Chapter Three: It's been a really long time
13 years later
Carter's P.O.V
"Life is really boring, Brooke. There's nothing interesting to do all day. It just feels like, I'm trapped," I sighed.
"No Carter, there's a lot to do everyday, but you have to go out more. Of course there's nothing fun to do when you live in an apartment on your own," she said.
"Did it ever happen to you that.. One event keeps on re-playing in your head vividly, and-"
"Carter, your parents' death really affected you. Of course you will keep remembering it, because you saw it right in front of your eyes," Brooke cut me off.
"But it happened years ago!" I exclaimed.
"True. But it's not just any random event. It's your parent's murder. You just have to get your mind off this, do something that entertains you," she advised.
"You know I'm really happy that I found you. You're the best psychologist I've ever met," I said.
"And the only one," she giggled, "I have to get going now, I have a patient."
"Oh okay, thanks for everything Brooke. I'll head to work too," I said.
"Take care of yourself," she said before leaving the apartment.
Well, time for work now.
* * *
"Hey Samuel," I smiled at my boss.
"How are you today, Carter?"
"Good, what about you?"
"Good. Feeling creative?" he asked.
"Hopefully," I said before heading to my studio.
I'm an artist. I love painting, and Samuel gave me the opportunity to do that in his art studio. I had canvas scattered all around the room, and I had no idea what to paint now.
My creative juices disappeared and were replaced by deep thoughts.
"You just have to get your mind off this, do something that entertains you," I repeated Brooke's words. I always felt guilty about my parents' murder, because I knew it was my fault. Even though it happened many years ago, such things can't be forgotten.
After all the researches made on the crime scene, detective Stevens came to the conclusion that it was my stalker who killed my parents.
And since then, I haven't heard a thing from Stevens.
A knock on the door brought back my attention.
"Come in."
Samuel came in with a concerned look on his face.
"Is there anything you need, Samuel?" I questioned.
"Carter," he took a short pause, "We have the opportunity to display our studio's work in an art show, and they can get sold at high prices," he said roaming around the room.
"Is that a phone?" he asked pointing at an old phone I had on a table.
"Yes, back from the old days," I answered.
"I don't think it even works," he said pressing its buttons.
"I brought it from my parents house, before I moved here," I sighed, "Now about that opportunity you were talking about?" I asked changing the subject.
"Yes, I want your work to be displayed at the art show," he announced.
"Samuel, I don't think I'm ready for this," I trailed off.
"Your work is amazing and it needs to be discovered," he explained. His eyes landed on some painting I drew not a long time ago before he exclaimed,
"What is that! This painting is amazing! And it will be the main painting of the exposition," he announced.
"I called it 'Beauty's bitter sweet'," I informed.
Samuel approached his phone from the canvas and took a picture of the painting. He then turned his phone to me and said,
"Come on Carter, press Enter and your painting will be submitted for the art show."
I approached my finger hesitantly from the screen, but then changed my mind.
"Samuel, I don't think I'm ready for an art show. I will think about it," I said.
"Okay, but if you don't do it, I will," he said before leaving the room.
Hopefully, I will make a good decision.
Detective Steven's P.O.V
Files were scattered all around my desk, each one containing a different case. All of them were solved, unless one that happened a long time ago and I forgot about it.
There was a slight knock on the door before it opened revealing my co-worker, detective James.
"So what are you looking at Jack?" he asked me.
"Just an old case that happened 13 years ago and it's still unsolved," I said looking at the file, then continued,
"Name: Carter Williams
Parents: Murdered
Situation: Online Stalker pursuing her and he killed her parents." I read.
"Well that's a tuff one," James commented.
"And he is smart. He knew all their house's pass locks' codes. He's some kind of professional hacker," I added.
"Ever heard of the girl since then?" James asked.
"No, it's like she dissapeared. She deleted all her accounts and every trace of her, as if she doesn't exist," I explained.
James approached the computer and started typing something before her announced, "Found her."
"What?" I asked confused.
"Ever heard of the internet?" James joked.
"But I searched her up everywhere," I said confused.
"That account must be new then," James concluded.
He stepped away from the computer and I sat on my desk and began typing her a message.
The Stalker's P.O.V
You have one new message.
I looked at the screen to find a new message on Carter's account. I opened it and started reading:
"Dear Carter,
This is Detective Stevens. I believe we met years ago when your parent's were murdered.
I really need to see you, this is important.
-Jack Stevens"
Well this should be fun. I pressed the reply button and typed:
"Dear Detective,
It's been a really long time. Is there anything I need to know?
Reply soon.
-Carter"
Your message has been sent.
