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Chapter 1 - Again

Chapter one - Again

"What's your favorite color?"

"Red."

"Why?"

"Because it's the color of blood."

"Favorite animal?"

"Bats."

"Why is that?"

"Because people are scared of them."

"How do you like school?"

"I don't."

"Why not?"

"It doesn't like me."

"Are you bullied?"

"Sure, I guess."

"Why do you think that is?"

"Because I'm perfect."

"That doesn't seem like a good reason."

"Tell me about it."

"So what makes you think you're perfect."

"I'm tall, I eat tons and never gain an ounce, my skin is naturally tan, everyone loves green eyes, almost everyone loves brunettes, I have amazing grades, I don't get acne and I'm an incredible dancer. They hate me because I won't date them, I won't do their homework and they can't buy my friendship."

"You're a very concieted girl Alex."

"Yeah, well I'm right."

"Most with that personality are covering up their insecurities." Alex flinched, "Do I look like I have anything to be insecure about?" The psychologist simply shook her head in disbelief. "Why are you here?" The woman asked, changing the subject. "You tell me. Some cop picked me up after school and here I am." The woman pursed her lips. "Have you been here before Ms. Kipplan?" She asked. "Yes," Alex replied reluctantly. "When?"

Two Years Earlier...

"I'm sorry Alex." She wiped the tears away. "What happened?" She asked again in disbelief. "Your brother was killed, we found him in a warehouse not far from his office."

"How?" She ashed. The man sighed, "He disappeared after work. The cause of death was blood loss, caused by a gunshot wound."

"Do you know who would do that?" She asked. "No, but it looks like the same person who killed his fiancé." He explained. "The pattern is the same, it's Mr. Justice. He's just moved from cops to lawyers," Alex said. "It looks that way."

"He's killed more than twenty of you, and you haven't stopped him yet!?" Alex exclaimed. "Alex you should res-"

"Let me help."

Present...

"I'd rather not talk about it," Alex stated.

"Alexandra I have asked you a question," the psychologist pressed. "And I plea the fifth." Alex pulled her feet onto the chair and hugged her knees.

"I guess that will be all." the woman rose and left, the automatic lock clicking as the door closed.

She approached a man in the hall, who had been observing their conversation. "Detective Baker, I believe she is unstable," she said.

"I know she's unstable," he said. She huffed and walked away.

"Then why bother having her questioned?" His parter asked.

"Because she might just save the world." Baker said confidently.

"Baker she's only fifteen," Jones reasoned.

"Remember when I had to tell her that her brother, my best friend, died. She cried for a moment, after that she was numb. She wouldn't talk, sleep or eat, just work. She was thirteen and she solved her brother's murder in less than 24 hours with the help of only coffee!" He exclaimed. "My point being, Oliver is loose and if anyone can find him it's Alex."

"What if he doesn't kill again?" Jones asked.

"Listen, I know you're not the sharpest tool in the shed, but he's a serial killer, a pattern killer. We interrupted his pattern and now he is going to finish it. He killed cops, detectives, judges, he was seconds away from killing another one when we caught him. What happens when Mr. President is next on the list?"

"He's not after the president," Alex said.

"But... door... lock," Jones sputtered. "It was locked."

Alex laughed. "Yes, it WAS," she cooed. Jones made an angry face that would have scared Alex if she was ever scared of anything. "I have ballet in half an hour and I'm never late," Alex said.

"I'll give you a ride," Baker offered.

"Thanks Davey!"

▪▪▪

"What makes you think he's not after the president?" David asked once they were I the car.

"He isn't directly linked with law enforcement. Remember what happened to Oliver's wife," Alex said.

"So who is he after?" He asked.

"Who has influence, to a degree, and way to much information?" Alex asked.

"I don't really... NO. Not her," David fretted, "He shouldn't even know she exists."

"I know, I mean, I only know because I nursed your hangovers after my brother... Anyway, it makes sense," Alex said.

"How? I don't understand."

"It's a pattern within a bigger pattern. Oliver is a pattern killer. Before he killed each target he killed someone close to them. So what do they have in common? The victims, I mean," Alex asked.

"I didn't notice anything connecting them, just their job type. We caught Oliver because he killed the last one's sister first."

"No. I noticed another pattern when I found out about her. I didn't think it mattered since we already caught Oliver, but it matters now. I know for a fact most of the victims knew her because I knew them. I'm willing to bet they all knew her, didn't they?" Alex asked.

"N- yes," David realized reluctantly.

"You know how she is at getting information out of people. How come you never went out with her, she flirted with you like it was her job?" Alex asked.

"She's not my type," David said.

"Wow! Having a 'type' saved your life," Alex teased.

"We need to relocate her immediately," David mumbled.

"No. She'll need a new bodyguard, but if we put her out of his reach he'll kill innocent people until we send her down the ladder."

David sighed, "You want my job?" He exclaimed, only a little annoyed that she was better at his job than him. The car came to a stop in front of the studio. "Want me to wait for you?" David asked.

"No. Thanks, but Joey is picking me up. You have a murderer to catch," Alex said. "Your sister's still with that guy?" He laughed.

"Yeah. They look cute together!" She answered. "Goodbye David." Alex got out of the car and walked into the studio.