Horrors by the Hudson

Chapter Nine

Three months since getting kicked off the biggest case of my career. I've still been doing murder investigation, but they were all so simple, all with the same motive. I have tried texting Zach time and time again, but he has never answered. Even though Zach has asked me to stop working on the case, I couldn't keep my hands off of it. I picked up my phone and dialed the one person that I promised I would stop bothering.

"Why the hell did you tell me that your mother was cheating on your father? Did you not think that's why your father had a motive to kill all these innocent people? Could you please explain this to me!" I was walking around my apartment with my hands in my hair screaming at my phone that was sitting on the kitchen counter.

"Did I not tell you that you were off the case? Why are you still investigating it when I told you to stop!" His loud voice roared through the phone, almost sounding like he was in the room with me.

"Oh we have drinks together, we are both wasted, and I basically tell you my life story, you should know that I never put down a case even if someone tells me to stop! What is wrong with you! I can help you but you are pushing me away like I am some stupid little girl that doesn't know how to do her job!" I was throwing my arm around like a maniac, my voice loud enough that my neighbors most likely can hear me.

"Maybe that's what you are! A little girl that can't do her job correctly! Maybe you are the reason why my father went around killing innocent women!"

"What are you talking about? I do not know your father! How am I the one that is at fault here!" I stopped pacing, wanting to hear the reason for his accusation.

"I'm sure you know who Uncle Stephan was don't you?" I paused, not hearing the name that's been said to me.

"What are you talking about? Stephan was my uncle, what does this have to do with your father?!"

"Why can't you get a brain! You're the reason my father went rogue because your mother was his wife, but she got pregnant with you with another man! After he found out, he needed to find a way to take out his anger. He hunted which helped him distract his mental pain by causing physical pain to animals. Then he met my mom and me. They started dating and then got married. My father isn't my biological dad, he's my step father." I immediately hung up after hearing what Zach told me. It didn't make sense.

**************

"Hey Zara since my birthday party is today and I am having a little get together, you should bring a friend! You know what I mean?! We can all have a lot of fun together!" Jasmine was looking at me with a huge smile on her face.

"I told you that I would go to your party, but I am now bringing anybody!" We were walking into the office together, because of a case that she wanted help on.

"Don't you want to bring Zach?! You can introduce him to everyone," I look at her with my eyebrows raised.

"You're kidding right. I literally barely ever talk to him! The only reason I have his number is because he helps me in getting information on his father's case, okay? I will happily go to your party but I am not contacting Zach about your party."

I got home exhausted from the long day that I had at work. Working on two cases can get very tiring. I really did not want to go to Jasmine's party, knowing that it would not just be a get together that she insists that it is, but a college like party with sweaty people dancing and alcohol.

I opened my closet door and dug out all the college party dresses that I had in the back, wanting to fit in with the scene. Deciding on a black tight dress, that showed little skin seemed like the right move to make. I got dressed and put on thigh high boots. Then I applied a dark red lipstick to match the outfit. I threw on my plaid trench coat while running out the door to catch my Uber.

While getting off the elevator from Jasmine's apartment building, I felt the floor shake and the music booming from her two bedroom apartment. I slowly opened the door too afraid of what the scene would look like. People dancing on top of each other, with red solo cups in their hands. The music was so loud that I couldn't hear myself think, with the colorful disco lights flashing across the walls and floor.

Jasmine was in the kitchen getting a drink for herself when I walked up to her. "How did you do this?! Didn't it cost like thousands of dollars to set this up?!" She looked at me like I was crazy, then laughing like there was no tomorrow.

"Zara! This didn't cost me thousands, it cost me millions! But good thing I didn't pay for it right! You should really find yourself a rich boyfriend because they seriously give you whatever you want." She chugged her drink, making a disgusted face while the hard liquor passed through her throat. "Loosen yourself up a bit! Take whatever you want, any drink, or any substance you want, and mingle with the people!" Jasmine left while I was standing in the middle of the kitchen not knowing what to do.

I was looking at the different drinks on the kitchen island, as I felt a large hand touching me on the shoulder. "Hey, do you need some help?" I gasped and quickly turned around, seeing Zach looking concerned.

"Sorry, I just don't like surprises or being sneaked up on," I turned around facing the table so I could focus on my drink. My heart started racing as my hands were shaking in fear. When I poured the drink into my cup, I quickly brought the cup to my lips, downing the bitter taste of the alcohol. I walked out of the kitchen wanting to be in a crowd so I could feel more safe.

Jasmine was dancing with some of her friends across the room. I wasn't familiar with parties like these. In college all I ever did was stay at the library during the weekends instead of getting wasted like all my other friends. People always asked me if I ever regret not living my life during my teens and early twenties, but focusing on school was what I lived for. I didn't want to become my parents, living paycheck to paycheck, then selling themselves if they didn't have enough for the entire month. I learned at an early age that I would never be loved by the people I called my parents. Maybe them locking me in my bedroom so I could focus on my studies to get into a good college, then a good job was a sign of the amount of love they had for me. Why do I have to send them money every month, just for them not to hurt me?

The music was running through my veins, like the alcohol was doing to me moments before. For the first time in a long time, I felt happier. Or maybe it was the alcohol tricking me into feeling happier because of the lack of happiness I never got years ago.

"Zara lets go. You need to get out of here before you get hurt," Zach carried me onto his back as he navigated his way to the door. I smelt the liquor that was seeping out of his skin. He brought me to his car and strapped me in.

"Hey don't put me in this car. You're drunk too so you can't drive!" I started to fling my arms around so he wouldn't be able to touch me. Tears were threatening to fall from my eyes. I don't know why I drank so much. I wanted to let go but for some reason this feels far from letting go.

"You know what's funny? My whole life I was locked in a prison that was my own body. Guards would watch me as I did my homework or went out to go to my many jobs. Yet these guards wouldn't do their job correctly as they would leave me, drinking their happiness away. My mother used to be a good person. She moved her entire life just so I could live a better life, away from the demons that were following her in her hometown. Yet here we are, her going back to her old roots and me sending money to her just so she won't become homeless. God what even is my life." My tears were slowly becoming laughs as I realized how unlucky I have become. Zach looked at me, worry lurking in his eyes. "You know what, let me go, I can find my own ride home," and with that I unbuckled my seat belt and walked away.