Chapter 51: Chapter 51
Tension hung in the minds of every present human. " Detective, why did you arrive at such a conclusion. " A medic asked from the gathering.
Glancing at his direction, the detective cleared his throat. " Have the body being touched? " He asked. " No sir it hasn’t, we covered it up immediately we arrived. " Another medic informed.
Jacques brought out a pen from his pocket and began spinning it. " This isn’t the effect of a gang brawl..., as many of you would assume. The coroner wouldn’t also be needed as this was probably a violent self-defensive manslaughter. "
The detective looked sternly at the body then continued, " The perpetrator is what we detectives call, a pioneer in murder. Not he or she is the first to murder, but is a first timer in the act of killing. Depending they left the weapon in the body is a pure testament that this crime was unintentional but unforgivable. "
Murmuring echoed through the gathering. The detective placed the pen back and took out a pair of elastic gloves. He wore the gloves and retrieved the knife from the body.
He gave it to his assistant who was also wearing a pair of gloves. " There is a university nearby, this case is probably being caused by a fresh man. One who was probably refusing the advances get affiliated with a gang. "
" Although it’s an easy case to crack, finding the culprit is the main problem. " Jacques mumbled quickly. Through out what he said, it was only his assistant Jason who got the full hearing of what he said and jotted down every word.
Motioning to the the head officer, officer Sedgwick, he said briskly, " Take the body to a morgue. We will handle most of the investigation from this point on..., and officers, please accept all witnesses who might make our job much easier. "
" Will do." The experienced head officer replied. Detective Jacques and Jason headed for the car after sealing the knife in a plastic bag.
They got into their vehicle, took off their glasses and switched on the car lights. " Am worried about my brother’s well being. " Jason the young man said with his voice filled with concern.
The detective looked over at his apprentice with a smirk. " You really feel for your family, with the way you normally behave, I thought I had another psychopath under me. "
" Ivan, is one of the greatest detectives Drexmar has to offer, psychopathy isn’t always a bad trait." Jason replied with a scoff.
" Who says am condemning psychopaths, I am almost one myself. Just one who is detached to morbidity and is a narcissist. " Jacques replied using the rear view mirror to arrange his hair.
" First time hearing a narcissist acclaim he’s one. " Jason said. " I’m just worried about my antisocial brother. My mother just informed me he has gotten admissions into the university in question. "
Igniting the SUV’s engine, Jacques laughed, " You know Jason, if your brother has the same hatred you have for gangs and similar beliefs as you. He might just be our culprit. "
The car roared to life and vanished into the morning darkness, leaving the smell of carbon monoxide and asphalt tar lingering stagnantly.
*** *** ***
Saturday, 13th September 2072, 01:00am
Central Nighthaven,
Federal University of Technology, Droveil,
Male Hostel, Room 362.
*Bang* *Bang* *Bang*
Kalen was stirred awake by the loud knocking on his door. Without thinking, he groggily wiped his sleepy eyes and tottered towards the door.
’ Who the duck could be knocking this early.’
Opening the door, he was met with nothing but darkness, deep darkness which threatened to consume him whole.
" Kalen Obiora Vale, You Must Atone For You Transgressions. " A voice echoed to the depths of his hearing. His eyes widened as he realized what was going on.
The memories rushed back and filled his mind.
However before he could contemplate on his next line of action, a sleek metal blade punctured his heart. Blood filled his mouth, his eyes became dim and blurry.
A burly hand gripped his throat, he was raised to the air like a ragdoll and tossed down the balcony of the eight floor. His mortal body hit the ground with a sickening thud.
Bouncing twice, he lay still, mangled and unrecognizable. Moments later a pool of blood formed underneath him, signaling the death of Kalen Obiora Vale.
*** *** ***
The universe was plain and void, nothing prevailed but dark matter, infinite dark matter until something unprecedented happened. A dot floated across the space from a cosmic view.
Traveling closer, it got bigger and bigger, till it was showed a naked human figure. Lightly tanned skin, onyx black curly hair, athletically muscular built with the height of 6 foot and four inches.
Kalen slowly opened his eyes, immediately he stopped floating and reality warped.
Suddenly, Kalen found himself standing in a subtle reality, almost dreamlike. He was in the suburbs of a vaguely familiar area.
