Call of Death

The breeze of the wind is freezing cold. The surrounding is in deafening silence. The sound of the wind blowing is sending chills to his spine. It's making him anxious. It's as if someone or something is staring at him not far from where he was standing.

'Damn, this has to be done soon. But how?'

He looked around but could not see anything more than the trees surrounding the dense forest. Seeing how quiet and peaceful the place is, it still somehow gives him the feeling of something bothersome. As if in any moment, there will be such devilish thing that's going to happen. He doesn't usually feel like that but in this case where everything is just a theory, who else cannot worry?

"Detective Lee, there's nothing here." He shifted his gaze to his partner, Police Officer Devius Chad.

Detective Cameron Lee sighed and looked up. "Why would they send us to a place like this, tsk? It's not even habitable, don't you think?"

"That's the point, Detective Lee. If the place is not habitable, that means no one would suspect that someone is living here."

"Then, is it possible that the culprit is somewhere around here?"

"I don't know either. They said we can get some clue in here but all that there were trees and dried leaves. Let's just get back to the car and discuss some things with the chief." Officer Chad suggested to where the latter just nodded in agreement.

They were walking to where they parked their car when something caught Detective Lee's eyes. Behind a tree, not so far from their distance, he saw a man wearing a long, black coat peeking at them. He couldn't see his face but he can tell by his guts that he is staring at them while grinning.

"Detective Lee?" Officer Devius called him but he could not take his eyes off of that stranger.

'What the hell is he doing?'

He gives him creeps. He slowly reached out to his gun, getting ready to whatever is going to happen anytime. He knows that something is very odd about that person. It's not hard to determine that he's a guy because of his posture - broad shoulders and the way he stood.

"Detective Cameron Caiseus Lee, what's wrong?" Devius turned his partner around so he is now facing him.

Detective Lee quickly glanced at the place where he saw that mysterious man earlier but just like a smoke in thin air, he completely vanished in a mere second. He ran towards that direction but he saw no trace of any person there. Devius followed him.

"Cameron? Caiseus? Cam? Cai?"

"..."

"Detective Lee..."

"..."

"Cameron Caiseus Lee!"

"..."

"Hey! Detective Cameron Caiseus Lee!"

"Ha? What?" Detective Lee looked at Officer Devius Chad.

"What's wrong with you? I've been calling you for a while now." He asked, wrinkling his brows.

He once again look back but saw nothing. "I saw a suspicious man earlier, standing behind this tree." He pointed.

"Hmm? There was no one there, aren't you just mistaken? Imagining things? You know?" He asked,

Detective Lee shook his head.

"Nevermind. Let's just go."

"Alright."

They both hopped in the car and drived back to the city. It's already dark when they arrived at their station's headquarter. Most of their colleagues are already sleeping in their quarters and some are already asleep, leaning on their desks. Both men marched their ways to the office of their commanding officer.

"Good evening, Chief Simon." They both respectfully greeted.

The lady turned to look at them. She's wearing a simple poloshirt and a black, tight pants but her looks says authority. She doesn't look that old though.

She gestured them to sit. "So, did you find anything?" She asked.

Officer Devius Chad and Detective Cameron Caiseus Lee shook their heads as they sit. "No, Chief. We found nothing except for trees and dried leaves." Officer Devius uttered.

"We already looked everywhere but there's no trace of the culprit. There's no such house as the witness told us." Detective Lee explained.

He wanted to speak about the mysterious man he saw but he wasn't sure if he should talk about it because he doesn't have any proof that It's connected. Aside from that he has some doubts, maybe we was just mistaken that's why he just decided to keep quiet. But he told himself that he will find something that can relate to who he saw earlier. He must.

"This is the hardest amongst all the cases we've handled before. People are dying because of that mysterious call but we can't find any lead to whoever is doing all of this. My head feels like exploding." Chief Simon stressfully mumbles as she sat down on her swivel chair.

"You're right, Chief. The telephone being used by the killer isn't trackable and there's no evidence left either. This one is a real pain in the ass." Officer Devius agreed.

"Hmm. What about you, Cameron? What do you think? You've been silent since earlier." Chief Simon faced him.

