EDITH RYDER

CHAPTER 1: ABANDONED WAREHOUSE

(Edith Ryder)

Today was THE DAY! I was meeting THE INVINCIBLES at 7:00 A.M., and I was beyond excited. People would think it rude and disgusting not to care about the city being in trouble, but if I say that I was concerned, then I'd  be lying.

That's just who I am. Egocentric, self-centered, ruthless human. I don't know if having these qualities can make you a human though....but it's not all my fault.

My parents left me when I was only 2 years of age. I never got to know where they went or what happened to them. They even took my sister with them. I was left alone, don't know what for. Relatives is a term that made its way into my vocabulary after I was 8. I lived on the streets of Indy with a kind old lady of the homeless society, ate the rotten food, drank stagnant water and wore rags. I spent almost 5 years of my life being sick and cold. 

When I turned 4, the old lady died and I had NO ONE, no one at all. She had no family or kids of her own, that is why she treated me with kindness. Her death was the end of the world for me.

I started to wander in the streets of Indy when one day I passed by a crime scene and it turned my whole life around. All that chaos and uproar forced me to find out what was going on. I tried to get in the restricted area but I was taken away. That day, I decided to get myself admitted into the nearby  public school. It was all free of charge up till graduation, so I was in luck (for the first time). I understood that I WANTED TO STUDY CRIME, and that is literally what had and is keeping me alive. I love none other than my work and that is what I live for.

 Gradually, I became a well known detective, even though I am a private detective. I have solved some very popular and major cases all over America and the local people like the fact that I can solve their cases quicker than the officials, but the officials, obviously, hate me.

I am now, by the grace of God, healthy, happy and successful. But at the same time, I am not successful.... 

I couldn't solve my own case. Where my parents went? Why they went? Are they still alive? I have answers to none of these questions.

I have decided to move on a couple of times, but I guess, there will always be a certain part of me desperately wanting to get answers to these questions.

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I got up at 6:00 A.M., immediately put my gray Chesterfield coat on, and busted out of the apartment. When I reached the elevator, I found out that it was on the 22nd floor and my apartment is on the 20th floor.

"Oh no!! Who can wait for that long?" I shouted as I was annoyed. 

I ran, took the stairs and rushed out of the main gate. 

"Taxi! Taxi! Hey, hey... stop."

Finally, a taxi driver stopped and I got in.

"Straight to the warehouse in the south," I told the driver.

"What? Can you be more specific?"

"Godddd! You people... Just start the damn car, I'll keep on directing you."

"Fine," he replied.

After about 30 minutes, I was in front of a gigantic abandoned warehouse. The hush made it seem as if they (THE INVINCIBLES) were not there yet. After all, it was just 6:30 A.M. Half an hour was still left. The winter-cold wind swiped across my face and I began to search for the other me. By the other me, I mean one of the homeless society's girl whom I had hired to look like me. Obviously, I could not go up to a gang of criminals like that. 

"Hey Kayla, I am here," I called her as soon as I saw her looking for me.

"Oh hey, how are you?? Long time, no see."

"Well, you know, work," I said smiling.

"Yeah....So what do I have to do? Just go in there and get killed by the criminals?"

"You are ridiculous, I guaranteed you your life, remember?" I said assuring her of her safety, "now come with me, we have to hook you up with a camera."

We went into the warehouse. It was as still as death and all I could see were the broken wooden chairs, papers, card boards, and dust swirling with the wind. I carefully put the camera on the inside of the front of her old jacket and checked to see my cell phone if it was connected with it. Then I put ear piece in her right ear and covered it with the red hair that she had dyed to make them look like mine.

"We are all set up," I explained, "just do as I say and be confident."

"What if I mess up?"

"Oh whoa, that is not an option....and you will be in a lot of trouble, for that matter," I said and went out to hide behind a huge tin can.

It was 7:05 A.M. when I saw a Black '92 Corvette ZR-1  rolling into the driveway, that had all rusted and bygone cars. It shined even more in front of those inconsequential vehicles. A tall woman with blonde hair and two men got out, all wearing leather jackets.

"Wow, they really are a gang," I said with disgust.

"Get into position, Kay." 

I often call her Kay, Kayla is just too long.

"All set."

"Hello Ed, we were quite anxious to meet you. Well, finally the wait is over," Isla said as I heard through my cell phone's speaker.

"First of all, we are not friends, so call me Edith. Secondly, even if we were, I would not allow you to, and finally, I should tell you that I only talk business," I whispered through the microphone and Kay repeated.

"Oh ho ho ho...the ego...whoa...You are just like we heard," said Zayden.

"I ONLY TALK BUSINESS," Kay almost shouted, throwing a powerful fist at the nearby wall.

They all straightened up.

"Ok, ok, chill...What did you want to say?"

"What is your deal?"

"What do you mean?" asked Isla.

"What is your deal?" Kay said in a high tone.

"We are just like you. We solve crimes on our own. That's it and the Police have a problem with us, the same way they have with you," Ölek explained.

"Uhhhh....." I said raising an eyebrow, "I'll take over from here, Kay."

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When Edith appeared from behind the can and went into the warehouse, what was their reaction?

Find out in the next chapter.

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Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed!  :)