The Doctor Of East Hadena [MXM] [SERIAL KILLER] ✓

08 | COPYCAT

TW | MENTIONS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

-

A week goes by, and every elevator ride is the highlight of my day. Most of them go about the same, too: I step out of my apartment—sometimes Dex does as well, and sometimes he's waiting for me, but I'm never first—and we walk down the hall together. The conversations we have during this time and during the elevator ride vary, but I'd hardly even consider them as that to begin with.

Dex leads the conversation, every time, and what he talks about is usually along the same lines: our work. Updating me on the investigation, asking me if I have gathered the newspapers for him yet, which I really need to do. I just also need to go through them first, because I have no idea what could be in there that would get me in trouble, but I don't want to take any risks.

Anyway, that's how it goes, every single day, and I wish I minded it. Well, I suppose that in a sense I do, just not in the way I should. I hate talking about my own criminal case, and I absolutely hold no fondness for how much it seems Dex wants to catch this person. He doesn't outright say it, but I can see this spark of passion in his eyes any time it's brought up. A determination.

It is to be expected that I would dislike this aspect of our conversations. However, I should dislike far more than just that. I should hate talking to him at all, I should be avoiding him at all costs. He's a cop, one slip up around him and I'm probably fucked. It's so risky, but I can't seem to find the strength to end it.

This is because I'm putting it off. I have decided that I am allowed one friend, even if he is a police officer. I will of course end this friendship if things go too far, or get too serious, but I've decided to let myself have this. For now.

I don't find out any new information during this week, and neither does Dex, and our conversations don't stray outside of professional topics. This is good. This is progress.

Then, after eight days of peaceful routine and beginning to really look forward to talking to Dex on our elevator rides, I receive a phone call.

When I get it, we are walking down the hallway together, though all we've said to each other thus far is a greeting. Then, my phone begins buzzing, and I frown. When I pull it out and find Kristy's name staring back at me, I know I have no choice but to answer. So, sighing, I take the call, still walking with Dex.

"Hello?"

"Camilo!" She says in a sing-song voice, sounding way too chipper for what the situation probably entails. I assume she's calling me for a reason, though, so I keep my patience. That's never been too difficult for me, anyway, though.

"Camilo, can you— okay. On your way down here, can you stop and grab us coffee?"

"Okay. Bye."

"No. No, ask me why."