Chapter 5 — Tracing the Pink Trail
Samantha stood up from her crouched position on the hardwood floor.
She kept her eyes fixed on the line of pink smudges stretching across the boards.
Clara huffed loudly from her spot near the counter, crossing her arms again.
I still do not see why you are examining the floor, Clara muttered, her tone dripping with annoyance.
The child clearly made a mess of the dessert table, and you are just enabling her.
Samantha did not dignify the remark with a response.
She took her first step forward, following the pink trail as it led away from the island.
Harper wiped her remaining tears with the sleeve of her shirt, watching her mother move across the room.
The young girl sniffled quietly, still clutching the edge of Samantha’s sweater.
Stay right here, Harper, Samantha whispered softly, looking back over her shoulder.
Samantha turned her full attention back to the floor.
The trail of pink frosting paw prints continued in a steady line.
They moved away from the marble island with deliberate purpose.
Each print was spaced evenly apart, suggesting a steady, unhurried gait.
The tiny sugary pads left a faint, sticky residue on every plank they touched.
Samantha walked slowly, matching her pace to the physical evidence on the ground.
The trail headed straight down the narrow hallway that connected the kitchen to the back rooms of the house.
It bypassed the dining area entirely.
It ignored the living room entrance.
The prints kept a straight course toward the rear of the suburban home.
Clara remained standing by the counter, rolling her eyes at the procession.
You are wasting time on nonsense, Clara called out, her voice echoing in the open space.
Samantha kept walking.
She rounded the corner where the kitchen opened into the hallway.
The lighting in the corridor was dimmer than the bright overhead fixtures of the kitchen.
Yet the vibrant pink smudges stood out clearly against the dark wooden flooring.
Samantha took another step down the hall.
She kept her eyes locked on the floor ahead.
A faint smacking sound echoed from around the corner of the pantry cabinets.