The Mysteries In Grim City

Chapter 1

Valkyrie was well known but not a well understood hero. All that the citizens knew was that she could solve any mystery.

On the news station the message read, "Our local police station is requesting the hero, Valkyrie to report to them immediately for help on a current case."

Once night fell the doors of the GCPD sprung open. The figure that walked in had a similar cloak to the Grim Reaper but instead of being black it was bright white. She was in full body armor. The chestplate was gold and scaled. Attached to the chestplate was a long skirt that reached the floor. The woman also wore a helmet that covered her whole face. The helmet had slits where the eyes are and tiny wings on the side. Most of the time people couldn't see the wings because she kept the hood up.

A younger gentleman around his late twenties ran up to Valkyrie. "It's a pleasure doing business with you again." The man said calmly turning his back to her and walking towards his desk.

She followed. "Why did you call me here?" She leaned over the desk. Even with the intimidating outfit people could feel the good nature she possessed.

"This is why." He threw five files in front of her. "In five years, five kids go missing." Valkyrie sits down and flips through the files. "The thing these cases all have in common is one of the parents/guardians gets beaten or killed."

Valkyrie places the files down. "Why did you call me for a couple cold cases?"

"Because it happened again but on a bigger scale." The officer reached down from the ground and pulled out thirty files. He placed his hand on the files and leaned towards her. "All of these kids were stolen in one night."

"Were they all from the same place?"

"They were taken from two different foster homes and one orphanage." The detective organized the files of missing children into three stacks correlating to their last known location.

"Tell me everything you know."

He placed his hand on he largest stack. "Saint Mercy's orphanage, they housed 25 children ranging from the ages 3-16 years old. There were no signs of struggle in the children's bedrooms, so we believe they left willingly. Also the orphanage mother age 42, was found stabbed to death at the bottom of the staircase." He moved his hand to the smaller stack in the middle. "Mr.  and Mrs. Johnson were the foster parents of three children. The children were 7, 10, and 12 years old. Same situation the children left willingly and Mr.Johnson was found stabbed to death." He moved his hand to the last stack. "Mr. Jerry foster parent to two children ages 7 and 9. He had no spouse and was found stabbed to death."

"What happened to Mrs. Johnson?"

"She had her eyes gouged out and was sent to Liberty Hospital."

"So we have a witness!" Valkyrie said standing up quickly.

"We tried questioning her but she wouldn't talk. I don't think you can get any information out of her."

"Don't worry detective, I have certain ways of acquiring information." Valkyrie started to walk away.

"Wait!" He rifled through his desk and pulled out a picture. "This symbol was drawn in blood on the window seal of every single case even the ones dating back to 5 years ago."

She grabbed the photo. "Thank you detective. You've been very helpful." The symbol was of a cross but in the center of the cross was a triangle. The cross was surrounded by a large circle. It was unlike anything she had seen before. 

Valkyrie went straight to the hospital to talk to Mrs.Johnson. When she got into Mrs.Johnson's room the lights were dim. As she entered the room, Mrs.Johnson turned her head and looked at her. "Are you an angel?" The old woman had bandages around her eyes and her voice quivered. 

Valkyrie walked over to the woman and grabbed her hand. "I'm no angel but I need you to tell me what happened."

The woman's hands shook, "I can't, I just can't." She cried.

"Shh. It's alright. I won't ask you again." Valkyrie placed her hand on the woman's forehead. She tapped into the woman's memories. This is what she saw;

She was at the bottom of the stairs with her husband. Their foster children were walking down the stairs calmly with two individuals dressed completely in black. All you could see was their eyes. Mr.Johnson was screaming trying to stop them, but they didn't stop. One of the figures took the kids outside and closed the door. Then the second figure pulled out a knife and stabbed him. Mrs.Johnson just stood there watching the whole scene screaming. The figure stood up and slowly turned it's head to her. It then tackled her. Before taking out her eyes it said, "This is the punishment for your sins." Then the memory went black. 

Valkyrie removed her hand and looked at the woman. "I have the power to remove this memory. Do you want it gone?" She placed her hand on her head again.

The old woman grabbed Valkyrie gently by the wrist and lifted her hand. "That creature was right. I need to live with what I have done. You got what you wanted. Now please leave."

"Are you sure? This is a one time offer." Valkyrie's voice was unwavering but inside she was moved.

"I'm sure." The woman laid back down in her bed. 

Valkyrie left and pondered the facts. The children in the memory seemed more than willing to leave. But why? Why did the figures do it? Why did the children leave? All that she knew was that, that was all the information she was going to get tonight.