Black and White: the Opposition of Red

[Fallenreaper]

Jeffery Austin apartment at Mastic Avenue, Chicago

2 am in the morning.

The ancient Jeffery Austin Apartment complex towered over, its structure was four stories of concrete and metal only reached half of the height of his brother buildings, and their presence dwarfed its older brick appearance. Milk white plastic shielded the windows and weakened foundation made it even less attractive, screaming condemned to the residence in the area. To its side laid an alleyway, ending in a dead caused by chain link fence filled with discarded debris, an emergency fire escape that ran the length down with a ladder that swung to the ground and day old activities of homeless presence. About the left side was remains of the age old fire which spelt its demise from the start. Yesterday it was just another abandoned city past left to rot into the ground but today, it was blackened by murder. Yellow tape farther marred its state, barred it off from trespassers, only one man was present on the scene: the coroner. Sirens doused the scene in bright red and blue flashes, casting shadows where it could reach, adding to the serious nature of things.

Rust age coated the walls of peeling paint, walls unfinished laid to the mercy of time and debris scattered about the room. It had been abandoned for month, running on a year as yet to be cleared of debris. Musty scents filled it with a sour taste of rot, the buzz of flies powerful and distracting while they swarmed about one corner of the unfinished room, lingering too long in the dead place.

His corpse was exposed to the ravages of two days, time, insects, and rodents had left their marks by devouring as much soft flesh allowed before someone found him. The man’s thin body slumped over against the wall, dyed red with colligated blood paw prints stating what the coroner already knew: post modem inflicted. Arms held closely to his body with a dead cell phone in clasped in a ridged hand with a skinned bloodied face, absent of flesh and eyes along the outer edges. Strands of long wavy blond hair draped, hiding the vacant dead stare of hollowed out sockets and disfigured face to the world. Among the most dominate feature were numerous bruises and dentations from a blunt object. Dark stains coated his blue shirt, fell to the jeans speaking loud of the relentless aggression of his attacker as well as force behind it even when he ceased to move. The ribcage sat upon the hip bone, scavengers had done their work eating the remains about the middle until nothing held it up anymore.

The coroner was Joseph Sterling, his gloved hands currently held the cell as he looked it over. The police force in this side of the city had been stretched pretty far so for this one, the station only sent a two men unit to cover the area making the elderly man grumble. His white stringy hair lay thinning upon his near balding head; his gloved hand moved it from his eyes twice with frustration. Brown bear eyes zoned in on the phone waited for lights to display, his own was lucky enough to match the same type, a generic and common enough type enough, the proximity of the body's odor should have over whelmed his hooked nose but it failed to bother him. He had spent much longer in and with farther along corpses to be affected. It came to life with a light hearted melody of the company’s jingle with the last text message printed clearer than day.

Nick,
It’s Chance; meet me at the old Jeffery Austin Apartment. Please, it’s important and I am scared.

The old man scoffed and in his mind he didn’t seem surprised. It sounded like a weird name, seemingly fit for a love crime and ironic to boot. His aged form lifted, a plastic bag in his hand now, to meet eyes with an approaching figure. His wrinkles increased in a smile knowing the man well enough. His black shoes were careful as he gently removed his own cell battery, he highly distrusted the female fore scenic lad head and in his day, females were best at home, before depositing it with a quick label and moving forward. A camera was set upon the ground where Joseph once crouched down filled with crime scene photos previously taken.

“It’s about damn time you got here…” the voice was irate, covered the relief, while his hand picked at his uniform betraying his nervous state of being here of all places alone.

***
114 Street, Fountaine Apartments

Chance was pissed. Her black hair was straight, trailed down to just an inch beyond her shoulders shifted with her rocking foot. Tap, tap, and tap as she glared at her younger brother by three years as he held her arm tightly like a clinging child. His blue eyes, sky blue and enough to make most ladies swoon if he ever saw the light of day, stared into hers almost pleadingly. Her coat was in hand, the summer days ended and winter began to set in but as normal, he wanted her to stay with him. It was his fear of large spaces, the outside world that kept him trapper here and it often enough made her resent him at times. Then turned to guilt soon after.

“Gage, I have to leave or I will be late for work. You know work? Something I need to do so you can stay here and keep seeing Dr. William? Chance asked her sibling as gently as she could, her patience to be was slightly breaking.

He bit his lip, a habit with hesitation before released his grip as his mousy hair was ruffled by his hand. Chance couldn’t help it. Her free arm was wrapped about him, clasped him tightly in the embrace as her lips kissed him upon the forehead and a smile crept upon her lips. He was so cute when he wanted to be, melted her heart no matter how angry she was. After a few moments she pulled away and walked out the door, the feeling of him still on her back.

“Be safe…” he spoke, the word tugged at her heart strings nearly killing her core.

It was a relief to be free, to forget her responsibly for just a moment and without thinking she left out a sigh. She had lied to her brother and a part of her knew Gage had sensed that but there little time to reflect upon it, she had to get to that place. The one she had a nightmare about. Nick being battered over and over by someone, the person coated in darkness blotted out from her, until he ceased to move. She had screamed, her body wrapped in thin white sheets but he died anyway. She hoped it was just a dream.

Her hand raised as a cab stopped, her lithe body slid into the cab door and shut it with a loud click. The man was chucky fellow with a round remember able face that peered though the rear view mirror at her. His clean shaven head was covered by a baseball cap while it was his eyes, a shade lighter grey than her steely ones, looked her for direction. She smiled a winning grin, sexy and confident.

