1

“It wasn’t dark, not like how the movies make you think. The room we were in was very bright, with colors splashed everywhere, almost innocent-looking, under different circumstances. No windows but the ones self-painted, child-like.”

Hope trembled trying to recall everything that occurred within the last day. Shook from the traumatic experience.

“Please continue,” ushered one of the therapists assigned to help the kidnappees.

“Right. Sorry. It was all a blur, when I first got taken I didn’t even get knocked out and the ride was smooth. I almost felt like an accomplice or a guest rather than a victim. I can’t speak for the other woman though. She was treated far worse than I was, and ended up dying when I can confirm she did nothing wrong.”

Our four heroes stood outside the two-way mirror silently listening to everything being said.

“I could kill him,” muttered Daniel.

“Same, it's personal now.” Agreed Eli.

“Shh you two, we need to hear this for the record. I have a lot to explain to the Captain. It would be best if I could hear,” spoke Campbell.

“He referred to me as a flower. I don’t know why he kept going on and on about roses. But he called the other woman Wisdom. It was freaky. Like he was talking beyond her instead of to her. I know people can do that sometimes, get distracted with what's in their heads, and dissociate, like my friend Eli, but this was something different. Eerie.”

Eli straightened which didn’t go unnoticed by Diaz who kept quiet amidst the mini conversations breaking out.

Taking a shaky breath, Hope touched her bandaged face. “He’s sick, you won’t catch him. I was there and I didn’t think I would make it out for a second. He was meticulous in every movement. Voice changer, ropes, and weapons. He even had a large supply of paper; fancy stationery.”

“Okay, well him being caught will depend on the investigation and the police. No killer gets away fully.”

Therapists always think they know more than you. How is that even possible? Wis, they hear our side of things for the very first time. If anything they are the ones out of the loop and behind.

“He isn’t some killer, that’s where you’re wrong. He was despicable like we were appetizers to a bigger meal. I wasn’t harmed by him. Not directly.”

“Go on,” spoke the therapist, intrigued.

“He scared that woman. Turned her against me. He told her that if she harmed me he would let her go. She had no choice, and I don’t blame her because she’s gone now, but look at me!” Hope yelled at the woman scribbling on paper.

“I was kidnapped, mentally tortured like a pawn in a chess game, held under a bridge for hours, stabbed, and then I had a bomb strapped to my back.”

She shook in fear or remembering.

“That woman, whose face I don’t know and face I can’t remember, got treated far worse than me. Do you get it? She was his real victim and no one knew she was even missing. He’s ten steps ahead and we are so behind it feels like a completely different game.”

Daniel fed up with the back and forth, walked out of the room and opened the door to the other side. “That’s enough! Don’t you know you’re scaring her lady?” He shouted at the therapist.

Eli ran to grab him, Campbell following after.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Diaz continued to look at Hope, surprised to see her stand up.

“No! Look at me,” pulling off her bandage. “This is beyond us, if we keep digging he will keep killing, look at what he made her do to my face!”

2

I am no monster. I am getting tired of having to remind you of that Wisdom.

“I am too nice to cut a poor Damsel with a kitchen tool. So you,” pointing to the other victim, instructing her to walk towards Hope.

Hope was confused. If this woman was untied why didn’t she stop him or run away? She just moved like water inching closer to her.

She began pleading for the woman to stay away. “I don’t get it why are you doing this?”

“Drugs. I get that you are confused dear Hope but she is drugged. A mix of a lot of things, essentially turning her mind into putty. I also added a few drops of LSD for good measure.”

He turns to look around the room, before settling on a knife on the table.

“Oh. Was that question directed at me? I do it for fun, lovely Hope. Art is often lost on the crowd. Ask anyone,” snickering, “Sorry I guess you can’t do that since you are preoccupied, silly me.”

The man eased beside the standing Damsel, holding her hand that clasped the knife seconds from Hope’s face.

Hope screamed a guttural sound, as the knife led by Mr. Q.'s instruction carved into the side of her face as a canvas creating a rosed image.

The woman, delirious, cried from the noise, not registering her actions within it all, but reacting to Hope’s pain nonetheless.

“Uh-oh. Let’s dry those tears for the fun is just beginning,” mocked Mr. Q.

“I’m not going to kill you two. Knowing the cops they will do the easy part for me.”

3

It’s not that bad, think of it as a tattoo. Only indented,” chimed Daniel trying to ease the situation.

Hope turned to him shocked. Eli smacked the back of his head in annoyance.

“Dude, not helping. She doesn’t have to like it.” Eli turned towards his friends.

“Guys, I’m sorry for dragging us into this, I truly thought you would be safe, I would have never expected this to happen.”

“It’s okay E. I am alive, aren’t I?” sighed Hope.

“Yeah water under the bridge,” added Daniel, “Sorry too soon.”

I’d laugh if I didn’t feel so guilty.

“Hey E, since we’re still on the topic, how did you know how to stop the bomb?” Inquires Hope.

“I didn’t, not really. I just thought that it was weird that the killer sent a letter and a piece of paper with no words on it.”

Eli stood up and closed his room door, before whispering to his friends.

“At the station, I considered writing him back but then I thought it was dumb since I don’t know where to send it to. That’s why I asked Diaz in the car if he took the letter. Even then I didn’t know he had the extra sheet or a pen too.”

“Man, talk about quick instincts.”

Hope stared at the friend in front of her. An idea popped into her head.

“What if we try to do that? Send him letters, and mark the locations of where he picks them up. Like a locator of sorts, narrow down the search?”

“I think we should give it a rest, try to move past serial killers,” Eli stated

“Yeah, what are the odds we'll catch him anyway? I should try to just get used to not being a hostage.”

It’s actually a great idea, Wis. When his friend left for their homes, he texted Diaz the idea.

I won’t endanger my friends anymore. If this plan goes into motion, it will have to be just me and you. Not even Campbell can know. Deal? - E

How did you even get this number? But okay, I agree. I will meet you at our spot, and go over the clues we do have. See you soon. - Detective Diaz