I'm in danger? What the fuck? Relax Kai, it's an unknown number, maybe it's just a prank.
Alicia glanced around while flexing a pepper spray on her hand. "I'll not let you hurt him!" She screams, spraying in the air at random.
"Hey, Al! You have to agree, this is just a prank. So stop panicking." I say this now but I can't help but overthink the safety of my family and Alicia. Al hurries over to my side. "You have to take these messages seriously, maybe it's from a concerned citizen or the police!"
Thinking it more clearly, I became the level-headed one here. "Maybe it's just a prank or a spam but it's definitely not from the police. Giving these kinds of messages could cause panic." I nodded my head in her direction and she rolled her eyes. "And I'm pretty sure they wouldn't do that," I responded with calmness, burying the little fear in me. Al taps her foot on the ground repeatedly. "We have to go to the police regardless. Ask for protection or even report the 'prankster'. Come on."
Al dragged me outside and bribed our driver, who willingly agreed by the way. He nudged my side with great force and I instantly fell into Alicia. Al looked shocked and our driver just smiled nonchalantly. This is getting tiresome but I don't have the courage to say anything. As I looked at Alicia's expression with great detail, I could tell that she was getting uncomfortable as well, but surprisingly, she didn't say a thing. She's usually outspoken towards her feelings but I guess she doesn't want to call any attention regarding her sexuality and I'm the perfect scapegoat. We drove a long ride to the police. Though, maybe it's just my troubled mind warping my sense of time.
I'm not really a fan of police stations. They usually ask many questions. I mean that's what I usually see when I watch movies. My hands got fidgety when the thought of me saying something wrong crossed my mind. What if I gave off negative vibes and they brand me as an accomplice? I'm not guilty but why do I feel like I am one? The fabric of my vest gave me comfort while I looked outside the window, distracting my mind even for a minute. This usually works but all I could see was the reflection of my face on the window pane.
All my anxiousness disappeared when I saw a convertible car parked outside the station. It's the same as the one Jamie drove last night! I couldn't dare forget. Why is he here though? He's probably behind bars for copulating on somebody's garden again.
As we approached the front door, a strong whiff of brewed coffee and a couple of loud telephone ringing embraced us from the police station, jolting my senses awake.
It's still early in the morning, but all the people here are already juggling multiple files, busying the hallways, and loudly talking to each other. Just like what people do in a packed market. At the corner of my eye, I saw someone in an open room, their back against me... Is that Jamie? I couldn't mistake that silky ebony hair and broad muscly shoulders for anyone. But he looks so different from behind. I have to make sure. But before I could call his name, Al cut me off. She grabbed our attention with her modulated voice. "Excuse me?" She waved her hand. "Can someone entertain us for a minute?"
Someone from the room I'm about to check suddenly slammed the door. Everyone jumped to their seats but no one dared to say a thing. Then, a young man approached us. He composes himself, fixing his suspenders and cuffs of his white long sleeve.
A shaky sigh escapes from his lips as he introduces himself to Alicia. "Oh sweet and fair maiden, Detective Officer Thomas Reddison is truly fortunate to bask in your presence." He tipped off an imaginary hat to us. "Detective Officer Thomas Reddison is me by the way." He scratches the back of his head while he laughs nervously. Alicia just smiles awkwardly, breaking eye contact.
"What brings a beautiful maiden such as yourself here?" Mr. Reddison asked. But his face fell when Al gave my phone to him.
He slowly reads the text as Al explains. "We just want to know if that private number comes from the police. If not, is it possible to ask for protection from you?"
He gestured for us to sit next to an empty seat. "We're glad that you personally came here to ask for help." Officer Reddison clears his throat. "We are currently dealing with a case. Well, a lot of cases actually. All interconnected." Al and I looked at each other. Case? The hair on my body rose as a chill ran up my spine.
"Girls are currently disappearing and the way it's being covered up is very alarming. It's like a 'poof' type of disappearing."
Only girls? Why did I receive a message then?
Why is the police so quiet about this?
If girls are disappearing, why does nobody know about this, or even filed a complaint?
Mr. Reddison sighs heavily. "All we know is that the victims' cellular devices received some kind of cryptic message like this one before disappearing. But fear not, I'll do my very best to protect you, my lady." He bows his head softly. "That phone is not mine." Alicia softly spoke. "It's his." She points at me.
"Really?" Officer Reddison leaned on his seat. "You sure?" His face is indescribable.
"I should report this first to Deputy Chief Samson. But since he's not here, I'll just transfer you to his son, the Senior Investigator."
He shouts. "Yo! J--" A loud cough suddenly erupts from the closed room behind us. Followed by another and another. ( ... - --- .--. ) Mr. Reddison stopped midway.
"Um. Sorry. Can I leave you here for a moment?" He got up. "I'm just gonna check if he's ok." We gave a subtle nod and he rushed toward the room. We were filled with silence as he entered the room. Al can only grip my forearm tightly.
Just as I thought my life would turn out for the better...