“Jeffery Austin Apartments, please as quick as you can.” Her body sat back relaxed against the seat with one tan leg crossed over the other as the cab pulled out heading to the roughest, grimmest, and worst part of the city.

[Lyzan]

About half an hour away from site...

An hour ago.

The keys dangled from the ignition. A gentle chime as night breeze slipped through. Smoke blown from his nostrils and mouth. A cigarette between his fingers. An arm crooked over the window as he relaxed while his partner grabbed something for them to drink. And to keep them awake as well as warm. He looked up into the nightsky between the two buildings where he parked. A peaceful night, or so he thought. Stars scattered and seemed so close. Almost within reach. Years of patrolling on the streets have been a boring chore thus far. Nothing exciting ever happened. Aside from responding to some disturbance call and settling some pesky squabbles between family members or the neighbors, there was really nothing much happening. At least not on his watch. Perhaps he was cursed. Maybe not so lucky like the others from the station were. Eric Cosswell basically had no stories to tell when the rest get together sometimes in a bar. Off duty certainly. Some of his friends even offered to swap their route ocassionally. Hoping they could escape their "lucky" moments. But only to be disappointed.

Nevertheless, he did his homework. Sitting by himself in the station and looking into files and records of cold cases. Theoritically experiencing them and pretending that he was placed in charge of each cases. Soon, he'd covered almost every file in those steel drawers. From cases dated way back into the 1937's up to this very day. He even practised them. Studying the insides of a cafe. Imagining that it was a crime scene or the sort. Daydreaming mostly. Yet he knew what needed to be done should he be in that kind of situation one day.

"2 Romeo 30, what's your 10-20?" the radio suddenly sounded.

He took another lungfull of smoke before flicking the cigarette butt out of the window and reached for the set. Eric cleared his throat. His finger pressing down on the button and paused for a second or two before he replied, "I'm at First and Main.. over."

"2 Romeo 30, one-eighty-seven on Jeffery Austin apartment, Mastic Avenue.. Please respond."

"2 Romeo 30, 10-4.. Responding.. Over and out!"

Turning the ignition key, he shifted into gear and flicked the blue and red lights on. Ahead, his partner, Jake, started to pick up pace. Eric then drove forward and met him halfway.

