Edited by: Kuro and Lille
Just as Grey predicted, there were 25 body parts. The reason why it was an odd number was that they found one of Brittany's lungs and one of Mr. Miller's lungs together. It formed a heart shape when they took it out of the ground. Quite disgusting.
The heads were the last to be found, signifying the end of their treasure hunt. Especially the snowflakes on their foreheads. Putting the body parts together, everyone could see how precise and meticulous the killer was. Even the way he made the snowflakes were almost identical to the others. The only difference was the size, but other than that, it was completely symmetrical like he used a machine to make the tattoo.
When they looked at the map to see where all the parts were hidden, Myles' name was spelled out on the map. It made everyone want to shiver in disgust. Only Dr. Mia felt like it would be romantic if it wasn't body parts they had to find...
Again, she was weird.
A couple of days after they finished the treasure hunt, Grey received another letter. This time, it came to his apartment door. It was unfortunate that the moment he arrived home, he would have to see another letter from the killer.
He took out some gloves that he always kept in his pocket and opened it.
There wasn't much in the letter.
I told you that you are only mine. You should've heeded my warning.
And that was it. Even though there wasn't much, it still made him feel anxious. Like something horribly wrong was going to happen.
It was still early morning, but his plans to catch up on sleep were thrown out the window. He put the letter into a plastic bag and then got himself ready. He cleaned himself up, changed his contacts, and then rushed out the door with the letter in his hand.
When he arrived at the police station, Caleb and the Agents were standing around Dr. Hendrick. Dr. Hendrick looked a bit tired and worn out. Everyone could see he was worried.
Everyone's eyes lit up when they saw Grey.
"Myles, we were just about to call you," Caleb exclaimed as he walked over. He saw Myles holding a Ziploc bag. "Is that another letter?"
Grey nodded. "Yeah. When I got home, I found it in front of my door. I came here as soon as I finished changing my clothes and stuff. Why were you all waiting for me?"
Dr. Hendrick pulled on Grey's sleeve like a lost puppy. "Myles, you have to be honest with me, did you see Dr. Reynolds yesterday?"
Hearing his name being called by the doc he always joked around with, he knew something seriously wrong happened.
"Last night, I had dinner with Dr. Reynolds. I dropped him off at home and then I went back to the station to finish my report. When I finished this morning, I went back home and found this letter. Did something happen to Dr. Reynolds?"
"Crap. I told Dr. Reynolds to come in this morning to help me finish up the reports and put the bodies back together, but he never showed up. I called him many times, but none of it went through. I also tried texting him but there was no reply. I heard you two went out for dinner, so I thought maybe he spent the night together with you and he just forgot, or something..." Dr. Hendrick was pacing as he spoke. He was so worried that he wanted to bite his nails, but that was a habit he had gotten rid of a long time ago. He didn't want to start again.
Hearing that, Grey’s heart couldn't stop beating a mile a minute. He felt like his whole world was sinking in.
He quickly took out the letter and opened it. He looked at it but there was nothing else in the letter unless...
Myles quickly went to his desk and turned on his little lamplight. Everyone was startled but he ignored their stares. He put the letter up to the light and waited. It only took a moment before words started to appear below the typed sentence.
He then read the letter in his head:
Dear Myles,
For you to see this... I knew you were smart but you really exceed my expectations each time.
Not only are you smart, but you are also brave. You always had the courage that I have always wanted, the courage that I have always lacked. You shine so brightly, like the northern star, but this world is so cruel to you. They want to take out your shine and leave you in the dust.
Don't worry. Even if the world forgets about you, you will always be on my mind and inside my heart.
Ah, I guess I should get to the point of this letter. I told you that you were only mine, but you didn't listen. That's why I have Dr. Reynolds. I've seen the way you look at him and the way he looks at you. Did you think I wouldn't notice even if you didn't establish your relationship with him? How foolish.
If you want to find him, you must follow the clue at the bottom of this letter. Don't worry, I won't kill him or you, but you must exchange yourself for him. If you come home with me, I will stop the killings. We could finally be together, forever, just the two of us.
From,
Your Secret Admirer
P.S. Here's the clue:
In a warehouse by the ocean, where the ships come in and out, ah, you poor soul. You fell for the wrong man and now you are tied up in a chair, in the middle of the warehouse with a gun to your head. Hopefully, Myles will come in and save you soon.
Well, I am sure you will find him faster than your peers. Only you and I will understand.
According to System 225, the warehouse was the same warehouse the original was last seen. It was also the place where the camera signals had come from.
Grey immediately handed the letter to Agent Freddy and began to equip himself. He put a gun under his coat, at his back, and one at his hip. He put a knife in his boot and then he made sure the tracker on his underwear was working. Luckily, he had just charged it, so he didn't have to worry about it.
Before he could even run out, Caleb stopped him. "Even if you know where he is, you can't just rashly go out and meet the killer! What happens if something goes wrong?"
"Caleb is right. We can't go there without preparations. We don't even know where this warehouse is. There are many at that harbor and there are a dozen harbors in the country alone. What happens if he isn't in the harbor in this city?" Agent Freddy's concerns were right. There were many harbors in the country and the biggest one was in the city.
'System, send me an anonymous text dating to the beginning of the treasure hunt, just before I found the letter on my desk. Don't write any words, just text me a picture of the location of the warehouse.'
[Got it, Grey. It has been done.]
'Thanks.'
"I understand your concerns, but I have the warehouse on my phone."
He showed everyone the picture of the map. It had a circle around a warehouse at the harbor in the city.
