1

I’m getting too popular, Wisdom.

I'm too much in the public eye and hate being the center of attention. But alas, it continues to follow me—along a path once cascaded with light but now a dark and murky tunnel that leads to who knows where—currently, stuck in the middle of right and wrong, good and evil.

Diaz and Q.

I can’t help but ponder if I should throw both of those letters away. Never read them, go back to school after a break, and forget that a serial killer is spiritually connected to me via a friend of my imagination.

I could cut the story now, forego any foreshadowing, and live peaceably.

I know, Wis. Peace is earned.

As Eli pulled the letters off his desk he wondered if Diaz was a little psycho because the envelope he gave was the same as Q’s.

“Do cops often adopt the tendencies of killers,” he whispered.

I’m stalling.

Eli closed his eyes and opened a letter, not caring who it was from out of the two.

Dear Elijah the Earnest,

I should apologize to you. As I said, we are fairly similar, and taking your mother was a very difficult task—not one I would have gone through with if you hadn’t goad me on. But I am no monster—a man of my word.

Don’t you realize how unique you are? A perfect blend of clarity. Neither black nor white, red, blue, or any other color for that matter.

Perfectly transparent.

Yet you squander your talents by hanging with degenerates like Diaz and Campbell. Shame.

I must warn you. If you still choose to chase impatiently after me. Then at least have some decorum. You’re bright, but your peers are dimming what light you have left. Yes, dear Elijah, time is ticking, and you must decide.

Light or eternal darkness?

Unaccompanied,

Mr. Q.

P.S.

Stop lingering in the shadows, before the darkness drags you down for good.

Rise above yourself.

I have no words. Actually, I do. Why does this sound like a recruitment ad?

I don't know what to do with that first letter. Eli picked up the second and began to scan the language on the page.

To Eli,

Now, I know you are wondering why I am writing you a letter when the phone is a much easier option. I guess easy was never an option for me. I may be learning a few things from Q. I don't know if that is a good thing yet, but so be it.

You are a good kid, better than I was at your age. But there is more to life than chasing the bad guys. I know—how can a cop tell you to run? It's very hypocritical. But I see you as the son I would have had. He would have been three.

And as I see from a fatherly perspective, I can tell that you are teaching me the greatest lesson I could learn: that it is too late to regret when new issues arrive every day. As long as we make the effort to do better, yesterday can linger in the past.

So in my next investigation. Don’t come. I should know you are safe than getting an inch closer to some killer.

Diaz

And now I feel as if I was rejected from a job interview. Figures.

I am in this whether they approve or not, from the moment my mother was taken. No. Since the day I saw that woman die in that blue abyss. It might be unwise to go in alone, but I have you. Right Wisdom?

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

2

Hugh Motors was dark. I mean everything is dark when it’s nighttime. Diaz told me to stay away. And I should have; as I feel the cool breeze, I believe I acted too quickly this time.

You scream if anything goes wrong. I’m kidding. I’ll scream.

What is a taxi company supposed to look like? I thought it would be a gated place with a bunch of cars but now I wonder if I am in the right place.

“This is where my Dad works?”

How depressing; it’s so dark and empty, leading me to believe that his long hours on the road are to avoid coming back to a workplace like this. Taxis lined up awaiting their drivers.

I am not sure what I will find here but I think this is my only chance because if I know Diaz he would most likely be here any day with the police to turn over every stone and spare tire.

I guess the first step is breaking in. Don’t worry I didn’t learn these skills by vandalising places and such. Twenty bucks and a lock-picking kit later, I am inside.

Now would a killer keep clues of his crimes at his workplace?

An idiot would but I doubt Q would. Maybe his accomplice? Does he have one?

Am I the accomplice of a killer now? If I don’t answer those letters does that mean they think I said yes?

Probably so. That’s alright, I doubt my decision would change the course of this entire game.

Quick question, Wis. Why is Q so obsessed with the concept of color, or should I say the lack of it?

I am way in over my head with this.

I need help.

Eli pulled out his phone and messaged a number that could shine some light on this whole thing. Thirty minutes later a car pulled up and a man stepped out after cutting his headlights off.

“Anyone here?” The man questioned into the darkness.

“Psst. Over here.” Eli piped. “Man for a cop you sure are loud.”

“Eli this is beyond stupid, but I am glad you called, instead of doing this by yourself,” Campbell responded using his flashlight, shining in the direction of Elijah.

“C’mon Campbell. I got two letters and both seemed like horrible options, so I figured you would be a better option for it all.”

Elijah gestured into the unlocked entrance and closed the door behind them both.

“I take it the door was unlocked before you got here?”

“Huh? Yeah, it was magically unlocked the night I decided to do a solo investigation. Very lucky.”

I don’t think he bought it. But like I said it was luck, Wis.

“Anyway, I have a question for you. How long has it been since the last victim showed up dead?”

“I would say roughly two and a half weeks, considering the last victim who died was because of the police. But if we are talking Q induced then roughly a month ago. Why?”

“I don’t want to seem grim but isn’t it on par for another one to show up? It has been a while think he is blood-hungry?”

3

Eli rummaged through files on a desk, before stumbling on a letter. At first, it seemed like the invitation his Dad had received from his colleagues but something about this stood out to him. Mainly the fact that his name and Diaz’s name were on it. Not as a package but rather separate.

To whom finds me first. Elijah or Diaz.

Either there was a camera on me or Q was a very paranoid person.

As Eli walked towards Campbell to show him the inscribed paper, a very distinct smell wafted through the air.

“Campbell look. This was waiting regardless of who was going to find it.”

“Well open it! I think that was all that was intended to be here, I can’t make sense of anything else. Read it and let’s go.” Campbell pulled up two chairs and scooted the lamp closer, in order to get a good look.

To whom finds me first. Elijah or Diaz.

I have been watching, watching the watchers.

How original.

Who I am doesn’t concern you. What I am going to do does.

I don’t like sharing the sun. I don’t like offering up my toys.

I was given a very specific task. Something that will tie me in with the flames and burn all you have worked up to. That being nothing, as the blind lead the blind in this story.

A partner should never be overlooked. And despite Wisdom never answering my call. I demand to be looked at. I am growing tired of Q getting all the shine when I do the grunt work. So now I will take and offer him my gifts. A sidekick's contribution.

Diaz and Eli vs. Q and I.

Who I am is irrelevant. Just remember I can touch the stars without being scathed. I can’t say the same for you.

“That’s it. No name, not even the same writing style. What gives?”

Eli pushes back his chair walking to the entrance.

“So Q has a partner and we have no insight into who. Maybe a colleague?” Campbell paces the floor, before stopping abruptly. “What’s that smell?”

“Smell? Campbell, if you need air just say so,” E grabs the handle of the door not minding the obvious warning in the air.

“I don’t think you should do that, El-” Campbell reaches forward too late as an explosion hits the entrance of the cab company building, blowing Eli and himself to the ground.