Pain is only an allusion made to hid the real destructive source in us.

Matthew and I are currently seated on the floor in my bedroom. I held the knife that the mysterious dark figure threw that my window in my hands.

"Abigail you know what that means," Matthew said.

I did know what the knife meant. All of the victims of the Magician got an item with the letter M on it before they are killed an item that represented how they'd die, an old blacksmith named Ray got a rock before he was kidnapped and killed, Ray got his head smashed open with that same rock.

"You still think tracking the Magician down is a good idea?" Matt questioned.

"No," I said with a smirk, "I think it's a great idea."

Matthew's hands roll up into fists. He glares at me, "You seem to forget one crucial fact. You could die," he snaps.

"Yeah, but I won't die alone you'll be with me so we'll die together. Which is cool cause it's on our best friend bucket list," I said. Matt smiles a bit probably thinking about the list.

When Matt and I were about six years old, we made a best friend bucket list it had crazy things like becoming pirates and saving the town from evil monsters. Those were the times when the people of Bellsville were vibrant and happy now we live in constant fear and worry.

"I'm only agreeing to this because I want to take care of you, but I won't stop reminding you that this is a bad idea," Matthew said.

My face lit up, "Yay!" I exclaimed, Matt chuckles softly running his hand through his brown curls, a habit he has, not that I'm complaining.

"So miss detective what do you have so far?" Matt asked.

"Well," I said, "the knife trick, is the work of an amateur, the real magician wouldn't have attacked in board daylight or miss his target. It's probably one of his followers."

The magician like any villain had his group of fans, people who supported him killing the innocent and wanted him to kill more. They never showed their faces in town and lived in districts of Bellsville.

"Whoever did this is going to be pretty easy to find, I heard the library has a bunch of newspapers about them, we could go there and do some research," Matt said. I nodded in agreement, although that psychopath had a lot of minions only a few them did anything crazy like attempted murder and so on.

"I've got to go, Mom is probably looking for me," Matt said looking at the watch on his arm.

"Okay I'll take a shower and go down to the library," I said rising from the floor.

"I'll meet you there." Matt pulled me into a tight hug silently telling me to be safe. I pulled away and gave me a small reassuring smile. He kisses my forehead and exits the room. I left my room to lock the front door, as I reach the last steps of the staircase I take in how empty and lonely my house is.

Walking to the kitchen I grab a can of soda and bring it to my lips, the open front door long forgotten. I ponder on how Matt and I are going to find out who tried to kill us then I got a great idea. My dad keeps a file of the magician's followers in his office at home. Dropping the can of soda and fast walk to my dad's office.

I opened the door slowly and tiptoed into the office. It is in its usual messy state, papers were scattered on the floor, he had a pile of soda can's on the left side of the room next to his desk. The one thing my dad and I had in common is we're both messy people.

I opened the cabinet where he kept all the files on the magician and picked out the one labelled Dipshits.

I opened it up and scanned through to see anyone that had multiple felonies. Most of his followers committed one crime then stopped once their disgusting asses got sent to jail.

Most of them in my dad's files committed small crimes like vandalism, theft etc. I'm looking for someone with crimes that stand out from the usual status quo. A smile forms on my face, I found my guy.

Name: Jackson Green
Age: 23
Charged for:
Assault, drug dealing, and manslaughter.

I grabbed the rest of the information on him, dashed upstairs and grabbed my phone to send Matt a text.

A- I've got something, meet me at the library in 20 minutes if you can.

M- Alright, see you in twenty xx

I hopped into the bathroom and took a quick shower. Grabbing everything I might need I stuffed them into my old brown bag and rushed out of the house and made my way down the street to the library.

It's about a fifteen-minute walk from my house to the library. My mom and I used to go there every day to pick a new book to read together, growing up I didn't have many friends. The only people that I consider my pals where my mom and Matthew.

My mother and I would walk hand in hand as we laughed and talked and walk down the street like soulmates. What I would give to have that moment again.

I approach the library and meet a smiling Matt sitting on the steps looking like a lost puppy.

"Hey beautiful," Matt greeted with a grin.

"Why do you always do that?" I asked.

"Do what?"

"Say things like hey gorgeous' or hey beautiful."

"Because you don't hear those words enough," Matt said with a shrug and proceeded to walk up the stairs and into the library. I was stunned he said it so blatantly. I trailed behind him pondering on his words.

"You have to walk faster than that A if you want us to find that killer," he mocked. I caught up to him and smacked him across the head.

"Don't say that out loud! You want everyone to know what we're doing," I scolded. Matt glared at me rubbing the spot of his head I hit. The library is deserted like it always is, there only about five people here including Matt and I.

We walked to the newspaper aisle and went to the crime section. I picked stuff on the magician and other mysterious disappearances. Matt and I took a seat on the decks close to the windows.

