Headsets For Fear

PRESENT 13 : NORA

Twenty two days later

There were a lot of exciting things happening today. A team had been sent to Margot's house to convince her to help us. There was a lot of hub-bub in the FBI since Benji's identity as the only survivor had finally been disclosed. The media was going crazy about it, but we didn't give them any details about him. Plus, a big terrorist attack had been prevented today, so there was a mood of celebration in the air.

And here I was, doing the most uneasy, uncomfortable task of them all. Asking a fugitive why my best friend's girlfriend had killed herself.

I wanted to go with the team to Margot's house too, but Callan gave a better idea. They would say they would only allow her to meet me if she promised to help them out in the Game Murders. Though no one was sure how effective it would be, it was worth a try.

I got out of my car and entered the jail  where he had been detained. Alex had already informed the officer about my arrival. She had initially been resistive towards my decision to visit Elijah, but gave in later.

Elijah had been kept in a separate cellar, as per Alex's orders. Although I wasn't completely sure about why this step had been taken, I guessed it was because of his connection to the game. What if Elijah somehow managed to hack the brains of the prisoners? That would wreck havoc in the city.

Elijah was lying on the floor, looking dejectedly at the grey ceiling of his cell. I ignored the hue and cry made my the other prisoners in the celler and zoomed in my attention on him.

I was let in by one of the jailers. I'd never interrogated someone before, much less while being inside a jail. I was feeling queasy.

"Elijah," I asked gently.

He turned his eyes towards me, but that despondent, desolate look hadn't left his face. He had the reddish brown hair, as well as the green eyes of his sister. It created a contrast with the grey surroundings. "Huh?"

I had to handle this carefully. If he somehow understood what I wanted to ask him, he might completely withdraw from the conversation.

"I need to talk."

He looked up, and studies my face. "What do you wanna talk about?"

Before, I could answer, he squinted his eyes to get a closer look. I thought he was going to say something more.

"What do you wanna talk about?" He asked, clearly angry now.

"I'm from the FBI," I blurted out.

He let out a hoarse laugh. "I'm not saying anything," he answered.

"I'm not here to ask you about what you were doing in thag shop," I clarified. I decided it was now or never. "I had some questions. About Maverick Parker."

He sat up at that, and I now had a good look at his face. As far as I remembered, Elijah had been a pretty good-looking guy. But how, his face was contorted with some unspeakable emotion. Was it rage? Fear? Hus face had grown darker, and the playful look had disappeared completely. As if he had morphed into an entirely different person.

"I know you," he said matter-of-factly.

I nodded.

"What's your name?" He leaned towards me. There was a strange glint in his eyes. Like an animal that was about to pounce.

"Nora Turner," I replied.

"Maverick Parker's friend, right? Why are you here?"

"I need to ask something about Eleanor," I said. "Your sister."