My neighbor asked me to take care of his cat, then disappeared — later I found a key and a note hidden in the cat's collar that said: "I can't hide this from you anymore. THE TRUTH HAS TO COME OUT." Our neighborhood had always been friendly, but there was one man, Mr. White, who rarely spoke to anyone. He was about 50 years old and had moved into the house right across from mine about three years earlier. One evening, he knocked on my door. He looked visibly worried. He said: "Ma'am, I'm sorry, but I have an urgent business trip. Would it be too much trouble for you to take care of my cat, Jasper, for a few days?" I asked: "Mr. White, is everything okay?" He rubbed his forehead and replied: "Yes, everything is fine. The trip is just sudden, and I'm worried no one will be able to take care of Jasper." I smiled and took the cat. Why not? After all, we're neighbors. Mr. White thanked me and hurried into a taxi that was waiting outside. A few days passed, and he still hadn't returned. I called him, but his phone went straight to voicemail. Two weeks passed, and Mr. White was still gone. Although I didn't know him very well, I knew he would never abandon his cat. Jasper was always by his side. I knew something was wrong. I called the police. They reported him missing and searched his house but found nothing. The search continued. I kept Jasper with me. A few days later, when I decided to give him a bath, I took off his collar and noticed something inside it. I looked closer and saw a small bulge sewn into the lining. It looked like someone had cut the seams and hidden something inside. I carefully pulled out a small key and a note. The note was from Mr. White: "Dear, if you're reading this, then the truth must come out. I'm tired of hiding this from you. You will understand everything when you open the apartment at the address..." I was scared, but I grabbed my jacket and went to the address. I found the apartment and forced myself to open the door. "OH MY GOD, MR. WHITE, HOW COULD YOU KEEP THIS FROM ME?!" I shouted, dialing 911. ⬇️ Voir moins
I called the number he had given me for emergencies.
"He wouldn't leave you, Jasper," I whispered one night while scratching his ears. "He's coming back."
But I didn't believe it anymore. My gut was telling me something was wrong.
***
I called the police the next day. An officer came out, and I stood on the sidewalk while he walked through the house. He emerged a while later, looking troubled.
"Ma'am, you said your neighbor told you he was going on a business trip, correct?"
I nodded. "He asked me to look after his cat. He said he'd be back in a few days."
My gut was telling me something was wrong.
"There's no sign of foul play here, but the utilities are shut off, and the kitchen cupboards have been cleared out. No food in the fridge either."
"What does that mean?"
"I'm not sure, ma'am. Everything else looks normal."
They listed him as a missing person, but without evidence of a crime, there wasn't much they could do.
Life started to move on. People stopped asking about "the quiet man." But I couldn't let it go.
They listed him as a missing person.
***
A few days later, Jasper came inside smelling like a swamp. I didn't have a choice; he needed a bath.
"Stay still," I muttered as he squirmed in the sink. "You're being dramatic."
As I unclipped his nylon collar to keep it dry, a flash of light caught my eye. There was a weird seam in the fabric, a slight bulge that didn't belong there.
I looked closer. Someone had carefully stitched a small pocket into the lining.
I grabbed my sewing scissors and snipped the threads.
Jasper came inside smelling like a swamp.
A small silver key slid out and landed in my palm. Underneath it was a tiny, folded piece of paper.
I unfolded it.
Dear Anna, if you're reading this, it's time for the truth to come out. I'm tired of hiding. This key opens an apartment at the address below. You will understand everything.
I stared at the address. It was about 20 minutes away.
"You get out of bathing for now," I told Jasper as I opened the bathroom door. "I'm finally going to find out what happened to your master."
It's time for the truth to come out.
Soon, I was standing in front of apartment 4B.
I slid the key into the lock. It turned with a smooth click.
I pushed the door open and moved inside. A few paces in, I stopped dead. Then turned a slow circle as I took in my surroundings. That was no normal apartment!
A scream tore from my throat before I could stop it. I stumbled back against the doorframe and fumbled for my phone to dial 911.
That was no normal apartment!
"911, what is your emergency?" a voice asked in my ear.
I stared at the pictures covering the apartment walls.
There I was, reaching into my mailbox. There I was, laughing at the Fourth of July parade. There was a shot of me gardening, the same day I had seen him with his groceries. I thought I was going to be sick.
"There… there are pictures of me. Everywhere. I think… no, I know my neighbor has been watching me!"
