Section 1: Clues at Harbor Mart
Location: Habor Mart
Time: Day
A few days had passed since Zel and Kiria had discovered the old camera hidden away in Bob’s home. They had arranged to meet at the entrance of Harbor Mart to hand the peculiar device over to Jamal for further analysis.
As Jamal received the camera, he inspected it with a blend of curiosity and scrutiny, pondering its mechanics. “This is a camera, right?” Jamal asked, his brows furrowed in intrigue.
“Yes,” Zel confirmed, his tone straightforward.
Jamal turned the camera over in his hands, his expression one of fascination. “I’ve never seen a model quite like this. How does it work?” he queried, looking from Zel to Kiria.
Zel, admittedly unsure about the intricate workings of the device, nodded towards Kiria. She, understanding the device better, did not hesitate to jump in. “Let me show you how it’s set up,” she offered eagerly, beginning to explain the camera’s functions.
As Kiria concluded her explanation, Jamal’s investigative instincts kicked in. He shifted his focus from the camera to the circumstances surrounding its last use. “Can you tell me more about what happened on the day Bob disappeared—or was taken, should we say?” he asked, his voice carrying a professional edge of inquiry.
Kiria paused for a moment, collecting her thoughts before she delved into the events of that fateful day. “Bob and I were just wrapping up some work when I stepped out to buy him some beer since he was out. When I returned, all I found was chaos—his workshop was a mess, parts from his mechanical projects were strewn everywhere, and there was blood mixed with ashes spread across the living room,” she recounted, her voice steady but tinged with the distress of the memory.
Jamal listened intently, absorbing every detail. “Did Bob ever mention having troubles with anyone? How was he feeling that day? Did anything about his demeanor seem off to you?” he pressed, his questions precise and measured.
Reflecting on her interactions with Bob, Kiria responded, “Bob was always open and friendly—hardly the type to stir up trouble. And that day, he was in high spirits, as joyful as ever.”
“I see,” Jamal murmured, his mind racing with possibilities. “And the ashes you mentioned—did you notice them before heading out?”
“No, I didn’t,” Kiria replied, her curiosity piqued. “Is there a connection to his disappearance?”
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
“Oh, just gathering all the details,” Jamal responded with a nonchalant shrug, though his tone suggested he was piecing together a larger puzzle.
Kiria, however, remained skeptical of Jamal’s casual dismissal. She couldn’t shake the feeling that the question about the ashes was more significant than he let on. He’s definitely onto something more, she thought to herself, her instincts as a reporter telling her there was a deeper story unfolding.
As their conversation wrapped up, Zel leaned in closer to Jamal, lowering his voice. “There’s something else I need to discuss with you, something sensitive.”
Recognizing the seriousness of the moment, Kiria gave a small nod, understanding the need for privacy. With a soft grunt of acknowledgment, she excused herself, stepping away to give them space, her mind still turning over the mysteries they were uncovering.
With Kiria stepping aside, Zel seized the opportunity to share the sensitive information he had been holding back.
"Jamal, there's something crucial I needed to tell you in person, not over the phone," Zel began, his tone serious.
Jamal's interest piqued, he prompted, "Go on, what is it?"
"It's about a friend of mine, Black. His mother died under mysterious circumstances, which I suspect might be connected to the case we're looking into," Zel disclosed.
Intrigued and slightly amused by Zel's reliance on intuition, Jamal couldn't help but chuckle softly. "Just a hunch, huh?" he said, finding Zel's method both unconventional and intriguing.
Zel nodded, unfazed by Jamal's reaction. "Yes, during one of our discussions, he mentioned that the autopsy report showed his mother’s lungs were scorched from the inside out. What's more, the police have been dragging their feet on the investigation."
Jamal's professional curiosity was now fully engaged. "That's certainly unusual. How long ago did this happen?" he asked, his mind already turning over the implications.
"It was shortly after my own parents' death, maybe two to three weeks," Zel replied, trying to pin down the timeline.
Jamal's expression grew thoughtful. "This could indeed be linked to our killer. Do you have Black's contact information?" he inquired, already considering the next steps in his investigation.
"Absolutely, here it is," Zel said, pulling out his phone to share Black’s number.
After Zel passed along the contact details, he and Kiria bid Jamal a quick farewell and headed into the store.
Left alone, Jamal’s mind was abuzz with questions and theories. “Why hasn’t any information about this case come my way? This is turning into quite the enigma,” he thought, mulling over his next moves. The idea of bringing it up to his superior crossed his mind, but he dismissed it almost immediately. “No, that’s too risky. Given the shady dealings of my boss and the mysterious deaths plaguing the city, I need to keep this close to the vest. I can’t afford to be another name on some hidden casualty list. “He resolved to pursue the investigation independently.
"I need to contact this Black as soon as possible," Jamal concluded, determination setting in as he started his car and drove off.
Section 2: Revelations and Reflections
Location: Skull’s Home
Time: Day
Scene One: Awakening and Discovery
Over at Skull's residence, Black had just regained consciousness and was puzzled by the events of the previous night.
"What happened last night?" he wondered aloud, grappling with fragmented memories. "I remember training with Skull, then suddenly everything went black." Gingerly, he made his way downstairs, still piecing together the snippets of the evening.
As he descended the stairs,...