The killer sat along the beach.  It wouldn’t do any good to be seen before everyone was about. 

You aren’t a psycho, like the local man thought.  You know you need to destroy Goodwin like he destroyed you and your life, but there are ways and there are ways.

Now a psycho would kill in a frenzy, without thought or planning.  Maybe use a knife.  Yeah, a knife like you read in the papers - ‘The man was stabbed thirty seven times in a psychotic frenzy’ – well then you can’t be a psycho.

Watch.  Wait.  Plan and be ready.

Well you waited until you had all the information.

You watched, through others eyes.

You planned meticulously.

Tonight you are ready.

You can’t believe how well the idea came together and you don’t even have to be there. 

Well you were five minutes ago putting the finishing touches to your plan.

But now while he dies, starved of oxygen and choking on the searing heat, you can relax knowing revenge is yours.

No blood on your hands.  No blood at all.  Blood was so messy and there would always be the chance it might taint you.

You didn’t even have to touch his repulsive flesh nor look into those eyes.

Soon you should hear his screams.

Then when everyone comes to see your handiwork, you can go back and admire it yourself.

​

Shouts and the sound of cracking wood woke Goodwin sometime in the night.  Flashes of light whipped at his windows.  He climbed out of bed and pulled on some shorts. 

A scream rose above the sound of the flames.  He dashed to the door and flung it open.  The bungalow next to him was a sea of burning hot flames.  Tom was frantically throwing buckets of water at it whilst a small crowd had gathered, watching the flames grow.

Grabbing the water bucket in his own bathroom Goodwin joined Tom in dashing to and from the sea throwing water.  He found himself working side by side with Dave too. 

‘My God, I thought you were in there.  How did you get out?’

‘I moved bungalows this afternoon.  I wasn’t in there.’

‘Thank god for that.’  Dave was genuine in his gratitude.  Goodwin stopped and stared at him.  Dave stopped too.  ‘Hey I might not like you much, but I couldn’t have explained this to Alison.’

Goodwin saw the truth in his words and continued to fight the fire.  Between the three of them and the lack of further fuel for the fire it eventually burnt out.

‘Any idea what started it Tom?’  Goodwin asked as they stared at the remains of what had been Goodwin’s bungalow.

‘I sink this was made.’  He shook his head.

‘What do you mean?’ asked Dave.

Tom walked away and returned from behind Goodwin’s new bungalow.  He carried a petrol can.

‘Arson?’

‘What’s that?’ asked Tom

‘Arson.  It means someone started the fire on purpose.’

‘Yes.  I sink this is what happened.’

‘Why?’ asked Dave.

Tom shrugged his shoulders.  ‘I not know.  Zis never happen before on Koh Pha Ngan.  Anyone see anything?’  Tom called to all the people around.  Most people shook their heads and started back to their own bungalows.

A new arrival from that day approached Tom.  ‘I was here first, walking back from the beach bar up the way.  I saw the girl staying in that bungalow walking from the fire back to hers.’  He pointed at Hazel’s bungalow.

Dave shook his head.  ‘I don’t think so.’

‘Oh yes I’m sure.’

‘You can’t think she started this.  Why would she?’

‘I’m not suggesting anything, I’m only saying what I saw.’

‘Tom, Hazel did not do this.  I can promise you that.’

‘Yeah.  I know Hazel not do this.  Why this one though?’

Goodwin didn’t say anything.  He’d spotted a broom handle preventing any occupant from leaving the bungalow.  He knew whoever set the building alight expected him to be in it.  That he was sure of.