"Another disturbance call?" Jake asked as he opened the door and handed him with the cup of hot coffee and a box of Dunkin'-Donut. "Homicide.." he replied. "Tch! Yeah right..." he spontaneously reacted. "Get yourself back out there and grab another coffee for the coroner.." said Eric in a tone much too calming. Definitely not very convincing for Jake. His partner turned to look at him with the seat belt already halfway across his chest. "You serious?" Eric gave him a stern look which immediately sent him cursing as he scurried out of the car and back into the cafe, convinced.

~~~

Present time..

"Sorry it took a while, Joseph.." he paused as he eyed on the corpse. "Coffee?" Eric offered.

Jake followed closely behind and his face immediately contorted with disgust. The nauseatic sight as well as it's stench had gotten to him. The man turned back and exitted the room. He croaked with a couple of false start trying to vomit the earlier snacks outside. Eric almost chuckled at his partner's reaction to the scene before he turned back to look at his surroundings. Studying and observing.

"Found anything where we could start with, yet?" Eric asked.

[Fallenreaper]

Joseph grumbled his lips into a thin line as he glared at Eric in his usual manner. If he had been nice then there was reason to worry, Joseph as an old ass to everyone and didn’t see the point in changing. The aged hand in cream colored gloves was held out, stopped the man from placing the Styrofoam cup in his hand, Joseph’s other still cling tightly to the phone. His crow feet appeared as he narrowed his sight back onto the rotting man before returning his gaze to Eric. It was a dumb question and Joseph’s look confirmed it. The old man’s slightly yellowing teeth peered beneath his moving lips as he spoke, sarcastic tone and attitude in his infamous snide as he spoke.

“I suppose the dead body behind me doesn’t count does it?” It was quick and sharp, hinting at frustration as he continued.

“A cell phone with the last text message on it even has names. I assume the victim and your first suspect. Providing you can connect a location and phone number from it,” he scoffed unimpressed as he shuffled to his ambulance, his gait had a slight limp to it making him winch a bit each time. In reality he was suppose to be off duty. Recent surgery for his knee meant a month’s leave but the old goat was stubborn, beside the last thing he wanted was to leave his lab in someone else’s care. Especially that lab tech she devil.

He pulled open the doors with a slight click; supplies and everything standard were sitting there very pretty. Joseph pulled himself up. The man’s bones ached and cracked in his upward descent making the back bend with his rough trip. Not his favorite past time, that much was clear on his furrowed face. One handed he pulled a second pair of latex gloves from a metal drawer, out stretched to Eric to grab that was if he wanted to handle the phone.

“I have to get the body back to my lab for farther examination. Think you can handle that, Eric? With the middle eaten and much of it digesting in the inner intestine of vermin, there’s little to really work with,” grumbled the coroner with a black body bag in his thin hands as he stepped down,” I am getting to old for this shit. You get the hips and I will get the torso, see if we can lay him out to resemble something close to human and to give him some dignity back.”

Joseph moved to the corpse, the spine too broken and nerve material gnawed away to keep the torso to the pelvic, the entrails that remained were white and strengthened the scent of decaying musk the moment the coroner moved him. Joseph’s hands gripped about the once broad shoulders as he pushed against the wall. Eric, the way Jake had reacted to the corpse Joseph doubted he would be much help, should pull the hips into a laying posture as the coroner indicated with the hand to with the one not bracing. This was a delicate process and anything could go wrong, evidence lost because of sloppy cooperation or workmanship. In his thirty years of working in the department, he had never had never damaged any evidence and it wouldn’t begin now.

“On three you pull the hips, gently and don’t drag them into a lounging position. Basically on his back,” he added the later as if speaking to an idiot before continuing,” I will gently shift the torso and do avoid the damn entrails, last thing I need is you getting entangled in them and farther mangling them.”

“One…two…three!”


***
The lights of other cars flashed past her, illuminating her pretty face in the darkness of the smog skied city under it. Her full lips were colored red and eyeliner upon her eyes were dark green, her hair hung informal and undecorated for her line of work- a bar tender whose bosses motto was skimpier clothes meant more drinks. Chance wasn’t a whore but she did find sense in it despite the weather, this being October, and that meant more the drinks she serviced. It also sadly went hand in hand with sexual harassment. Just something else she dealt with, namely her knee into the groin with a genuine beam of innocence at her actions before continuing to work. Usually her skirt covered enough to keep her from looking hussy while indulging as much as she was willing to reveal, comfortably an inch or two from her knees.

She wasn’t a twig; even her driver had noticed her womanly curves with his sneaks into the rear mirror back at her. It drove a flutter of excitement in her every time to see a man look her over before the thought of why would settle in and shatter it. Sex that was what it boiled down in the end. Men of all races, sexes, and shapes had on their minds of how to get her into bed with them. It worked as well as a mouse living though rat poisoning, a zero percent chance of success. It wasn’t that Chance wasn’t interested, she was a very straight woman after all, but she was picky.

Currently, the only man that held the longest role in her life was her agoraphobic brother. His fear kept him from surviving on his own while it trapped him in a small place and made her life hell. Chance loved Gage more than life itself. Yet she could only tolerate being his babysitter for so long without it affecting her, twisting her life in something like a shell. She didn’t deserve that but she would give in for him. Still fighting it along the way when given the chance, she was Deacon after all. Chance's thoughts wondered, eyes flickered though the running scene as the taxi made it's way to the scene now less then an hour away.

[Lyzan]

As a matter of fact, you're right. It doesn't count. At least not to me. That's mainly your job to fill me in with. The phone however, is a start.

