Survivor's Guilt

Prologue: The Sequel of Your Dreams

She blacked out again.

She kept count of how many episodes she had since the end of the Trinity of Terror tour. Somewhere along the way, she misplaced her journal recounting the days when she lost time. She'd wake up in places where she had no idea how she got there wearing outfits she didn't even know she had. When she came around, she'd make the same call. Amias never asked questions. She wasn't quite sure she'd be able to give him an actual answer.

"Miss Porter."

"Charnas." She corrects, meeting the eyes of the police officer in front of her.

During this episode, she found herself in Swampscott, Massachusetts, an impossible feat as she lived in Los Angeles. The last thing she recalled was wishing Spencer goodnight. He'd been on tour with Metallica a real dream come true. With the second leg of the Trinity of Terror tour only a handful of months away she was taking this time to rest and relax. Waking up in the home of a detective with blood on her hands was not part of the plan.

"I beg your pardon ma'am?"

"My name is Kaitlynn Charnas." She holds up her left hand. "I'm not saying anything else without my lawyer present and my Miranda Rights read."

"Who's your lawyer?"

"Jonathan Keller." She answers without hesitation.

"You have got some nerve!" Officer Schoofs slams his hands on the table. She flinches recoiling back. Detective Parduhn offers a sympathetic smile clearing her throat.

"We will give Mr. Keller a call for you. Officer Schoofs, please administer her Miranda Rights." The detective leaves the room with her phone in hand. The officer begrudgingly delivers his speech staring Kaitlynn down with obvious hatred in his eyes. A few minutes pass, and the detective returns placing her phone in the inside pocket of her jacket.

"Mr. Keller will be here shortly; he is currently at the hospital," Parduhn explains sitting down.

She vaguely recalls coming to a few minutes before the officers arrived. She had pulled out her phone calling 9-1-1 in a frantic voice. Her childhood memories came back paralyzing her in place. She remembers the sweet old lady on the phone asking her to repeat the information. She did so her voice a frantic whisper. She didn't want the South Street Slayer to hear her. She hung up clutching the phone to her chest. She shrank back into the corner where Spencer clung to her.

She puts her head in her hands. Spencer had no idea where she was. As far as he knew she was sleeping soundly at home. The door to the interrogation room opened Jonathan Keller or Johnny as he insisted to be called walked into the room. He looks worse for wear Kaitlynn can't blame him. Officer Schoofs is the first to greet him. He ignores their pleasantries taking in the scene in front of him.

"Detective Parduhn, may I have a moment alone with my client?" His eyes remain locked on Kaitlynn. His eyes flash black the lights above them flicker.

"Of course, how is-"

"Officer Schoofs, if you don't mind escorting the detective out?" His voice is cold. Kaitlynn flinches guilt making her stomach churn. She frantically tries to recall something, anything. Her answer is a giant void.

Johnny waits until the officers are gone. He walks over to the camera with a click of his fingers he disables it. He goes to take a seat next to Kaitlynn his face expressionless. Kaitlynn crumbles tears filling her eyes. The first crack in her armor.

"Please tell me he's okay." Her voice breaks with a sob. "Please tell me that he got to the hospital in time."

Johnny's carefully composed face crumbles at the sight of his friend breaking down in front of him. Despite the case being concluded, Detective Christian Keller was convinced he was missing something. He went over every eyewitness testimony the concept of there only being two killers didn't fit.