Taken Away

CHAPTER 10 / EPILOGUE

I stood near the front door, feeling the coldness of the night air as I gathered myself for the task ahead. My body was still and alert, ready to respond to any unforeseen surprises that may present themselves. I approached the house, knowing that the door would be locked. I had expected this, and we had planned for it. As I made my way around the back of the property, I noticed a small entrance for what looked like a basement. This could be the entrance we're looking for. I paused for a moment, taking in the situation before taking a deep breath and readying myself for the task ahead. This is the moment we've been waiting for. I reached the entrance to the basement, carefully making my way down the steps to take a look at my surroundings. As I descend the stairs, the darkness becomes more and more intense. I closed the basement door behind me and crouched low to the ground, making myself as small and inconspicuous as possible.

I gripped my pistol tightly in my hands as I scanned the area. I took a few steps down the hallway, my head darting back and forth as I scanned the dark area for any signs of life or movement. As I moved deeper into the underground structure, my eyes adjusted to the darkness, and I began to notice more details in the environment around me. The hallway looks long, with doors lining both sides of the area. As I moved down the hallway, I wondered what purpose these rooms might serve. I jumped back, startled by the sudden flashlight noise, the adrenaline kicking in as my senses heightened. "As I expected from Detective Sally, congratulations; you solved the puzzle!" The voice repeated, filling the area with an echoing trumpet sound. I hold my gun close to my side, ready to take any measures necessary to protect myself from whatever threat may present itself. I slowly approached, my gun close to my side, as I observed the voice with cautious scrutiny. "The detective who everyone prizes," the voice repeated, his tone sounding smooth and practiced. I noticed a door at the end of the hallway; its condition seemed old and decayed. The door's wood is covered with mold and weathering, and its hinges and screws were rusted and worn down. This underground complex has been abandoned for quite some time, its state deteriorating and rotting away. I pushed open the door, peering inside to take in the surroundings as I entered. My heart leaps into my throat as I step into the room, seeing the disturbing sight before me.

On the shelves in front of me, resting in three separate jars, are human hearts. The entire room is illuminated in a deep crimson light, the color casting a sinister and eerie ambiance. I took in the scene, feeling the blood drain from my face. "Welcome to my lap." I turned around quickly, taking in the scene before me. In the doorway in front of me stands the Heart Collector, his imposing figure cloaked in shadows. He gazes down at me with his piercing green eyes and a slight smile on his lips. As I gaze up at him, his handsome face looms above me. He stands tall and imposing, his face cloaked in shadows but giving off a calm and soothing aura nonetheless. I can see why his good looks and charm would have attracted the attention of his prey, luring them into a false sense of security before striking. I cannot allow the lure of his looks to divert my attention from my mission; I have to stay focused. He stood before me, his hands resting calmly in the pockets of his coat. His demeanor was confident and calm, suggesting an air of control over the situation. I pulled my pistol with both hands, holding it up and training it on his chest. He didn't move or react, standing still in front of me with his hands in his pockets. "The human heart is so interesting, don't you think?" The Heart Collector asked me, his voice sounding soft and soothing. I watched him carefully as he spoke, keeping my gun trained on his chest. "It beats when we're scared, when we're in love, when we're running." The Heart Collector continued, his words flowing together in a hypnotic and melodic pattern. he slowly walked towards the shelves, his eyes fixed on the jars of preserved hearts.

He gently touched the glass of one of the jars, his actions seeming filled with reverence for the organ within. I watched as he whispered, "What a fragile thing," his voice sounding almost reverent and filled with respect for the heart before him. I forced myself to remain grounded in reality as the situation became increasingly surreal and bizarre. The Heart Collector stared at me with his intense green eyes as he spoke, his gaze piercing and unrelenting. "Sadly, people don't know how to take care of it; am I right, Sally May?" I cannot let him manipulate me into dropping my guard. "You were a surgeon, weren't you?" I asked, my tone steady and even. "Yes, I was a surgeon for many years," He continued, his voice sounding calm and measured as he spoke. "As a surgeon, I saw first-hand the fragility of the human heart." "My curiosity has never ended since then," He stood like a predator, his eyes piercing into me as he watched me with intensity. "You people wouldn't understand," his voice sounding sharp and aggressive. This is a man who has completely lost his connection with reality, his mind warped and twisted by his obsession. "Aren't you curious as well, Sally?" The Heart Collector asked, taking a step towards me. My body tenses up, and I react quickly, squeezing the trigger as I fire my pistol into the ceiling above. "Step back!" I yelled, "I see you're the cautious type, Sally; I respect that." he continued, his tone sounding almost respectful and appreciative of my actions. "I have been watching you for a long time. sally." I watch as the Heart Collector walks back, moving a curtain aside to reveal a more shocking scene than the one before me.