Eric wanted to say but thought better and decided to remain quiet. He lifted his chin and studied the surroundings once more, clearly avoiding eye contact with the grumpy old man. There were no shoe prints left behind, it seemed. Nor were there any other evidence that might narrow their investigation down. Whatever happened here, it was obvious that this was no accident. Intentional. Probably planned. He faced towards the doorway. His mind projected images of what might've happened. He saw the victim walking in with another person. Perhaps the suspect. They seemed to know each other. It was the only logical explanation for both of them to meet in an abandon place like this. Unless if the victim's already dead and was brought here to be rid of. An unlikely place for such purpose though. Nevertheless, it was still plausible. Then he watched the blurry images walked past him and stood somewhere near where the coroner was. A discussion went awry perhaps. Maybe drug related. Or money problems. A fight broke out. Some struggling but the victim was overpowered. And seemed to be caught off guard as the suspect pulled out a weapon and ended the bout. Silencing whatever it was that the victim might know. Eric glanced over his shoulder and his gaze lingered over to a corner of the room. Something told him there was somebody else there. A witness perhaps. But he wasn't certain. Nothing was certain yet it was no harm in trying to evaluate what might've happened.

When Joseph started limping towards the ambulance, Eric followed and handed over the coroner's coffee to Jake who're still grasping for fresh air. He accepted the gloves from the old man and put them on without making any fuss. Best not to rub him the wrong way, Eric told himself. Besides, he was eager to learn about the phone's contents as well. It was like a diary to him. An item which might hold the secret to this case. He followed Joseph back into the building while he bagged the mobile and slipped it into his pocket.

"You stay outside and keep your eyes open. Watch out for any sorts of activity," he said to his partner who simply replied with exaggerated noddings, appreciating.

Eric then assisted in laying the body bag right next to the victim. He reached out and carefully slid his hands around the corpse's hips as he squatted over the legs. The urge to simply bark at the old man to shut up was rather tempting. Eric even concluded that Joseph was probably an ambitious worker. The frequent remarks, mostly unnecessary and the instructions simply told him that Joseph might be a little too obsessed with his work. He found himself almost distracted by the commands. Felt as if some bitch was telling him how to drive just because she'd driven before he started. Yet Eric showed no reaction whatsoever. Masking his expression as well as his emotions professionally. The treatment wasn't something that he wasn't used to. In fact, back in the station, such "friendly" comments were common.

On the count of three, he lifted the body. Watching every single movement made by the coroner just so that he could keep the body as aligned as possible. Soon, the decaying body and it's entrail was secured in the body bag. On another count of three, he lifted the body bag and backed carefully out before securing it in the back of the ambulance. Jake gagged when he saw the bag went by him and Eric simply casted him a disapproving look. He then took off the pair of glove, discarding it before he helped himself with another and immediately reached into his pocket for the phone.

"Is there anything else you want us to do, coroner?" Eric asked without looking at him as he made his way to his partner.

"We'll come by your place in a couple of hours time. Or do you want us to wait for your call?" his eyes fixed on the screen as the mobile sounded and revealed the message Joseph had told him about.

"Meanwhile, we'll be here and taking down some notes for our report."

Then, he went silent. The names in the text were indeed ironic. A woman was involved. A love triangle? But no other names was stated. She was scared. Of whom? Or for whom? Eric glanced up towards Joseph, watching at the old man's next move. Jake retrieved his pocket-book and started looking at his watch and jotting things down. He squinted his eyes then as a pair of headlights came into view from around a corner. His hand moved and rested over his revolver, just in case. It might've been the building's project manager or simply some punks wandering about. Nevertheless, his attention never wavered.

[Fallenreaper]

It was a messy process, blood slicken their hands from the body and white grains of maggots fell from the open mid-drift scattered upon the concrete floor coated with years of grime, unavoidable of course. The mess caused the coroner to scowl, irritation swept inside burning at the increase of work, but not a word passed though his lips. Joseph stared at the indentations a few moments before zipping up the mess, bruises and shapes that stood out against the pale rotten skin that remained. The old man had taken the liver temper upon arrival, professional pride and such, even when he knew it was pointless because the body’s internal organs had been exposed to the air. It would be impossible to get an accurate time and with the quick over view his eyes took in, the decay alone would a far better variable.

The bag shifted, unsteady with its loose contents, as a loud scrap could be heard with Joseph climbing into the back hauling the front of the bag in with him. Side stepping the body bag, Mr. Sterling jumped down and winch briefly at the ground’s impact of his landing. It wasn’t far but enough to be painful. He looked at Eric’s back, the retreating shoulders as he pulled out the phone from his pocket.

“Nothing you helped enough and i will call with anything I find, I just have to collect insect specimens and lava from the scene. Take the pictures back for that she Devil lab tech, Barbra, to develop. I will be waiting in the lab with the pictures but one thing bothers me… I can’t be sure but it seems like a dog might have been chewing on the carcass at some point. If you see one, might be a good idea to play dog catcher or call animal control. He might have to be put down,” the old man’s eyes flashed with a bit of pity before it iced over with his stern stare. His head shook, ridded himself of the emotion as his stringy hair shifted causing him to pull his hands free of the gloves with a loud snap. His right hand passed over his head, a sigh escaped his thin lips before tossing them from his left into a container inside the van.

He shuffled as he took a large box kit and hung it from his arm, his pace slower from the weighty piece of equipment. Stopping just a step shy of stepping upon the wiggling fly lava to lean down, Joseph’s knee protested with a pop when he bent down but he just bit his tongue. His age weathered hand set the box beside him. Body scrunch up, the balls of his feet struggled to find balance while he pulled the side locks up and pushed back the lid to reveal a tackle box layout. Fingers danced and traveled though the items, tiny snap on lid jars to tweezers, brushes to powders, and even more latex gloves to cotton ball and q-tips, all set out for him to access easily.

His wrinkled hand gripped a jar with surprising strength while his other went for a scrapper held in a cup, surrounded by other delicate detail tools. The flat of the blade took up a few of the living maggots, their bodies greedily filled with dead tissue as they tried to worm away and plopped straight into the clear container’s edge, trapped. Light casting his shadow caught Joseph’s attention; his hand snapped the jar shut in haste. His body lifted with startling lithe, everything filled with draining fear energy, and Joseph’s eyes watched for a bit before turning away back to the bugs.

***********
The cab rumbled to a halt as the man made a hasty grumble,” We’re here ma’am. Looks like a crime scene are you sure this where you want to be?”

