95: Crime and Punishment - Pt. 2

Madison County Jail & Detention Center – Present

The metallic clang of doors echoed in the tiny interview room as Ryan Turner was escorted inside. Dressed in prison orange and handcuffed in the front, Victoria and Mike watched as he was transferred from one guard to another and his restraints were removed.

“Hello, Ryan. My name is Victoria and this is my partner, Mike,” Victoria smiled, making introductions.

“Nice to meet you. Elena said you’d be reaching out,” he sighed as he made himself as comfortable as possible in the seat across from them.

“Yes, we spoke to her about your situation and wanted to hear your side so we’ll know where to begin our investigation,” Mike explained.

“What’s the point? No one believes I didn’t do this. The prosecution is doing a great job of railroading me and making that jury believe I belong here. There’s no way I’m getting out of here,” he said hopelessly, dropping his head into his hands.

Continue Reading: "95: Crime and Punishment - Pt. 2"

94: Crime and Punishment - Pt. 1

Ryan Turner’s Apartment – Three Weeks Ago…

“Finally!” Ryan exclaimed as his last guest, Dan, arrived. After a quick look around, he grabbed a drink and took a sip before addressing his friends. “I hope everyone has had enough time to study over their invitation. We will begin in just five minutes. This is going to be a much different experience than previous parties. Tonight, I’ve pulled out all the stops.” 

Continue Reading: "94: Crime and Punishment - Pt. 1"

93: Never After – Pt. 3

“Chaos demons are some of the toughest supernatural beings to vanquish,” Derrick said, realizing they were in for a difficult battle.

“That’s great to hear, Derrick, for a minute there, I thought you were going to say we were doomed,” Victoria joked. “How do you propose we fight a demon that feeds off magic?”

“And therein lies the crux,” Derrick replied.

“Kron has been consuming the life forces of our residents. He has made it nearly impossible to sustain any kind of living without the constant threat of war. Our combined magics have not been able to drive him out and at this point, he’s become immune to our spells and enchantments. But you, you’re not of this world. We are hoping, desperately, that somehow your magic can defeat him,” Callon said.

“I don’t know how successful I’ll be, Callon, but I’m willing to try. Where can we find him?”

“He’s taken up residence near Serenity Falls. It’s the large waterfall near the center of Niellon.”

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92: Never After – Pt. 2

“Where are we?” Aria asked, taking a step closer toward Mike. He wrapped an arm around her waist as she looked at their surroundings. “Are we stranded on a deserted island?”

“Aria,” Mike sighed, “There’s something I need to tell you and you may find it a little hard to believe.” He glanced over at Victoria and she nodded. It was something she needed to hear because whatever awaited them in that jungle was certainly of mystical origins. “Magic is real.”

“What do you mean?”

“Fairytales, folklore, myths all of it; it’s real. Witches, vampires, even leprechauns, all of it is real.”

“Mike, are you concussed? What are you talking about?”

“Show her,” Mike said, looking again at his partner.

Continue Reading: "92: Never After – Pt. 2"

91: Never After – Pt. 1

“Hurry up or we’re going to miss our flight! We still have to pick up Mike and Aria before heading to the airport.” Derrick said, rushing Victoria to the car. They were on their way to a couples’ retreat. Five days of sun, fun and relaxation in a tropical setting courtesy of Derrick. He wanted to do something nice for Victoria and treat her to a lovely vacation. But when she’d mentioned the package to Mike, it piqued his interest as well. And being the nice guy he was, Derrick splurged and purchased an additional getaway for Mike and Aria.

“I’m coming, I’m coming!” she sighed, dragging a large suitcase behind her. Derrick grabbed it from her as if it weighed nothing and tossed it into the trunk with the others.

“Got everything?” he asked, taking one last look at the house.

Continue Reading: "91: Never After – Pt. 1"

90: Photogenic – Pt. 3

“As I was saying, I know where the threat is coming from. In your time, I took down Al Capone?”

“That’s right. You and your ‘Untouchables’ singlehandedly ended the threat to prohibition and organized crime in Chicago,” Mike said, the huge grin never leaving his face. “Honestly, you’re like one of my biggest heroes!”

