HAEL
WATER dripped lazily from the faucet. I splashed a handful on my face. It was ice-cold. Didn't matter. Blinking my eyes open, I trudged across the floor, catching myself on the edge of the doorway.
The news blared on the TV. Mistake to have left it on. The little square of light was the only thing that brightened the space.
A reporter was speaking as images appeared on the screen.
". . . drawing blanks on the shooting of Lucian De Stellae, son of famed architectural magnate Julius De Stellae. The shooting occurred at Talos Tower here on 22nd Street. According to the case investigator, the crime leaves much confusion due to minimal evidence and eyewitness accounts. The unknown assailant remains at large as the police search the grounds and surrounding areas. The De Stellae family are still . . ."
My eyes widened. The water trailed down to my jaw like drops of cold sweat. I wiped my brow with the back of my sleeve.
A tower was displayed on the TV, imposing high over the reporter. It was one of those buildings that formed the skyline. The most recognizable one. I'd seen it a thousand times. I looked outside at the pitch black sky. Is this live-
My phone rang.
My head turned sharply at the noise. I picked it up, glancing at the caller's name.
"Kid!" said a hushed voice. "Kid, it's me. It's me. I . . . the police are outside. I think I know what's about to happen. Could you come down here? While they aren't . . . while they haven't done anything yet. I need-"
"Wait, wait," I interrupted. "Slow down. What's happening?"
He sounded out of breath. "I can't tell, but I have a bad feeling about it. They've been in the neighborhood since one in the morning-"
"Where?"
"Here by the apartment. Look, just-"
"Are you watching TV?"
"What, no! Why?"
"There's something on the news . . . something about a shooting." I stopped, stepped closer to the screen. "Did you have something to do with this? "
"No!" he denied. "But they aren't going to trust my word. I need you here."
"What do you even want me to do?"
"A favor. Stand by, listen or something. If they try to pull anything funny like arrest me without reason . . ."
"What favor?"
"I can't say over the phone. You don't have to step in."
"How will I-"
"Side door. By the fire escape. It's unlocked. Please, could you just-" His tone was rising, almost in a panic, but he stopped abruptly. "Please."
I bit the inside of my cheek and sighed. "Fine. Fine, I'll be there as fast as I can. No promises."
He didn't answer back. The call ended.
YOU ARE READING
Into The Crucible
Mystery / Thriller[THE FOLLOWING STORY IS ONLY A FIRST DRAFT. IT WILL BE SUBJECTED TO EDITS AND REVISIONS AS NEEDED. THIS DISCLAIMER WILL BE REMOVED ONCE THE FINAL VERSION IS DEEMED SATISFACTORY.] [Currently in hiatus.] When a threat steps into the light, will those...
