Blue Eyes, White Lies

Chapter 14

I woke up with my face on my keyboard. Luckily, my laptop had died hours ago, leaving no random keyboard smash keys up in my search bar. (Of course there wouldn't be, I couldn't exactly see my search bar). 

I'd been up here since I'd been downstairs to talk to Eric. I must've been researching late into the night if I'd passed out on my laptop because of it. Hopefully everyone was less on edge today, even with the ominous threat. 

I got off of my bed, plugging my laptop in for later and grabbing my notes to show. I'd gathered quite a bit of information about the cases. Four pages of notes, single spaced, to be precise. A lot of notes.

I was tired enough that I nearly fell down the stairs, which Eric and Keiji noticed. 

"Damn Ahara, didn't sleep much did ya?" Eric jokes, looking at my frazzled hair and eye bags. 

"Slept more than you did, Bathory." I remark, earning a joking eye roll from Eric.

I set my notebook on the table, post it notes marking the important parts. 

"What did you find?" Julian asks, narrowing his eyes at what I have written. 

"Something I believe to be related. Two suspected murder cases. Same year, same place, same last seen location. It's been cold for almost a quarter century."

Eric sighs and rubs his brow. "How does this relate?" He seems almost angry with how tense he is. 

"Aaron L Hall. His name showed up when I searched the name Lysandre. Might be a related name."

He raises a brow. "Not directly related, huh? Personally I'd say you're wasting your time, but to each his own."

With a reaction like that, it's impossible for me not to continue looking into this. I'd ask, but it seems he's a little on the angry side, so I'll save the asking for google. 

"Are you... ok?"

He sighs. "I'm fine. I just need a second to myself."

I decide now is a good time to leave, grabbing my book and some breakfast. I decide the living room is probably a better place to be. 

Julian gets a bit closer to me, looking at my notes again.

"I know he may not want to hear about it, but even a linked case would be valuable to me. Could you explain what you have?" He asks.

My eyes light up. "Of course! I'm fairly proud of what I have, even if its just a link."

I open to the first page.

"Aaron L Hall, born May twentieth , 1970, missing October twenty-first, 1991. Last seen at a bar, the second in a string of suspected murder cases, dubbed the Atlanta State murders, after one of two places in common each victim had visited."

He nods. "So this might be our guy?"

"I've got reason to believe he is. He's one of the very few people to have a name like that, even fewer in the age range. I found a few newborns overseas, but I'd assume our guy works here in America."

He nods again. "It would make sense... what else do you have?"

"Almost nothing, just a few details about the case and suspects, which were eventually all pulled off the list. It's been 24 years, after all."

"Interesting..."

"It's what makes me believe he's our guy. Nothing better to hide yourself than going missing."

Eric stands up from the table, still a little tense. "I'm getting food. I'll be back later."

It's dead silent until we hear the slam of a door. 

"What his problem today?" I ask, hoping Julian knows more than I do.

"I'm not quite sure. The 90s were a rough time for him, I can't imagine talking about that year helps him much. He sighs.

"Not impossible. Honestly, I feel bad for him sometimes. For the both of you."

Julian smiles softly. "You don't need to be. It's not up to you to solve our problems, just remember that." He leans in, looking me in the eye.

Then and there, he kisses my forehead.

And I gay panic a little more.

———

Eric comes home calm, but uneasy. He drops the bags on the counter, sighing.

"We're going out tonight." 

I can hear the stress in his tone, somethings up.

"I smelled something on our way back. Thing is, I don't know what it is. Could be a trap, could be another 'negotiation'" He uses air quotes around the word negotiation.

"When do we leave?" 

"Half an hour. Right before the sun sets. Bring your dagger as usual."

He stays quiet after that, putting everything away. 

——

It's repetitive, isn't it? The way each day ends here. Something goes wrong on a hike. 

Eric stares at the ground, hands in his pockets. 

"Sorry for being tense earlier, that decade isn't the easiest for me to remember..." he sighs, breaking the silence. "One day, I'll tell you more. Today is not that day. Hopefully, I'll be able to explain some day."

I don't bother to prod. I don't need to. What's his is his, and some things don't need an explanation. 

"And I'm sorry for snapping. I'm pretty proud you found a link." He smiles a little. 

"Thank you. It's ok. Everyone has their days." I say, smiling back.

Julian nods. "They do."

"Group hug when we get home?"

They both nod.

-

Eric's head pops up, catching on something. Whatever cute moment we were having is gone, replaced by anticipation for whatever is coming. (Probably another dead guy).

"North, just a bit after the last one. One person from what I can tell. Probably dead."

It scares me I'm almost desensitized to the death. I expect it. I don't feel the chill of the wind as much, I'm not as scared. 

I draw my dagger in case anyone's there. Anyone living, that is. Eric turns a corner. This must be the place. 

It's almost barren, the spot we found. Barren except for a single thing. A bright post it, the top covered in a thin layer of blood. No deadly metals. No nothing. 

However, there is something small written. Eric takes it from the tree, reading it aloud. 

"Dear search party....

Just kidding. I'd rather call you a messy band of detectives. You may have figured out a bit of who I am, but rest assured I have many more aces up my sleeve. I have a message for each of you. To watch your backs. Although I do enjoy the wild goose chase you've let yourselves on.

Especially you, Eric.

Or should I say Robert? You always hated that name. 

I admire the bravery of the small one, but he's got nothing on us.

As for the pale one, I can't tell. However, I will find something. 

You'll regret not joining me soon enough. 

Have fun

-L. Grey."