Pools of Blood

Chapter 1

 It was early in the morning when my phone rang. God, I hate morning calls! My whole equilibrium crashes and my nerves literally turn frenzy and this leads to temper all day long.

"Hello?"

"Hello. Inspector Michael. We have an emergency.”

"What are you talking about?"

"You should come to the station as fast as you can. The chief wants to see you."

The caller hung up at once.

Being a police officer has more demerits than merits. When you join the force, you have to sacrifice your sleep, food, and family.

I don’t even remember when was the last time I hung out with someone, drank beer, or enjoyed a party. s*x has been a myth for me. After she had left, my life had turned into a dead plant.

I got up off the bed and prepared myself. A quick shower and some black coffee were all that I could manage to shake off my numbness. It took twenty minutes to reach the police station.

There was mayhem all over the place. People were arguing, discussing, and quarreling at the same time. As soon as my co-partner Angela Brown saw me, she approached. Her hair was disheveled and it seemed she had a rough night.

"Michael. There is a case. You better go to the Conference Room. Chief is waiting."

"But what is the matter with you? You looked like you never slept.”

"Sleep? " She scoffed at me. "When you would see what I have seen, you will forget sleep."

Saying this, she left making me stand there dazed, puzzled, and confused.

I opened the door of the Conference Room. He was standing in front of the projector. Tall, well-built, short curly hair with gray streaks, in a blue coat, he looked just like an old version of James Bond. Yes, he was our Chief. The Director-General of our Police Force of our state, Mr. Bo Min-Chang. Even Lucifer would be afraid of a man of such a terrible demeanor. He was the most disciplined man, one can ever find. One hell of a strict man and most insensitive and brutal towards criminals. His name was enough to make anyone pee in their pants.

"Ah! Michael. Here you are. Come and have a seat."

There were two more people seated beside him. One was a young middle-aged lady and another was a boy, much younger.

" Let me introduce ", Mr. Chang said as soon as I have taken a seat beside him. " Here is Dr. Min young, a well-known gynecologist of the state and beside her is our youngest genius, newly recruited, Mark Tawny."

I couldn’t control my suspense any longer. I was too curious to find out what was happening.

" So, Sir. What’s the case all about? " I blurted out.

Mr. Chang looked directly into my eyes and slowly spoke out, " Michael, it’s not just some case. It’s a rape case."

                                                                                 *    *    *

There hasn’t been a single case of murder, rape, or assault for the last ten years, from the day Mr. Chang has assumed power. The police force has never been so active. All the criminals have been rounded up overnight and the city has been declared the safest in the country.

Now, after ten long years, a rape case has surfaced, that too not of any simple city girl. The youngest neurosurgeon of the country, the most beautiful and talented doctor, Jasmine Parker had been found lying in a dump yard, by some cleaners. They immediately called the ambulance. This sudden incident has been a sharp blow on Mr. Bo Chang’s cheek. How could something like this happen in the midst of a hundred police patrolling cars and CCTV cameras?

The doctors seated beside me broke my reverie and handed me some photos of the victim. Seeing the photos, I realized why Angela looked so frightened. All the pictures depicted the level of savagery inflicted on her. She was found lying naked with blood oozing out from every inch of her skin. A hand was twisted and her leg was badly bruised. Blood was trickling down from her most affected parts. Her n*****s were crushed and her breasts were clawed and gnawed.

I couldn’t look at the photos anymore. I dropped them on the table. My hands were trembling and I clutched my head and sat down. I couldn’t breathe. These peoples were demons. How could they do such a horrendous act?

- " They even urinated upon her ", said Dr. Min-young, reading my thoughts. " We have found six urine and semen samples."

I looked at Bo Min-Chang. His face looked haggard and drained as if he has aged ten years overnight. ’Michael’, he said in a tired way "Jasmine is still alive. Even after facing Hell, her urge to stay alive is a wonder itself. She gained conscience for a few minutes while she was being rushed to the hospital and she asked for you. Only you specifically. You are the only one to whom she wants to give her statement." I was amazed at this. " Why would she want me? She doesn’t even know me and neither do I."

"Because you are the only one who can give her justice. Everyone knows you as “Encounter Specialist Michael”. Your villainous rowdy style, your brawniness, your capacity, and your worth are known to all ", said the young computer geek for the first time. " I am your big fan. You are the one who inspires so many to join the police force for protecting the city."

Praises! Yes, people do praise me. They praise me for this. They praise me for that. But inside I know my worth and my failure. I couldn’t even save my own family. How will I be able to save others?  

"Look Michael’, Bo Chang turned around and looked straight at me. "That girl is fighting her best to survive. She might have something important to say. She is in NICU at this moment all the doctors are trying their best to save her. What happened to you years ago, don’t feel guilty anymore. God has given you a second chance to save someone. Don’t miss it."

I realized whatever he has said was absolutely true. That’s my call and I will give her justice.

I got up. It's time to visit Jasmine Parker. As I was leaving, Mr. Chang called me from behind, " Michael, this is your case. When you find them, make sure you terminate those viruses from the city. That’s an order."

-" Don’t worry Sir. When I find them, which I am sure I will, they will have no idea what’s in store for them. They will face my rage and they themselves will beg me to shoot."