Tasha's voice shook as she talked about what she saw.
"There was blood everywhere. I think she had a skull fracture. I just stood there, frozen. I was too scared to move or even yell. My own brother killed an innocent woman right in front of me.
I couldn't step in. I was scared he would turn on me."
Tasha said Alexander buried the body in his room. He dug a grave in the floor. "I waited until he left. Then I grabbed my bag and ran. I promised myself I'd never go back. I've always felt guilty about not helping Rita. But I was so afraid of Alexander."
She added, "I promised I'd help his next victim. I'm thankful to talk to you. Alexander told everyone Rita ran off with her boyfriend, but that's not true. Please, stay away from him. He's dangerous."
Kate thanked Tasha and went home. That night, she couldn't sleep. She called me and told me everything. I felt a wave of determination. I'm going to get justice for Rita Chase, I promised.
The next day, when Alexander went to work, I put my plan into action. With three guys, we dug his room. We found the body wrapped in a blood-stained white cloth.
I took a deep breath as I looked down at the proof of his crime.
I couldn't hold back tears when i saw Rita Chase's lifeless body, I felt sick. The big crack in her skull showed just how cruel Alexander was. My hands shook as I took photos. Each flash lit up the dark horror under his floorboards.
Then my phone buzzed. It was Kate.
"He's coming back. Leave. Now."
Panic hit me hard. We rushed to hide the body, shoveling dirt over it. I could hear tires on the gravel. Alexander was home.
We barely had time to find places to hide. Some of us ducked behind doors, while others crawled under the bed. The front door creaked open. I could hear heavy footsteps.
Then came a voice. Smooth and distracting.
"Hello, baby."
Kate stood in the doorway, wearing a beautiful red gown. The light from the porch made her stand out. Alexander's eyes fixed on her, a mix of desire and suspicion playing on his face.
He walked toward her, like he was pulled in. They kissed. It felt planned. A chance for me to escape.
But Alexander paused. Something didn't feel right. I could see his unease. It made my stomach drop.
I need to check on something first, he said, breaking away from Kate.
I held my breath as he stepped inside. The smell of decay hit him hard. He stopped dead.
His eyes scanned the room. Then it hit him. We weren't alone.
In one quick move, he grabbed his gun and baseball bat. Before I could do anything, three loud gunshots rang out.
The guys who helped me with the body fell to the floor, dead.
I screamed as Alexander grabbed me. He pulled me from under the bed with a brutal grip. He tied my wrists tight, the rope cutting into my skin. His anger felt wild.
You think you can play me? he yelled.
Sirens blared in the distance. Red and blue lights flashed outside.
The police were here.
Kate stood out front, waving them toward the house. "He's inside!"
When the officers rushed in, Alexander swung his baseball bat. It hit one officer on the head. Then he pulled out his gun and fired wildly.
I squeezed my eyes shut, shaking with fear. Chaos broke loose all around. The smell of gunpowder hung in the air. I wanted to scream, but the gag muffled my voice. My only hope was that justice would finally come.
Alexander caught my eye one last time. His face was twisted with anger and sorrow.
"I loved you," he said softly. How could you?
But he had no time to wait for an answer.
Just like that, the hunter became the hunted.