Sarah Fights Back
Sarah's POV
Chief Morrison was still speaking to Marcus when my phone buzzed in my pocket.
When I saw the text message, I took it out and almost dropped it: "Detective Chen, you're making a big mistake." Mrs. Huang will have an accident tonight if you don't stop now. "-Elena"
However, Elena was speaking to Torres directly in front of me. She didn't move her lips. Not even a phone was in her hands.
At that point, everything made sense.
Elena wasn't merely manipulating Mrs. Huang's thoughts. She also had control over my phone. She was able to send texts, make calls, and probably do a hundred other things that I couldn't comprehend.
"Chief Morrison," I said, attempting to sound steady. "You're entirely correct. I believe I should take a break. I've been handling far too many cases lately.
Marcus had a startled expression. Like a curious cat, Elena cocked her head.
"I apologize, Marcus," I added, meeting his eyes directly. "I was incorrect to make any accusations against you. Linda obviously relocated to Seattle and is content there. I shouldn't have bothered you.
Marcus's smile fell short of his eyes. "Detective Chen, no issue. When we're exhausted, we all make mistakes.
Elena was keeping a close eye on me. I felt like those silver eyes were staring directly into my mind.
I apologized for frightening you today, Mrs. Huang. It was wise of you to seek assistance from Elena and Marcus rather than relying on me.
Mrs. Huang gave that expressionless nod. "Don't worry, Detective Chen."
Chief Morrison gave me a shoulder pat. "Sarah, take a week off. Take a nap.
I pretended to follow the other officers as they made their way back to their cars. However, I had secretly activated the voice recorder on my phone and concealed it in my jacket pocket out of sight.
"Actually, Chief," I yelled. "May I have a brief conversation with Elena? I want to offer a sincere apology.
Chief Morrison made a hand gesture. "Make it quick."
Elena smiled icily as she approached me. "Detective Chen, I appreciate that you're acting more sensibly."
I said, "I have to ask," loud enough for my phone to pick it up. "How did you know to use my phone number to call the police station? It's quite a trick.
Elena's smile widened. "You would be surprised at how many talents I possess."
"Like controlling what people say and do?"
Elena remarked, "Like making sure the truth comes out." However, she leaned in and said in a whisper, "Yes, Detective. I have the power to command others to do anything I want. Mrs. Huang will follow my instructions to the letter. like Marcus does.
Despite my racing heart, I spoke calmly. "What are you?"
"Detective Chen, I am justice. Six people have been killed by Marcus Rivera. He was too slow to be stopped by your human laws. I therefore arrived to deal with the matter on my own."
"By controlling everyone around him?"
Elena gave a nod. "Marcus believes that I'm just an odd, well-paid tenant. He is unaware that I have the power to force him to confess to his crimes at any time. He is unaware that I have the power to coerce witnesses into saying whatever I want them to say.
I turned to look at Marcus, who was conversing with Torres. "So why haven't you forced him to confess yet?"
"Because I wanted to see if there were any real police officers who were interested in discovering the truth. The first person to come close was you. Elena's silver eyes became more radiant. "But now, like everyone else, you're giving up."
"Perhaps I realized I was in over my head."
Elena looked at my face. Perhaps. Or perhaps you are currently deceiving me."
My mouth became parched. Was she able to read my mind?
Elena responded to my unasked question by saying, "I can't read minds, Detective." "However, your heartbeat sounds faster to me. I can smell your anxiety.
Chief Morrison sounded his police car's horn. "Hey Sarah! It's time to leave.
"I have to leave," I informed Elena. However, I want you to know that I now have faith in you. You are the only one who can stop Marcus from being dangerous.
Elena's face softened a bit. "At last, someone gets it."
Elena yelled behind me as I made my way to the police cars. "Detective Chen! One more item.
I pivoted.
Elena's enigmatic smile said, "I only come out at night." "I don't get along well with sunlight. In case you were curious about my schedule, here it is.
My heart leaped. Elena's weakness was that. She was unable to be in the sun.
I said my goodbyes and climbed into Torres's vehicle.
"You okay, Sarah?" As we drove off, Torres asked.
"Yeah, I simply needed some mental space." I glanced in the side mirror back at Marcus's house. Elena was still watching us drive away from the porch. I could see her silver eyes gleaming in the darkness even from a distance.
I didn't go inside the house when Torres dropped me off. I got into my own car and drove to the police station as soon as his vanished around the corner.
I had to decide what to do after listening to my phone's recording.
I put on my headphones and listened to the recording back at my desk. "I can make people do whatever I want them to do," Elena said in a clear voice. Mrs. Huang will follow my instructions to the letter. like Marcus does.
Excellent. I had evidence that Elena was mentally manipulating people.
Then my blood froze when I heard something.
Marcus's voice could be heard very faintly in the background of the recording as Elena and I were conversing. I could hardly understand what he was saying to Torres:
"I've been considering what Detective Chen said, Detective Torres. Perhaps I should be honest with you about Linda's actual situation. James Mitchell, too. as well as the others.
My hands began to shake. As I listened to this recording, Elena was forcing Marcus to confess.
I snatched up my car keys and tore off my headphones.
I had to return to Elm Street right away. However, I discovered it was past midnight when I stepped outside.
Now Elena would be at her best.
And Elena still had Mrs. Huang in that house.
My phone rang just as I was getting back into my car. Mrs. Huang's number appeared on the caller ID.
Mrs. Huang's voice said, "Detective Chen," but it remained emotionless and flat. "Please return immediately to Marcus's house. Elena would like to show you something very significant.
"Are you okay, Mrs. Huang?"
"I'm all right. But you must come by yourself. No additional police officers should be brought. Elena says it's crucial that you arrive by yourself.
The line died.
With my heart pounding, I gazed at my phone. Clearly, this was a trap. When it was darkest outside and Elena would be strongest, she used Mrs. Huang to entice me back to the house.
However, I was unable to abandon Mrs. Huang there.
Even though I knew I might be heading straight into the most dangerous situation of my life, I started my car and headed toward Elm Street.
I slammed on my brakes when I saw something as I turned onto Elm Street.
It was dark in every single house on the street.
Marcus's house, that is.
Marcus's house was filled with bright white light streaming from every window, as if someone had lit flares in each room.
And there were three figures on the front porch, standing in that burning light.
Rivera, Marcus.
Huang, Mrs.
Elena as well.
However, Elena's appearance had changed. Her silver eyes were so bright they resembled miniature suns, and her skin was so pale that it was nearly transparent.
In perfect unison, all three of them lifted their hands and waved at me.
Then, even thoug
h I hadn't turned on my car radio, Elena's voice could be heard:
"Welcome back, Detective Chen. You need to know the truth about everything now.