Pointing the Blame (Detective a6d AU)

Lived a Lie

The angst is real in this one omg. Literally had to recollect myself before uploading the chapter. Aaaanyways the story's about ready to wrap up so there's probably gonna be like 2 chapters after this then we'll be ending it once and for all

Vincent trudged through the empty paths of Dream Land, dragging his shoes across the tiles. It was after closing time at 12 am, so Vincent was the only one in the park. He had asked Clay if he could wander the park for a bit, and Clay happily allowed it with no questions asked. The man guilty for killing my best friend is behind bars, but I still feel so... empty, unsatisfied, Vincent thought. He felt an odd sensation like someone was watching him, but he knew very well that he was the only one there.

The trial had concluded a week ago, yet in all those days, Vincent couldn't help but feel... nothing. I'm supposed to be happy, he thought gloomily. I won, I avenged Darryl, everyone thinks I'm a hero, yet why does it feel so wrong?  He stopped at the gate to the land behind the theme park and stared through the fence.

He was there all along, how had no one known? Vincent thought sadly as he remembered the day Darryl went missing. He imagined all the ways Zak and his accomplice might have tortured him. All those weapons, so bloody on the shelves. Vincent shivered and quickly walked away from the fence, not wanting to think about that right now.

He closed his eyes and allowed his feet to lead the way. The night was silent and calm. The cool air ruffled Vincent's hair. It would have been calming if not for the fact that it felt like there were eyes on him. After a bit of walking he snapped his eyes open in surprise as his feet tripped over something and he fell to the ground, scraping his knee.

It was the same loose tile he had fell over the first time he came to search the theme park. How'd I make the same mistake twice?! Vincent thought in annoyance. He looked up, only to realize, as he had tripped over the tile, it pried off and skitted across the floor. The detective trailed his eyes to the hole where the tile once was, and saw that there was a small space under the floor board, with a VHS tape sitting inside. Oh no not this again, Vincent thought as he reached for the tape, picked it up and stood to his feet. He inspected the tape, spinning it around in his hands, but there was nothing that could be used to imply what the tape could hold.

Hopefully Techno is awake, he thought to himself as he pulled out his phone and started texting Dave. As he texted, he fast walked  to his car. Knowing Dave's messed up sleep schedule, he wasn't worried about waking the man up.

Frenchy 1 minute ago
Hey Techno, I know you're awake. Can I come over again? There's another tape I need to see.

Vincent entered his car, closing the door behind him and pulled out of the empty parking lot. His phone dinged.

Techno just now
oh great another messed up recording for me to overthink about

The man read it but didn't reply and continued driving down the street to Dave's house. (Be like a6d, don't text and drive)

After a few minutes of driving through the dark streets in silence, he finally arrived at Dave's house and pulled over to side of the street. Stepping out of his car and hastily making it to Techno's front porch, tape in hand, he knocked on the door. Vincent anxiously shifted his weight from foot to foot. It wasn't just that he was anxious to uncover the secrets that lied behind the tape, but it felt like the darkness had it's eyes on him tonight. The detective wasn't one to be afraid of the dark, but something felt off. He was starting to get that feeling again that he got at the theme park like he was being watched. The tension in the air was getting too much for the man. Before Vincent could turn around and book it to his car, a droopy eyed Dave finally opened the door, dressed in pajamas.