Case 1: The detective from Full Moon street

“There have been forty eight hours since Mrs. and Mr. Johnson vanished from the face of the earth.” Said the commissioner Drake disappointed of his officers. “Where is Young?! Where is Young, I have asked?” He screamed seeing that detective Young didn’t reply to his call.

“No one saw her since yesterday, commissioner! She took officers Mark and Stone and went to check on the Johnson’s kid and no that is the last we have heard from her.” Replied detective Jenkins, hoping that the commissioner will send him after her, but before any order could be given, Miss Pot interfered.

“Commissioner Drake, I have received a call from Alexandra Johnson saying that Mr. Mark and Mr. Stone are dead and Elizabeth is missing.”

After a moment of silence the entire police section exploded.

“Calm down!” screamed the commissioner, with a tone filled with anger, while his face got distorted by the wrath that took over him. “Jenkins and Raid you tow will go at the Johnson residence and see what happened there. I also want other five units to patrol the streets near the crime scene and seek anything and anyone suspicious. As for the rest of you, listen up. From this point on, this is no longer a simple case. Someone attacked our family, killed two of our brothers and kidnaped our sister.”

Five minutes later six police car left the parking lot heading towards the crime scene, while the commissioner headed in the other direction racing to Full Moon street, number 13. His car stopped in front of a big gothic mansion whose gate were protected by two giant stone gargoyles. He passed the two guardians and headed towards the front door, passing by an artesian fountain shaped as a fallen angel. The door was simple, made from ebony tree and decorated with a Victorian doorbell shaped as a wolf head. The commissioner knocked six times and the door opened, allowing him to enter. He looked around but he saw nothing except darkness. For a second he thought no one else was here with him and decided to proceed further, when a voice echoed.

“What do you want?” said the voice followed by the appearance of a small flame in the back of the room.

“I am searching for the owner of this mansion. I’m searching for Mr. Flame!” Replied the commissioner wanting to approach the voice location, but he couldn’t move. It was like his body was frozen and in the same time burned by an overwhelming fear that was making him tremble uncontrollably.

“And what, if may I ask, do you want with me?” continued the voice while torches started to ignite all by themselves, bringing light to the room that was completely made out of stone. The ceiling was sustained by marbles pillars, on every pillar there was a torch with a silver handle and in the back of the room there was a brown wooden chair with red silk upholstery. On the chair a boy was watching the commissioner very carefully. He was dressed with a pair of

blue jeans and a red shirt. On his hand was a silver ring with some black flame engraved on it and around his neck a silver necklace with a Celtic pentagram as a pendant.

“Young boy can you please tell me where do I find your father? I’m afraid I have some urgent business with him!” asked the commissioner trying to move but without success.

“In hell, there you can find my father, but if you need help, I might be able to give you hand, not without a reward, of course!” Replied the boy approaching slowly the commissioner body. “My name is Derek Flame and I’m a detective!” Continue Derek, stretching his body.

“Aren’t you a little too young to be a detective? Now, if you excuse me, I’ll be on my way.” Said the commissioner, but before he could turn around to leave the house, the boy started laughing.

“Young?! First of all, I’m twenty five years old. Second of all, it appears I have to prove what I’m capable of. You are a police officer, a high rank one, probably a captain. You slept at the office, after a fight with your wife. You have two animals, probably cats and you have an affair with a woman you work with, probably the secretary. Now, what can I assist you with?”

The commissioner remained stunned for a few seconds trying to understand how could a boy that he never saw before knew so much about him and his private life.

“Lately a serial killer is giving us some headaches. We already have eight victims and no lead. This morning we received a call from the daughter of two of the victims in which we were inform that two of our men were killed and one was kidnapped.”

“Why does the daughter of two of the victims knows what happened with your officers?”

“She is an adorable eight year old girl that her parents were taken by the killer the night before yesterday and my officers went last night at her house to make sure she is safe, since she has no other relative alive and close by.”

“You said there were eight victims. Did you include your officers? And could you please tell me some details about the victims!”

“No, I didn’t include them. With my officers there would be eleven victims, from which eight are dead and three are missing. The deceased were all completely drain out of blood and their bodies were found after 2-3 days from the disappearance!”

