Fall From Justice | Book 1: Libera

Blood on the pavement: Part 2, Rebecca

"Welcome to Libera News-- Channel 18, This is the morning edition. I'm Caroline Smith, today another inmate was found dead in an alleyway near the 'B. Rush' liquor store, downtown Section A of Libera. The inmate that was found dead was 39 years old, Benjamin Terrist, who was convicted of Rape, Child Pornography, Capital Murder, Assault, and Battery. The late convict escaped during a prison riot in section B of the Blackwater Asylum, a few days prior. Before his death, the convict had raped, killed, and disemboweled a young 9-year-old named Sonya. Her death had been brutal and painful at the hands of this sick man" Caroline explained.

"In other news, this makes it the fourth criminal dead this week. Officials still don't know who has been killing these men, however, witnesses of section A and B refer to this person as some kind of a 'Boogeyman' that hunts down criminals. Now, I may not know who this murderous man is, but what I do know is, as long as this 'Boogeyman' is still among us, no criminal is safe. Now let's move to Samson for the weather." The news channel continued with their schedule.

Midtown of Section B, a bevy of people rush to the subways during the early morning rush hour. Nearly everyone in this section is working hard at trying to make an honest living, or trying their best doing paperwork to move to Section C. However not everyone in this section works honestly. Section B has the highest population between the two sections. However, due to its high population, it also has the highest crime rate, due to various gangs that are being formed. Rival gang skirmishes happen almost daily in small suburban areas. To combat the ever-growing crime and to control the gangs, the Libera government made Section B the main base of operation for the Libera Police Department.

Originally the Libera Police Department was stationed in Section C to protect the highly valued citizens during the time the walls were being built ten years ago, after everything has been settled and Section C was safe from most crimes, the Libera Police Department was moved to Section B and the Blackwater Asylum was built to house the criminals.

In the Libera Police Department recruits are always being put out on the field immediately on their first day after completing Academy training, to help them learn quickly and understand how criminal activity works in Section A and B. There are usually a lot of young cadets that work tirelessly at the Libera Police Academy. It's a rough and grueling process, but despite that, hundreds of recruits are added to the police ranks every year. However, even with their hard work, many of them are sent to work at some of the smaller precincts in Sections A or B. Smaller precincts, especially ones in Sections A or B hardly see any action and officers that work their hardly have or receive any experience.

And only a talented few are stationed at the main police headquarters in midtown Section B, where crime is most prominent. This is also where the Police Hall of Honor is displayed. Where the portraits of Libera's bravest and most heroic officers as well as those who died in the line of duty, are forever acknowledged and remembered.

In the Hall of Honor, a young female officer is gazing at the pictures closest to the top, with a look of respect and a glimmer of awe in her eyes. Specifically, she was looking at the picture of a hard and grizzled looking man who looked to be in his forties. Under the picture, was a nameplate that read, Johnathan D. Gates.

Her train of thought was broken when a short and stocky looking Asian officer walked up to her, he wore a standard Police uniform with a heavy Kevlar vest fitted with neck and shoulder guards, elbow pads, knee pads, and black fingerless gloves as well as black combat boots that protected his feet. The only question that was going through her mind was, why did this guy look like he was about to swat someone?

"You.. are you Recruit - 654, Rebecca Mondelez?" the muscular Asian asked, the female officer nodded.

"Follow me, the Detective wants to see you," the muscular Asian said as he gestured for Rebecca to follow, nodding once more, she followed behind him.