Susan Cole

Susan Cole
Sarah's POV

As we arrived at the cemetery gates, my phone rang.

"Detective Chen," said the icy, businesslike voice on the other end. "This is Detective Martinez from the university. We are physical beings.

I gave up running. Elena took hold of my arm and asked me a question with her silver eyes.

"What kind of body?" I called and asked.

"A woman in her early 20s. Riverside Community College student. She was left in the library basement after being strangled.

Elena's face turned pale. "Ask them when, Sarah."

I asked Martinez, "When did this happen?"

Two hours or so ago. Around the time you were running through the woods after that Park guy."

My heart fell. Someone else was murdering a defenseless girl while we were battling Bill Park.

Elena snatched the phone from my hand. "What was the victim's name, Detective Martinez?"

"Who is this?"

"Just answer the question."

"Foster, Amy. quiet girl pursuing a teaching degree. mostly kept to herself.

Elena inhaled deeply and closed her eyes. They were glowing with rage when she opened them again.

"We have to go to the college, Sarah. "Now."

"How about Tommy? How about the graveyard?

Elena took another look at the note. "This is a ruse to distract us while someone else murders more people."

I was ill. "You believe that Tommy's kidnapper is collaborating with Amy's killer?"

"I have no doubt about it."

We dashed back to my car's parking spot. Elena was silent as we drove to the college, but I could see that her hands were shaking angrily.

"You couldn't have saved Amy, Elena. I needed your assistance with Park.

"Sarah, that is the precise issue. Another was hunting while I was concentrating on one murderer.

"You can't be everywhere at once."

Elena's eyes flashed silver. "I ought to have sensed her anxiety. I ought to have realized that someone was in danger.

Detective Martinez was waiting for us in the parking lot when we arrived at the college. She was a tall woman with weary eyes and short black hair.

"Detective Chen, I didn't think you would bring a friend."

"Elena is helping with the case," I blurted out.

We followed Martinez into the library. Old books and dusty shelves filled the basement. Behind a pile of boxes lay the body of Amy Foster.

Elena knelt beside Amy and touched her hand tenderly. Elena recoiled abruptly, as if she had been burned.

I said, "What is it?"

"I understand what transpired with her." Elena's voice trembled. "The murderer was fully aware of his actions. Since he knew Amy came here daily to study by herself, he followed her down here.

Martinez took out her notebook. "How could you possibly know that?"

Elena continued talking despite her. "He has previously done this. A lot of times. Since no one will immediately miss them, he selects shy and quiet girls.

"Elena, you're frightening Detective Martinez."

Elena, however, was not paying attention. Her silver-glow eyes were fixed on Amy's body.

"Sarah, he hasn't stopped killing. He's got a list.

"What sort of list?"

"Students' names who spend time alone. students with few friends. Pupils who " Elena paused her conversation and gave me a startled look.

"What?"

"He's going after you next, Sarah."

"That isn't feasible. I'm not a pupil.

Elena took hold of my shoulders. "No, but you could act like one."

Martinez was glancing between us as if we were both insane. "What are you two discussing?"

Elena got to her feet and began to pace. "The murderer left Amy's body in a location that would be easy for us to locate. He wanted us to be aware of her passing.

"Why would he want that?"

"Sarah, because he's putting me to the test. He is challenging me to try to apprehend him since he is aware that I hunt murderers.

A shiver went down my back. "So what do we do?"

Elena paused her pacing and gave me a determined look. "As a college student, you go undercover. quiet, bashful, and lonely in the library. ideal bait.

"Absolutely not," Martinez replied. "Detective Chen, that is just too risky."

Elena stated, "It's the only way to catch him before he kills someone else."

We were too preoccupied with other cases to protect Amy Foster, so I imagined her lying lifeless in a basement.

"I'll do it."

"Sarah—" Martinez began to object.

"Detective Martinez, how many other students on campus are quiet? How many more Amy Fosters are out there now, unaware that they are being pursued?

Martinez remained silent for a while. Then she let out a sigh. "Too many."

Elena grinned, but it wasn't a joyful one. "You'll have to make all of your personal changes, Sarah. Different attire, hairstyles, and speech and walking patterns.

"I can manage that."

Additionally, you'll have to spend time in every location Amy visited. The study spaces, coffee shop, and library.

Martinez produced a folder of files. "This is Amy's schedule. She was highly predictable. Every day, at the same times and locations.

I checked Amy's calendar. Library hours are 2–4 PM. coffee shop from 4:15 to 5 p.m. From 7 to 9 PM, there is a study room in the basement.

Elena stated, "The murderer will be looking for someone who matches Amy's pattern."

"How can I tell if he's aiming for me?"

Elena's eyes became more radiant. "Because I'll also be observing." I'll know as soon as he approaches you."

Martinez gave a headshake. "This is crazy. All we need to do is make campus more secure.

Elena remarked, "That will only make him change his hunting ground." "He'll kill different people somewhere else. We have some control over where and when, at least this way.

I decided. "When do we start?"

"Tomorrow morning," Elena said. "You should go shopping for new clothes as your first step. Not at all like what you typically wear.

"What should I look for?"

Sweaters, jeans, books to carry around, and glasses if you don't wear them. You must appear as though you are trying to blend in.

Martinez continued to shake her head. "Detective Chen, if something goes wrong—"

I looked at my supernatural partner and said, "Then Elena will handle it."

Elena gave a nod. "I swear, Sarah, you won't become like Amy."

For the next hour, we reviewed Amy's daily schedule and made plans for how I could replicate it. I was able to enter the buildings after Martinez gave me Amy's student ID.

Elena took hold of my arm as we were leaving the library.

"I have more information about this murderer to share with you, Sarah."

"What?"

"I noticed something in Amy's last moments when I touched her. She wasn't being strangled for fun by the murderer.

"What do you mean?"

Elena had a worried look in her silver eyes. "He questioned her about you. Concerning Detective Sarah Chen.

My blood froze. "Are you wondering about me? What sort of inquiries?

"Where do you reside? who you are concerned about. What frightens you the most?

Martinez halted and turned around, even though she had been walking ahead of us. "Are you implying that Detective Chen is the specific target of this killer?"

Elena gave a slow nod. "I believe Amy Foster was murdered in order to communicate with Sarah."

"What message?"

Elena's silver eyes glowed as she gazed at me. "That he is fully aware of you. and that he is coming to get the people you care about."

My phone rang once more at that point.

I checked the caller ID. Unknown figure.

"Answer it," Elena said.

I switched the phone to speaker.

"Detective Chen?" It was a soothing, smooth voice.

"Who is this?"

"Someone who has been observing you for a very long time. Tommy, your nephew, is with me.

Elena's angry eyes flashed.

I said, "What do you want?"

"Please stop pursuing my pals. Marcus Rivera, David, and Bill Park. You have been meddling in my affairs."

"What business?"

The voice chuckled. "Teaching people like Elena that they can't save everyone."

Elena took the phone away from me. "Where is the boy?"

"Elena! I hoped you would join the discussion. How did you feel letting Amy Foster pass away while you were having fun in the woods?

Silver light began to shine through Elena's entire body. "I'll track you down. And after I—"

"You won't take any action. Because I'll kill ten more students like Amy if you turn your superhuman abilities against me. And I'll see to it that you experience each of their passings."

The line died.

Elena's silver eyes blazed with rage as she gazed at the phone.

"Elena," I said cautiously. "What about this guy aren't you telli
ng me?"

Elena gave me a look I had never seen her make before. utter terror.

"I believe we're dealing with someone who is fully aware of who I am, Sarah. And precisely how to turn my own nature against me.