All the buildings of this place were of modest built and all had neatly mowed lawns with well kept flower gardens. He walked forward in admiration of the area’s beautiful appearance.
Having lived for so long in the dirt ridden streets of the slums, the beauty of the suburbs tempted him to cry. He walked forward feeling a cool breeze brush past his face.
Although the streets were empty, he heard the sounds of playing children and conversing adults as if they were around him.
Shrugging that of he walked forward enjoying himself, until he stumbled upon the sight of something that would set everything at motion.
At a distance he saw someone watching. Clearer than the reality around them, he walked closer to the figure; peeking at him mischievously.
From the moment he realized who the person was, this dreamlike reality began to fade. However he didn’t notice as he ran towards the peeking figure, who in turn sprinted away.
He knew that face, he knew that girl. A girl he would remember even if he was dead. " Mavlin, Mavlin, wait up. " He called out, but she didn’t even decrease her pace rather she increased it.
Watching his sister run far away from him filled his heart with uncertainty. Although she was in a smaller version of her self, he speed was quite awing.
Both siblings ran through multiple streets and allies, but she didn’t stop. " Hurry up Obi, I need to show you something." She said turning back to look at him.
At a point he saw her stand in a really dark alley motioning to him to come hither. Breathless he was thankful they stopped their race but to his disheartening, she ran further away.
For an unknown reason, he felt like this was the last. Without thinking he walked into the darkness and allowed it to consume him.
The alley stretched, longer than it should and the reality behind him vanished like a forgotten memory.
Turning left at the end of the alley, he paused at what he saw.
Standing across from where he stood, the trial had begun." You, aren’t you the one with boss’s bike, now you’re driving his girl to a steakhouse. " The unarmed boy accosted stopping his comrade from rushing forward.
Kalen snorted coldly, his hands gripping tightly to the hilt of his pocket knife, " Tell your boss to steer clear from my path, " he said.
" I don’t what his problem, alright, and I ain’t sure he’s gonna want mine. " The boy stopped his advance smirking intimidatingly, " You’re a brave one yes, however all the brave ones end in with their honor. " The boy said tilting his head to the left.
His escort rushed at Kalen who gentle shifted Lucia, out of the fighting range and got into a stance. The boy swong his bat as he got into Kalen’s range.
Swiftly pulling his upper body backwards, Kalen lunged with an attack of his own. His fist traveling like a speeding bullet. Honed by years of training. Fueled by grim furry.
His attack his the boy’s jaw. Causing the guy to feel the world like an amusement park’s roller coaster. Kalen however, wasn’t done. He kicked. A low swift attack one the knee and the boy lost balance.
Unable to control himself, the armed boy reeled backwards, gaining some distance. " Stupid punk can’t even take down a newbie, kill this pig or your getting reformed. " the unarmed boy urged.
Fueled, the boy came again. Faster. More powerful. Kalen couldn’t dodge and raised his arm to take the hit. ’ Fuck it hurts, ’ Kalen grimaced following the direction of the attack to dull the impact.
Yet it hurt like hell.
Kalen grabbed the bat with his right and spun. His left elbow flew outstretched. An impact which dulled the boy’s senses. Kalen then flanked the bat out of the boy’s grip and cast it aside.
Grabbing the boy by the collar, Kalen attempted to deliver a balled fist. However a sharp sting caused him to let go. He gazed at the blood which cascaded from his triceps and his rage exploded.
’ You want a sword fight, I will give you one ’
From his pockets, Kalen retrieved his signature weapons. The pocket knife and brass knuckles. Confidently Kalen bridged the gap with a martial dash, his brassed fist lunched in a jab.
The boy took the impact, this time he wasn’t given room. He wasn’t allowed to recover. Slices adorned his skin as the pocket knife danced across it.
Simultaneously he was also losing the felling of nerves on his face as it was mercilessly pummeled. Kalen’s hands moved like a blur. Like an experienced artist creating art.
Moments passed and the boy’s face was soon painted crimson. Kalen watched as he staggered lifelessly, hanging only by a thread to consciousness.
To ease the poor devils suffering, Kalen gave him a powerful back kick which lifted him of the ground and shot him towards his comrade.
The boy dropped with a painful thud, laying to rise no time soon.