He wasn’t clearly happy to be here but then again the feeling was mutual. She twisted half her body way out of the door, casual wear of a black t-shirt followed her shape nicely with large gothic lettering of Hell’s Gates in red dripping blood graphics sided by twin martini glasses with lips stick stains. Her tennis shoes, Chance’s preferred choice of wear, slapped against the pavement as she reached into her pocket book pulled it from her trench coat. She unfolded a twenty dollar bill and passed it to the man. Her body was elegant against the taxi when she finally exited, patient as the woman waited until he counted out the right amount of change, choosing to trust him.

“Yes, thanks,” her tongue piercing was seen as she spoke while she pulled her bangs back to see the man better. He simply shrugged, a smirk of enjoyment at seeing her pull those steely greys upon him once sent a fire though her belly but he wasn’t her type. Endearing and adorable but not her type.

It was cold. Now the bar tender wished for a decent pair of jeans, her skirt exposed her shapely legs to the air. Her hands bent down to rub so life back into them before moving, the sounds of the cab pulled out leaving her all alone. It gave her rattled nerves a greater start forcing her step and spin about to find the source. Great, she acidly thought at the retreating tail lights, so much for chivalry. What did she expect? The mask was just skin deep in everyone, life lesson in the workings how the cab driver be any different?

Red and blue flashes lit her up, colored her in the police lights as she turned to the scene. Her finger rested in the crook of her bridge, press applied to chase away the oncoming headache soon to overwhelm her. It wasn’t a dream. Damn it, she was hoping it wouldn’t be real. No such luck, just lovely. For the moments ticking by she just stood there lost in the relentless sensation…a long day was ahead was in her forecast, complete with shit storm troubles. Chance had just walked in on a police scene, no reason why she come to know or explanation that was remotely believable even to her.

Shit…I should have of stayed with Gage, were the last words in her head as she glided to the police. It was pointless for her to run, the sounds of the taxi and headlights made her presence hard to miss.

[Lyzan]

An appealing silhouette came into view. Even with the trenchcoat outlining the contours of the woman, Eric could tell just how appetizing she was. He'd his patrol car's headlights to thank for as well. When the glare from the cab's beam no longer casted her shadows towards him, it was confirmed. Obviously, she was no punk. Her demeanor alone could've fooled any cops into thinking she was somebody important and may outright mistaken her for the project manager of the site itself. The way she carried herself as she glided towards them was very convincing. Eric removed his hands from the revolver and snapped his fingers for Jake's attention. His partner looked up towards him from the pocket-book and immediately followed his gaze to the approcahing lady.

Jake swallowed. He almost whistled before the possibility of her being a higher ranking officer entered his mind. The tip of his pen shaking over the notes, unintentionally jotting down dots and some crooked lines. His eyes never left the woman. Eric however, returned his attention to the numbers on the victim's mobile. He went for his own mobile and punched the digits that was there.

"Jake, go see what she wants;" said Eric as he brought his phone to his ear.

"Okay.. But what if she's some kind of a secret agent that was sent by some secret organization or something like that. Do I stop her or allow her through? Should I ask for her I.D?" Jake nervously asked.

"You watched too many movies, Jake. Just go with the proper protocol, will you? And cut the bull-shit!" Eric's reply was enough to send his young partner swallow another lump of air down his throat.

He bounced down the couple of steps before pulling his pants up and tucking his beer-belly in. Jake then ran a hand over the sides of his head, combing his hair and adjusting his collar as he neared the woman. "Ma'am? Umm... You're entering a crime scene.. Um.. An investigation is still in progress. Is there anything I can assist you with?"

Eric grunted as his partner made a clown out of himself before he peered into the building and observed what Mr. Sterling was doing. The phone in his ears soon began to ring and in that instant, he heard a second tone sounded not too far from them. His head whipped back towards the woman before he end the call. And as soon as he did so, the tone died down as well. Oh boy, he thought. The killer returning to the crime scene. A cliche found in those murder movies truly happening here, Eric silently stated.

It looked like the coroner, themselves and this mysterious but sexy suspect will have a long night ahead of them. Thankfully though, the coroner seemed too occupied to bother them anytime soon. Else they would find themselves stuffed with more than what they'd bargain for. Something fun to happen? Well, here it was. Granted. And just how amusing the whole thing was for him to have been so lucky in having assigned with a partner such as Jake.

Eric pocketed the gadget carefully into his pocket and walked up behind his partner. He addressed the lady then, "You don't happen to be... Chance by any... chance.. Do you?" Eric paused. "Because if you are, then I'm afraid we've to bring you back to the station for some questioning," Eric calmly said while holding the woman's gaze. "It'll only be as long as it needed to be."

"Turn around and put your hands behind your back!" Jake suddenly blurted out. "Should we cuff her?" asked the baffoon as he glanced over his shoulder.

"I'm sure there's no need for us to do that, Jake. The lady will come if we asked her nicely. Won't you, Miss?" Eric then gestured towards their vehicle.

Eric cocked his head to Jake, signalling him to escort the lady as he then turned for the coroner. "Joseph.. I think we might get something here. So, no need to rush with things on your end! We might have quite a night, tonight.

[Fallenreaper]

Her shoes bounced against the grey concrete, her hair shifted with the movements as she ate up the ground with a confident and almost serious posture. Each lengthy stride brought her closer while her heart hammered in her chest, the cold air brushed past her smooth legs slowly numbing them. Chance didn’t like how this looked and deep inside she held a glitter of that she just happened to mistake the victim, using someone she liked in place of a strange like before. Her mind making her sympathize with the fatality instead of brushing it off like usual. Being a low bit psychic just plain sucked at times. Namely now as one of the two officers made his way, her eyes still adjusting to the bright of the cop car headlights behind her but she almost laughed, did she see what she thought she saw? Did he just fix himself up? Her black hair swayed with the head shake at the idea, face crinkled in knowing while her eyes rolled for a moment.

Jake was the type she seen, sweet but had the appearance screaming virgin that lacked the body and the personality that only attract a woman, most she corrected herself, for so long. He was the nice guy which natural was sort Chance once picture her settling down with, once upon a time anyway. He was nervous; it was in his body to his speech as she stared with intense and curious eyes. Her feet stopped dead with arms crossed over in front, posture slipped into upright.