“Hmm… I accept the case! Now, if you are kind enough to give me the address of the last attack, I’ll be on my way. Meanwhile you should buy a big bouquet of flowers and have a nice talk with your wife. Don’t forget to put your wedding ring back on and get rid of the woman perfume that’s all over you!”

“Number 25, Renaissance Street! You should see a police car in front of the house. Tell them: Commissioner Jake H. Drake send you!”

Twenty minutes later, Derek leaves the house wearing some black jeans and a grey AC/DC shirt. He lights a cigarette and walks slowly towards the cab that was waiting patiently

for him. “To number 25, Renaissance Street and hurry please, I’m late already!” Half an hour later, the cab reached the destination. Before Derek could enter the house, he was stopped by a tall officers, with an athletic body structure and curly hair.

“If I may ask, what are you doing here?” asked the officer, putting his strong hand on Derek’s shoulder.

“Commissioner Jake H. Drake sent me, you curly monkey! Now, get out of my way, I’m busy! Oh, and I hope you haven’t ruined the crime scene your infect pawns!”

“Commissioner sent you? Why would the commissioner send a brat like you at a crime scene? I think you are lying, you little punk! Where are you parents, I would like to have a talk with them!”

“In hell and you are welcome to go after them. You would really make me a favor, I could finish my job faster and get my reward. As for why Drake sent me, that’s because he knows incompetent insects like you are unable to solve this puzzle.”

Before the officer could say another thing, Derek passes him and enters the house. It was a simple, modest house. The rooms weren’t too big, with a few furniture pieces. On a couch, in the living room, right next to a tall, blonde officer with a stupid face, there was a little girl with blue, big eyes and blonde hair curled at the tips.

“You must be the daughter!” Said Derek approaching the two, lighting another cigarette. “Could you please tell me what happen last night and on the night your parents disappeared?”

“Who the hell are you?” Jumped like burned the officer right next to the girl.

“Commissioner Jake H. Drake sent me. You can go outside with your boyfriend, the curly monkey, and call him together or make out. Whatever suits you two as long as you don’t disturb me! Now, where was I? Yes, little girl, can you tell me?” Derek continue while the officer remained stunned, not knowing what to do or to reply.

“Last night Elizabeth, Mr. Mark and Mr. Stone came by to play with me for a while, but when they were about to leave, I was so scared that someone might hurt me, so I asked them to stay with me. Elizabeth hugged me and she said they won’t leave all night. After that she took me to my room and put me to sleep, kissing my forehead like mommy use to do. When I woke up, I couldn’t see Elizabeth in my room, so I went downstairs, in the kitchen where I found Mr. Mark and Mr. Stone. They were on the ground and I thought they were sleeping, but when I jumped on Mr. Stone back to wake him up, I saw he was looking weird and he wasn’t breathing. I got scared and I’ve screamed for Elizabeth, but she didn’t answer, so I’ve called 911!”

Derek remained silent for a few seconds, looking carefully at the girl, studying every inch of her body. After he continue speaking more calmly.

“And what do you remember from the night your parents were taken away?”

“Not much. I was in the living with mommy and daddy, playing when the doorbell ranged. Daddy went to open and nothing after that! “

“Just as I thought! Listen up, gorilla! I want you to leave the house and stay out, no matter what you hear from inside. Go speak with Drake and confirm that he sent me here!” Derek said removing his hair from his eye.

Before the officer could say another word, Derek left the room heading towards the kitchen to check the bodies. He looked at the table near the two deceased and after he check the surrounding area, carefully examining every minor detail, before he approached the victims.

“Gorilla, since you are still here, answer my questions! Did any of you touched the bodies or something in this room? And little lady, you said that when you woke up Elizabeth wasn’t there anymore, if I recall correctly. Does that means, Elizabeth slept with you or in your room?”

“That’s it, brat! You are under arrest for…” but before the officer could say another word, his partner interferes.

“Bob, the commissioner sent him. I’ve just finish speaking with him and our new orders are to make sure he has anything he needs in his investigation. Detective, my name is Peter Jenkins and that is my partner, Bob Raid and we are at your services, for now!”

“Gorilla!” said Derek ignoring Jenkins completely. “I’ve asked you a question, hurry up and answer, damn it. I don’t have all day, you know?”

“No, the crime scene was contaminated by anyone, except you!”

“Little girl, you still haven’t answered my question. Did Elizabeth slept with you or in your room?” Continued Derek, examining the blood drained bodies.