He just sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "I don't have any clue either. I've been known for being able to catch a criminal in just three days after the case is sent to me but it's been more than a week and I still have no clue." He's been doing everything to find out more information but he have found nothing at all.

There's not a single evidence in the crime scene. He can't even find what the motive is. The phone being used can't be tracked either. Also, the crime happens randomly. They can't be foreseen or even guess who the next victim is. It just happens when it happens. Just like that. The victims have no connection at all.

"Then, we should investigate more. Or otherwise, more people will perish and die because of this Killer Caller." Chief Simon said, sighing deeply.

"Killer Caller?" Both detectives asked in unison, Chief Simon nodded.

"Yes. We'll call this case the Killer Caller Murder Case." She answered.

She stood up and begun walking to the shelf where some information are arranged. "It's because the murder happens after the victims received a call from the culprit." She added.

Both men nodded.

"Chief, what do you think? Is the culprit a psychopath or just someone who have grudge towards the victims?" Officer Devius asked.

Chief Simon stopped what she's doing and crossed her arms before facing the guys. She stayed silent for a while as if she was thinking thoroughly before saying anything.

"The crime happens randomly. There's also no pattern. The culprit just call some random number and tell them they will die at an exact time and it really happens. If there's any motive, we must find it out because it's been a week and we're still clueless."

"Chief, how did you know that they were told of what time they will die?" Asked Officer Chad, confused.

"It's Detective Parker's theory." She answered, the officer nodded in response.

"So stressful." Detective Cameron Lee mumbled.

"Yeah, right. This is very stressful." Officer Chad brushed his hair with his finger.

"Also, if that person is sane, he should know that he's doing a crime, maybe he's really a psychopath killer." Said Chief Simon.

Detective Lee stood up and walked to the door. "That's why we must catch this bastard as soon as possible to prevent anymore damage. I'll go first, see you." He waved his hand and went out of the office.

He walked straight to the parking lot but when he was about to get in his car, he suddenly felt that strange feeling again. It's that unfamiliar feeling he felt earlier in the forest. He scattered his sight around but it's so dark, he can barely see without the dim light. But he is not mistaken when he saw a figure in the distance. It's dark but he can recognize everything including the feeling of the strange man staring at him while grinning.

It's the same mysterious, creepy guy from the forest earlier and he followed him here. At this time, Detective Lee slowly reach out to his gun because he won't hesitate to fire at him if he plans anything evil.

"Hey! Detective Cameron Lee, you're forgetting something." He was about to take a step forward when Officer Devius Chad called his name, he was running towards him.

He glanced at the figure again and just like earlier, it disappeared like it was never there. He furrowed his brows but eventually brushed it out of his thoughts.

"What are you looking at there?"

Officer Chad also looked at where the other was looking but saw nothing.

"What is it?" Detective Lee just asked the officer.

He raised his brows. "Oh! You forgot about me, we lived in the same apartment since last week, didn't we? Why are you leaving me behind?" He laughed to which the latter just sighed.

'He's already 28 years old but he still acts like a goddamn three year old kid.' Detective Lee thought.

"Come on, hop in."

"Thanks!"

RING...

RING...

RING...

Officer Devius' phone rang before he could even get in the car. "Wait, I just need to take this." He gestured to which Detective Lee just nodded. "Hello?"

Detective Lee just waited for him inside the car but when he finally got in, he was sweating a little bit, he also turned a little bit pale and he can see his hands shaking like he just saw a ghost. To simply say, Officer Devius Chad looked a little worried and terrified. He furrowed his brows, looking confusedly at his usually cheery partner. He's not used to see him so freaked out.

So he asked him. "What's wrong? Did you get someone pregnant?" He tried to joke but Officer Chad didn't even move and inch so he became worried too. "Devius, what happened?"

Officer Chad swallowed hard before turning his sweaty and fearful face to his. "I'm next, Cameron. I think I'm going to die next." He whispered, the side of his lips curved a bit.

"What?"

"The Killer Caller, I think he just called me." He mumbled.

The detective was taken aback and he can't say anything. He just stared at him while trying to process what he just said. If it's true, that means the Killer Caller will come at his partner. He know it's not the right time to think about it because his partner's life is also at risk, but it might be their chance to catch the culprit.

