A FRACTURE IN THE CONSCIOUSNESS ✓

JOSH

"Your father was brutally murdered in a Motel 8 outside of LA," Jenna said, standing in the doorway of Josh and Tyler's shared hotel room.

As much as he didn't want to feel sorrow for his abuser, Josh's throat tightened. "How bad?"

Jenna sent him a pitiful look. "Karma Killer bad. I am so sorry, Josh. We tried to get him to go under our protection but he refused our help." Josh couldn't look her in the eye. "The Sacramento case went cold, so Brad and the others coming back to help us wrap this one up."

"Do you think it was the gang?" Josh asked.

"I'm not sure. There's no evidence to suggest so." She frowned and looked behind him, to where Tyler slept peacefully on the couch. "Dallon and I have an idea of what's going on, but we don't like it. And neither will you if it turns out to be true."

"What is it?"

She shook her head. "Nothing we can prove yet, and nothing you need to worry about. Meet us in the parking lot in ten."

"Yes, ma'am."

Josh shut the door and turned, seeing was Tyler awake. He sat up, staring at the door with squinted eyes.

"There was another murder connected to Alexandria's death. My father."

"Oh. Was that Black?" Tyler asked.

"Yeah. We're going over now to see the crime scene. I don't-" Josh sighed, clutching his twisting stomach. "I don't think I can handle any more of this."

Tyler stood and walked over to Josh, caressing his cheek. "Baby... I know this is going to sound harsh, but isn't this a good thing? He's finally gone. You don't need to suffer anymore."

Josh shook his head and stepped back, hitting the door. "No, Ty. I might've hated him, but... but he's my father. He could be nice sometimes, and I did love him. It still hurts."

"But he killed your mother," Tyler argued. "He would've killed you if you hadn't-"

"You don't get it," Josh cut him off. "I can't control my feelings like you, baby."

Tyler bristled, hostility crossing over his face, but it disappeared quickly. "Fine. I'll go get my shoes."

Brad, Judah, and Dallon met them at the motel, Dallon waiting in the car.

"I don't do gross," he said when Josh asked why he wasn't inside. "You guys handle the gross stuff, I'll handle the techie background beauty."

"Suit yourself," Tyler said and followed Josh inside.

The stench of cologne and blood made him regret going. Josh stilled at the doorway, swaying on his feet. He felt lightheaded, bile rising in the back of his throat. This wasn't how he wanted to see his father. Sure, he hated Bill, but nobody deserved to be torn apart like an animal.

Suddenly Josh nine years old again, hiding in his mother's walk-in closet with his two little sisters while his father stood outside. Abby was tucked under his armpit, Ashley clinging to his back. Josh waited for his father to leave, holding his breath with both hands over his mouth. He was so afraid that he'd come and kill them just like he killed mommy. He killed her, Josh could see her blood body on the ground, eyes staring helplessly in his direction.

"Ready or not, here I come."

Tyler put a hand on his shoulder.

"Joshie, breathe. In... out... there you go. You're safe."

Josh sucked in air, regaining movement of his body again. "I- I'm okay. I just needed a minute."

He took another step into the room, avoiding looking directly at Bill's slashed face. From what he did see, nearly every inch of his skin was torn apart like ribbons, the knife tossing aside. His abdomen was ripped open, all of his organs missing. From what he did see, whoever killed his father sure had it out for him- Josh could see his heart stapled to the headboard, his lungs just underneath it.

Despite how much he hated his father, Josh hoped he was dead when the killer did this.

"It's the same M.O. as the four L.A. murders," Jenna said. "Along with the others associated with the Karma Killer."

"Karma Killer?" Tyler questioned.

"That's what the media calls this sicko," she replied quite sharply. If caught Josh off guard.

Judah was staring at the bedding, his eyebrows furrowed in thought. He swabbed a spot of blood near the cleaner end of the bed.

"Look at this," he said, gesturing to Brad. Josh and Tyler listened in. "The rest of the blood soaked into the duvet, but not this spot. It's like someone wiped their finger off."

Tyler stilled. Josh shot him a confused look.

"Do you think it's the killer's blood?" Brad asked.

"Probably. He might've been testing how sharp the blade was." Judah stuck the swab in a plastic bag and handed it to forensics.

"Yet there's no fingerprints."

"It might just be Bill's," Tyler offered, sounding nervous.

"Maybe." Jenna, who stood behind Brad, had an unrecognizable expression, staring at Tyler. "Get it tested anyways."

Tyler watched as the forensic person left. Josh flicked his shoulder.

"Hey, you okay?" He asked

"Yeah, yeah," Tyler mumbled, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I have a headache. I'll be right back."

He left the room, followed by the local police and the remaining forensic team. Jenna pulled Josh aside.

"Dun, we need to talk," she said.

"Look, if this is about my personal emotions involving this case, I'm willing to step back as long as you find the killer-"

"It's not about your father," Brad interrupted. "Did you know Tyler stopped going to physical therapy five months ago?"

Josh hesitated. "He what?"

"As soon as it wasn't mandatory, he stopped. But he still left to go. What was he doing?"

"I don't know, I'm not his keeper. I just assumed he was there." Josh couldn't stop the feeling of unease creeping up his stomach.

"He's been acting different lately," Jenna said. "Ever since we found Tyler in that hidden bunker, he's been off the rails."

"Yeah, but he's always had a few screws loose, that's what makes him a valuable part of this team," Josh shot back.

"You know what I mean." She glared up at him, way shorter yet still intimidating. "He's been moody. Irrational. Snappish. Closed off. Secretive. A weird amount of dirty laundry. Black outs. The written off appearance of blood. We know the signs, Josh. We live those signs."

"W-What are you trying to tell me?" He stammered, feeling claustrophobic. "T-that he killed my dad?"

Brad looked at Jenna, who nodded shortly. "We don't think Bill was his only victim."