It's just about one in the afternoon, the sun is always perfect at this time. I looked out the window and watched as people passed by some of them smiling others frowning.

My eyes caught sight of a little girl who stood with who I assumed was her father. I smiled and watched as her father laughed as the little tired to figure out how to fit his wristwatch on her head. How I wish I could find myself in a moment like that. A moment of happiness.

"You said you had something," Matt spoke pulling out of my daze.

"Yeah," I replied trying to get myself back to reality. I took out the files I stole from my bag and handed them to Matthew. As he scanned the files he showed no emotion.

"If this is the guy then we're dealing with some big trouble," he said with a stern look on his face.

"I can handle it," I replied curtly. Matt said nothing but took another newspaper and began to read it. I grunted inwardly he's mad at me. Saying nothing I grabbed my newspaper and flipped through it.

After minutes in excruciatingly awkward silence, Matt finally spoke. "I think I have something," he said his face gleaming with joy. He'd always been into detective things when he was little. I knew he'd enjoy doing this.

"So this guy Peter Hug was a suspect in the disappearance of a little girl called Bella Gold. The neighbours said they heard Bella screaming at night cause she got some items she didn't like. They also said they saw Peter lurking around Bella's house. The police brought him in but they had to drop the charges because the evidence wasn't tight enough."

"Sounds like bull to me."

"Says here, they found the little girl's body five days after Peter was released, chopped up near the Blue walk River down Old May Road."

"We need to find this Peter, man. Does it say where he is now in the paper?" I asked. Matt shook his head.

"No, but it does say something Johnson Higs. The guy claimed he saw the little girl get killed and he apparently knows how the magician is," Matt said while he read the paper, "The townspeople thought Johnson was crazy and he moved to Old May."

"What are you kids doing?" an annoying voice spoke from behind us. Matt and I both jumped in fear. A scowl forms on my face in the face I'm met with.

Bates Starr a true definition of a waste of space. He had a beautiful young lady with him, his hand wrapped around her waist tightly. Probably one of his many mistresses. Couldn't understand what the saw in him. Bates Starr is a chubby, pasty, bitter old man. About five bodyguards surrounded him, he needed the protection because so many townspeople hated him.

"It's nice to see you again Mr Starr," Matthew greeted politely. He nudges my side urging me to do the same.

I reluctantly smiled at Bates and stretched my hand out towards him hoping he'd wouldn't ask any more questions, "Good afternoon Mayor." He took my hand and shook it looking sceptical at my sudden good behaviour.

"Good afternoon Ms Smith, I'll ask again what are you two doing?" My mouth went dry I couldn't think of an answer to his question.

"We're just doing some research," Matt said calmly. I glared daggers at him silently telling him to shut up. The mayor opens his mouth to speak but is interrupted by one of his bodyguards. The serious looking man leaned closer to him and whispers something in Bates' ear that makes the blood in his face drain. 

He left the library without another word with his mistress and bodyguards. I stood from the chair and followed him ignoring the look Matt is giving me. I reach outside and hide behind a car next to the mayor's Jeep. I hear the words it's coming and think of the nightmare I had in the hospital.

Bates catches me watching and glares at me, he gets into his car closing it with a loud bang. The jeep speeds off leaving me with many questions. Matt comes out of the library a few moments later with some stuff in my bag.

"Where are we going now?" he questioned.

"To meet Mr Higs," I said determination clear in my voice.

"Did you bring your car?" I asked, Matt, nodded and gestured for me to follow him. We got to the car and dashed off.

********

By the time we got to Old May Road is was about 6 pm. Matt and I went around asking were Mr Higs lived, no one replied they all gave the same lie, 'we don't know'. They seemed scared to tell us, made me wonder what is going on in Bellsville.

Finally, we reached a house close to the river where Bella's body was found and figured it had to be his. We are currently standing at the doorstep of the old cabin, knocking for like the twentieth time. Matt looks at me with tired eyes, he'd given up after the fourth knock.

I shook my head and continued knocking. We finally heard the sound of footsteps approaching the door. An old rugged man opens the door. His grey beard reached his chest, his eyes were old shot red. He's about five foot four.

"What do you two want?" he asked with a deadly scowl on his face that made me shiver.

"Are you Johnson Higs?" Matt asked boldly.

The old man raised his eyebrows and asked, "What's it to you?"

"We have a few questions about Bella Gold," I said. Higs went silent but the scowl on his face is more prominent than before. He made a move to close the door but I stopped it with my foot. "Look, mister, we need your help," I said.

"We're trying to help a little girl like Bella find her father," Matt said, placing both his hands on the door, trying his hardest to stop him from closing it, "You don't want another family destroyed. Do you?" Higs stopped his resistant movements for a moment probably contemplating if he should let Matt and I in or not. With a sigh he opened the door, welcoming us in.

