My name is Lara

"Move out immediately! Get to the former location that child was at and restrict any by passers who seem 'curious' about the situation!" I quicken my graceful pace with my team right behind me. "If I'm right, then that child should still be in his home," a subordinate officer from behind me commented in a light whisper making me instantly snap my head towards his fleeting direction. "Contact the city's borders and make sure to tell them to inspect every car passing," I glare at him intensely with a murderous look, "You never know WHERE he might be."

“Yes, ma’am will do,” Isu actively replied giving me a nod. He headed off scurrying towards the archives.

“Kais, find the license plate and forward it to us. Don’t forget to send the surrounding buildings of his destination.” There was no need for an answer. He silently disappeared like his usual self leaving us to head towards the exit. “The rest of you, follow me.” Silver beads of sweat were impatiently forming on the corners of my forehead, my exhaustion threatening to take over. It was as if I had gone back to my old self. Shaking off my thoughts, all of us jogged lightly to our cars, the sound of heavy footsteps ringing in my ears.

As soon as we got out of the main unit, the black cars were there. It was to be expected. Quickly rushing towards the passenger seat, I turned the small handle, glad of its convenience. I directly dropped down on the seat, and in less than a moment, we were out on the road. Subconsciously putting in the specialized earphones, we were contacted by Kais, his voice echoing lightly. “Head on to Highway 20 and go straight. I’m tracking your location right now,” he paused making sure the information seeped into us, “The guy’s on the same road. If you go faster…………. There!” He yelled, making us cringe significantly. These devices were very sensitive to the ears and easily cut through to our eardrums.

“Any louder and you’re dead when we’re back.” I replied making others lightly chuckle and saying silly comments to further agitate the poor guy. “Anything funny?” I replied to their enormous stupidity. Their mind-blowing abilities were one of the most exceptional, except when it came to this. I sighed, clearly showing my signs of extensive frustration. After a few seconds of awkward silence, I was quite positive my strong message got across and through their ear’s unbreakable walls. “Ma’am, look further ahead. There should be a dark blue Honda with a broken light.” I put my hand out of the massive car and tilted my slender body in an angle it could look over the gigantic road. Looking for a bit, my face easily became hesitant and gradually a frown was etched across my face. There was no such thing, he must’ve seen wrong. “Looks like this time you’re wrong, eh?”

“That’s not a possibility, Team Leader.” He replied. He was right. I had no right to judge him, especially in regards to his field of expertise. Reluctantly looking out once more to confirm my fleeting suspicions, I looked over once again. And that’s when my gaze fell upon it. That little car. Its odd blue. The broken light. The panicked driver. The child banging, yet something holding him back. That’s when it came to me. Something felt quite wrong. It wasn’t how it was supposed to play out. I could easily feel my gut instincts crawling over me. “Get moving, don’t care about fines, I’ll deal with it. Drive faster, something’s wrong!” I wasn’t lying when I said that half of the time, it was my significant instincts quietly playing with me.

It was the truth. Even a kidnapper isn’t stupid enough to not think twice. What was going on? Was it a distraction? A ploy? Or some sort of a sick scheme? “Kais, I need you to check the CCTV. Make sure to look out for someone suspicious or something which is out of place. Now.” I wasn’t sure but it felt wrong. “There is something, but I’m not sure if should say this……......” He quietly trailed off leaving me in utter confusion. What was he onto? “Spit it.” I demanded, my tone making him flinch over the line.

“Well, there is this drunkard who is hanging around the marketplace. He seems like it, but I think somethin’s off. At first, it looks as if he’s talkin’ rubbish, but he keeps repeating this: ‘he’s back, he’s here’ and keeps spouting other stuff like a psychopath.” No. No way. It can’t be him. It just can’t. He died. He died 6 years ago that day. I was shaking top to down and the others obviously noticed the change. “What’s wrong, Lara? You okay?” Maria shook me, he friendly personality coming out making me glance towards Mara. I shook my head and she hesitantly went back to her seat. I inhaled uneasily and felt sharp icy wind blow out of my nostrils. No way is he alive. If he is, then I’m killing him on the spot. “Listen to me carefully. Give Team 2 his coordinates and tell them to move to his location. Immediately!”

