My phone buzzed with notification after notification but I ignored it. I groan and covered my ears with my pillow.

My bones feel like butter. I didn't think just having a fan meeting could get me so tired. Besides that having to bail Leon out of jail and watching Yasmin threaten to expose the racist man so he would drop the thought of charging Leon. It was an amazing sight to see. The man whimpered like a puppy from fear. Still it was nerve wracking and I hate to be put under so much stress.

The sound of notification just wouldn't stop so I grab it if the night table dragging my arm and opened one eye to check my screen. I read the top notification.

"Meet me in the same restaurant we meet for the first time. Today at seven pm." From Jake.

"Why?" I type as I tired to stop a yawn from coming out.

"There's something very important that I have to tell you." He types back right then. Why is he so eager to to me?

I drag my weight and flopped on the disk in my room turning around in my chair anxiously as I played with my pen. I reread his message over and over trying to discern what may be the reason for this message. I don't have a clue what he wants to talk about or why he's using such a weird tone with me. He used to be so bubbly and know he sounds so serious it's unsettling. I put the pen my drawer and opened my laptop. I haven't been writing for so long I think I forgot the plot of my own story. I don't want to have to read my own story just to remember the plot points I wanted to include. I don't know if that only happens to me but with time I almost feel like a foreigner reading my own stories. That probably sounds ridiculous cause even I don't understand it myself.

I had slept. On top of my laptops keyboard. My left check was imprinted with the outline of the keyboard. I feel even more tired then before I slept. It's probably because I slept in such an uncomfortable position. Five and fifty minutes. The blue outline of the electronic clock in front of me glowed in my vision even when I looked away. Wait. I'm going to be late. I wonder what Jake want to talk about like this. It's getting more and more suspicious. Maybe he knows who gladiolus is? I just can't think of any reason why he would be acting so strange.

I jump up and grabbed a coat before sprinting downstairs. By this time it would be faster to run there then to wait for the next bus.

And of course it had to happen when I decide to run. It rains. I almost slipped a few times but thankfully I reached the restaurant in one piece. I entered all drenched in rain and one employee eyes me. I mouth an 'I'm sorry' and took my coat off to wring some of the water off. One waiter comes to take my coat for me so I thank her and started to look around for Jake.

I spot him in the corner.

"So what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?" I asked trying to get comfortable on the wooden chair as I rubbed my hands together to warm them up. I'm starting to shiver from the cold.

"It's me." he mumbled then looks me right in the eye with a deadpan expression. He puts his phone on the table and presses the speaker button.

"I am gladiolus."

I freeze. Did my ears malfunction for a second. I blink at Jake.

"Very funny kid. This is the hundredth prank call we've got . Look here child, we don't have time for this. There's a murderer on the loose. Don't waste our time." The man on speaker lectures with an annoyed tone. He seems to be an officer.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Jake clears his throat and I look back at him. This is a prank huh? This isn't even funny. I can't believe I had to run in the rain for this.

"It really is me. I'll come hand myself in soon. You know there isn't any DNA evidence so I can't prove it that way but I didn't have an alibi any of the nights the murders where committed."

There was silence for a moment then the man gives in. It seems he still thinks it's some sort of prank call. "Fine when you hand yourself in we'll do the investigation." He sighs. "What's your name?"

"Jake Stefani." He states then hangs up and then looks back at me. The same blank expression he had on since the beginning didn't even change one bit. Dark pitiless orbs with some desperation lingering in his eye wrinkles.

"Why?" I asked. That's all I could think off. Why would he decide to take matters into his own hands and kill all these people. Why he had to use my book as a pamphlet.

Jake crosses his arms. "I think you know why."

My brows creased. What does he mean by that? "Why?" I asked again. "Why are you doing this? Why are you making me hear this? Are you trying to show of? What's your purpose?" I spit out every question I can think of as I searched his face for any signs of deception.

"You know why. Don't ask me. I can't believe this is happening either." Jake refuses to give me anything more.

I stare at him and he stares back. I can't read his face. I don't know if he's scared or pissed or whatever. He's playing poker.

"Tomorrow I'll be handing myself in." He adds. It seems like I wasn't the only one trying to read body and fascial expressions. Jake frowns the shakes his head.

"Okay?" I mumble my head drowning in confused.

"Bye." He stands up abruptly and leaves without another word.

I take my coat and walked back home. Fortunately the rain stopped but now it was windy. I felt the wind right in my bones. It felt longer than before walking down the same road.

The next day news where blowing up. The name gladiolus has been declared the most searched on goggle. Jakes face was everywhere.

The next few days it rained every morning and evening. I don't know why the sky is so sad. Today the rain was soft. The type you can walk in without getting all that drenched. I took a walk around the neighbourhood than came back!

I spot a figure walking in front of my door. I squint my eyes to try and make out who it was. Leon stood at the door. Water dropped from his hair. In his hand was a paper.

"What's up?"

"You're finally here." He says, his voice quivered at the end from the cold. "Hurry open up the door."

He runs in, grabs a cover and wraps himself with it then flops down on the couch. He holds up the paper in his hand and reads it out load.

"Blood runs cold. Lucifer puts on an angels disguise. Silent screams of orphans. The mind may forget the pain but the heart never does. I shall rip the mask off his face while he screams in anguish."

I pause and frowned. This makes no sense. "What is this? Wasn't he arrested? How did he send this then?" I grab the paper from Leon and inspected it.

"So it's not him." Leon mumbles, deep in thought.

"What do you mean?" I understand what he meant but I want him to elaborate more. I think I might go crazy by the end of this.

"How can Jake be gladiolus if gladiolus is still sending letters when Jake is in prison?" He pondered. I figured that much but the possibility that Jake really isn't gladiolus has tainted my thoughts. I don't know how to think anymore.

"I know it makes no sense but then we have no clue no leads.... nothing." I said.

"Even though it looks exactly like the ones gladiolus sends and I don't think anyone disclosed its details to the public. It's either the real gladiolus or someone trying to impersonate him that knows too much." Leon deduced as he cracked his fingers. "We're back to square one." He mumbles almost to himself.

"It's like we've been going swimming in quicksand." I say. It feels like I've been falling from the same cliff over and over but there doesn't seem to be an end.

Leon right brow raises. "I don't understand what that means but I don't have time for this." He spits them puts both his hands on the sides of his head. He looks like he's about to rip his hair off.

The sound of a familiar ringtone fills the room.