Z

Chapter Three

“Thank you for meeting us here. I’d like to start out by saying that we are so sorry for your loss.” The detective said as he placed a small smile on his face and sat across from Zoie. 

“Hello.” Zoie softly greeted. 

“I’m Detective Barnes! It’s nice to meet you!”

"Zoie." Zoie answered as she shook his hand. Zoie sat in the seat unobtrusively as she wore dark shades to conceal her eyes. Zoie woke up the following day to reports about Chris and Phoebe's demise. She got a call from Chris' mom who wailed about the passing of her child as Zoie tuned in and faked as though she was harmed. To Chris’ mother, Elise, Zoie’s voice sounded full of hurt yet Zoie’s expression remained relaxed.

“We are aware of your relationship with both of the victims so I cannot imagine how hurt you are about this situation. However, we must ask you a few questions to be on the safe side of things.” Detective Barnes revealed. 

“Of course.” 

“Where were you when the incident occurred?” He asked. 

“I was driving around.” Zoie answered. “I’ve been under a lot of stress and driving helps clear my mind. Chris usually hangs out with his friends on Friday’s so I left our apartment an hour before he did.” 

Detective Barnes cleared his throat. “Zoie, did you know about the relationship between Chris Holley and Phoebe Miller?” 

“I had my suspicions but they were never confirmed.” Zoie lied. 

“Could you tell me where the suspicions came from? Did you witness anything between them?” 

Zoie shook her head. “I witnessed things but it was never anything huge. It was mainly exchanged glances between one another and Phoebe stopped coming around. I never confronted the both of them about it because I didn’t have enough proof.” 

“You weren’t suspicious of him not returning home? Wouldn’t that worry you and make you contact the police to report him as missing?” Detective Barnes asked. There was no denying that he was very suspicious of the girl sitting across from him. After going into the interrogation room, he noticed that Zoie's communication appeared to be off. She was expressive and had a voice that was extremely delicate yet she didn't sound hurt. All things considered, she appeared to be nervous and tense. 

“He would usually hang with his friends of Friday’s and not come home until Saturday afternoon so I didn’t think that he’d be missing or dead.” Zoie responded. 

Detective Barnes nodded. “Could you tell me where you drove to?”

Detective Barnes watched as Zoie sighed and her body language completely changed. The uncomfortable look had changed to irritation. Indeed, even with the shades on, Detective Barnes could feel a sinister vibe emanating from the young lady.

“Detective, why not just get to the point?” Zoie asked softly. "I can clearly see what you're indicating yet you're avoiding the real issue."

“I am simply interviewing you, Miss Mikaelson.” Detective Barnes announced. He noticed that Zoie’s way of speaking had changed immensely. Her body language no longer showed fear. Instead, it had been replaced with confidence.

“You are interrogating me, Detective Barnes.” Zoie corrected. “Interviewing someone is used to gather information and try to find the suspect by gathering evidence. Interrogating someone is simply for confessions. You sit there and pretend to be friendly with no mysterious thoughts so you can get a confession.” 

Detective Barnes stared at Zoie in shock. He was strangely intrigued at this point yet he was determined to get Zoie to tell the truth. He was even more relaxed to know that 2 criminal investigators stood on the opposite side of the mirror tuning into the entire discussion.

Clearing his throat, Detective Barnes spoke up. “I know what interrogation means.” 

“I’m the suspect.” Zoie revealed. “I knew it all along.” 

“Zoie, there’s no escaping this. You may as well tell the truth.”

"What truth?" Zoie shot back. "The news stories expressed that Chris was found with a gunshot wound to the head and Phoebe was found with a broken neck. You're trying to say that I did that? Wouldn't someone see me enter their room? I'm certain someone heard the gunfire so why are you not cross examining them? Wouldn't they have called the police in the wake of hearing an uproarious noise?"

“What if we’ve already interviewed them? What if they remembered seeing you there?” Detective Barnes asked. In all honesty, no one had mentioned Zoie’s name but he had a feeling that it would make her confess something. 

Zoie shrugged. "Check the cameras and it will show that I was not there."

Frustrated, Detective Barnes sat back in the seat and groaned vigorously while scouring a hand through his dark hair. Zoie smiled as she watched him realizing that she had accomplished her objective at getting under the man's skin.

"I realize that you believe you're tricking me. You feel that I'll admit to this. What you didn't know was that I've managed to cut each camera off in here, I've controlled each person in this place to exit including your 2 beautiful friends that remained behind that mirror so they're presumably all standing in the back of the building gazing into space which leaves just you and I." Zoie reported.

Detective Barnes’ skin crawled as Zoie dropped the news on him. He didn’t believe it but the calmness in her voice made him extremely uncomfortable. Attempting to get up, Detective Barnes was shocked at the fact that he was unable to move. Zoie sat there with her arms crossed and a grin. 

“I cannot control everyone for too long so we must make this quick now here’s what’s going to happen, baby.” Zoie started. Zoie gradually eliminated the dull shades from her face and gazed at Detective Barnes with terrifying black eyes. Zoie’s pupil, iris, and sclera had been darkened.

“Every recorder, camera, television, and computer has been turned off in this very building.” Zoie declared. Detective Barnes could feel Zoie controlling his body as his head turned towards her and his eyes landed onto the chilly ones gazing back at him. 

“You will get off my back. You will advise everyone that I had nothing to do with this. You will clarify that Chris snapped Phoebe's neck and afterward shot himself. You will no longer contact me or any other individual in regards to this case." Zoie demanded.

Zoie gazed at him as the hushed whispers talked once more. Pressing her eyes shut, Zoie took a full breath and tried her hardest to block the voices out of her head. 

“You will end this foolishness! They both got what they deserved! I put them to sleep so allow them to Rest In Peace. In the event that you try to neglect to do as I said, I will return and will deal with you myself!” Zoie threatened. “Do you understand?” 

Detective Barnes gestured gradually. "I understand." 

Zoie winked, put the shades back on, and left the room leaving the man in the room alone. As Zoie withdrew from the building, Detective Barnes sat in same spot with an open mouth as the recollections of Zoie’s showcasing her powers eradicated from his psyche with just her requests remaining.