SPLATTER (draft)

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Lauren sighed, her brown eyes focussed on the TV within their apartment as she watched the news. She was rugged up with Benjamin beside her, leaning on him in a ball like position with the blanket over the two of them. They had both been following what had been happening as of late in their city; there was some sick fuck of a serial killer on the loose killing innocent people with almost no MO - at least none that she had yet been able to figure out. Lauren had been assigned this case by the current DA, as he was on official business elsewhere, thus the DA had appointed herself to oversee the state's cases at the CCPD, therefore she had primary jurisdiction over all current cases in the area, along with her team i.e. The Captain, the Homicide Detectives (whom were in charge of the Cop's), and of course her Forensics Team. It was a lot to take on, especially as a newcomer to her role of Deputy District Attorney. Her father sure was proud, although for Laura it was once again immense pressure not just on herself, however those she worked with as they were supposed to be going somewhere with the case; though unfortunately there was nothing that sparked interest, or things that the CCPD didn't already know - it simply was nosy reporters always peering into their work, attempting to either get around a Press Conference, attempting to score some exclusive scoop for The Gazette; Channel 5 as they buzzed around the Precinct or concerned/affected civilians who were called in for questioning by herself or any of the lead Detectives, potentially even Cop's.

The Precinct was a fucking mess.
Everyone was - she couldn't blame them. It would be an absolute lie to say that she wasn't a mess too.

It'd roughly been three weeks since the first, second and third murder. Exactly three dreaded fucking weeks, and they honestly seemed to just be ongoing; it terrified Laura beyond belief, yet due to the uneasiness that had risen in the City's air she was determined to get to the bottom of this case; prosecuting that sick bastard who was committing these murders, ensuring they were behind bars for good. Cedar and its citizens needed to receive the justice they deserved. The female shifted slightly, adjusting herself yet again on the couch as she tucked a strand of her dark brunette hair behind her ear, listening to the reporter covering last weeks update on the story for all of the concerned citizens of Cedar City. Her eyes glanced at Benjamin for a moment before diverting her attention back to their flatscreen TV. Yet another murder; however this one truly affected herself and the team. It was a genuine shock to all. John Rogers - one of the local detectives. He'd been brutally disfigured, a blow whistle stuffed into stitched lips. He'd been left inside his Cruiser, where his body was found where there was his own blood, with a painted message and his dash cam gone - the reporter continued explaining that the message read "Red. Stop. Green. Go." and that local authorities and the Detective's family were deeply affected by this heinous crime.

Was that a fucking joke? Deeply affected!? For god's sake, that was an understatement. John was a good family man, and to enter a crime scene seeing him the way that he fucking was made Lauren sick. The female squirmed, she suddenly felt uncomfortable and all she wanted was sleep. Laura moved the blanket off her and hopped up from where she was sitting next to Ben - he gave her a concerned look and opened his mouth as if he were about to say something however stopped himself. Laura gave a wry smile to her partner; as she got up and adjusted her robe accordingly, moving swiftly over to Benjamin, giving him a kiss on the cheek, looking up and gave him comforting chocolate brown eyes, before ushering the words "Bub, I'm okay; I promise. It's just been a long day and you know how the case is stressful for me - I just want to go to bed. We both have big days again tomorrow, I'll see you in the bedroom, I'm just going to do my teeth. Please turn the TV off, I've had enough of those shitty reporters for one night." she concluded what she was saying, listening to Ben's response as she tied her robe into a knot proceeding to the bathroom; hearing Ben turn off the TV, locking the door, turning the alarms on and switching off the lights behind her.

Laura splashed her face with warm water, attempting to rid the impurities and the knotted feeling she had developed yet again in her stomach. It seemed these cases had triggered her anxiety and depression again, yet she didn't want anyone to know. No way. She wasn't even going to tell Ben. Lauren had to stay focused, there was a fucking serial killer on the loose and she had to make sure everything was going to run smoothly, otherwise she was going to get her ass kicked by the DA and The Captain. The female gargled; spitting out the remains of toothpasted water in her mouth, before putting her toothbrush and toothpaste away into the above holder. Ben was already in the bed - she could see that the lamp was on as she peered into the onsuite from their bathroom; damn he looked exhausted. The female heaved another small sigh, reaching for the bathroom light, switching it off as she walked to the direction of her bedroom where Benjamin was laying. Ben smiled at her, she let a weak smile purse her lips, it was almost a pout hoping to convince her partner that she really was somewhat okay and not heavily bothered by all that had happened at all. She slipped into the bedsheets, pulling the duvet over herself and Ben, as Ben reached to turn off the lamp. The female turned around, facing her man making out his silhouette in the darkness. Ben grabbed her waist, pulling a strand of her hair behind her ears, and kissed the side of her neck pulling her tighter to him, embracing her in a warm cuddle. He whispered goodnight and I love you, putting Lauren at ease. The female closed her eyes as she whispered "Goodnight, I love you too." in response, drifting asleep.

Jesus fucking christ, what in the hell was going on this morning!? The traffic was horrendous, Lauren should've just taken the Subway, although due to the murders herself and Ben both agreed that they'd drive their cars in order to be safer, and would always stay in contact with each other, giving updates so that they both would not freak themselves out. Fuck, finally! The traffic was moving; the weather was dreary and although she didn't usually mind cold rainy weather, it just seemingly added a vibe that she did not enjoy at all. The female grabbed her coffee which was placed in the holders of her car, as she took a few sips. Oh for fucks sake! The idiot in front of her wasn't moving, and it was a green light. Lauren began to get extremley frustrated as she furrowed her brows, rolling her eyes placing her coffee back into the holder, tooting her horn at the driver in front. The stupid driver moved. Lauren glanced at the time on the dashboard; shit she was going to be late! As the DDA she was always early although this morning was simply a bust. She'd get to the Precinct soon, she'd just have to be filled in if she missed anything later.

Finally arriving, Lauren pulled her car into the reserved spot in the parking lot; she turned the engine off, grabbing her coffee, keys and her case that contained all the case filed which had been placed in the backseat. Laura grabbed the case and held it in her left hand, whilst she held the coffee in her right, locking her car behind her. The female began to walk into the lobby, her heels clicking behind her. As she entered she noticed a commotion, witnessing one of her Detectives being slapped in the face. She was in awe. What the fuck just happened. The place was a fucking mess, yet again she was not surprised, although she did still want to keep some order in this damn Precinct. The place was full of unfamiliar faces and her team. Lauren sighed; this was going to be a long damn day. Walking towards her office, the female caught the attention of Aaron, Easter and Mason, cutting in on their conversation giving them all a stern look before saying "What in the hell is going on?". Lauren wasn't impressed, and her mood from earlier this morning certainly was not helping. There better have been an explanation for all this behaviour.

Nevermind - before a response was heard from anyone their erratic behaviour had an explanation after all. Lauren's phone was going off like crazy; she pulled it out of her suit pocket only to read the update. Shit she thought to herself; another murder. The female watched as she saw Mason and Aaron leaving, heading towards the squad cars. Great... Back to where she started. She heaved a sigh, taking the last sip of her coffee, and tossed it, dropping her case files in her office, shutting the door behind her and as she headed again towards her car, watching her Detectives. Laura caught their attention, looking them both straight in the eye. "I'm coming with you. See you both at the crime scene." she stated, grabbing her own keys, unlocking the car door, jumping into the front seat, turning the engine on, shutting the door as she switfly put her belt on and began to drive towards the Mayors Office.