Bloody Riddle

XVII : Dark Forest

"Phil are you done with CCTV cam?" asked karin leaning closer behind philip chair. they returned to Madison and stayed at the police station for about two hours after their arrival. karin tries to hold herself from doing something stupid that can lead to big risks. like going looking for James alone.

"Almost and there.. we go."

After Philip click enter button a video appear on the screen. A black car emerged out of the housing complex goes through a big road.

another video appears. the car appeared at a public gas station. hmm he's not so smart as he think.

"Phil you can zoom in on his car license plate number? "

"Hold on." Philip typed again this time the screen to the left of Philip showed a window, Karin came closer to see with his brown eyes. It seems david rather rushed out of his house. He even left many traces everywhere.

"They disappeared here." Philip pointed to the screen. "Copeland road?" asked karin. Philip nodded. "I think he have a house or cabin." Karin stared at Philip for a moment.

"Can we do the chase now?"

"Don't be stupid Karin, all there is procedure. we just have to do our job now, look for evidence.  Okay? Just be patience."

"Okay I'll follow the protocol."

She held her hand and focused again at the screen.

**

James half loses his consciousness when David gives the last incision to his body. his skin was pale as a living corpse. his gaze was no longer focused. his brain is no longer able to respond to anything but pain.

on the other hand David is still the same. putting on his cool face as he watched James's helpless state. David knew that James could actually fought him. but David always giving a sedative before doing the action against James.

David smiled. Seeing James in this situation like this made him happy. David walked over. he looked at James who was still breathing hard though with his body curled up. David boots stepped on James's hands then kicked him.

"Still wake up, wolf?" David crouched, put his finger on James nose tried to feel his breath. Good. He is still alive.

David pulled on his upper arm, dragging him into the kitchen. James grimaced in pain, as the wounded back rubbed against the rough surface of the floor. as a result his skin is exposed and blood comes out bit by bit.

James can't struggle, because drugs still work through his blood stream.

David tied James's hand to an iron pipe on the wall at the corner of the room. "Stay here, wolf, I'll buy something." David said in James's ear. James didn't respond because he was too tired.

After David left, James took a deep breath, relax. His body leaned against the wall, trying to make himself as comfortable as possible. He must sleep.

the torture given by David made him weak, not just his physical but also his mental. David always said that he hated James for letting Julia go. making her break her relationship with David.

he can't hold it any longer then. The guilt continues to appear in him. he failed protecting Julia. from the beginning this is indeed his fault.

James started to curl up again. He started to cry. fear haunts him, like drowning himself in a deep abyss. he didn't know whether he was worth living or not. slowly but surely hope in him began to disappear.

**

David stopped at a pharmacy near downtown, bought some drugs.

when he comes out he sees from a distance. a medium-bodied woman and a black-haired man were across the street. David hurried into his car.

He knows who they are.

Detectives Nestie and Silas. unexpectedly, they could be so far to find James. David scoofed. he turned on his car and then left the parking lot back to his cabin.

Karin looked back after the black car left. He tapped Philip on the shoulder and they got in the car. Karin is not stupid. he's been suspicious of the black car since CCTV captured the picture of the car. finally they follow the car into the street.

there was a cop helping them this time. they are patroling around the wood if the car is passing.

Karin and philip cars followed from a distance hoping that the driver wasn't suspicious.

Suddenly the black car swerved from the main road to a path, past a large warehouse belonging to a local resident. Karin and Philip stopped their car.

"All units, black cars entering the forestry area. Get ready at post." said Karin via radio communications. all the cops answered and they were ready.

Philip stared at Karin. "Shall we?" Karin nodded. Philip started engine and follow the black car again.

**

David drive his car carefully. he turns on the headlights. he already knew that he was followed since coming out of the pharmacy.

he drove his car out of the path to the forest. when he reached the place, he stopped. David grab something in his car, a gun. just in case something unwanted happens.

he slammed the door of his car. then walked away leaving his car behind. he has to walk to get to his cabin. he must hurry before they find him or James.

**

"Post one, report."

"Go ahead."

"We found a black car parked outside the forest, no driver."

"All right, back to your post, we'll call again. Copy."

Karin sighed.

"All units are welcome to leave the post into the forest."

karin getting jumpy. she feels something is wrong here. Her eyea stared into the dark thick forests in front of her. something might be happen.

Philip noticed a sudden change in her attitude. he approached and patted his partner's shoulder.

"You are okay?"

"Actually, no."

"Karin, don't worry. We'll find him."

"That's not what I'am worried about."

Philip couldn't say anything. he just stare at Karin. the line of the woman's face was hard. "Let's get this over with." Karin walks out first with her weapon and flashligh enter the forest.

David could see the flashlight shining in all directions. he hides behind a bush. waiting and observe the situation. if he kills one of the policemen it will take time. and the other will look for it. David chuckled. he is really in an unfavorable position.

when he came out, flashlight bush illuminated his face.

Shit.

The cop was immediately smothered in his mouth by David, who moved spontaneously. The cop tried to fight back but David wouldn't let him go. David's hand locked the policeman's throat, choked him firmly.

Soon, a crack came from the police neck. his body fall to the ground. David managed to break the police neck. he squeezed the policeman's body with the tip of his boot, making sure he didn't move anymore.

David looked at his belt. take his gun and hide it under his shirt. he looked the other way. it seems that they are starting to realize something is wrong. David went back on his way. the main purpose is only one, back to the cabin.

**

"We don't have to do this. you know this is dangerous. I can't leave you alone."

"I told you before I can handle it. then move aside, Phil!"

"Fine. but if something happen call me okay? Just came back in one piece."

"Just go Phil."

Karin separated herself with Philip in the forest. although Philip initially refused, but in the end he followed Karin's wishes. though it's a selfish and dangerous thing he knows the risks. If Karin meets the killer, David, anything could happen.

Philip prayed in his heart. hope they can find James and come back safely.

Karin walked through the dark forest. although she held a flashlight in her hand. the light still can't penetrate the darkness of night.

She don't know how long she walked but she came here looking for James. Trying to save him from David Eiden's hand. Karin feels walking in eternity. the night's darkness made her little frightened.

When she turn from behind a tree there was a beam of light slipping through the darkness. Karin raised her eyebrows. She follows the light. as she approached, the brighter the light.

Karin silent. She finally found it. Cabin amid in the thick dark forest.