1

Alright, I’m sorry.

“I should have listened to you and gone to the library.” Eli pleads.

“What did we say about shortcuts Elijah?” His Dad musters.

“Is this how you are going to take things in life? So unseriously? I just want you to be safe, unlike the situation you could have been in.”

Mr. Elliot slows down at the red light. Sighing before turning to his son in the car.

“You don’t make it easy for me or your mother if we know you encounter crime scenes frequently.

What were you even doing on that side of town?

Good thing that the driver called and told us you were snooping around that abandoned paint shop. How careless do you have to be?”

“Warehouse,” Eli interjects. “Plus I didn’t know you were one to associate with snitches Dad.”

His Dad stills, looking at the foolish young man in front of him before continuing.

“That’s strike one. Watch it, young man. When your mom hears about this I know she will be disappointed. Can’t joke your way out of our support and advice.”

Realizing that his Dad is serious, Eli straightens up.

“Not only that but don’t forget that stunt you pulled at the beach, let’s be real Elijah, your track record is untrustworthy.”

“Okay, You’re right. I could be in so much danger and I am glad you were there when I called. To be honest I thought it was a freaky art exhibit, who knew some lady died there in the sand.”

“Hey, respect the dead. That could have been you y’know. Let’s not go speaking down on the deceased.”

Mr. Elliot shakes his head, unimpressed by the excuse being uttered by his son.

The light shines green and as the car lightly purrs in the rain, they ride in silence, both convinced the other was out of touch, unrelatable. So close yet far away.

2

What a dumb idea.

I am going to die and I will have no one to speak on my true nature in my last moments, Eli thought.

Will you write my eulogy?

Looking bewildered at the detective in front of him, E wonders if it is too late to mark this as a fever dream and walk away with no scratches.

“That is the dumbest thing I ever heard. How will we even know he will be there? Also what if he doesn’t comply and now we all die because he knows of our plan?”

Diaz turns to him, taking a breath before divulging the plan once more.

“You think I’m far-fetched but how can I be crazy when that is the energy we need to match? How do you know it will not work?”

Eli stares at the man imagining worms are coming out of his ears. I am with a psycho, Wis. What am I going to do? Hope will kill me. Hell, Daniel will kill me.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

“Let me understand. You’re telling me that you want me to endanger one of my best friends because she seems to fit the bill as a target. Use her as bait. And poof we catch the killer?”

Eli throws his hands up in disagreement, rushing towards the door to grab his things, but Diaz beats him to the punch.

“No, well yes, but no. This killer is different he knows my mind and I his. If I present him with a gift he will be intrigued and most likely oblige with my offer.”

“Great I get paired up with a cop who thinks like a killer. Why not take me out now before I hand myself or my friends over on a silver platter?” Eli questions.

“What is the harm Elijah? If he doesn’t take the bait there will be too many cops in the area for him to get away. Your friend Hope will be in no danger.”

“No harm? Why can’t you use some undercover cop lady? Also, it’s Eli to you, only my parents use my Government name,” Eli states unamused at the offer being proposed.

“Come on, don’t you want the people to know who this menace is, see you as the hero you are meant to be?”

“No.” E declares. “I don’t care about fame if my life is at stake. Legends are legends because they’re dead. I don’t need that title, I like my life. I’m a little shocked at how little you value them, Detective.”

“Alright, that’s a bit below the belt Eli,” Campbell interjects. “I think what Matthew here was trying to say is that you are not being presented as bait. We have been eyeing the clues and it looks like the killer operates strictly downtown. Where he disposes of most of the bodies we don’t know.”

“You haven’t found the bodies!?”

I can’t be the only smart one here.

“I had little hopes before, now I have heard enough. I’m done. Good luck with your search.” E grabs the door handle ready to walk out.

“Don’t you think he knows? He is coming for you anyway!”

This causes Eli to stop.

“Huh?”

“The killer,” Diaz exclaims. “He can’t be so naive to not know you were near almost four of the scenes. If we can connect the dots he probably already has plans for you.

Guess we won’t find your body as well since we are incompetent. Right, Campbell?”

“That’s not funny, and it won’t work. The killer only wants girls, remember?”

“Is that what you believe? He has a way longer track record, guys, girls, babies even.”

He’s lying. He has to be.

“I’m lying. Of course, he only goes after women, right Campbell?” Diaz laughs out.

“I don’t know, there was that one body,” Campbell adds. “All that was left was the teeth. Male teeth according to the dental records. And that guy didn’t even seem to witness anything. You’re in more danger than him E.”

Nope, I’m the idiot, Wisdom. A big one.

“Fine. I’m in. No more talk about teeth, how freaky.”

The detectives high-five each other confident of their plan moving in action.

“You won’t regret this Eli, I know it,” Diaz chimes.

I know I will.

Wis, pray for me.

3

“I should kill you!”

Daniel runs around the desk grabbing at Eli, but he dips backwards before falling over a chair.

“Let me have him next!” Yells Hope.

“Hey, they promised you would be safe. C’mon guys!”

“I expect this from Daniel,” screams Hope.

“Hey! I’m not that dumb.”

“Hope you got it all wrong. The killer will not be there. They will just have you wired with a tracking device on you looking to see if there is anything suspicious in the area.”

Eli puts his hands up in surrender.

“Fine,” Hope says before smacking E on the shoulder.

“If I die, I will come back and haunt you, you have my word.”

“Thank you, it will all be fine. Smooth sailing,” Eli says, not sure if he is convincing her or himself anymore.

Smooth sailing on rough waters indeed.