“She said she will stay with me all night. Watch over my sleep!”

“I see! Gorilla, curly monkey, I want you to leave the house and don’t barge it no matter what you hear. Little girl, I want you to take me to your room!”

The two officers wanted to reply at Derek’s command, but he wasn’t paying attention at them anymore. Seeing this Raid felt angered and clench his fist in order to hit Derek, but Jenkins stopped him in time and pulled him outside the house.

“Bob, I know that brat is annoying, but the commissioner said you must do what he said if we want to find the criminal and save Liz. So, control yourself for now, we will get our revenge later!”

“For the love of God, Peter! Why would the commissioner sent a brat to do a detective work?” Asked Raid punching the wall right near the front entrance.

“He is a detective as well and a very skilled one, as the commissioner said. Though, I never heard of him and I think he must be the son of some higher ups that pushed the commissioner into a corner and had him sent to investigate.”

Before any of them could say another word a powerful scream was heard from inside the house. Ignoring Derek’s request, they barge into the house, following the sound location. In a

matter of seconds, they opened the door that led into Alexandra’s room and saw her laid down at Derek’s feet and a small flame from his ring that vanished almost immediately. Seeing that image, Raid lost control and attacked him. Before Raid’s fist could hit Derek, he dodge with ease and hit the officer with his elbow in the chest. Meanwhile Jenkins took his gun, wanting to shot Derek, but again he was one step ahead and grabbed the back of Raid’s head, preventing him from falling and used his as a shield, preventing Jenkins from shooting.

“I thought I asked you two insect to remain outside no matter what you hear, didn’t I?”

“You monster, you have killed that poor girl!” Said Jenkins. “In the name of the law, you are under arrest! You have the right to…”

“You have the right to shut the fuck up, insect! The girl just fainted and she will be just fine once she wakes up.!” Continued Derek, releasing Raid from his grip. “Call Drake, I have to talk to him right now!”

Case 2: When the clock strikes midnight

Two hours later, Derek was in the commissioner office speaking with him about his theories and about what they should do next to stop the killer.

“Drake, it’s a difficult situation and I want you to know that you might not get your detective back! From what I’ve could discover at the crime scene, the two officers, Mark and Stone, knew the killer. Regarding detective Young, I am afraid that is a little more complicated, from what I could tell, there are two different options. First, she decided to go with the killer in order to save everybody present in the house at that moment. Second, she is the killer and she “kidnap” herself to make us believe she is innocent and this would be troublesome, don't you think?" Said Derek, removing his ring from his finger, before starting to play with it like an anxious kid hearing his parents will take him to Disney Land.

"I..." The commissioner stopped for a second, thinking and considering both options. "If she's the killer she will pay for her crimes, but I think you are wrong, Derek. I hope you are wrong!" Continued the commissioner, remembering what Derek said when they first met.

"I doubt that, I'm never wrong, but everything has a beginning, right? And not to mention that I won't be wrong no matter what, since I have two deductions regarding Elizabeth!" Replied Derek smiling arrogantly. " I'll catch your killer tonight, but I have a request! I want you and your man out of my way. You guys won't interfere while I'm alive."

"That's not possible, I'm afraid. It's a dangerous killer, that took away ten persons away from their families. We can't allow him to take another life. You are smart, but that's all I know about you."

"That's all you know about me? If that's true, why did you came at my house? Better said, how did you know where to find me?" Asked Derek, losing his temper for a second.

"My grandfather told me before his death, that if I'll ever need help I'll find it at Full Moon Street, number 666 and ask for detective Flame!"

"Your grandfather? What was his name?"

"Amadeus Drake, why do you ask? "

"Curiosity, nothing more than that. Anyway, lets stroke a deal. I'll send you the location of the killer after I find it and you give twenty four hours to deal with the killer, after he is ask yours. Agree?"

"No! I can't jeopardize your safety! Detective Jenkins will be your partner as long as you collaborate with us at this case!"

"With that curly monkey? No thanks! I'm sorry, I really didn't wanna do this, but you gave me no choice. If you won't allow me to deal with this criminal, I'll expose your adventure with the cute blonde named Pot!"

"When the clock strikes midnight, my men will interfere, get it? And you send me the location as soon as you find it, ok?"

"I can work with that! Then I'll take my leave for now, Drake. I'll hear you later!"