Masquerade - The Complete First Novel

- 9 -

(Dakota)

I started to get over the sleep paralysis. The same things happened over, and over again. He would be at the corner of the room, then on my chest, then plunging into me. It's my nightmare. I needed a break. I needed to take a break from this horror I live in. "Hey, Ana?" She turned from her place on the couch. Her dull blue eyes did clash with the electric blue locks that flowed down her face.

"Yea?" I fell on the couch, letting myself sigh. I still never told her about my sleep paralysis. Once I tell her, she's going to freak out. Take me to doctors and they will put me on some kind of medication. I already know.

"I need a break. I need a break from this." She narrowed her eyes, arching an eyebrow. Her face flushed with confusion.

"What? Why?" I laid back, facepalming. "Okay, okay, no need to be dramatic about it." She grabbed the remote, turning on a movie. A comedy. Just what I needed. We laughed in unison as the funny actions flashed on the screen. Even our laughs were different. Mine was soft, more small and shy. Hers was harsh, it was louder. You could hear her laugh from a mile away. Her laughter smothered mine in every way possible. BANG! We turned to the door, Ana turning off the TV and traveling to her lookout spot. But I stayed at my place on the couch. I sat in fear as the door seemed to be creeping closer. I slowly stood up, trying to look like I have enough courage to answer the door.

I let the handle twist, only opening it slightly. No one was there, the dawn has already covered the sky as the sun dared to go under the earth. I closed the door. Shocked by the weird experience. "Anything there?" Ana's voice echoed in my ears as I slowly shook my head. "Weird." Ana returned to the couch, picking up the popcorn that had fallen when I jumped at the sound. "What if this was a sign?" I let the words bounce in my mind as I pondered them.

"What?" She turned to me.

"What if this is someone telling us to continue?" The words bounce as I find myself suddenly agreeing.

I can't let Clem down. Not now. Not when we're so close to finding her. Ana placed the computer on the table, starting to bang on the keyboards as she typed. I hovered over her; watching her at work. She continued to dig deeper into public police records, and files on the murders. From what we read, even the police don't know who this guy is. I wish Clem would describe him in her diary. "Well, we're gonna get nowhere if we do this the legal way," I turned, staring at her.

"What do you mean? We broke into Foster's house, and we're on a watch list! Is that not good enough for you?" She smirked, standing up from her place at the table and grabbing her jacket.

"Nope." I started to follow her, watching her smirk grow larger.

"Illegal in what way?" She turned around, still walking down my patio.

"I have a plan," I fast walked in front of her, stopping her in her tracks. I clenched my fist in anger. Wondering for only a moment if this whole investigation was hopeless. If Clem is dead and she will never be found. But I can't think that way. I can't think that way if I want to find Clem.

"And what do you suppose we do, Einstein?" Her smirk grew larger and she places her shoes in a comfortable position.

"We are going to break into the police station." She walked past me with swagger, letting my jaw hang.

"What?! We can't do that! That's against the law!"

"Exactly," she opened the car door, climbing in and shutting it behind her. She let an arm hang out of the window. "You in?" I look back at the dark house, knowing if I stayed I would be alone. Alone with demons. I sighed, running up to the car and dropping into the passenger's seat. "I knew you would come through." She smiled as she drives, explaining the plan she had in mind. And I play the most important role in this. We arrived at the police station and only one officer was visible through the glass doors. Just like Ana predicted.

I climbed out of the car, walking up to the glass. The man looked up at me, his white hair seeped through his cap and his glasses glared as they turned my way. "May I help you?" I hesitated, looking back at the car which had already driven off. I opened my mouth, praying the words would fall out.

"Um, no thank you. I just need to use the bathroom and this was the closest. Sorry to bother you, sir," he flashed a smile, pointing in the direction to the bathroom. I flashed one back in respect, thanking him. The sliding door closed behind me as I started looking under the stalls, seeing no feet.

Ana: We clear?

Dakota: Yea...

I heard the ring of the door chime, as I assumed Ana just walked in. I creaked open the sliding door and peeking through the crack. Seeing Ana talk to the officer, giving me an opportunity to sneak past.

The hallways twist and turn like a maze, making it hard to find a computer. I look back numerous times to make sure I'm not being seen. Now that I look back, I don't know if I can make my way back to the lobby. There can't be any cops at this hour; I glance at a clock that was across the hall. It seemed it just struck one in the morning. I should just be able to slip in and slip out.

I started to turn the corner, following a small light. The walls were half grey and half glass, and it seemed to be crawling with officers. They were all huddled in one place as someone was put on a slideshow. I started to walk back, cautiously checking every door that I come across. I find myself back in the hallway next to the presentation, there is nowhere else to go. And I can't let Ana down. I can't.