Inspector Roland Howard’s loud and furious voice was continuously echoing in the police department as he order commands through the phone, and everyone was toxic, creating a huge commotion on the department. The police was like a colony of ants disturbed by a fallen leaf. It’s 11 o’clock pm, and the department suddenly received an email from a familiar address - the picture of former General Ludwig Fitzherbert. They all knew what it means. The serial killer will attack again tonight, and the former general was their target.
At a classy subdivision, former general Ludwig Fitzherbert and his wife were awakened by the unusual barking of the guard dogs followed by the ringing sound from his phone in the middle of the night. The old man tried to reach for his gun under his pillow after not receiving any answer from the security through the intercom. The trespassing in the compound, the drugging on the guards, and the disabling of the door alarm all happened so fast during their deep sleep. An unknown person entered their room, aiming a 45 caliber pistol at him, and he aimed back with his revolver. Looking at the silhouetted figure of the guy through the darkness, the former general didn’t bother asking who he is. Instead, he pulled the trigger with his fastest. The guy just walked away casually, twirling his gun on his finger. The wife went frozen while looking at her husband literally bathing with his own blood from the hole on his throat.
Chapter 2
The Damsel in Distress
JULIET
“Do you really have to go today, dad?” I asked while sitting on the bed while he’s busy packing. He just got home this morning and now he’s going to leave again. “I thought the medical mission will be held two days from now.”
“Yes, it is. But we have to go there in advance to set things up so...” He explained very well as usual. I heard a zip that I believed was from his favourite navy blue luggage my mom gave him as an anniversary gift.
“But you said we will celebrate my engagement tonight. You promised.” I frowned with the thought of not having an engagement party for the second time. I definitely cannot celebrate without him, and he knew that. I felt a kiss on my forehead.
“I will make it up to you next time sweetie.”
“Next time, don’t promise.” I reached for the cane and walked out of the room.
“Juliet, come back here will you?” he said, making it a little bit louder, but I pretended not to hear even the authority of his tone.
“Hey Julie, breakfast is ready—
“I don’t have appetite today Jess, I’m sorry.” I cut Jessica off as I go to my room and try to revive my sleepiness, but I found myself going to the staircase when I heard an engine of a car stopped near home.
“Hey sweetie, how are you?” a voice of a female echoed across the living room. It’s Katelyn, dad’s long time girlfriend.
“Hey...” I just said, hiding my dismay. I don’t want Kate to hear it and think that I am not happy to see her. I am expecting Kent, I forgot he have classes today. Silly me.
I let out a deep sigh while I walk with Kate and dad to the front porch. There’s no way I can’t stop dad when it comes to his job. He’s a dedicated doctor. “When will you come back?” I asked him.
“Probably a week from now.” dad answered. I felt his palm on my cheek. “Please don’t feel bad about it, Julie... I have reasons.”
“I understand dad. I’m sorry about this morning.”
Dad hugged me after thanking me, as if I gave him a huge favor. But yeah, I think it is a huge favor not to be nagged.
“Promise me you’ll be back safe.” I heard Kate said, with a weird, too panicky tone. There’s a long pause after that.
“I promise.” My dad answered after about ten seconds.
My dad’s just going on a medical mission. Why do I feel like he’s going in a warzone or something? Everything’s so eerie today. I let out a huge sigh once more. I think I’ll just stay home all day coz I felt a bad luck coming today.
“Hey, wanna go shopping??” I heard Kate asked just when I decided.
“Yeah! I’d love that!” I heard Jess’ voice a little far from us. Tss. Her ears never fail to hear everything when it comes to going out. I can’t blame her. Ever since her grandma died a year ago, she’s the one who replaced her duty of tending me 24/7. And since I am a home buddy, she doesn’t have a choice but to stay home too.
“Why not you two go shopping and I’ll stay home? What do you think?” I suggested with a smile.
“What?? No!” Kate exclaimed. “You can’t be far from me. I was supposed to babysit you. That’s an order from your dad.”
“Babysit” I repeated sarcastically, making a blank facial expression. “There are two maids at home. I won’t be alone so I don’t need a babysitter.” I reasoned out. But I felt her snatched my wrist and I don’t have a choice but to walk along.
“Come on, I don’t accept no for an answer.” I heard Kate said with a jolly tone.
“I know a place that serves good steak!” Jess said excitedly. Seconds after, I just found myself riding in Kate’s car, with Miley Cyrus’ Party in the USA beaming to my eardrums.
Katelyn Pearson is a jolly, childish and caring 40-year-old woman, minus the wrinkles and gray hair strands, as many people say. I am already blind when I met her, but at that very moment I already liked her. She’s like a spark of light in the dark; she came in our lives just when we needed someone like her. She’s basically my present mom although she didn’t live with us. My real mom died when I was just eight years old after a policeman accidentally shot her during an operation. I can still remember that day...
The sun shines so bright, the sky doesn’t have even a single cloud. The weather is so good and my mom suddenly wanted to go to the market. I went with her. There are many people in the market as usual, so much indistinct noises, but it’s so fun. With a wide joyful smile, I looked at my mom. She looked at me with a smile reaching her eyes. But suddenly, I heard a loud sound that I thought was a firecracker. Scared, I hugged my mom tight, but my hands felt something unusual on her back. Blood.
I shook my head, trying to throw away the harsh, sad memory I recalled. I tried to reach for my metal cane as I heard the engine stopped. “Here” Jess said, putting the cane in my left hand.
“Thanks. Where are we, by the way?” I asked.
“At the mall. We’re going shopping, right?” Jess said in high pitch. Oh great (for real). Coz I thought we’re going to that fortune teller on the market again. Not that I don’t like the fortune teller, I just don’t like going in the market or any noisy places.
I heard my stomach growled – nope – it roared. I just realized I haven’t had anything today. “What time is it?” I asked Jess as I heard her laugh at me.
“It’s already ten. Come on, let’s grab something to eat. I know a place.” she said continuously, pulling my right hand.
“Wait!” I protested. I am starting to think that pulling me is everyone’s favorite hobby. After walking for almost three minutes to reach Kate, I started to ask, “What’s happening?” It’s really hard not to see things happening around you.
“I can’t find her.” Jess said.
“Maybe we can just text her where we are going, then she would follow.” I suggested.
“That would be better.” she said.
We started walking again, until we reached a place out of the mall. I can smell steak! “Are we here yet?” I excitedly asked.
“No... We’re still a block away.” She said with a slight laugh.
I expected too much in it, I got disappointed that much. I heard indistinct noises around me. It’s so noisy. “Why did you take me to a crowded place?” I asked. “Let’s go somewhere else.”
“What?? We’re already here!” She said, still walking and pulling me. “And it’s not bad in here. The reason why it’s so crowded is because the food here is so good! You’re gonna like it in here, I swear...”
Jess is still talking but I almost couldn’t pay attention. I started panicking whenever I hear indistinct noises from crowds. I am getting irritated... and afraid. My brain started to rewind my nightmare way back twelve years ago – the market, the noise, the gunshot... and the blood. “Let’s just go to a cafe.” I said.
“There’s no cafe out here. Oh, look there’s a vacant table there at the corner!”
Pissed, I pulled my hand out of her grip. “I said take me to a cafe or else you’re dea—d.” My cane automatically swung in the air when I pulled myself out, and my last word trailed off when I realized it hit something... or someone (?)
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