Back in my bedroom, I keep turning over in my bed for hours, trying to get some sleep. What occurred in the theater is engraved in my mind.

Stalked, fired, aimed at by the mafia... Why are all these troubles happening to me? Great, much more exciting than in the movies... But a little too real to my liking.

The shooting will surely make a great article. Thank God I took notes after it happened. I get up from bed and start skimming through my notes. While reading them in my mind, I recall the sinister encounter with Mr. Iero.

Mr. Iero doesn't want me to publish an article about this evening. But since he is one of the victims, It shouldn't matter if I reported the facts as they are. But if I want to write about that topic, I'm going to need more than the information I gathered on site. I should be able to learn more from the police. Then I will be able to write my article.

I can't help but feel enthusiastic at the thought of obtaining more information. I should try to sleep, though. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day.

______

Today, I am going to the police station, and I better leave early. I swing by the office and explain the situation to Mr. Weekes who promptly accepts my request to write a new article. Interviewing Mr. Toro is not a top priority for now.

Judging by the scale of the shooting, I thought that I'd better go to the police headquarters. I enter the building and come across a quite young man with a uniform.

"Good morning, Sir. I am Gerard Way, a journalist for the Gotham News. Has there been any added information about the investigation regarding yesterday's shooting at the Grand Theater?" I ask.

"You're a journalist, you said? Wait here, please." The police officer leaves and I wait. I wonder how long I will have to wait, but luckily the officer soon comes back with an older colleague of his.

"I apologize, Mr. journalist. The investigation hasn't made any progress," the older police officer said.

"What can you tell me about this case?" I insist.

"Hmm, we haven't found any witness yet."

"Did you actually look for witnesses? That can't be the only reason you are not making progress." I frown, folding my arms.

"It was quite chaotic; it was a complete mess when we got there. How could I have gotten any testimony?"

I sigh extensively. They probably didn't even bother. I am a witness, but they didn't even give me a call. "You're slacking, that's irresponsible!" I point at the man.

"Don't blame us, Mr. journalist," the man says defensively.

"It's not the first time that you neglect your duties. There wasn't even a single police patrol when someone was chasing me!"

"The police aren't God. How could we appear by demand? You seem pretty safe and sound, right now. So, I suppose that it wasn't as bad as you make it sound like. You can't prove that you were followed, can you? Perhaps you imagined it."

The officer shrugs and turns around dismissively. I turn red and prepare my next scathing line when I hear a familiar voice...

"So, you have no testimony? Is that why you are delaying the investigation?" I see the silhouette of a tall man in a suit, arguing with a senior officer. "You're looking for excuses. You are covering for the mafia!"

"It was really agitated at the theater, Mr. prosecutor Toro. That's why we have no witness..."

"Are those the instructions of the chief inspector? I will write an official demand to transfer this case to our department," states Mr. Toro, aggravated.

"You are so stubborn, I swear to God... I can assure you that there will be no progress made even if you were in charge of the case."

The theater? The Grand Theater? That's where the shooting occurred! Maybe by testifying I could both help with the case and get some info.

"Mr. Toro, what a surprise," I greet, walking over to them and inviting myself to the conversation. "I was at the theater during the shooting!"

I catch both men's attention and Mr. Toro simply nods at me as greetings.

"Are you certain? Can you tell us when and where that happened, and why you are here?"

"It happened to the Grand Theater in Brooklyn, last night, around 9 p.m., right after I interviewed Ms. Sarah Orzechowski," I tell the prosecutor.

"Thank you for testifying, Mr. Way."

"My pleasure, but I have a small request. I hope that you keep me informed of the progress made for this investigation," I ask.

Mr. Toro nods. "Of course, but in exchange you must guarantee the impartiality of your article, though I am not worried about that if you do write it all yourself," he adds the last part with a barely perceptible smile. "Can you tell us about the incident?"

"Of course," I confirm. But... Should I tell him about Mr. Iero?

The armed men were surely going after him. Not only did he not report it to the police, but he also requested – no, demanded – that I don't tell anyone. But in order to keep his secret, I will have to give false testimony. I could affect Mr. Toro's investigation and my own credibility.

I make my statement to Mr. Toro. But I decide to leave Mr. Iero out of everything. I try to convince myself that I am not lying, but simply omitting a part of the truth, but the line is blurry.

"A very detailed record of the events, thank you, Mr. Way. Please follow my colleague so we can record your testimony." Mr. Toro shows me the way.

"No problem."

"Oh and, Gerard," Mr. Toro calls, my name slipping out of his mouth as he seems to have switched to a bit more friendly, concerned mindset. "I believe I heard that you mentioned being followed. Can you give me some details about that?"

Why does he want to know? He looks so serious about it. Although I have a few questions on my mind, I describe the incident. Mr. Toro grabs his chin and hums.

"I understand now... Mr. Way, what I am about to say may shock you, but I believe that getting fired so suddenly and then being followed the very same night is no coincidence. This is just an insight, but I think the events are linked. It both occurred after you published that article about the Metropolitan Hospital."

"My- my article? But people loved it, I don't understand..."

"That is correct, but surely not everyone liked that you tackled the issue. I think that you were targeted because of your presentation."

"I still don't get it..." I frown deeper. "How could those events be connected?"

"Think about it, Mr. Way. Did your article reveal something that someone had hidden?"

"Well... I revealed the horrible treatments that the Metropolitan Hospital have to undergo, and it does make sense that someone would try to try and take revenge on me. I thought that getting fired was the worst thing that could happen to me. Would they go as far as stalking and intimidating me?"

"Well, the answer might be in your article."

"My article was mainly dealing with Emily's story. Could it be that she has something to do with all that? I suppose that going back to the Metropolitan museum is a bit of a necessity now," I conclude.

"Please contact me if I can be of any help." Mr. Toro offers and leaves the police station. I prepare to leave too so Mr. Toro's coworker can record my testimony when the senior officer stops me. I look at him; it seems that he wants to tell me something but can't bring himself to.

"I'm sorry, could we talk about my stalking case later? I have something important to do right now. My apologies." I leave and follow Mr. Toro's coworker.

The prosecutor's words manage to upset me for the rest of the day. They are still running in my mind as I walk out after having my testimony recorded.

Can it be? Is it not a coincidence?

I need to make sure of that. I need to go back to the Metropolitan Hospital.

______