Chance halted at loss of words of how to speak what she wanted to know. Her hands rest on her rounded hips, tilted in full blown self-assurance as she pierced into Jake. The bull about reading minds, the future was nothing more then smoke dreams created by pulp fiction authors. No real grasp of the concept or its pain in the ass side effects. Make-up foundation did well enough in this light to cover up the bags under her eyes from the main one: sleepless nights. Honestly who ever invented this sixth sense could shove it elsewhere in her personal opinion.


“Just a moment,” The words barely had a chance to escape her lips when her phone rang, her view to Eric completely blocked by his partner’s frame. It was like she knew it was going to ring before it had.

Her hands instinctively went into the left side of her coat, her hand reached inside for the hard cover while her lashes never left Jake’s eyes with a beam of her white teeth embarrassed at the action. Just as she reached for it the sound cut off, died leaving her surprised it would just let it drop. Another cop approached, almost as if out of thin air, grey eyes narrowed for clarity, unable to determine how he knew her name. It took moments for it to dawn, Chance’s expression lite up with realization in shock at his unsaid accusations. It bit down on her. Jake’s sudden phrase caused her to flinch, it traveled down her spine leaving an untactful memory of her step-father’s drunken voice but in seconds her walls went up, near flawlessly covering the jumpy nature. Chance blurted out before she had a…well a chance to think it though.

“I didn’t kill Nick if that’s what you’re thinking…,” Her hand covered her face reinforce the facts she could very well be the prime suspect. Damn it.

Masking things was what Chance had to learn to be good at or things tend to get ugly in her life, never good for her especially with Gage. It only took moments for her face to recollect its self, easily hiding the unease behind a fake smile.This was the third time she was going to be sitting in the back of a blue and white car; the last one on a charge of murder turned self-defense thanks to the blood alcohol of her step-father.

“I am little stressed. My last name's Deacon… Chance Deacon. I don’t have much of a choice do I?” her voice firm as she followed where she was lead while her ears caught Eric's reply to the hunched over man.

Joseph took a long time to answer Eric, his attention focused on some over turned plastic until at last his words echoed back. They were gruff with a hint of worry,” You might want to see if she has a very large dog…or one of the zoo’s wolves might have gotten loose. It’s going to be a long damn night for all of us.”

His old eyes widened at the size but there was one thing that was clear, they were canine in origin. Four sets of bloodied paw prints lead off into a direct before disappearing right at the wall. In his hand was yellow marker with a number and the camera close held in his other hand. Never had he ever missed evidence before but now, that had changed. Something skitter across the old man’s calm, a foul and shattering sense that told him he wouldn’t like to meet this thing in the dark alley. Ever.

******

Golden delighted wolf eyes took in the scene below, a long bluish tongue looped to the side of the gleaming curled canines sharper than knives. Black lips curled back in a snarl, bunched nose showed dislike of Chance’s presence near the male cops emitting a low, threatening growl. Large paws redden with dried blood of days old kill flaked away in little chucks as the tendons tightened with tension. Ears pulled back against the urge to lounge forward, plummeting ten stories down to the rock hard pavement just to experience the predatory thrill of defending his claim. Tear in their soft, helpless flesh and fill its mouth full of the blood’s rustic taste. The thoughts were interrupted at once.

My, my, you know better…

A deceptive honeyed voice became a shrill sound in creature’s ears, embedded in the mind causing the large wolf to whine. The front paw raised up to block it out, failing to protect it from the alpha’s commands and his scolding driving painful nail in to the creature leaving it nothing more than a whimpering whelp. Its long wiry tail found white belly plastered to contours beneath well muscular figure. Fur shifted, wind caressed it into waves as it moved passed unheeded of the suffering.

Now, will you be a good mongrel and listen to me? Or must I take pleasure in hurting you more?

A low high-pitched whine echoed understanding but it didn’t stop the pressure about the throat, suffocated and slowly crushed the windpipe cutting off all sources of life. Its corded forepaws collapsed beneath it quick enough. In mere moments, the hind legs followed quickly behind as the wolf became a quivering mass of unpleasant flesh and fur, pleading though weak whimpers for mercy. The light in the red eyes slowly died only to come back in full light, air filled deflated lungs chilling pain filling the need to live.

Good… now you watch, and this is the important part, but don’t touch, understand? Not now at least.

A simple snap of jaws was the proper answer; the voice became sickly sweet dripping the alpha’s dark words of pleasure before vanishing. His laughter left a black feeling traveling up and down the animal, dread killing the earlier notions like paper in the furnace’s inferno. Ears remained against the narrow head and the voice continued to echo inside, leaving bitter and cold sensations in its departure. The alpha’s words were law.

Delightful you understand, please don’t forget it. Your corpse wouldn’t get the job done that I had in mind, now would it?

[Lyzan]

Eric Cosswell shook his head as he glanced over his shoulder. It was his reply to the woman's question. Indeed there wasn't any other choice. And it was also due to two reasons. Firstly, she was the woman who called the victim to this place. She was Chance, Chance Deacon. Secondly, Eric hadn't mention to her that it was Nick who was murdered. In fact, Joseph had yet to identify the body and to confirm if it was or wasn't Nick. But she already knew. Another puzzling fact arised. The message in the phone was dated about two days ago. As well was the age of decay he'd observed while helping the coroner. Therefore, this Chance woman couldn't have returned to the crime scene like they did in the movies unless if she was being told that the police were here. Futhermore, should't she be here that night if she was to meet the victim? Why hadn't she contacted the cops then? Why was she here, now, instead? And at this hour? Something wasn't right. There were too much coincedence. One far too many no matter how convenient they were for Eric.

"I'll remember to ask her that, Joseph. You best get back to the lab, soon;" Eric said before he headed for the car.

"Watch your head, Miss;" said Jake as he opened the door for Chance.

"Jake, first thing tomorrow morning; I want you to contact the local zoo and find out if they'd any missing wolves. Also, contact animal control and have them search this place for a huge dog. Have them put it down before contacting the coroner,"

