Assassinated: The Lost City

Illegally Good- Looking

The drive home was quiet with unspoken grief hanging in the air. When we reached home, Cameron didn't enter the house. She sat on the swing on her front porch with the journal in her hand. Heather and I contemplated on accompanying her but it looked like she needed some privacy and alone time. We proceeded to enter the house and examine the yellow liquid to which we learned its name, Lucid.

"We'd have to do a lab test on this. How are we going to do that?"

Heather looked up from her phone at me. "I just texted Diana to come over."

I nodded as I examined the little glass bottle in my hand. The bottom of the bottle had a word written. I peered closer. The word read 'Petra'. I had seen this word before, I was sure. It was so familiar but I couldn't put my finger on it.

Cameron was on the verge of tears as she flipped through her mother's journal. The journal was full of the same handwriting she had seen over the years although the memory of her mother's face had faded over time. Just then, Diana walked up the porch steps. "Hey, Hat texted me. What's up?"

Cameron was caught off guard and quickly dried her eyes with the back of her palms. "Hey, Di!" She mustered a smile on her face as she greeted her age-old friend. "Go ahead inside. Emma will fill you in."

"Were you crying?" asked Diana hesitantly as her small, almond-shaped eyes scanned Cameron's face for signs. Cameron only scoffed and brushed it aside. Diana had pretty features, hailing from Asian descent, and it made Cam insecure when her friend stared at her face. To top it all off, crying made her seem weak. Diana gave a small laugh as if she knew Cameron was trying to act tough and decided to not probe further, saying, "Someone is waiting outside by the way." Cameron made her way towards the gate and saw a BMW parked by the curb looking waxed and polished. Before she could open the gate, the car door opened and a broad-shouldered man stepped out.

"Hi there, miss." She froze, her lips parted slightly. The guy was tall and handsome. His face was oval, not round like hers and it was clean-shaven. He had chestnut brown hair and a pair of hazel eyes that were evenly apart under trimmed eyebrows. They reflected the sunlight brilliantly. "NYPD." He flipped open his wallet to show the badge. She closed her mouth. NYPD? What was he doing here? "Can I come in?"

She unlatched the gate and welcomed him inside. "NYPD? What's going on?"

"Nothing really. I just wanted to ask if you're friends with Ms Emma Reese? I'm the officer working on her missing neighbours' case." Did he know Emma? Diana is going to be so jealous if she finds out Emma knows a hot cop. Wait. Does he not know about Emma's parents?

"Yes. Is she in trouble?"

"No, unless you say so." She shook her head. "Good. I just wanted to ask if you knew where she was. She didn't seem to be at home. I think she's attractive and I thought-"

"Whoa, hold it right there sir." She raked her gaze up and down, taking in his sculpted body and sharp, angular facial features. "Are you here to ask her out? Well, you can't."

"Why not? You're not her mum." He had an amused smirk playing at his lips.

"You're right." She said sharply. "I'm her best friend. And I know men like you. All innocent and sweet on the outside but inside...." She clicked her tongue and crossed her arms over her bodice. The police officer was taken aback and his eyes roamed curiously.

"How would you know anything about me if I haven't had the chance to prove myself yet?" He snorted. "Just pass this message to her, please. My name is Kyle and if she's free this Saturday, I could pick her up."

"You used your badge to ask me about my best friend so you can date her. Isn't that wrong?"

"No-I mean yes- just-please tell her." He stuttered.