: Hello? This is Mina the security manager at Tower 16 in Cairo We have a murder in the building A resident killed his wife and is currently being held in the security room

Voice over the phone: We'll be there in a few minutes

A few minutes later police cars arrived at the building's entrance led by an officer A female journalist accompanied them carrying a camera in one hand and two bags slung over her arms Several policemen followed closely behind Mina stood at the entrance to greet them with Shadi and Ashraf beside him Each guard grabbed Nasser by one arm and led him toward the waiting police car Mina pointed to the knife

Mina: This is the knife he was carrying when he rushed out sir

The officer pointed to one of his assistants

The officer: Take it from him

The policeman immediately took the knife then the officer turned to Mina

Officer: Where is the crime scene?

Mina: The fifteenth floor of the houseTwentynine Shadi and Ashraf will accompany you sir if you allow them

Shadi moved forward

Shadi: This way sir

Shadi and Ashraf led the officer towards the elevator and after a short while the officer and his team exited the elevator into the lobby of the fifteenth floor

The officer stood facing Nasser's house

Shadi: ThisheThe house sir

front door was wide open The officer entered followed by Shadi who walked through the living room toward the kitchen Inside Nour lay lifeless on the floor while Sophia sat beside her cradling her newborn's head in her lap tears streaming down her face Malik stood nearby devastated and heartbroken his red tearfilled eyes staring at the officer Yet the tears remained trapped refusing to fall Blood still trickled from the wound above his left shoulder trickling down to his elbow A single drop landed on Nour's lifeless face before falling into Sophia's hands The officer inspected the kitchen and the bar counter then spoke sternly

The officer: Cover the body

One of the policemen : Understood sir

The officer turned towards Malik and Sophia

Officer: Come with me

The officer led the two out of the kitchen towards the entrance of the house while the journalist followed closely behind

Journalist: Excuse me sir may I ask you some questions?

The officer stopped and looked at her

Officer: No interviews are allowed You may attend interrogations at the Public Prosecutor's office

The journalist nodded

Journalist: Thank you but can I at least take a picture of the victim?

She hesitated for a moment before adding

Journalist: And for you sir ?

The officer pointed towards the kitchen

The officer: You can photograph the victim over there but I'm not allowed

The officer and several of his assistants left the house leaving journalist Suzan at the scene Suzan raised her camera and began taking pictures of Noor whose lifeless eyes stared blankly at the ceiling Meanwhile a policeman approached Noor and gently draped a white sheet over her body

The police car stopped in front of the station and the officer got out and entered the building where a policeman was waiting for him in the corridor

Officer: Take Nasser into the holding cell and take statements from Malik and Sophia

Policeman: Understood sir

Two policemen escorted Nasser from the police car into the station His hands were cuffed as he walked with his head down and his wide tearfilled eyes fixed on the ground Malik and Sophia arrived in another police car accompanied by another officer who escorted them into the station where a policeman met them in the corridor

Police officer: We will take your statements and then you may leave

The policeman turned to Malik and spoke calmly

Policeman: What did you see Malik? And in your opinion what could have been your father's motive for killing your mother?

Malik lowered his gaze and couldn't meet the officer's eyes and tried to speak through his sorrow

Malik: I was in my room whe