"Got it," replied Jake before he entered the passenger seat. "Eric? Is something wrong?" his partner asked as Jake noticed the sudden turning of Eric's head and that serious look he had, making the timid cop nervous and paused in his track.

The door to the driver seat clicked and swung halfway out before it froze. Night breeze swept across his face, chill and almost bone bitingly cold. His brown eyes focused, staring into the night. Constantly inhaling the pungent of decay as if to divide the smell. Hairs on the nape of his neck stood on ends. A hand rested over his revolver in the holster. His thumb unclipping the safety strap and his forefingers already sliding for the trigger. Eric's gaze swept across the road before him. Something was amiss. The air was stirring. It wasn't like any other night. He shut his eyes, taking a moment longer than it took to blink. Shadows lurking. Eric freed his mind. Allowing it to guide him towards the discomforting feeling. What was it? What were they? He swallowed. Eyes. They were pairs of eyes and they were casted upon them. To the corners of the road, he looked. To the room where the coroner still was, he glanced. Then he paused and slowly raised his gaze floor by floor of the buildings on both sides. Every windows, he scanned. Every level, he thoroughly swept.

"Eric?"

"Get in the car, Jake. Report to control that we're on our way back to the station with a suspect," Eric said.

Jake immediately entered without much argument with the sargent. He reached for the radio and did as he was told while his nervousness evidently showed as he peered out from the windshield. The simple report sounded as if it was an emergency as Jake stumble over his own words. When Eric finally entered, Jake was done and was almost covered in cold sweat.

"What the fuck has gotten into you?"

"Umm.."

Eric wind down the window and shifted into gear before he drove by the ambulance and looked into the room where Joseph seemed to be clearing up. His eyes shifted to the rooftop briefly before he made the turn out of the street and was on the road.

"Y..you were so serious back there, man.. What happened?"

"Nothing..."

"Nothing?"

"Nothing.. What're you? A parrot? It was nothing.." he paused before looking over to his partner. "Have you gotten the notes for what to do tomorrow? And the timing for the reports?"

"Yes... yes.. I have.."

"Good.. When we get back, you focus on the reports and have some coffee while I speak with Miss Chance. Got me?"

Jake nodded. Eric then glanced on woman in the rear-view mirror.

"What were you doing there at such late hour, Miss Chance?"

[Fallenreaper]

“Don’t you think I know that? I don’t like it here as it is so what reason I would have to be here any longer than I have to be. I just need to finish this up and I will go damn.” his voice cracked as he pulled himself up and limped to the ambulance, the camera placed in the back as he proceeded to take samples of the bloody paws along with measurements and the works. Missing key parts made him irritable beyond words even while the chill crept into his bones. This time he was sure to make sure the scene was complete. He would be almost finished just as the car’s headlight grazed along his back lighting his form up in its departure.

Chance saw that look, it made her almost snap at him and let the mask of innocence slip down revealing the true her. The scared, weak and the spiteful woman that hated the thing called her life. She knew she was fucked the moment the words slipped out. It made it clear she knew more than they did, the questions that went though the one’s head was only a guess to Chance now. God how she wished the part of mindreading was true right now. It would ease the train wreck traveling though her peace, shattering the reins Chance fought over with her calm crippling it.

The woman ducked into the car, unwanted memories of less pleasant times as she shifted to the other side. Her well tone leg crossed over the other while her elbow found a comfortable nook into the arm rest, her face turned to the barrier between the driver and passenger. Every bit of her oval face relaxed, drained into a blank expression completely unreadable as the past flooded into her mind. It was the last day she spent in a police vehicle. It was also the day she killed her father.

Her hands were quaking, the old man’s blood scattered as she wiped with shaky fingers the droplets that collected upon her young cheeks. Everything had happened so quickly, no time to think before the handgun’s hard trigger was pulled at the instance he came with raised fist at her. Gage was ten when it happened and their mother had long since left, their protection gone with her bags. Chance, the woman smirked at the irony of her name, was the one who bore the blunt of his anger and carried the yellowing bruises of it, the only remnant from that day traced along the hairline along her neck. Faintly there it laid to the lazy glance but a flaw to the sharp one was thin jagged scar. Her right hand grazed over it taking in its bumpy texture.

The only thing she got was a slap on the wrist and few years in a detention center, the gun was unregistered, bought from a local gang member- a friend’s connection, due to her young age, fourteen was too young to be considered a killer yet. Chance just wanted to melt that part of her life, the two times she was caught with minor possession and the self-defense charge, away into nothing. That was her past. Now she was in deep shit and history was bond to come up again, dragging her and Gage along with it. Why couldn’t she keep her mouth shut thought Chance as a voice broke herself scolding, causing her eyes to drift to the source so distracted in the memories of earlier was in that she failed to note Eric’s unease.

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you officer. Few do. I was hoping like hell it wasn’t Nick, God did I wish was anyone but him. I can’t believe this is happening again,” Chance spoke with a bleak tone, her eyes met Eric’s in tired sort of way,” When we get to the police station, I have call to make. I am allowed at least one phone call aren’t I?” The tone was bit more irritated than she intended but Chance blamed it on stress and the fact of being in the back seat staring though the divider.

*******

The wolf ducked down, hiding its massive grey shape from sight blunt nails clicked against the concrete quietly in its haste. His eyes turned away as his view of the scene became obstructed by the hasty retreat. Its flesh rippled with aggravation unable to determine if it was seen or not, something was wrong, the sense tugged at his predatory mind at the cop’s reaction. It was like he felt his presence or knew something was watching him. Prey was over aware, much to the creature’s amusement. Claws dug into the rough build’s top leaving white marks like chalk lines.

Muscle flowed with action as the wolf lengthened his body, his forepaws hit the wall in front while he kicked off to the other as its bulk hit the metal fire escape upon the brother building’s edge following it downwards. Bars, spaced an inch apart rattled slightly with the weight of the creature while his sinews snapped from the motion towards the ground. Each recoiled heated the chill in the air causing wisps of grey sweat to roll off it easily. Bulges creased his mangy, ratted fur curling power rushed it onwards effortlessly in the shadows.

