"I thought a nap would shake off the feeling of being watched, but instead, I fell into a dream... or maybe it was a premonition. I stood outside a nondescript building, the kind you'd pass by without a second glance. But something about it felt off, like a ticking time bomb waiting to go off. The walls seemed to loom over me, casting long shadows that stretched like skeletal fingers. I felt a chill run down my spine as I pushed open the creaky door and stepped inside.
The air was thick with the scent of decay and corruption, and I could hear the distant hum of fluorescent lights. I navigated the dark corridors, my footsteps echoing off the walls. Every door I opened led to more questions, more secrets, more shadows. I knew I was searching for something, but what?
Suddenly, I saw a glimmer of light in the distance. A door creaked open, and a figure beckoned me closer. My heart racing, I approached the doorway, but as I stepped through it, everything went black.
When I came to, I was back in my own bed, drenched in sweat. But the feeling of unease lingered, and I couldn't shake the sense that the dream was more than just a dream. It was a warning, a message from my subconscious that something was coming, something I needed to be prepared for."
" Sigh."
I struggled out of bed with my head a bit numb.
_______Beeps_____
My phone vibrated on the table, I got to it and saw a message.
" There's a memorial for the Ed's family at the cemetery, please Waller don't be late."
Looking at the sender's name it was David my new partner, that was when I remembered the day I got the mysterious message, an alert was made that Ed's family were found dead.
As much as I don't know who this Ed is, I still find myself lurking in the darkness feeling empty and more dreadful than anyone, as if they were my family.
I took my bath and headed out, am not the type who eats breakfast often for a reason am not sure of____concentration.
Emerging from my apartment, I was suddenly struck by the building's grandeur and the breathtaking view beyond – a poignant reminder that even in the city's shadowy corners, beauty can still be found.
I felt relieved, like everything was okay even if obviously it wasn't.
I stopped a cab and slides myself in.
" Where to sir?" The cab man asked
" Don't know really, need to clear my head _____just for some minutes, drive, no whereabouts yet." I replied.
__He scoffed __
" Not bad sir, enjoy the astonishing view of the big apple." He said smiling unconditionally.
There are indeed people who feel free and live their lives to their fill, not us, especially the cops.
After some exciting views I called it paid the driver and stopped in front of a certain building, the place was quite silent but there was this eerie chill flowing.
I took my phone out of my pocket and dialed David's number.
__ He picked up immediately and responded with " where are you?"
" I think I stopped at the wrong place." I replied still looking at the location he sent to me, I think am here.
" Is there a fruit basket outside?" He asked once again.
Looking around and then there it was a fruit basket outside the house.
" What" ____i muttered.
I ended the call and walked inside the house after knocking for some minutes without getting any response.
As I stepped inside, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was intruding on someone's private space. The silence was heavy, and I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should call out again. But my curiosity got the better of me, and I began to take in my surroundings. The decor was sleek and modern, but there was a sense of emptiness to the room, as if no one had been there for a while. I glanced around, taking note of the details, and wondered who owned this place and why they hadn't answered my knock.
Soon I started hearing chatters behind the house what is happening I said to myself before walking slowly to the back.
On reaching there_____
" Holy f....." I muttered.
I stood before the sea of expectant faces, a dignified priest by my side, his formal attire a stark contrast to my own growing sense of nervous anticipation. David's advice to arrive early suddenly made sense – I was about to be the center of attention. The priest's calm demeanor only heightened my apprehension, and I wondered what words I was supposed to speak, what vows I was about to take, or what announcement I was about to make. The crowd's gaze was a palpable force, weighing heavily on me. The priest signalled me to pick up some papers, and I felt a faint tremble in my hands as I clutched the papers in front of me. What was I getting myself into? The priest's gentle nod seemed to signal that it was almost time, and I took a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever lay ahead.
" Ahem."_____ I said clearing my throat.
" Good evening everyone, as you've all heard we've lost a very close friend, but this is only the beginning _____a part to justice is before us and if that isn't enough, may their souls rest in peace."
Funny as that could be I haven't said anything from the script given to me.
"Good evening, everyone," I said, clearing my throat to command the room's attention. "As you've all heard, we've lost a very close friend, but this is only the beginning – a path to justice lies before us. And if that isn't enough, may thei
r souls rest in peace." I paused, feeling a bit off-script, and a wry smile crept onto my face. "Funny thing is, I don't think I've said anything from the script they gave me." The crowd's reaction was a mix of murmurs and awkward chuckles, and I glanced over at the priest, who was watching me with an unreadable expression. What was the real purpose of this gathering, and why did I feel like I was winging it?
The priest's expression shifted slightly, a hint of a raised eyebrow, as if to say, "Really, that's where you're starting?" I took a deep breath and continued, trying to get back on track. "I mean, as we gather here today, we remember our friend, our companion, our brother. We honor his memory and his legacy." I glanced down at the script in my hand, the words blurring together on the page. "But as I look around this room, I'm reminded that words on paper can't capture the essence of the person we've lost. It's the memories we shared, the laughter, the tears – those are what truly keep him alive in our hearts."
The room seemed to lean in, the silence more intimate than before. I felt a lump form in my throat, and for a moment, I forgot about the script, the priest, and the crowd. It was just me, speaking from the heart.
When I was done, I found myself feeling a bit relieved and happy like it was all over, tears trickling down my cheeks.
The priest walked up to me and whispered.
" It's like you knew Edward Cortez and his family more than anyone seated here?"
____ That was when my mind came back to its original state, truth be told I don't even know who this Edward Cortez was.
" Well father he was a good man." I replied with a grin on my face.
" Very well then. Shall we continue?" The priest said as I left the front and found a place to sit.
The event was moody but I took my time looking around, for one nobody told me what happened to the Ed's, but am bound to put the pieces together, I soon found out there's only one survivor Edward Cortez's youngest sister Isabella Cortez.
How was she alive? The story was said that they all lived together an extended family kind, and an assault was made and she was the only one who made it alive.
After the ceremony I was standing outside receiving pleasantries and condolence, actually my speech really made an impact.
" What was that back there bro, you really nailed it." David said to me as we walked back to the car
" Yeah well, who was this Edward Cortez?" I asked which made David a little bit stunned.
" And you gave a speech like that without knowing who you stood up for? He was a head Mafia one of the wealthiest men in New York, funny how he and his family were murdered." He answered.
___ " How did she survive?" I asked using my head directing the question to Cortez's sister.
" That my friend is a mystery." He answered.
" Indeed it is."
First it was Mary Lee, then a mysterious message, next Patrick Solomon and now some Mafia named Edward Cortez.
The Ed's family were not to be a concern of mine but the speech I made I could tell it won't be long before another incident.