Hunger

Chapter 3:1: Strange Happenings - The Dead Lake

"What a beautiful day it is. I wonder what’s in store for me this pleasant afternoon. Roger, can I have a cup of coffee please?” I said, while I was waiting at the counter.

I was at Hampshire Coffee Shop. For me, it’s one of the most convenient stores here in Rushford to spend my break with. Nothing beats my afternoon daze with a luscious and creamy cup of coffee, while reading a daily newspaper.

". . . All units, this is Alpha. We’ve just had a situation at the Halford Industries Inc. complex only just yesterday. A series of gunshots have been heard in committing a huge hostile takeover. Please check it out, and maintain the area secured until the investigation team clears up the mess", I had just received a report from my radio.

"Roger, can I have this cup for a moment? Don’t worry, I’ll be back later", I said, while I was exiting the shop.

I started to drive forward without further ado. It’s a good thing that my coffee didn’t spill while I was ruling the streets of Hampshire, going to Halford Inc.

After several minutes, I arrived. Dozens of police cars had already barricaded the crime scene. Several policemen were very busy going back and forth. The others were civilians surrounding the area, who were very curious of what happened.

"Officer, please come with me", a policeman approached me.

"So, what happened here?” I asked him.

"A team of unknown spies have just ambushed the guards and surprised Halford Inc. According to what we’ve discovered; the guards were slain with some kind of a dagger or sword. They’ve been slashed to death. We’ve just theorized that it had to be the handwork of the spies. Look at this", he said.

I was looking at a corpse of a sentry. His neck had been clawed. The other sentries were also the same with what happened with who I had looked at, slashed and even decapitated.

"This is very heinous and sadistic", I said, souring my face.

"I know Officer. I have never seen anything like this kind of killing in my whole life. Come on; let’s take a look around."

We passed around the complex. I was so silent that I was thinking of what had truly happened here.

"Unfortunately Officer, We cannot go inside. The place has been locked down, and we can’t breach the blast doors open. The complex is tightly-sealed. We’ve noticed a couple of visible tracks, so we followed them, leading to the lakeshore."

Then, we went to the place beside the lake. Another batch of dead guards was seen littering along the path. The policeman started to point out the restricted lake.

"Our group of coast guards has sailed there a while ago. The last set of bodies has been recovered. Also, a sealed-tight keg has been secured. We still don’t know what’s inside that keg, due to its punctured holes surrounding it", the policeman continued.

"Wait. I see something", I said, while I was looking at the lake.

I dipped my finger in the body of water and I felt the texture of it. When I was finished, I felt an odd, sticky, green substance around my finger. I smelled it and it was stinky. I turned my back to let him know about it.

"So, what do you think of this?” I asked him right away.

"Officer, I hate it to break it down to you. I’m not a marine biologist, but that’s surely an algae", he replied.

"Are you sure?"

"Why? I mean, don’t you trust a cop? I'm not dirty."

"Fine by me. Wrap this up now before the dawn breaks. Secure this area, and don’t let anyone play here, especially the media. Do you copy?” I asked.

"Copy that Officer", he replied.

"Alright, just beep on my radio, if something stupid happens. I’m taking off. Don’t worry, I’ll help you. I’m on the case."

"We got it."

As I got myself back in the car, I whispered something:

"Algae, huh? Very tricky. Come on cup; let me take you back home."