Burton Grove mourned the death of my fellow law enforcer. They were given a hero's funeral together with the remembrance of those innocent civilians who died inside the hotel. It's a sad day for Burton Grove.
But it's definitely not a rest day for law enforcers like me. We still have an investigation to do. The killer of Kendra Muller is out there. Roaming around breathing free air.
"I can't believe Norwood did it. It's just so f*cking coward! He took so many lives with him so that he can escape justice!" Oliver has been raving about how mad he is for what Norwood did. Even I felt rage inside of me. Some of those law enforcers who died in the explosion are our batchmates in the academy. They were all good people.
"There's no point on dwelling, man. What we can do is honor those who died by doing our jobs better. Especially those law enforcers, they died in the line of duty. It was an honorable death. Us who were left alive have the responsibility to do right by
I've been out of focus ever since we had lunch with Mary Sue and her suitor. I don't know why but it just affects me most unpleasantly. Then there's the fact that we still don't have any suspect for the Muller case. Guzman and Miller have constantly reminded me of my failure, and I'm starting to believe them. How good am I if I can't even find a single suspect?As always, Oliver never fails to calm me down and remind me that I have more accomplishment than failure. But that doesn't help to lessen the disappointment I'm feeling towards myself. I can't let this case go cold. I have to find the killer."There's another dead body found at the riverside. The same spot where your victim was found." One of our desk officers informed me.Not wasting any minute, I hurriedly walked towards Oliver's desk to grab his jacket, his food, and him. He was complaining, but when he saw our Forensic team rushing out of the station, he shut up and got into the car.When we ar
Simpson's laptop provided little information. Yes, we found the chat messages with this guy she met online, but the profile doesn't say much about the person. Our tech people can't locate his IP address. They are not giving up, though. They are still trying.Having three murdered women in our city never happened before. This is something that not even I have ever dreamed of. I grew up in Burton Grove, and our worst problem was the gang who tried to own the city."Chris! Come here, now!" Oliver's voice gave me panic, but I ran towards them anyway. He went to the tech lab to see if there's anything they got from Simpson's laptop."Why? What did you find?" I asked immediately."We got a hit, it took a while, but we were able to do it." The tech personnel showed the laptop. It got multiple mini-screens showing."Where?" The tech person showed me the map.I knew that place. I will never forget that place. That was where we used to play when we we
When I got home last night, Mary Sue talked to my sister Melissa in our living room. Even though it was awkward, Mary Sue still invited me to her sister's birthday. Knowing Heather, her birthday party is going to be loud and wild. That's the big difference between her and Mary Sue.They are like the north and the south pole. Very much different from one another. While Heather is the liberated, wild daughter, Mary Sue is the sweet and innocent one. Even when we were younger, Heather would always be involved in some catfights. I can still remember that day when Heather broke Gertha's nose.Though it's not her fault because Gertha was bullying her, still, in a town like Burton Grove, women were not supposed to be violent. They were supposed to be proper ladies, well-mannered. The thing is, Heather is not that kind of lady."Chris! Oliver's here. It looks like an emergency." I heard Melissa's voice coming from the stairs. I finished fixing myself and ran down to the
After that protest of Mr. Simpson, people started pointing at everyone that they thought could be possible suspects. Anyone who looks suspicious or even someone who's not handsome enough was deemed suspicious. Burton Grove is in total chaos, and our department couldn't do anything about it.Even Guzman has been quiet since he handled the missing woman. He hasn't found anything that could tell the whereabouts of the woman. The reports of missing women have been rampant in cities, and none of us can figure out what is going on. Hundreds of angry parents have been appearing on tv networks, insulting and humiliating their city police."Oliver! It's your mom," Our desk officer announced. His face screamed of bad news, and I can see Oliver's worried face looked at me. I can feel something's wrong, and so did Oliver.My eyes followed Oliver until he reached for the phone. He took a big gulp of his soda before putting the receiver against his ears. Slowly, Oliver's reac
-Flashback-"Ted, your cousins are looking for you." Theodore Burnett's mother announced from down the stairs.Most kids would rush down, excited to see their cousins. Most of them would actually beg their parents to let them play outside the house. But not Ted or Theodore Burnett.Since he was a baby, Ted never really smiles. When he grew up, he only smiles when someone got hurt. His family noticed his uncommon behavior, but they thought that it was because he's still a child.What many people don't know is that Theodore is no ordinary child. He started from animals. He would catch a fly and pluck its wing. But as he grew up, his choice of animal grew too. Small, cute, innocent little puppies. He would hang them upside down, slowly pull their bodies and break their bones.-End of Flashback-"Hilary, did anybody told you that you are beautiful?" The only response he got was a groan and a sniff.Hilary was tied to post, her hair was me
