Chapter 2 The Voices Are Calling Me

Lina's POV

I slammed my hand hard against the steering wheel as I sped through the street.

“What the fuck is going on? Five kids! Five days! Five damn 3:00 p.m’s! This wasn't random, this was planned.” I mumbled softly as I zoomed into the parking lot of the station.

I stepped out of my car and slammed the door shut behind me, then I walked briskly into the station.

I pushed the glass door open and stepped into the office where Rayshon, my Senior Detective, was waiting for me already.

I could see him through the glass door in his office. He wasn't smiling, he was all cold as if I was responsible for the missing kids.

I noticed the eyes that were following me as I walked into the office, they stared at me with condemnation. I sincerely don't have any idea why ninety percent of the officers in my department hate me.

Maybe because I was just too good at my job, but also stubborn, and I don't take shit from anyone, not even my senior detective, Rayshon.

“Sir Rayshon wants to see you!” One of the officers informed me.

I didn't say a word, I only nodded and matched towards his office.

“Come in.” he growled the moment I knocked on the door.

“Another one gone under your watch, Lina. What exactly are you up to? Are you planning to catch the culprit now or just babysit case files?” Detective Rayshon asked with a cold voice.

Even before I stepped in, I knew he was going to scold me for lack of progress in my work.

But of course I'm trying my best, at least I got a hold of some information today—The red door from Anil's dream.

But I can't tell Detective Rayshon about it, if I did, I'll be insulted for having just gathered a single clue since I started investigating the case.

“I’m getting close. I just need more time.” I mumbled coldly.

“Tell me you need until forever before you get this shit done. You’ve had time, Lina. The state is breathing down my neck. You screw this up, and they’ll cut your whole department.” Detective Rayshon growled.

The other officers watched us from the transparent glass door, they giggled and gossiped as Detective Rayshon gave me an earful.

I was getting fed up with his rants already, but I managed to take a deep breath and calmed my nerves down.

I swallowed my pride and muttered; “I won’t let this slip, sir, I promise.”

“You better not, because this town is tired of burying children in empty coffins,” he growled.

Then he flung a file my way, it was the full report of the five missing kids compiled together—their age, profiles, and backstory.

I picked the file from the desk without saying a word.

He shoved another brown office folder towards me; “That’s all I've been able to gather so far, so work with it, or don’t come back.” he smirked and turned away from me.

“Jerk!” I cursed underneath my breath, picking up the file and walking out of his goddamn office.

I was furious but composed.

Just as I was about to close the door behind me, Detective Rashon called me back into his office and gave me instructions;

“I need you to visit the victim's house today and let them know that we're currently on the case. And get your ass to fetch out clues from them.”

I nodded my head slowly.

“You can leave!” He growled and I stumbled out of his office, rolling my eyes.

It was raining outside, but I'd no time to wait till it ended. I burst out of the office and drove to the victim's parents house as instructed by detective Rashon.

It was a quick drive.

I parked my car outside the Mansion. Stepping into the rich-like building, I hesitated before knocking.

Someone immediately came to open the door for me. It was the victim's mom.

“Detective….please come in.” She welcomed me into the house.

She was gentle but I could see through her and I can tell that she's dying about the whole situation of her missing child.

“I'm sorry about everything.” I said as she walked me towards the living room to have a seat.

“I don't know what else to do.” She cried.

“I just want to help, Ma’am. May I look around Nore’s room?” I asked kindly.

“Yes, sure. This way please.” She whispered while she guided me towards her son's room.

I scanned through the small bedroom. Toy trucks lined up on the shelves, unfinished homework scattered on the bed, and now the bedtime story books were arranged on his study table.

Then I noticed something beneath his pillow, it was a letter.

I picked it and began to unwrap it from its envelope. I opened it slowly while the Mom stared at me.

“I feel like dying. Father, the voices are calling me. I keep seeing him in my dream again, but God is angry with me. Please forgive me.” I read the letter out loud.

“What's this?” I asked, turning to the pale-looking woman.

“My son wrote that.” She responded smoothly.

“What does he mean by ‘God is angry with me?’ I don't understand.”I questioned, curiosity creeping into my voice.

“I've no idea, Nore has been secretive about his dealings lately.” She said bitterly.

I hesitated before passing the letter to her.

“Did your son ever mention who this ‘Father’ is?” I questioned.

“Yes, he's Father Eron, our priest. Nore adored him so much, he said… he helped him sleep. Sometimes Nore shares deep secrets with Father Eron, secrets that he wouldn't even talk to me about.” The woman sounded bitter, but she looked even worse.

“Did he visit him recently?” I probed further.

“Yes, today! He took that letter to Father Eron just a few hours before he vanished.” she explained with a squinted expression.

“So why's the letter still here?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.

“He had two copies! Nore doesn't like rough works, so he probably might have submitted a neater copy to the priest.”

“Can you share with me the priest's address?” I asked.

“Yes, sure!” She responded and immediately fumbled for a pen, she wrote down the priest's home address as well as his church's address.

I thanked her and walked out briskly, rushing towards my car before I got drenched in the intensifying rain.