A Scarlet Spring

In April, when the locust trees in town were in full bloom, people began dying violent deaths.

Strange, satisfied smiles were frozen on every victim's face. The forensic examiner said the wounds were caused by torn facial muscles.

While investigating an abandoned cemetery, the newly arrived detective felt a damp smear of mud on a gravestone.

And from soil that should have been cold seeped fresh blood, mingling with the sweet scent of locust blossoms.

On the night the sixth body appeared, he found his family's ring on the murder weapon.

A line of tiny words was engraved inside the ring: "Only blood can awaken spring."