The animal knew its job. She wasn’t to be let out of sight, not for a moment even as his body slammed down into the pavement beneath. Ignored the soft shouts of Joseph’s voice as the elderly coroner heard the rumble of trash cans from the wolf’s landing, the animal burst forth in a streak of grey farther avoiding the coroner with amazing grace from its large body by ducking into alley’s back ways. Twists and turns were the hidden path but never once did the car disappear from its sight. A wicked idea made its lips curl back into a menacing grin as it put forth an explosion of speed, the pace increased tenfold to outpace the car.

The alpha’s command had its loop holes and the wolf almost howled at finding one. It couldn’t touch, only watch but there was nothing about being seen. More perfectly, paws waltz into the middle of stretch of street a fair distance from the growing police car. The body braced itself as tingling with the impulse to jump; coat bristled out to increase the size, almost doubling it. White canine’s glistened at the manmade beast lazily approaching its held position. It waited, letting the headlights flood its form and if the driver hadn’t seen it yet, the wolf full intended on jumping upon the hood traveling up the spine splintering the windshield given the chance. Either way whether the car veered off the road or tried to run him down, the creature would long gone by the time the men got out. Nothing more than smoke in the wind leaving only the chaos of its presence.

[Lyzan]

He held her lazy gaze for a moment. Listening to her words through the partition mirror. From her statement and her request, Eric figured that it's not the first time she'd seated in the back of a patrol car. She knew her rights. At least the interrogation would be somewhat smooth. Or so Eric thought. It'll go either with the whole truth of her innocence or with lies about it. She'd been cooperative so far. Or was it her experience that'd caused her to be calm in a situation like this. Even though the odds were against her, Eric knew there weren't enough evidence to keep her locked up. Maybe for a few hours as per protocol but not any longer than that. Information was what he needed. If she could provide enough during that time, she may go early. But there was something else that bugged the hell out of Eric. Her message. She was scared. Of what? Of who? The questions returned to him. This Nick guy must've known. And if he was killed because of that knowledge, then this girl in the back seat might be in danger as well. Protective custody? Eric hoped it wouldn't come to that. Well, not that he'll object if it comes down to it though.

"You can tell me about it when we get back to the station, Miss Chance. I may be that few who might believe you. You never know. And yes, you do get to make one phonecall;" said Eric before he returned his gaze to the road.

As soon as he did, what he first thought was a huge boulder in the middle of the road clearly wasn't. There was a pair of glistening nocturnal eyes staring back at him before rows of exposed fangs could be seen. In that split second, he reached for the gun by his side. Unhindered by the safety strap which he'd unclipped earlier, the draw was quick and spontaneous. Time seemed to slow down then. His focus locked onto the creature that was slowly beginning to reveal itself as the headlights washed over it. The creature's reaction was fast though. It came for the vehicle head on. Leaping over the hood with ease. Eric made quick calculation and adjusted his wrist ahead of the creature's leap. A round was fired from his hip to the roof instataneously right after the windshield burst in. Eric fired another round as he brought the gun up to his shoulder and aimed a little further down the roof, following the creature's path. His legs then slammed hard on both the clutch and the brakes before he pulled hard the steering wheel down towards the left. Immediately, the car skidded into a halt with the driver's door facing the direction where the creature was headed. Eric already had his gun pointed in that direction out of his window. Two more shots fired as his left hand punched the safety belt before pushing the door opened. He stepped out of the car and stared into the darkness after he took a couple of steps down the road. Gun still pointing towards the shadows.

Night breeze greeted him in the face. The smell of burnt tire, gunpowder and smoke wafted into the atmosphere. Glass crackled in the background before the creatures of the night made their presence known. Jake was whimpering in the car. He was as if clinging for dear life on the door. His eyes shut and his mouth clammed tightly together. A leg wrapping around the other, trying to hold himself in. But the fear of death was too much for the man. Heated fluid then flowed down the insides of his thighs, emitting the pungent smell of urine within the vehicle. He cowered further into the corners of his seat.

"Alr... Alright.. Alright.. Fuck man... I believe you... It was nothing.. I believe you, man.. Please.. Put the gun down, man.. Fuck..." Jake whined.

Obviously Jake hadn't seen what Eric had just witnessed. His first thought was that Eric had gone rogue. He thought his partner was pissed off at his timid nature. Jake muttered to himself then. Repeating that he wanted to go back. Begging for Eric to calm down. Slowly, with much effort after gathering the wits to turn his head towards the driver seat, Jake realized that his partner was already out of the car and on the road. He sighed in relief but not entirely calmed. His heart was still racing. Then he took in the splintered windshield and the bullet hole as well as the dented roof. His jaw dropped. Awed and stunned. An accident? The poor man thought. Jake turned to look at his partner. As he saw Eric turned around, he could've sworn he saw Eric's eyes glowing. But when his partner blinked and returned to the vehicle, they were normal again.

"What the fuck..?" he whispered before shaking his head and rubbing his eyes.

Eric holstered his gun and slid back into his seat. He then turned to face Chance in the back before eyeing Jake.

"Is everybody alright?" Eric asked before he slammed the door shut and drove off.

"Wha..? ...Yeah.. I guess.. What the fuck were you firing at, man?"

"I'm not quite sure. I don't think a bear could move that fast but I think it's some wild animal or something. You didn't see it?"

"No.. No, man.. I was umm.. I was..." Jake glanced to the rear view mirror. "I was studying her.."

"I want top priority on the local zoo reports tomorrow, Jake;" he paused before giving his partner a disgusted look. "Damn it, Jake. Did you just pissed yourself in the car?"

Soon, they'd reached their destination. Eric parked the vehicle and took a moment to look at the damage. He wasn't sure if he'd gotten even a shot in on the thing that he saw. But it was worth the try. Whatever it was, it wouldn't look good on the reports. Hardly believable. Luckily, the vehicle could be the proof to any doubt that might occur.

"Make the necessary reports, Jake. And do that after you've cleaned yourself up. Miss Chance, if you'll follow me to make that phonecall of yours and start with the questioning, the night might end young. This way please."