(Ten Days Before)

Tons of papers were piled up on top of the table in front of Detective Lee. He haven't slept for days because he was too busy. He can't even remember when was the last time he closed his eyes. There are many cases the passed few days that they need to investigate and solve as soon as possible. And there is no such word like rest or break in the vocabulary of people like him.

He has to stay up all night, looking and reading the piles of cases and informations. He has to figure out the pattern, motives and other things that can lead them in captivating the culprits. He can't even enjoy a single meal because of those whom he calls as 'bastards' who kept doing crimes and giving them a hard time.

He's been a detective for almost ten years, he should have gotten used to it but it still pisses him off. Maybe that's just a detective's nature.

He thought that if criminals doesn't exist, how peaceful the world would be but he probably won't be having his job too.

"Damn!" He groaned while pulling his own hair. "I'm so annoyed."

"Detective Lee, wanna go out to have lunch with the team? You should also take some rest, you won't be able to work if you get sick, you know?" One of his colleagues walked towards him.

His name is Kairo Sedis Parker, he's older than him but Detective Lee has been in service longer, so that makes him his senior. Detective Parker is also half korean and half american while Detective Lee is a pure blooded one. He is friendly but they don't usually hang out because Detective Parker is more like an outside person because he's always working outside and he loves being surrounded by his colleagues, unlike Detective Lee.

"I wish I could, Detective Parker, I still have to review some of these." He pointed at the papers in front of him.

The detective just smiled and shook his head. "You're too hard working but you don't want to get promoted. You should take some rest too, seonbae." He patted his shoulder jokingly.

"Being in a higher position means higher responsibility and more working at the office. I already have more paper works and I enjoy chasing criminals outside. No, thanks." He just frowned and twitch his lips.

"Hahaha. I admire you. But trust me, take some rest too. I'll get going if you don't wanna come with us." He waved his hands before walking out.

Cameron wished he could be as easy going as they are. He became a detective because of the only one reason. It's not because of money, position or fame. He just simply wanted to make sure that there is peace and give the people a safe environment to live in. He wants the children to enjoy their childhood without any fear of being harmed. He wanted the parents to be comfortable and secured that their children are safe and fine while they're doing their own works. He wanted everyone to experience the things he never got to experience in his childhood.

Yes. His childhood isn't as fun as the other children he knew. His childhood is like a living hell as he describes. He didn't get to know his parents because before he could even see his parents or say their name, he was taken away from them. He was abducted on the very day he was born. Perhaps that's what they've told him and what he witnessed as he grew up.

When he was rescued, he was sent to a welfare house or what is commonly known as an orphanage but what he expected to be a place where he could finally be at ease, is just another hell for him. He was abused physically and mentally by some staffs and his peers there but he couldn't even muster up the courage to tell anyone. It's not because he was a coward but because he doesn't know who to trust. He once thought he'll just study hard and wait until he can finally get out of that hell but then because of the help of a good person, he was saved. He thought there's no such thing as kindness but when he met Detective Harold Lee, he finally can say that the world is not that worst as he thinks. Even if not everyone is trustworthy, someone is.

Harold Lee helped him a lot and taught him every single thing he knew. He treated him like his own son. He gave him his last name but more than that, he gave him the love he never thought he'd ever receive. He's the most important person in his life but his destiny is really cruel because five years after he became one of the ranked officials, he disappeared on a mission, believed to be death.

They tried to look for him but they found nothing, they found no one. They wanted to declare him dead but Cameron denied. He promised himself that he will find him himself.

He will solve his adoptive father's disappearance. Detective Harold Lee's disappearance hit him like a bolt of lightning but he told himself, as long as no one found his corpse, he's alive and will come back to him. He will look for him and he's still looking for him. He will never give up, not until he sees for himself that he is already dead.

"Hey! You're almost gonna drown because of how deep yout thoughts are. They're deeper than Mariana Trench." He heard a familiar voice beside him.

He immediately stood up to give respect. "Chief Simon, sorry I didn't notice your presence." He saluted.

The lady just smiled and shook her head. "Tsk. You've been working for five straight days, take some rest at your quarters." She commanded.

Detective Lee also smiled slightly and shook his head. "I have no time to rest. I have a lot of things to work with."

"Take some sleep so you can think straight. Come on, I'll talk to you when you've had enough sleep." She patted his shoulder and walk towards her office.