“It’s true. He has a framed picture of you in his office…which is kind of surprising he didn’t recognize you,” Victoria smirked at the displeasure on Mike’s face. “Anyway, you’re thinking it’s a threat from Capone, Eliot?”

“I am indeed. I’ve just been appointed to the Bureau of Prohibition on assignment from the U.S. Treasury Department. I’ve been tasked with destroying all lines of illegal smuggling and thereabouts ending the reign of these gangs that are plaguing the city. I haven’t been personally assigned to the task force for Al Capone but, my department is working up to creating individualized teams who will cover different parts of the state. And you’ve ruined the surprise as to which city I’m getting.”

“Yeah,” Mike smiled sheepishly. “Sorry about that.”

Continue Reading: "90: Photogenic – Pt. 3"

89: Photogenic – Pt. 2

“What do you mean ‘who’s Mike?’ Seriously, Derrick? This is no time to be funny.”

“I know, Victoria, I can sense how upset you are, I know this is real, I just, I have no idea who you’re talking about.”

“Mike, my partner, Michael Rizzitello. The guy who sits at that desk?” Derrick turned and looked over Mike’s desk before gazing back at Victoria with a shrug.

Retrieving her phone, she pulled up an image from her camera roll, but every photo she’d taken of Mike and every picture of them together was gone. “This doesn’t make sense. My pictures…how is this possible? What is going on?”

“I don’t know, Baby, but we’ll figure this out. I promise,” he said, pulling her into his arms as he swept her hair behind her ear. “I don’t want you to worry about anything.” Moving forward, he looked around the area in front of Mike’s desk and sighed. “You found the phone here?”

Continue Reading: "89: Photogenic – Pt. 2"

88: Photogenic – Pt. 1

“There! How’s that?” Mike asked, giving his latest acquisition a small adjustment. It was a painting of a swinging club scene. He smiled as he looked over at his partner, awaiting her reaction.

“It’s nice, Mike, but…”

“But what?”

“I don’t know—it doesn’t really fit, does it?”

“What do you mean? All of my décor is retro.”

“Yeah, but your style is more 1940s noir. This is more—1920s jazz age.”

“Nah! I think it’s great. It reminds me of those early films like with Bogart.”

“Who starred in classic 1940s noir like The Maltese Falcon.” Mike quieted for a moment in deep thought and Victoria laughed. “My point exactly.”

“Whatever! I’m keeping it!”

Continue Reading: "88: Photogenic – Pt. 1"

87: Tainted Love – Pt. 3

Victoria sprang to life, coughing up large mouthfuls of blood as her internal organs healed and reformed. As she continued coughing, Derrick quickly rolled her onto her side as she cleared her airways. Once he was sure she was done, he pulled her into a seated position and looked her over. Her leg had healed and the gaping wound in her stomach had closed. “How do you feel?”

“O—k. I—I’m…I’m fine,” Victoria replied, looking herself over. Her clothing was still soaked in her blood but her aches, breaks and injuries were all gone. “Should I go to the hospital? What if everything’s not right?”

“You’re ok, Victoria. I don’t believe there’s a reason for the hospital, but we can absolutely go if that will put your mind at ease.”

Touching her forehead, Victoria did a physical check of herself, shaking her head in confusion. “Am I—did I…?”

“No, you didn’t die. You’re still you. I can hear your heart beating,” Derrick answered. Victoria placed her hand over her heart and sighed. “Victoria, I am so sorry. I was coming to warn you and—”

Continue Reading: "87: Tainted Love – Pt. 3"

86: Tainted Love – Pt. 2

“CECILY?!” Victoria asked in shock. “You’re telling me Cecily is here in Avondale and looking for Derrick?”

“And found him if I’m to believe your story about his mysterious phone call and sudden departure. Apparently, she heard her old flame had moved across the pond and is looking to reconnect.”

“Bullshit,” Victoria replied flippantly.

“If you say so, Luv.”

“No. No, none of that, Rowan. Derrick told me you killed her as a ‘birthday present’ for him when he left for the states nearly half a millennium ago. There is no way this woman is here now. Unless—you lied to him. You turned her and told Derrick it was taken care of. But, why would you do that? Why would you save a woman that hurt your friend?”

Continue Reading: "86: Tainted Love – Pt. 2"