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Elvis Everyday
It's Now Or Never

It's Now Or Never

(A report from the desk of Police Inspector Roseline Baptiste)

Translated from Haitian Creole

Looking up at the man, Elvis. I knew I had to act quickly to make sure he and his friend couldn't escape again. Roseline rolls a 19 on her initiative check. I made for the near door to get inside and trying it I found it was locked. Roseline rolls an 18 on strength check to break down the door. Out of frustration I attempted to force the door and the end result unfortunately, was just a sore shoulder. I ran to the side of the building frantically looking for another entrance. Roseline rolls a 5 on a perception check. I must have made a wrong turn. I did not see a door here. I decided to run for the rear of the building. Roseline rolls a 12 on the next perception check. I quickly located a back door, I sprinted towards it and reached for the handle. Success, it’s unlocked. I hurried in and continued through the cramped hallway. Roseline rolls a Nat 1 on the next perception check. These halls are mirrored in a way that makes the whole building feel like a labyrinth. Then out of options and rapidly running out of time, I knock on the closest door. An elderly gentleman answered. The man had dark skin, snow white hair, he wore slacks and a sweater with a matching pair of slippers. I flashed my badge and apologized for disturbing him. Roseline rolls a 19 on a diplomacy check. Hehad a very friendly smile and politely pointed me in the right direction of the stairs. I was back to running, against the clock, against the odds. I had already wasted too much time getting lost, I couldn’t afford to slow down now. Roseline rolls an 11 on a perception check. Sprinting up the stairs I realize there's another set up footsteps. Obviously not coming down or I’d have seen them. Roseline rolls a 6 on a fortitude save against fatigue. I made it up to the top floor but all the running had started to catch up with me. I pushed the hall door open and ran down the hall in the direction I remembered seeing Elvis last. Roseline rolls a 9 on an intelligence check. Knowing I was flagging and rapidly slowing down put my mental abilities into overdrive. I ran to the room I had previously spotted Elvis in. Roseline rolls a natural 20 to bash the door. This time with the weaker door and some momentum I easily slam my way into the room. As I look around I see the men gone. Damn that noise had been them, however I still have one trick up my sleeve. I looked down and grabbed the charm around my neck, it was still pulsing frantically. I took it from my neck and began aiming it around the room to see if I could focus the direction. It is for sure the roof. Bursting back into the hall. I have definitely lost a step of my pace. Making it back to the stairs I begin climbing for the roof. Roseline rolls a natural 1 on a fortitude save against fatigue. My legs and lungs were both burning from exhaustion. I tried desperately to push through the pain, but in doing so I missed a step. Roseline rolls an unnatural 1 on a reflex save. I reach out to catch myself, but my body is too worn, too slow now. I hit the stairs with a loud thud. I feel the wind rush out of my lungs as my chest collides with the steps. I begin to roll back down the stairs unable to stop, helpless to slow my flailing body. Finally my momentum is topped with another loud thud as I collide with the landing at the bottom of this set of steps. As I lay there gasping for air the name from my dream echoed in my head again…Papa Legba. Everything went dark, I don't know how long I was out. When I finally regained consciousness I was warm like I was being held. Looking up my gaze was met by a very familiar pair of ice blue eyes. “Hey Rosie, you okay?”

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