Since the third body was found on the riverside, media people never left us alone. They kept an eye on our every move. Even when we were just having lunch, they are still everywhere."God damn it!" Oliver cursed as soon as he sat on his recliner."What's the matter, man?""Those damn reporters are outside my house! My mom just got out of the hospital, and now she's being stressed by those vultures!""Calm down, man. You know you can't be affected by those sons of b*tches.""If something happens to my mom, I'm going to kill every one of them.""Oli, calm down."Oliver smacked his fist on his table. He really looked mad. I can't understand those reporters. They don't even know the meaning of privacy or respect! What is wrong with those people?Instead of telling him to calm down, I let him feel his anger. Sometimes, that's what people need. I just pray that no one messes with Oliver right now because that will be the last mistake
Just like I thought, Auntie Nora had a heart attack on the third day that Mildred was missing. She was so broken up and worried that something terrible might have happened to her granddaughter. She's still in the hospital.Oliver has been working nonstop to find Mildred. I would go home late, but he would stay at the station. And when I come back the following morning, he would still be there. I can't blame him. Mildred is his niece. His own blood."Hey, man. Are you even sleeping?" I greeted him after sitting at my recliner. He didn't even notice me when I arrived."Yeah," Oliver responded."Come on, man. You can't keep this up. You have to sleep, too. You need to rest.""Hey, man. Look at this. I've been watching this CCTV footage. It was from a traffic cam near the hospital. This one is the CCTV from inside the hospital. Look at the time that the car took the road going to the back of the hospital. Now, look at the time when Mildred went out to
Every day is like The Purge for us. People are hoarding around the station. Family of the two murder victims and the two missing women. Reporters who feed on chaos for scoops are also swarming outside the station. We've been featured on news programs almost every day."Detective! Detective Angeles! Can we get a statement?""Detective, do you have a lead on those murders?""Do you have a suspect?"Each day I go to work, I'd be welcome by people who want answers. It's been weeks that I tried to crack my skull to find something to tell us who the killer is. That freaking car is like a trademark of the town. Almost half of the people of Burton Grove have the exact vehicle in their garage."Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!" Oliver punched his desk repeatedly out of frustration."Stop it, Oli. You're just hurting yourself." I shook my head. He looked like a zombie because of lack of sleep and exhaustion."It's been four days, Chris! Four days sin
Oliver's POV"We have a missing woman in Normson City."One of our police officers announced. We were monitoring every missing woman in at city to ensure that if Theodore will strikes again, we would know. After he escaped prison, it's like we were just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Meaning, we are just waiting for another dead woman to turn up."How old? Victim's profile?" Chris asked."Twenty-two years old, business owner."Damn it! When Chris picked up his jacket, I too, did the same. The missing woman fits Theodore's victim profile. We have to check it out. Until Theodore Burnett was found, we can't ignore any possibility that he is killing again. For the past three weeks, we have been in constant communication with other cities in the region to gain access to their missing person's reports."Did you get the addressof the family?" I asked Chris."Yeah, I got it."Without wasting any precious time, Chris and I went to
Oliver's POV"We have a missing woman in Normson City."One of our police officers announced. We were monitoring every missing woman in at city to ensure that if Theodore will strikes again, we would know. After he escaped prison, it's like we were just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Meaning, we are just waiting for another dead woman to turn up."How old? Victim's profile?" Chris asked."Twenty-two years old, business owner."Damn it! When Chris picked up his jacket, I too, did the same. The missing woman fits Theodore's victim profile. We have to check it out. Until Theodore Burnett was found, we can't ignore any possibility that he is killing again. For the past three weeks, we have been in constant communication with other cities in the region to gain access to their missing person's reports."Did you get the addressof the family?" I asked Chris."Yeah, I got it."Without wasting any precious time, Chris and I went to
Every now and then, Theodore Burnett would go to the where he was born. There were so many memories on that place that most of the times, he wants to bury deep in his heart. But, sometime, like today, he wants to remember who he was, and how it all began.His condition made him interested in psychology. Though, not to the point that he wanted to make a degree out of it. He just wanted to learn enough to understand himself. But, no matter how hard he looked, nothing can actually explain what is really going on in his mind."This city hasn't change at all." Theodore whispered to himself. Everytime he visits the city, it's going back in time. Back when he was still young. That awkward teenager that doesn't fit in anything.He always felt like no one is better than him. That he's the best, and no one can compare to him. His narcissistic attitude made him an outsider. Every kids his age always avoid him. They don't even want to be in the same group as him in any kind
