The Eye of the Beholder [Stefano Valentini]

The Second Portrait: The Cracking Mask

The Krimson City Police force asked for the photograph of the man, who was identified as Jason Wilkins. As I made them a copy, showing them that the photograph had been removed from my camera, I learned many things about the deceased. He was forty-two with fifteen years on the service, and was a happily married man that was on his way to a highly-sought promotion. He was a huge fan of French cinema, and had a weakness for Captain Morgan and chicken burgers. He was a very well appreciated and liked man with a life as close to the 'apple pie and white picket fence' as possible. No one could come up with any reason as to why the man took a dive off of the building. They thanked their good fortune that my camera had gotten a snap of him; the body was too mangled for anyone to get an identity immediately. I gave them their copy, hiding my own SD card in my pocket, and went on my merry way. Once I was away from the station, I plugged the SD card back into the camera, and Jason's face appeared on the screen once again. Hiding the smile I wanted to show, I traced his features with the tip of my finger. I was sad, knowing that I would probably never get a shot like this again, but at least I got it. I got a taste of that high, and I wanted more. But 'Normal Rhea' wouldn't allow it, and so I went home.

Tyrion looked over Jason's photograph after I had developed it in his old red room, and even he was impressed. "I may not get you, but damn! This is a kick ass piece of art!" He looked to me, breathing out the smoke from his cigarette," No wonder you were so damn pleased to work today. How are you feeling?" I sat at the coffee bar, free to speak my mind as it was past closing time," I... feel exhilarated." He frowned a little, but shrugged his shoulders," Well, just don't do anything stupid, alright? Wouldn't want Tatiana to haunt my ass." I frowned a little at the mention of the nurse that set me free. Tatiana went missing right after I was released from Beacon, and hasn't been found. The popular theory is that she's dead, and I hope that isn't the case; I really liked her after all.

The next morning, I dressed myself in an oversized burnt orange sweater, and a black skater skirt. I am used to the cold, so I only wear a pair of white thigh high socks and zip up boots to keep myself warm. I brushed out the tangles from my brown hair, and decided to wear my locks in two low pigtails today. As I packed my bag with 'Normal Rhea's' portfolio and my personal one, I came across Jason's picture on my bedside table. I was caught under its spell, picking the photograph up gingerly to stare into the dead man's eye. I retraced all of the details of his death in my mind, from the smile that graced his decaying lips to the skull fragments that revealed brain matter and muscle. I quickly shook myself out of the daydream, and carefully placed his photograph into my personal portfolio where I kept all of my passion's images. As my cellphone began to ring, I shrugged on a large black hoodie and fixed the sleeves of the coat and my shirt so they covered my fingers. I answered my phone as I secured my camera around my neck, knowing who it was immediately," You out front?" "Yeah." A man replied," Don't forget the cookies." "Alright. See you in a second." I hung up, zipping up my backpacks and rushing down the stairs to 'Calliope'. Tyrion was getting the shop ready, handing off a bag of sweets I had made last night to me as I ran out the door towards a silver KIA Spectra," Later, kiddo!" I entered the car's passenger side, dropping my bag in front of me. The man from before grinned, his green and violet hair waving a little in the warm air," Mornin' Rhea!" I gave him a tiny smile as he took off towards the college, but I didn't greet him; I never did unless something was wrong. "So, I heard that you caught a guy's death on film." The man, Gavin, commented, keeping his eyes on the road," Officer Wilkins, right?" I nodded, watching as the city passed us by this cold morning. "Did you keep a copy?" He asked, obviously interested. I nodded again, and I could see his grin widen," You better show it to me, or else!"

Gavin Madeleine is one of the few people in this city I can call my friend. We've been stuck together since the beginner photography class, and ended up becoming friends due to being outcasts. Tyrion grew comfortable enough around him to explain my situation, though nothing was stopping him in the first place, so Gavin acts as my 'anchor' when I'm not at the café. He prefers to take photos of rock concerts and instruments, but he likes to look at my personal stash of photos. He's hoping that if he gets into a band, I'll be the one to make the album covers. He's a bit of an odd ball, but that's okay with me. After all, I'm odd too.