The Serial Killers (Complete)

Raelyn04/05 7:35 PM

I felt numb, as if the world had lost all of its luster. Every time I shut my eyes, the image of Alexander's lifeless body was etched into my eyelids, but when they were open I saw the sympathetic faces of River and Jericho. I didn't want their pity, it only made me feel hollower on the inside.

"We should go back, did anyone check for a pulse? He- he could still be okay. Why didn't I check for a pulse?"

Jericho sped down the road towards the highway, his face tensed and unreadable. A patrol sped past, its sirens wailing. River held my shoulders as I slammed my fists against the window. "Stop, Raelyn."

"I'm a horrible person, River. Kate's been abducted by a murderer and all I can think about is Alexander." I choked on his name.

"Shhh," she soothed. "It's okay. You're not horrible, we're all victims in this ordeal."

I ran my hands over my face. "I said such mean things about him, River. He didn't deserve that. I don't deserve him."

"I'm not going to argue with that. You're a bitch." I glanced up at her startled. She snorted and I let out a mixture of a sob and a barking laugh.

"How's everyone holding up back there?" Jericho slowed as the only light in town turned red.

I wiped my face. "Let's just worry about getting the S.W.A.T. on that fucker's ass."

River reached for my hand. "Agreed."

"Can I help you miss?" The overweight officer removed his feet from his desk as I shoved the door open so hard that it left a crack in the drywall.

River slid across the room in record time and slammed her palm on the desk, forcing him to look at her. "There has been a murder."

Sheriff Marks, as his nameplate read, flinched. "What's the address?"

"Danny's cabin on Lake Drive," Jericho provided, admiring his shoes. .

The sheriff eyed Jericho and then stood, his hand at his belt. "You're a Paxton, aren't you, boy?"

"Yes, sir."

Sheriff Marks removed his gun from its holster and leveled it at Jericho's chest. "Hands above your head, we have a warrant for your arrest."

I locked eyes with River. "What?"

Sheriff Marks never took his eyes off of Jericho as he cuffed the willing man. "Anonymous tip. We received a call that a certain individual matching the description of the Paxton boy was spotted dragging a young man through the woods to Daniel Carson's cabin. I sent a patrol up to the cabin, he reported a bloody crime scene, but no body. So where's the body, Mr. Paxton?"

Jericho didn't struggle as the Sheriff hauled him towards the door in the rear of the police station. My arm jerked as I reached for his shoulder. "Stop! Someone's been fucking with us all night and it certainly wasn't Jericho."

"Miss." He shrugged me off. "Unless you want to be arrested as an accessory to murder, I suggest you take a seat."