Emily lazily surfed through the news websites. However easy this part of her work seemed, it was quite the opposite. Because 'surfing web in leisure shan't come in comparison with surfing web in work', especially because it becomes intended and not aimless; not her words though.

Most of the articles were already more than well  published in Melissa's Weekly where Emily, unfortunately, had to work. It was a creepy, dilapidated residential-turned-official house. Michele, the current owner of the company (if you must call it one) lived in the same dilapidated mess but in the upper floors. The place smelled like swamp on humid days, which was most days, to say the least.

There were only, only 7 workers. Michele, herself, only supervised. Emily, the grand editor and Cherry, the grand all-rounder, pretty much took charge and the rest of the coworkers, were just there. If it is of any importance, Emily always liked to let anyone know that she didn't know the well-being of the small magazine publishers before accepting their job. Well, in her defense, she was desperate. In Michele's words, it started as a family company so to maintain the air of familial feelings, there shall be no prejudice or strict levels of work that would 'emotionally effect' the workers.  Emily rolled her eyes at that.

Cherry Smith got along pretty well with Emily. While Cherry and her husband would often invite Emily over for lunch or dinner, Emily couldn't do much for them. But Cherry claimed that Emily made 'miserable time at work, much bearable' and that she couldn't thank her enough for it.

The small television blasted the morning news but nobody really paid heed to it until a certain headline made all ears perked up.

"Another murder in Aronville!"

Emily immediately ceased her browsing and sat up straight. For some reason, her nightmare, which was in the process of being buried in the back of her mind, was recalled again, details blurry but prevalent.

"The victim was found dead in her own colony. Aronville hadn't witnessed a murder in decades now but two murders in a row are throwing experts off their ground. Detectives are still not responding to our questions. We'll now connect to our reporter at the spot. We'll keep you updated after a short break. Keep watching KVC news!"

The news changed to some weird cheesecake advertisement but everyone kept on gawking at the television. Only when Cherry and Emily silently nodded to each other, the room started flooding with noises of typing and dialing and writing and some sighing. But Emily couldn't help the question that left her mouth:

"Michele, when was the last murder case in Aronville?"

"How old are you, again?" joked Cherry with a sly smirk at Michele and a wink thrown at Emily, who knew how much hatred Michele had towards this question.

Michele, however, kept on staring at the television as her eyes glazed over. She sat like that for a while. The co-workers exchanged looks, looking at Cherry and Emily. They didn't know the protocol, of course. But Cherry and Emily were looking at Michele who then started caressing the Holy Cross that sat on her chest. Everyone felt the chill in the room.
"Michele?"
As if she didn't recall it being her name, she stared until she suddenly jolted out of whatever trance she was in. Slowly getting up, she went out of their curious sight.

"What the duck is this?"

"Do you think it's a serial killer?", spoke Emily, who realised how quiet everything had been. She had the urge to laugh at Cherry's censored swearing but decided otherwise.

"Woah, I don't think so. If it was so serious, don't you think we'd be getting some official warnings of safety? Moreover, its just two murders."
"As of yet."
Emily's statement somehow brought an awkward note to the conversation and it stopped there.

"Let's start writing, shall we?"

Emily was not one to be easily scared. Watching all those horror movies, thrillers and actions used to make her aunt worried. She feared that Emily would grow up to be either a killer or a cop.
If she were alive, she would have been as shocked to find Emily in this shabby magazine workshop, as Emily herself was, when she joined. She still missed her aunt, even though it's been years.

Emily had a knack of wandering around. So, this job, which offered her wandering permit, not always looked bad, but of course, the paperworks were all a headache which included the one she had to start.

-

Emily placed a hand over her eyes to shadow her face from the sun. She couldn't wait for winter, actually no one could. As much as she hated the heat, she couldn't afford to miss her chance of looking at a murder scene. She was too late at the previous case.

When she went to the previous scene where Rachel Gartner was found, she could only see the yellow tapes and nothing else except the faint outline of where the body was found. She expected blood and all that gore, as sinister as it sounds, but everything was squeaky clean. She could not explain her disappointment to anyone, not even herself. But she knew that was just who she was and everyone knew she had this unexplainable pull towards crime cases.

Aronville rarely had murder cases. It has its fair share of thievery, accidents but almost never a murder. The last murder case was years ago, when she was eight. She remembered everyone gathering near th-

Her thoughts were pushed away when she was abruptly bumped into by a couple who didn't even bother apologizing. They were far too buried in their conversation. They barely paid heed to Emily as they went off, while Emily only caught hints of their conversation.
"Do you think what we did was right?"
"We had no choice."

-

"Please answer our questions!"
"What is the authorities' analysis about this murder?"
"Are you the victim's mother?"
"How are you planning to seek justice?"
"Do you have any suspicions?"
"Do you think your neighbours might be involved in this?"

Numerous questions, some clear and some muffled from the clicks and shouts, were thrown at Kennedy Victor, who only shuddered and stepped back.

Ace watched her struggle from afar until the reporters couldn't be held back. He swiftly moved from the porch to stand in front of the victim's mother. Unlike her, Ace was not unfamiliar with this ruckus. He knew how reckless professionals could be but that was mostly because he was one himself.

"We request an interview!"
"Please, do an interview with our channel. We'll seek justice for your daughter."
"Officer, what are your views?"
"Sir, please elaborate on the case to us."

Questions that were so annoyingly common and expected buzzed around him until that one familiar, pristine voice cut it all off.

"This is the second murder in Aronville in a very short time span. Do you think these murders are related? Also, much like the previous case, the body is found nearby the victim's house. What are your comments on these similarities?"

Ace knew who asked the question. She was one of the most desperate reporters he has ever had the fortune to see. But since, that was one quality reporters must have, she was well cherished.

Justice Troy, held out her microphone the farthest or maybe the elegance and the zeal in her eyes made the others stand back. She was known for despising her peers. She hated their audacity of backing down and because they were always clueless. Crime reporters should be either ahead or with the steps of the cops, which most of them, could never. She believed that the one step they backed off from, was two steps for her to proceed and since, once she proceeds they would try to defame her, the entire process was despicable. Everyone knew Justice. They either hated her or loved her. There was no between. For Ace, it was somehow nothing. He did not care enough.

Ace smirked at Justice, like he always did and escorted Kennedy Victor away from the chaos. Justice's question momentarily paused others but once they saw Kennedy being taken away, their buzzing blew up again.

The only one who stayed behind was Justice, who was calling someone.

"Hello? Chief, I have news. The two murders are connected. I think I know where to start. Don't worry. I keep a track of my tracks. I'll find the reasons before the detectives do. I'm on my way back."

---