James: "Hello?"
Unknown Voice: "Is this James?"
James: "Yes. Who is this?"
BLUE BLOOD
Lucy: "It's me, Lucy."
James: "Oh, Lucy! Whose number is this?"
Lucy: "It's my mom's. I just called to say I'm leaving her house now. I'll be home in about half an hour. Are you at home?"
James: "No."
Lucy: "Alright. Can you pick up a gift for our little one? Tomorrow's a big day for her. I forgot my card, so I can't get it myself."
James: "Yeah, sure, sweetie."
The call ends.
Cloe: "Who was that?"
James: "Lucy. She asked me to get a gift for Lilly."
Cloe: "Ah, getting ready for tomorrow's party. And James… maybe take a break from this case, spend some time with your family."
James: "Yeah… I will. After I finish this case. I'll see you tomorrow, Cloe."
Later that night
James was riding home, a large gift-wrapped female doll secured on the back of his bike. The road was dark and lonely, weaving through the forest.
His phone rang.
He pulled over and answered.
James: "Hello?"
Lucy: "Hey, it's me. I just reached home. Lilly's asleep. Please come quickly… I don't know why, but I feel like something's wrong."
James: "I'll be there in a few minutes. Try to get some rest. I'll call when I arrive."
Call ends.
Then—a distant voice. Faint. Echoing. Someone calling for help. James turned toward the forest, his instincts kicking in. He grabbed his phone, switched on the flashlight, and stepped off the road. The trees loomed tall and dense. Leaves crunched underfoot. Then he saw it. A man—hanging from a tree, arms ripped off, eyes missing, blood soaking his body. Yet… he was still calling for help. Suddenly, something—a blur of darkness—pounced from above and ripped off the man's head, throwing it aside like trash. James stood frozen. The thing looked straight at him—red, glowing eyes locking on.
SLOW MOTION
James's thoughts: It can't be… She's still alive.
He snapped out of it, pulled his pistol, and opened fire. The creature leapt between trees—fast, almost invisible—but James managed to hit its leg. The creature let out a screech… and vanished into the shadows.
Later
Police arrived. The area was sealed off. James stood beside the crime scene, still shaken. An officer approached.
Officer: "Mr. James. What were you doing here? Did you see what happened?"
James: "I was heading home when I heard a strange noise from the forest. I went in to check. There were… people around the body. They were laughing. One of them saw me. They all rushed toward me. I tried to shoot their legs but… missed."
James couldn't tell the truth.
If he mentioned the creature, the entire C42 case would be exposed.
It would cause panic—possibly even national chaos. The officer noted his statement and left. James climbed back on his bike, the gift doll still strapped behind him. He reached home andParked his bike then Walked up to the front door and knocked.
James: "lucy, I'm home! Open the door."
Silence. Something felt… off. He knocked again. A little harder.
James: "lucy…?"
TO BE CONTINUED…
EPISODE 5 END