Matt and I walked into a very messy living room, there are newspapers in almost every corner, the smell of cigarette smoke invaded my nose and travelled through my veins. The light from the fireplace illuminated the room giving light to every dusty corner in the room.

"Take a seat," Higs mumbled behind us. Matt and I made a move to move the newspapers on the couch but Higs deep raspy voice halts our movements.

"Don't touch those," he said, "You can sit there." We made our way to the worn out stools Higs was pointing at and sat on them. "State your purpose," he demanded, taking a seat on a very comfortable looking chair.

"As I'm sure you know the serial killer that took Bella, killed again," I said, "we need you to tell us any information that could be useful about him." Mr Higs looked at me with emotionless eyes. The tension grew thick.

"What did he leave behind?" he asked.

"The Ace of Spades," I said. Higs took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and took one out. He brought it to the brim of his lips, lit it and took a puff. He let out a sigh of relief as the toxic smoke left his lips. He closed his eyes and uttered not one sound, he appeared dead.

"See that envelope there," Higs said pointing at the envelope on the floor, we nodded. "Take it, it has all the information I have on the magician, keep it safe and don't let anyone in that town get their slimy hands on it."

Higs brought the cigar to his lips once again and took another puff. "As for the Ace of Spades, there used to be an old bar called Spades joint, down at Penn road about a quarter mile from here. It used to be owned by Ace Spades but The Mayor shut it down. I suggest y'all go on foot less chance getting followed."

Matt cleared his throat drawing Higs attention, "If you don't mind me asking why did you distance yourself from the town."

"The people of Bellsville aren't what they seem, there are dark secrets that live deep within that town. Secrets that should remain untold, you two don't know what you're getting into."

Suddenly Higs face turns white and his pupil dilates he looks like he has seen a ghost. He stands from his chair and puts out his cigar. "Go!" he exclaimed. I stood in fear, Matt did the same.

"Get out you two!" he exclaimed while shoving us out the door. Higs slammed the door behind us once we were out. I turned to Matt and asked, "Tell me you grabbed the envelope." He grinned holding the brown, dusty envelope and some other papers in his arm.

"I know how to get to Penn Road my father used to take me hunting around this area," Matt said handing me the envelope so I could put it in my bag. I took out two flashlights and handed one to Matt.

"Lead the way," I said. We switched on our flashlights and started our journey, well not really journey more like a hunt. As we approach Penn Road my palms get sweaty, my breathing picked up. Any second from now I'd panic, I'm terrified of what we might find in that bar. Up until right now, I hadn't really thought this through. I stopped in my tracks, Matt sensed my nervousness and held my hand giving it a tight squeeze.

With me still anxious we continued the 'hunt'. The bar is barricaded with tall walls, the top is decorated with barb wire. I scanned the gate looking for a possible entry and spotted a hole in the wall big enough for Matthew and me to squeeze through. I nudged Matt signalling him to follow me, we crawled through the hole and continued walking.

The bar looked ominous, there are holes in the roof letting the gloomy midnight moonlight in, cobwebs decorated in every corner. Rats scurried to their hiding holes. "We'll split up, you search down here for Old Jim, I'll look upstairs," I said.

Matt nodded then grabbed my hand and whispered, "Be careful."

I smiled and whispered back, "Never am." I let go of his arm and switched on my flashlight heading for the stairs, they made that irritating creaking noise.

The top of the bar looked like a small inn, there are three doors on each side, I made my way to first one and proceeded to search the rooms. Each one looked the same dirty and old. I got to the fifth door and opened I stepped into the gloomy room, something falls in the corner making squeal in fear.

Suddenly I'm knocked to the ground, my head collides with a hard surface I cannot make out. Grabbing my flashlight, I dash out of the room hoping to find what hit me or who but the hallway is empty. I notice the sixth room has its door ajar.

Holding my flashlight tight with fear I enter the last room. My heart beat rapidly in my chest at the sight I see. Old Jim's head dangling from the ceiling, his mouth and eyes wide open, the rest of body parts are choked up in pieces and scattered on the floor, blood is smeared over the walls. Fear taking over my mind and body I screamed loudly. I can hear what I hope are Matthew's footsteps approaching me.

Turning around I met a shocked Matthew, he looked at the body with disappointment and fear. I ran to him and let myself be engulfed in a hug. The tears burst out of me like a broken damn.

My phone rings startling both Matt and I. Pulling away from Matthew, I reached into my pocket, brought it out and answered.

"This game has just begun little girl," a dark voice spoke.

"Who is this? What do you want?" I questioned.

"Be prepared there are many more deaths to come." A dark chuckle erupted from whoever it is on the other line before it went dead.

Author's Note

Hello everyone. It's been a while.

I hope y'all enjoyed the chapter. I might be making slow updates but I promise to try and update more. This time I'll keep that promise.

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