“Yes, ma’am!!” He immediately replied, making me physically nod. I felt like an idiot and was elated that no one realized as they’re complete focus was on that merciless criminal “Faster, I want you to tail that broken car, be careful to notice anything wrong, and no matter what, we cannot alert him at all costs.” I told James, who was currently busy being the driver while following a criminal’s car. He sped, going completely unnoticed through the entire ride. I chuckled. His clumsy way of doing things had totally changed throughout the years and it was shocking how he changed from that low self-esteemed boy to this grown brave man who was the most confident about his skills in the entire unit. 

In a matter of minutes, we were behind that blue car. I looked on with curiosity, occasionally taking my head out the little window looking for an opportunity that he will take to pull over. I unconsciously clicked my tongue in utter annoyance. If he wants to be distraction, at least make the damned act better!

Finally, we saw it. He pulled over and ran out. He was quietly screaming. I was not gonna lie. Considering if talking in a logical way, that would have been next to impossible. I mean, was that even possible? It was like he took drugs and a bunch of poisons. I gratefully smirked and concluded what I was thinking was right.

 Cocaine and a few stronger, ILLEGAL, drugs can cause such a restriction in the nasal system. I got out, honestly wondering the reason for this change of plans. It was insane how tiring this person was. Although his athletic ability was a level above ours, it was possible he showed slight signs of slurring on the hard, concrete ground looking at his wavering, muscled back.

I nodded, running to the car. They knew what to do. There was no need for instructions. While the two women rescued that little child, the other three took the lead with me following. Soon after, knowing the child was safe, I asked him some questions. Although he was quite petrified to the point of tears brimming out his eyes, he didn’t stop. I was stunned. His descriptions were so detailed that for a split second I completely forgot he hadn’t even begun his life. What the hell would he be when growing up?!

Although he stuttered and mumbled, sometimes clenching his teeth and screaming while tightly clutching his head, he kept going, never stopping. I was glad. Glad it was someone like this. Well, it looked I would have to rope this boy in later in the future, but right now wasn’t exactly the most appropriate time. He was useful. Extremely useful. Hell, I wasn’t about to go regret letting go of his talent in the next few years. Soon after I was done, I recommended a personal psychologist who I surely knew would help him out. I slowly stood, dusting off the accumulated dirt that had merged with my police uniform. He was pretty good, but I had to better now. So I ran. I ran fast, not wasting a second of my precious time.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I stood there, still frozen in place as to what just took place. The man, whom I clearly thought to be the criminal, was dead. And not the usual suicidal way, but in fact with the drugs that were taking effect. It was to be expected, I sighed. I cautiously gazed at him, I surprisingly held a measly hope that he will still be alive and kicking. I steadily approached his crooked nose to check for any signs of breathing, but none. How? How was it possible for him to be dead so quickly? I carefully examined his body and did my very best to preserve the crime scene.

Glancing over at his broad shoulders and chest, I immediately realised that he worked out. Perhaps a trainer? No, he didn’t look like the type. After proper inspection, I also saw that he was wearing branded clothes, the same ones shown in the pictures provided. Perhaps, a businessman would probably suit him better as an occupation. I looked over any suspicious marks anywhere that could cause instant death. And sure enough, there it was. Although it wasn’t the type of symbol you’d expect to be done by someone with a humane mindset, it sure was one psychotic yet creative idea. On the further side of his neckline connecting with the nape of his neck was a mark carved with a scalpel, shaped like a windmill, and some messed-up shape of a doll. It wasn’t the one you’d exactly see in everyday life, but it was similar in one aspect. It had a smile, and a terrifyingly creepy one at that. I gulped. What kind of sick guy would do this? Deep down the halls, there was a laugh, a freaky laugh meant to chill you to the bones. A maniac laugh, one that showed the emotions of pure thrill, excitement and happiness.

Looks like my rhetorical question was answered straight away, because he was fast. As soon as my hand slipped into my back pocket with the black gun as my protector in there, it was then when I felt it. The gun holding the tiny golden bullet went straight through my stomach with immense speed that I lost my confident momentum in that mili-second. I fell to the ground, blood spitting continuously from my mouth. As I did so I bore my eyes into his. He was someone impossible to distinguish with the powerful impact taking its toll by the minute. I silently sprawled on the floor, taking any comfort given. I lay there like a decaying corpse until I felt a movement on the concrete ground. The last thing I felt was someone speaking in my ear with extreme dissatisfaction, “Next time you decide to crawl onto my prey, be careful you’re not dead before that.’ Gradually, I felt slipping into an endless abyss shrouded in horrific darkness.