* Clap *
Claps echoed through the parking lot as the unarmed boy drew closer and closer. Lucia ran to Kalen’s side and held him by the arm, " Let’s get out of here, please. " She whispered.
Yet Kalen didn’t bulge, his eyes were firmly locked onto the boy’s.
Noticing Lucia trying to influence their departure, the boy walked closer still. Till he was stand a few centimeters away. Then, Slap, Lucia fell out of Kalen’s arm and the boy proceeded to grab Kalen by the shoulder.
The slap was so powerful, Lucia lay motionlessly on the concrete ground, blood tickling down her nose.
Kale however didn’t flinch, the grip had already enlightened him that this person was an enhanced.
An icy sensation slowly spread through his shoulder, creating a thin icy sheet as it went. Inside him, the muscle of his right shoulder contrapted. Blood vessels frozen to a stop and his bone becoming cold and brittle.
The icy boy stared at Kalen’s defiant gaze. He refused to yield. He refused to show pain.
" Well done kiddo, you’ve just... " The boy paused with a grunt, blood seeped down his abdomen. A knife was deeply lodged into his abdomen and soon it started moving up until his heart.
It stopped, then came out, then went into his chest again. Continually. Moments, seconds, minutes.
He stood motionlessly for some time, before collapsing to the cold embrace of death. A puddle formed, a crimson puddle that brought along the stench of iron and a forgotten dream.
Not caring about the distant screams of watching witnesses. Kalen picked up Lucia and with a straight emotionless face got to his bike and drove off. Leaving the dawn of sirens.
Moments later, he stared back at his reflection. Stark naked. The smell of iron was eminent, his clothes soaked in a tub reeked of them.
Nevertheless the smell affected him not. His mind existed, devoid of thoughts. His heart plain and hollow. Subconsciously he walked under the shower, his eyes bulging open.
He let the cold water soothe his skin and run as if it would wash his sins.
Literal hours passed and he just stood there, empty, traumatized and unaware that he had drained the male hostel’s water supply twice.
More time pass and he slowly regained himself; he fell to his but and sat on the toilet’s floor with his head against the wall.
’ I killed him, I stabbed and killed him, b... b...but he tired to do the same to me. Calm down Kalen, Obiora calm down and think.’
Looking at his hands, they trembled like they weren’t going to stop. His vision wavered and he saw blood drip down his drenched palms. He shook his head and the blood was gone.
He clenched his fist tightly and rose to the mirror again. This time his face and chest had blood splattered on it. " Argh!!! " He yelled punching the mirror twice and dropped to his knees in a sorrowful sob.
" God!!! Why is my life so hard. " He cried curling up to a ball and crying silently.
Crying for quite a while, he stood abruptly rising to his feet and washing his face. Then a dull sensation hit him. His head ached fervently causing him extreme dizziness.
Nevertheless he didn’t show it, not even to himself.
Wearing some boxers and light trousers he exited the bathroom and walked over to the bed. Lucia lay calmly still, sleeping though, peacefully and undisturbed.
He managed a sad smile and sat on the desk near the bed and slept of due to tiredness.
______________
Saturday, 13th September 2072, 01:02am
Droveil,
Nighthaven,
Central Nighthaven, Salem District,
Nice Delight Steakhouse.
The steps of leather soles tapping above stone echoed through the stale morning. The air reeked of concrete and blood, boosting the already unproductive morning.
Lights bled from active sirens and the atmosphere was relatively quiet, except form the constant chatting of those on the scene.
Police officials, paramedics and those from the clean up service loitered about with no real aim whatsoever.
Moreover, this changed when two figures in black emerged from a streamline SUV. One that just pulled up.
One was dressed in the darkest of trench coats, the smoke from a cigarette obscuring his face. The other was dressed in a more casual wear, a black hat, black leather hoody and black demin jeans.
Abreast, they walked across the empty road and arrived at the lively scene before them. A police officer, one of a commanding rank walked up to them.
" Detective Jacques, reporting for duty. Office Sedgwick what do we have on file, please let’s make this professional. " The man in the trench coat said.
The officer groaned lightly, then replied. " You should see the body first." He then lead both of them to an area which had been tapped off.
Signaling to a young paramedic, the white fabric used to cover the object being sealed off was removed.
Detective Jacques smirked and turned to his partner, " It seems our work here is done, Acquaintance Jason. " His voice fading into the dark morning.
