It All Started with a Note

A Threatening Note

     "Why must you do this to me!?"

     "Elise, I'm sorry I have no other choice."

     "No! I don't want to listen to the same lie every time I speak to you! Why can't you just speak the truth to me?"

     "Elise I'm not lying to you. . . I never would and you know that."

     "STOP! Please stop. . . I still love you. . . Even if you don't love me back. I'll always be there for you. But please don't lie to me."

     "Elise. . . I think it's time you know-"

     "CUT!"

     I snapped out of character. I looked around at everyone's faces. The director was looking down at some papers so I couldn't tell what she was thinking. I started getting worried.

     "Nice job, Emi," I jumped a little and whirled around. There was my childhood friend, Arabella. She was smiling at me looking excited.

     "Thanks, Ara!" I reply enthusiastically. "I was afraid I did bad."

     "You did great! I think they were smart to choose you to play Elise. You're so lucky!" Arabella said encouragingly. "And you get to act with Nolan~ He is getting so famous! He's such a good actor. Oh, not to mention good looking." She added dreamily.

     "Ara, you know I don't care about fame or looks. . ." I grumble looking over at Nolan. He was talking to one of the producers. That producer was blushing furiously. She was obviously a fan of him. I turned back to Arabella. "I think his ego is way too big and he's over confident. . ." Arabella glared at me. "N-not like that's a bad thing!" I add hastily.

     "You know I'm not getting mad about something so silly!" giggled Arabella

     "I'm going to my dressing room, then after that plan on going home and taking a nap" I yawn then started off to my dressing room. I waved behind me as I walked off.     

     I walked backstage and down the hall to where my dressing room was. I pushed open the door and flicked on the lights. On the floor was a note. It was obviously torn out of one of those tiny spiral notebooks. I stooped over and picked it up. If you knew me you would know I like everything clean and organized. But I didn't have one of those tiny spiral notebooks nor did I know anyone who did. The piece of paper had writing on it. Not my handwriting. Before I read it I closed the door behind me and sat down in the chair in front of my vanity mirror. It said; Dear 

     Emi Caroline Leffette ,                                                   December 14, 2017                                                                                                                     You stole everything from me. What did I ever do to you to deserve this punishment of being your shadow? You've ruined my life. But don't underestimate me. I will get my revenge. After you're out of the picture everyone will adore me! The hidden beauty of this world will be revealed! That hidden beauty is me! Nolan will finally notice me. Everyone will notice me. You don't deserve the role that you were given. All you have is your pretty face and "sweet" "kind" and "caring" personality. You're just a selfish brat. Must trust me I'll get rid of everything and everyone  you care about. Then I'll torture you until you break. You'll be nothing but an empty shell wandering about. Or maybe I can force you to commit suicide. Or I can just just kill you myself. But watch your back. I'll take everything from you like how you took everything from me. You'll get what you paid for. I'll make sure you suffer. Even if it's the last thing I do.      

     I felt scared, and decided to do the most reasonable thing and go to the police station and show them the note. If the person who wrote this wanted to scare me it worked. I sure am scared.

     I quickly exited the building after packing all my stuff and headed towards the direction of the police station. I kept my head down since I was deep in thought. Suddenly I bumped into something. Or someone. I tumbled back and fell, the note flying out of my hand. Standing above me was a tall man with dark brown hair, forest green eyes, and wearing a suit under a trench coat. He was staring at me like he was scanning me. I didn't try to hold his gaze and looked around for the note. But that man found and picked up the note first. I hastily got up.

     "Um. . . sir can I please have that note back?" I ask. It looks like he was reading the note so I waited till he was done. He didn't even look up when I spoke to him. It's like he didn't even hear me talk to him.

     "Emi, where are you taking this?" He asked me.

     How did he know my name!?

     "How did you know my name?" I looked at him. I was a little frightened but I tried to not show it. I was only well known as an actress. Not famous.

     "First of all I know you're an actress. I heard you're playing Elise from 'Scarlet Snow'.  Second, they way you were walking gave a bit away too. You were walking in very short and quick strides. You looked terrified as well. Third, you were walking in the direction of the police station. Why would anyone who was planning on threatening someone through a note go to the police station. Fourth, you where muttering out loud. You said something like 'Who would do this? And why? Did I do something wrong?'. Also no need for you to be scared of me. So calm down." The man said in a rather bored tone. It was like he can see right through me.

     "How rude am I? I forgot to introduce myself," the man extended his hand towards me and his forest green gaze pieced through me. " I am Luke Grahm. A detective. You may or not know but I've been in the magazines multiple times."

     I shook his hand. So this guy is a detective? A famous detective? Well seems reasonable I don't know about him since I never read magazines. But I think I may have heard the last name "Grahm" somewhere. Was Grahm a common last name? Personally Luke is now the only person I know with that last name. Wait. . . is he related to Cedar Grahm? No. . . maybe not. Cedar Grahm is an artist who lives in another state at the moment.

     "Don't think much about my last name and who I'm related to," Luke said suddenly. I should've expected him to know what I was thinking. I'm not going to question how he knew what I was thinking.

     Wait! I should hire him to figure out who wrote this note to me!

    "Luke? Are you on a case right now?" I ask.

     "No," Luke yawned.

     "Um. . . uh. . .," I didn't know what to say. Hiring is something I've never done before. Luke raised one eyebrow.  "Can I hire you to solve a mystery for me. . .?"

     "And what is this 'mystery' about?"

    "Someone wrote me this threatening note, and I would like to figure out who wrote it."

     Luke yawned again, "boring. Keep in mind I already read the note. I do admit it had a few threats, but this case isn't interesting enough for me."

    I realized Luke hadn't given the note back. "Hey Luke, can I have the note back then. I might hire someone nicer to help me." Luke snorted and held the paper out to me. Right as I was a centimeter away from getting the paper Luke quickly raised it high into the air. But just high enough that I couldn't reach it. That jerk. I jumped as high as I could and tried grabbing at the paper with no success. Luke leaned over so out faces were leveled to each other and only inches apart.

     "So you want me to be nicer?" Luke said in a slight whisper.  He was so close. I felt my cheeks flush. After about 30 seconds that felt like hours Luke moved away. He held out the paper again, and this time I took it as quickly as I could without snatching it.

     "Bye," Luke said flatly and walked away. I watched him until I couldn't see him anymore.

     As I proceeded to the police station I wonder if this was really worth it. It might just be some sick joke for all I know. Maybe I should just drop it for now. I should just back home and forget about this for now. I quietly sigh and head towards the directions of home.