A Spark of Hope

And I Never Minded Being On My Own

I tried to leave it all behind me

But I woke up and there they were beside me

And I don't believe it but I guess it's true

Some feelings they can travel too

Caution tape surrounded the crime scene preventing the news outlets getting any closer to, only authorized individuals were allowed access. A dead body of a teenager with a missing arm was reported at two am when his friends found him. It didn't get media attention until two hours later.

Investigating the scene was the the Chaotix, Vector and Charmy did their best not to look at the dead corpse too long for they feared that they would get sick. Espio investigated the body up close, making sure not to tamper with the body or anything that could be used as evidence. Not long into the investigation, they were joined by Team Dark, much to their concern.

"Shadow, last I checked we were the ones doing the investigation." Espio greeted the black hedgehog.

"Hey now, don't worry, you boys will get your pay. We're just here to scope out the crime scene." Rouge said in an assuring voice. "We're not trying to steal your share of the money, we've come for clues on a certain person we're searching for."

"I see..." Espio couldn't help but wonder who the individual they spoke of was. Before he could offer assistance, Vector was one step ahead of him, jumping between him and Team Dark.

"Well, if you're looking for someone, my team is the best for the job." Vector proudly puffed out his chest crossing his arms as Charmy copied from beside him.

"Thanks hun, but this has to stay classified." Rouge was already scoping the area while Shadow looked at the dead body laying on the floor. He noticed bite marks on the victim's neck. He kneel down to gain a better look, the placements of the marks were right above a vital part of the neck. Whoever attacked him, aimed to kill him first by hitting the arteries, then taking his arm. As for why, he remained puzzled.

"You find something, Shad." Rouge towered over the body next to him, eager to know what he's discovered.

"These bite marks on his neck, there's so many of them and they appear deep, which was likely the killing blow."

"What about the arm?" Rouge asked.

"From the looks of it, it was cut off, however it looks too disheveled to have been done by a sharp weapon or a clean cut."

"So whoever did this was probably having difficulty cutting it off, that could be why they killed the victim by the neck. Or this is the murderer's first time."

Vector took a small step towards her making sure to keep his distance from the corpse. He asked, "What does that mean?"

"It means, and this is only speculation, but, the killer for some reason tried to take the arm first without tying down or killing the victim. Once it proved to be too hard for them to do so, they killed the individual by the neck. Then proceeded to take the arm."

"Hmm... this certainly raises more questions than answers. Why would the killer want an arm and why one? Why didn't the killer stab him to death in a more vital area such as the heart or brain?" Vector rubbed his fingers on his chin thinking hard about the situation.

Shadow cut in, "It could be that the killer didn't have a sharp weapon or didn't come prepared."

"But like Rouge and Vector asked earlier, why take the arm? What could they need it for?"