1

He took me up on my offer, Wisdom.

“Think it was wise to threaten a madman, Diaz?” Eli prodded with a face that spelled ‘I told you so.’

“Despite what you're thinking,” started Diaz, “ I already planned for this.”

“You mean I planned for this” spoke Campbell.

“Remember how this guy never had a linking motive. Well, we still haven’t found it, but something he does do is pride in being eccentric.”

Campbell rolled out the whiteboards and started scribbling. “I don’t know why I got this hunch but considering he kept killing women, and then a pregnant one to bait Diaz into joining his sick game, I thought it was due time that he would want something that repeated itself.”

Eli sat up.

“You don’t mean-

“Yes. Triplets.”

Diaz watched as Eli pulled out a piece of paper and began writing.

“I thought you had writer’s block?”

“Detective, I thought of all people you would understand that inspiration can stem from anywhere?”

Diaz continued to prod, “Is that what Wisdom said to you? Again who is that?”

Eli froze and then continued to write.

I am going to ignore that. He is just fishing for anything at this point. I doubt the killer really talks to you, doubt Diaz has caught on either.

Right, Wis?

Diaz laughed at how serious E had become in the past few days. Proud in a sense as well that he was becoming more mature. Even though it required searching for a serial killer in order to catapult him into character development.

Campbell cleared his throat. “Anyway. Like I was saying three sisters went missing yesterday. It was called in from the neighboring state since the last anyone had heard of them was when they arrived at the Heartland Airport at eight-fifteen last night.”

Eli shivered at the thought that Q would be scouting airports for potential victims.

No one is safe in this town until we catch him.

Will you help me? Wisdom, I’m not mad at you anymore. I don’t think I ever was.

“Any idea where he might have taken them?” Diaz proposed.

“Yes, that’s where you come in Matt. The TSA has a few clues including images of the three suspects, which puts us at an advantage since usually there is no description of what the victims look like.”

“And what about me?” interjected Eli

“You, my friend, will need a really good letter. Get writing.”

Great, more homework.

Diaz and Campbell both looked at how dejected Eli became and broke, laughing at the younger counterpart.

“I don’t get what’s so funny.”

“Write your letter then come on!”

“You mean I get to come along? Alright! Let me call my house and tell my mom I will be late for dinner. Thanks, guys!”

Eli rang his house phone. No answer, just a voicemail.

I forgot. Mom’s at Daniel’s, helping his older sister bake.

Oh well.

He grabbed his stuff and ran out the door towards the police car.

2

“Dispatch said they got a description that matched the girls.”

“That was a bit fast, guess this guy is getting sloppy,” spoke Diaz surprised.

We might catch him. Eli sat in the back of the cop car writing the last of his letter. It had been six days since the one he received from Mr. Q and it was shocking how for the past week the streets felt safer. Until now.

“We have to catch this guy,” E urged. “This town was just starting to feel safer.”

“Don’t go getting confused Elijah, it will never be safe until we find him. Him being quiet now just means he was plotting something longer. Luckily he is greedy and decides to take three girls at once. But let’s keep our guard up, okay?” Diaz pushed, hoping no one would get reckless before they found the kidnappees.

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“We’re here. Wherever here is.” Campbell said, slowing the car to a stop.

“Have you never been to a movie theater? How old are you?” Questioned Eli.

“Has nothing to do with age, I just don’t get out much,” muttered Campbell defending himself.

“Is this place familiar to you, Eli? Why would the women be here?” Diaz said unbuckling his seatbelt and closing the door behind him.

“I go here with my friends. The last time I went was about five weeks ago when…”

“When you what?”

“When I saw Q drown the women in the alley.”

When we both saw her die, remember?

The dark and cramped alley where that kind Damsel fell to her demise. Searching for air above her grasp as he clenched and tore the life from her lungs until there were no more bubbles to breathe out. A night that pulled me into a sea of trouble. Wading and fighting against the current. Hoping it won’t drag me away.

“Well, no use getting spooked now. Let’s go inside. E, stay in the back in case this is a trap. If anything weird happens phone for help.”

“Got it,” agreed Eli, as the trio slowly approached the entrance.

As the doors opened the door, they walked inside. Searching for any signs of something strange happening after hours.

“No one is supposed to be here this late right?” asked Eli frightened by the darkness they were witnessing.

“ Well we got the call that they would be here, so I guess someone should be around. How about each of us start with a section of the theater and go to the various rooms? If you find them call for us.” Campbell commanded handing Diaz and E walkie-talkies and flashlights.

Elijah grabbed the devices and started towards the section at the far end. I can do this there is nothing creepy about being in an empty theater all alone and the only people to depend on our Campbell and Diaz who are an earshot away and will probably be late by the time they arrive anyway.

Right, nothing to be worried about at least I have you, Wisdom.

As he ducked in briefly into each room, he was beginning to think that there was nothing to be found. Then a poster across from him started flickering with light.

Strange, he thought pulling out the walkie in case of any issues, entering the theater. There was no indication that the women were there. So he turned to exit just the same.

But then a noise began on the projector screen.

“Elijah. Eager Elijah. You are certainly very warm. Don’t leave just yet. Sit and watch this short film I have constructed.”

The voice, unrecognizable, was a woman’s. Which was strange, to say the least.

Another woman’s voice chimed in and then a third.

“Please stay. Our lives depend on it.”

All the while he held his hand on the talk button, hoping one of the Detectives got the memo to come.

How creepy. And this guy talks to you?

On the screen the three sisters were in a room full of equipment tied up mouths covered, but no signs of a struggle. Maybe they were in on it? Can’t be. They had to be drugged of some sort.

“Alright Q, give it up” he shouted. “Just tell me where the women are and we can come to some kind of agreement. Preferably before anyone got hurt.”

“You are rather impatient another voice chimed in. “Don’t be like Diaz, prioritizing the wrong thing.

I thought your letter was cheeky, very brazen I must say. I am super disappointed Elijah that you thought I wouldn’t take you up on your offer. Don’t belittle your importance. I warned you that if you dragged yourself further I would do the same.”

“You told me it would be just one victim, not three,” Eli said, searching under chairs for any clues.

“Tsk. Tsk. You just don’t get it. Those women are the same, they mimic each other’s color, but you’re right I did promise just one so fine. Come get them.

The image of the women turned around and showed Eli. This caught his attention and he ran to the projector room.

As the door burst open Eli jumped to untie their restraints. Once they were loose he called for Diaz and Campbell to come. As they ran in a figure left out the emergency exit. Eli witnessed this and began running down the stairs and back into the theater, almost exiting before a voice on the screen abruptly stopped him.

“Elijah, what did I say about patience? I know your mother taught you better than that.”

“Why don’t you come back you coward, and face me like a real man.” He shouted at the screen.

“I would but I think you should phone home. I did promise you a victim of my dragging.”

“What is he talking about?” Turned Diaz staring at Eli’s face flushed of all its color.

Elijah pulled out his phone and dialed the numbers of his house, hands shaking, hoping someone would pick up.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

No answer.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

No answer.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

Beep.

Elijah sighed, slightly ashamed at how panicked he’d become.

“Hello, Mom! Are you okay?”

Nothing. Why don’t I hear anything?

“Hello!?”

“Why hello Eager Elijah. I thought I made myself clear. One victim.”

The voice on the phone chuckled. “Can you hear that?”

“Hear what?”

Eli held his breath to focus on a rustling sound on the other end.

“What are you doing to her?”

“Me? I am dragging your mother away. I think it is best if you hurry, who knows? You might catch us.”

Click.