The Dream

Chapter 10

The more I am trying to solve this case, the more entangled I get into my dream. Now one more person is coming to life. But, I don't remember what was she doing in my dream. I guess I'll just focus on my real life now. After all, I have a criminal to catch within 48 hrs.

I had to spend the next two days, mostly locked up in this basement running tests, and the little time left would be used to investigate outside. So there was no way I could meet with Sarah for a few days. So I thought maybe I should inform her, or she may get worried. So I called her.

"Hey Babe, what's up?"
"Nothing much Richie. I was just thinking about you. You have not even met me in two days and the calls too are like a formality. Something wrong Hon?"
"Yeah! Not just something, everything is wrong at this point. I just didn't want to worry you. "
"Oh, you poor thing... Where are you now? Let us meet for dinner. Maybe we can talk about stuff. You might feel better you know."
Well honestly I was torn between meeting her or not, because it seemed like I was putting everyone around me at risk. But this was something I wanted to do. Because anyway there was no way I could meet her for the next two days.
"Yeah we should. I would really love it. Would you like to have Pizzas? There's this place Pizzas from Sicily. Would you like to go there?"

"Hey waittt!! Wasn't that one of your clues? A clue you got when we went to the Sunshine Plaza. Why are you there?"
"Well, it's a long story. Maybe I can tell you over dinner. Does 9 o'clock sound good to you?"
"Yeah cool babe. I'll be there Bu-bye"
"Bye babe."

I told Jessica about the dinner I was gonna have with Sarah. I could see the rage building upon her face.
"How could you, just call your girlfriend here? This place is to remain a secret you know?"
"I know I know. Firstly, I trust Sarah with my life, I am sure it is safe to tell her. But don't worry, I won't speak a word about this place if you don't want me to. This will just be dinner. The place on top of this facility is a restaurant after all."
"Okay fine. Suit yourself. Just remember if this puts any of us at risk, forget any help from me, and then you'll never be able to know the answers to your questions. So act accordingly."
"Yeah I will remember that. Thanks a lot! Bye"

I went out to the restaurant. Sarah arrived in some time. It felt so nice just to meet her after all that had happened. Her warm hug was just what I needed. We were talking about stuff. I told her all about how I could be the murderer and how now Alice was hurt because of me. I told her all except the Jessica part and what I was doing there.

"Aww... baby. Don't be so hard on yourself. It was not your fault that Alice was hurt. But that aside what are you doing here then. Shouldn't you be trying to prove your innocence."
"Well this was the place I first met Alice and this is exactly where I got the clue about the museum from you. I thought maybe this place might have something more I may have missed so I just swung by to find out more."
It felt so awkward blatantly lying to her. But I couldn't help it. Jessica didn't want Sarah to know. Anyway, I could just tell the truth to her after a couple of days.
"Oh! Alright. You found something then?"
"No, not yet. But I thought maybe I'll try to find something after dinner. Because dinner with you was something I absolutely needed right now. Thanks babe for coming all the way here."
"Oh no Richie don't embarrass me. It's nothing at all compared to what you are going through. Anyway, let's order something. It's probably getting late."
"Yeah sure. You have to go back home too. I am gonna stay at a friends' nearby. So let's order."

We had a sumptuous meal. After all, I was not going to able to meet her, talk to her, have dinner with her for two days again. And if I could not prove my innocence then I don't know for how long. So I thought I should probably make this our best dinner.
After that feast of a dinner, I was back into my thoughts about my dream. Sarah read through this that I was too worried. She slowly came close to me and held my hand. It was that romantic moment where you just forget the existence of the world around you. We hugged for quite a long time. Just standing there in the middle of the restaurant, until the manager came beside us and cleared his throat. Until then we had just forgotten where we were. At that moment, I could see blush creep onto Sarah's face.

"I think I should leave now. Bye Richie!"
She came close to me, kissed me, and ran out giggling like a child. And now I was the one who was standing there, just red with embarrassment.

After this amazing night, I was ready for work now. I was completely aware that I had a clock ticking over my head and now I had to prove my innocence not just for me but for Sarah too. So that I could go on more such lovely dates. With this thought in mind, I turned back and signalled the manager to take me back to the lab.
We went back and when the door to the secret room opened I went in there with full energy calling for Jessica.
"So let's begin Jessica. Say what have I got to do." But I got no reply.
"Jessica! Jessica! Where are you?" I started calling out loudly.
At this point, even the manager started shouting.
But to no avail.

She wasn't there. Jessica just went missing!!