Last time I saw Mary Sue, she looks truly happy. That crushed all the courage that I had in me. I wanted to talk to her. Not to tell her that I love her, and make her choose, but to tell that I love her, and because of that I want to see her happy. Even though her happiness doesn't include me.But, when I saw her with her new boyfriend, it was more than enough for me to know that I don't have to talk to her at all. She's happy with her, and that's all that matters. I don't have to ruin anything by expressing how I really feel about her."Chris? Hi! How are you?" I wanted to be swallowed by the ground right about now. I had no idea that I'd bump int Mary Sue tonight. I just wanted to take a walk to clear my head."Mary, hi. I'm good, you?""I'm doing great. Hey, listen. I heard about what happened to Melissa. What she went through that night, and what she's been going through right now, that's not easy. I know how much you love her, and I'm happy to know t
Theodore woke up an intense headache. He can feel that is clothes is soaked with sweat, as well as his old worn out mattress. The last thing that he remembered from last night the ringing in his ears. It's like he had nightmare, only the feeling was too vivid.He can still feel joint pain, especially on his shoulder, but he feels better now. Finally, the fever already broke. Just by looking outside of the burned building he chose to stay for a while, it's almost nightfall. It's a good thing because he could finally get out to get some food, and steal some medicine for his shoulder pain.After realizing how much troubles he is in, Theodore learned how to play it smart. He only still little amount in every store to avoid attention. One box of medicine from a pharmacy, at least five different brand of canned goods from a grocery store. It's the only way for him to stay off the radar."Alright, time to find some food." As soon the night came, Burnett snuck out of th
After the incident at the hidden falls, my parents became more focus on taking care of Melissa. They never left the house after what happened. Even my brothers have been so obsessed about helping her. She's still locking herself inside her room, but she's eating with us now, which I consider as a good thing.Today is my rest day, and I decided to stay at home to help my famil with sister. I was trying to thing of the best thing to do for her, but my mind is coming up blank. We've done everything we can, and I'm losing my mind just for thinking. Finally, I decided to just make her something to eat."Mel, can I come in, please?" I made her chicken soup, and her favorite egg sandwich. It didn't take long for Melissa to open the door. She still looks like she's not getting enough sleep."Yeah, come in." Mel said in a weak voice."Mel, you're still not sleeping well, yet?""No, I'm still having those nightmares. Sometimes, I can't even sleep at all beca
The cold wind blows as the rainy season approaches. It's been a long time since we last visited the hidden falls, but I can still remember how we enjoyed swimming. Melissa was sixteen yeas old when we last hang out in this place, but maybe she still remembers.Looking at my sister standing on the edge of the largest rock at the side of the crest. Jumping from the crest to the base is dangerous because the rocks in the bottom of the pool. I can see that she's trembling, and he eyes looks so scared, but I can't risk coming to her. I don't want to startle her, and give a reason to jump."Melissa, please. Just stay away from the edge, baby. Come on." I kept on trying to convince her to come to me, but she's not listening."Det. Angeles, we got it from here. Please stand aside." One of the crisis specialist asked me to step aside."Please, get her to safety." For the first time in a long time, I felt helpless. I can't even get my sister to listen to me.
As soon as the news about Theodore's escape came out in the news, the nightmare resurface. Now, the whole country thinks that Burton Grove system is not only incompetent, but also as neglectful. The national government is already involved before Burnett was caught. Now that he escaped, the national government want to be involved again.The airforce, the marines, the navies, every city police, and the national security is now hunting Theodore Burnett. His picture is constantly posted in every news, and commercials. It is now an official national manhunt. The president already issued a shoot to kill order against Burnett. Any officer of the law can kill him onsite, after he killed the police office who almost caught him.ABN News:"This is Angela Newman, from ABN News, reporting live. The convicted serial killer, and Burton Grove Penitentiary escapee, Theodore Burnett was supposedly spotted in this train station about an hour ago. According to witnesses, he was we
I haven't had a good sleep ever since Burnett went after my sister. Between the long hours I spent for work, and looking out of my sister, sleep is no longer necessary. Every day I come home from work, Melissa is having a nightmare. She refuses to see a psychiatrist, she refuses to talk to anybody. She won't even face her friends whenever they try to visit her.Our parents are worried about her, even our other relative. Almost all of our cousins already joined the citizen volunteers to find Theodore. And the chaos that he made is alive again. Most of the times, it's so hard to focus on my job, especially whenever I remember my sister."Chris, how's Melissa? I haven't had the time to visit her. I was so busy moving my mom, and my aunt. I'm sorry." Oliver apologized."She's not doing so good, Oli. Mark, Jeffrey, and I brought her to the lake, thinking that i will help her relax, but it didn't. She's too jumpy to be outside the house. She's scared of every sound. W