"I didn't think too much of it because I got this text message the day I found the letter for the ‘treasure hunt.’ I totally forgot about it and it wasn't until he mentioned the warehouse that I remembered I was given a map of where it was at the start."
Everyone stared at his phone, feelings were complex but they knew this was signifying the end of the crazy goose chase.
"You can't leave just yet. I know you are worried, but since we have the location, preparations will be quicker."
Agent Freddy immediately snapped out of his trance and started ordering people. He got the agents, the police officers, and even the SWAT team to come with. They couldn't underestimate the enemy, so they brought everyone they could, even the bomb team just in case.
They let Grey and Caleb get a head start on going to the location while they followed from a distance.
Grey already resigned himself to being the bait and he didn't want it any other way. He was prepared to go in there, save his lover, and finish the mission. This had been going on for far too long. It was time to end this...
*****
Meanwhile, Dr. Reynolds had just woken up. He found himself, duct-taped to a chair. His legs, torso, and hands were taped, barely leaving him room to breathe. His muscles ached from the position he fell asleep in, and his mind was muddled.
He recalled having a lovely dinner with Myles the night before. They didn't talk much but a romantic atmosphere could be seen with the naked eye. He enjoyed being around Myles and the love-filled look in his eyes. He wanted Myles to be with him all day!
After dinner, Myles drove him home. He had walked to the police station that day as it was close by, so his car was at home. After he saw that Myles had safely gotten into the car and driven off, he turned to go into his apartment. Who knew that the moment he turned around, his vision would turn black and he fell to the ground.
When he woke up, he found himself in a chair, taped up, in the middle of a warehouse. The warehouse itself was kind of empty.
There were a few large boxes that were by the entrance. It made a small pathway to the back of the warehouse. As you got further back, there was nothing but Dr. Reynolds in the chair and a table in front of him. But the table was kind of far. If he wasn't taped up, he would have to pull the chair up a couple of feet just to get his feet under the table.
On the table, there was a water bottle, as if to tempt him with thirst, and a camera facing him. He didn't know if it was recording or taking pictures, but it was unsettling to see it.
There was nobody in the room with him, but it still made him anxious. He tried to position himself in a more comfortable position, but his movements were limited. He moved his hands to try to get them to touch his lower back area, where he usually kept a scalpel. There was a cap on it so he didn't have to worry about cutting himself, but he kept one on him like a good luck charm. It made him feel better knowing it was there, but who knew it would help him in times like this?
As he struggled to grab his scalpel, a man walked in from the front. He had blonde hair and blue eyes. He was tall and wore a designer suit. If he smiled, he could seduce everyone in the room, regardless of gender, but there was a cold look in his eyes that made people stay away.
"You have finally woken up, Dr. Reynolds." The man's deep voice echoed throughout the warehouse.
Dr. Reynolds looked up and immediately knew the man was the killer they were all looking for. He gave a small smile. "I apologize for sleeping. Did I keep you waiting for too long?"
The man's face immediately became distorted by hearing Dr. Reynolds' nonchalant attitude.
"I don't see what Myles likes about you. You have a mediocre job, an okay face, poor parents, and you aren't that rich yourself. I guess you do have some intelligence since you are a Doctor. You were famous for your miracle surgeries but soon dropped out of that to become a medical examiner. I wonder why?"
Dr. Reynolds felt a little surprised that the man knew his past, but he didn't let it show on his face.
"To indulge you, I didn't originally want to be a doctor, but my parents forced me to. They never said what kind of doctor I had to be, so I picked something that would satisfy both my parents and me."
"A man who is willing to compromise. I guess that is charming in some ways."
The man had already walked up to the desk and picked up the water bottle. "Are you thirsty? I don't have food, but I do have some water."
"As of now, I'm not really that thirsty." He was kind of thirsty, but he didn't want to drink water of unknown origins.
"I see. I will keep this bottle here just in case you get thirsty."
But his arms were tied up, so he would have to degradingly ask for it when the time comes.
"I hope Myles doesn't take too long. I'm sure he is looking all over for you." His words sounded hopeful, but there was disdain when he said "you."
"He will come in no time." Dr. Reynolds knew Myles was smart. He had hoped that Myles would find him quickly and they would walk out alive, together.
"Sad to say, if he doesn't come in the next 24 hours, I will kill you. There would be no use for you at that point."
Time was ticking, but Myles was close. He just needed 10 more minutes and he would arrive at the warehouse.
Wait for me, Dr. Reynolds, this husband is coming to save you!
kuro_kama: (info no one is interested in) I also have a habit of carrying either a scissor or a lighter or both with me. I don’t feel comfortable if I don’t have one of them. I was once asked if I do cigarettes because of this.
Grandpa Marky: I'm back. I hope you enjoy this chapter! Two more before the end of this arc. How exciting heehee
Also, I've been OBSESSED with two games. One of them is called Atelier Sophie 2 (I recommend playing the first one first obviously. But they are both good.) Atelier Sophie 1 and 2 is an RPG game. It has a really fun alchemy system, which I enjoy so much!
The second game is a game that I got yesterday. It's called Coral Island. It officially comes out on October 11th for early access but I'm a Kickstarter backer so I got it a few days early. It's super fun thus far and it's incredibly diverse. It's based in Indonesia/South East Asia. It's LGBTQIA friendly and you can even choose or customize your pronouns! and all the romanceable characters are available to date regardless of gender. Soooo if you like farming sim games, PLEASE get Coral Island! It's amazing :D
Anyway, enough of that. If I update at weird times of the week or I'm late, you know why. I'm busy playing video games. LOL See yall in the next chapter :D
