NUMB

8 - The reveal

!W! Use of strong language and graphic depictions of self-harm.

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*Next day*

*FBI headquarters*

New York roads bustled with ant-like vehicles as Alec took a long, relaxing drag of his Marbolo, tapping the ashes in open trash as he leaned against the wall, staring at the city intensely. Across the street stood another tall building, a giant pool peeking from the floor above his head where groups of people laughed their heads off and he wondered about the number of crimes committed in that same pool.

He wondered how genuine those laughs were. The atrocious minds that masked behind an innocent face, he wondered whether they're soon going to be notified for the murder of any one of those laughing creatures? Maybe they will, because no one knows how wicked a person's mind can get. One moment, they'll pretend to be god but the next thing you know, they'll become the monster you never imagined them to be.

"LIGHTWOOD! BACK IN THE HALL!" Came Victoria's voice and he groaned. Tossing the almost finished cigarette into the trash, he shoved a peppermint gum in his mouth and walked out.

Half-hour ago, they were informed that Victoria's order for them to work with the FBI was accepted, much to commissioner Imogen's dismay, so they were here, working on tracing the real suspect.

"Can't you let me smoke for a few minutes in peace, Vicky?"

"I gave you ten minutes," Victoria said flatly. "Anyhow, our team investigated the truck that crashed with your car. You were right, that accident was planned. The driver had a criminal history, plus the truck was reported missing a year ago and never found again. Whoever did this had tried to make sure that the cases went cold. It's hard to make connections with Magnus Bane's case."

"That guy fucked up someone good," Emmanuel stated, tone amused that earned everyone's glare. "What? If someone's adamant about making his life hell then he clearly messed with the wrong people."

"And we're supposed to find those wrong people Emmanuel." Victoria glared at him.

"What about the call details of Travis Dorian?" Alec asked.

"Yet to come but I doubt we'll find anything. These people seem to know what they're doing." Victoria sighed.

"So, back to square one?" Elijah raised his brow.

"I'm afraid-"

"WHERE IS THAT BASTARD!? I DON'T CARE ABOUT ANY OF YOUR FUCKING RULES! HE KILLED MY PARENTS! THAT GUY KILLED MY PARENTS AND YOU ARE DOING NOTHING! I'LL FUCKING KILL HIM MYSELF! LEAVE ME! I SAID FUCKING LEAVE ME!"

"The hell!? Officer! What's going on?"

"Miss Stewart, commissioner Imogen's grandson is here and he's out of control. He's asking for Magnus Bane."

"Oh no!" Exchanging worried looks, the group rushed towards the hallway where the chaos took place and noticed the cops trying to pull back a very heavy, well-built man.

Alec's breath caught in his lungs when he noticed the man. Dark brown strands peeked through his long, blonde hair, indicating that it was recently dyed. The fierce, strong demeanor and stubbornness as he kept yelling at the top of his lungs resembled his own.

But what stood out was a mismatched pair of eyes accompanied by a scar over his right brow, showing clear skin beneath, sending shivers down Alec's spine. It was familiar. Familiar to a person who doesn't exist anymore, to a person who died long ago and it horrified Alec. How could that be possible?