She is the Head of the Detective Agency, Sara Simon. She's only thirty five but she's already very successful. She is well respected in their department especially because she is just and kind, she's also very beautiful but unknowingly single. Since it's his boss who advised him to rest, Cameron finally stood up from his sit and walked his way towards the quarter. It's better than driving to his apartment which is not so far from the station anyway. He opened the door and just slumbed to bed and close his eyes. Before he knew, he's already fast asleep.

After some time, the door of the quarter opened a little. The lady from earlier, Chief Simon is standing and looking at him with a smile on her face. She sighed as she looked at Detective Lee's sleeping face. He's still frowning even in his sleep. Chief Simon admires Detective Lee a lot. Not just because he's a very talented person when it comes to his profession but also because she sees his bright side. After some times, she slowly and carefully closed the door.

"Hey! Stop running, you jerk!" A guy wearing a police uniform shouted as he chase after a pickpocket. "I said stop running, you punk!"

"Catch me if you can, you loser!" The snatcher talked back.

The police officer took his gun out and aimed at the culprit with an evil grin. "Okay, fine. Let's see if you can outrun my precious bullet." He smirked.

The guy he was chasing turned into at scared cat from being proud earlier. He slowed down his pace and dropped the expensive bag he snatched away from a lady. He put his hands behind his head and kneeled.

"Please, don't shoot! Please, don't shoot! I was just kidding." He begged as if he's gonna pee his pants already.

The officer smirked and slowly walked towards the pickpocket wearing his playful grin while his gun is still pointed to the guy.

"Why don't you continue running instead of asking me not to shoot, you bastard?" He asked. The guy just lowered his head and didn't speak. "Tss. How boring." The officer mumbled.

"Officer Chad!" Another officer came running towards him, panting heavily.

"I got him, handcuff this fucker and take him to the station." He commanded returning his gun to it's place. "Oh. Take the victim with you too for some statement and for filing." He added before walking away.

"Wait! Are you not gonna help me here, Officer Chad?" Asked his colleague but he just waved his hand.

"You're old enough. You can do that alone. Don't let that jerk escape or you're dead." He shouted.

"But...Hey! Devius Chad!" He heard him called his name but he chose not to mind it.

He just place his hands inside his pockets and walked away with a smile. This guy is Police Officer Devius Chad and he's a twenty-eight years old police officer if you are curious. He's been in service for six years and he can be considered as one of the most accomplished person in his field even if other calls him a playful man. That's because he often jokes even if he is being scolded for leaving his colleagues behind after catching a criminal. But even with his personality, he never take any form of crime as a joke. He's really good at his job and he never failed.

He walked inside a nearby restaurant and wave to a beautiful lady who's been waiting for him. She's wearing a simple red off-shoulder dress which is above the knee long and showing her flawless shoulder, paired with a black heel sandals. He smiled at her as he step forward.

"How's my little princess doing?" He immediately caressed her hair as soon as he got near.

"Brother, don't do that. You're embarrassing me." The pretty girl pouted, he just smiled.

"Daena Chad, are you saying that your brother is embarrassing?" He acted sulking but he can't resist his sister's pretty face so he then smiled again. "You're lucky to have gotten your face from me, what do you want to eat?"

"Yeah, yeah. I just want a dessert, I'm not hungry, Won." She answered with a smile.

He called the waiter and ordered before facing his sister again. "How's your study been? Your midterm exam is on the following day, isn't it?"

"Yeah, but I reviewed everything and I'm confident since I'm smart like you." She's really beautiful every time she smiles, it's as if the sun would be ashamed of how bright it is.

She has a porcelain white skin and a natural red lips. Her hair is also very shiny and her two deep dimples on her cheeks makes her more gorgeous. The guys inside the restaurant are envious thinking that they were a couple while the girls are envious about Daena's beauty and also having a crush at Devius. They are siblings but Devius is eight years older than Daena. Both of their parents are good looking as their mother used to be a well known actress but no one knows aside from them. Their father was a former policeman turned businessman. Both possesses a God-like beauty.

"You've been asking a lot about me, brother. Why don't you say something about you too? I heard you've been very playful at your station." Daena shifted the topic to her brother.

Devius just shrugged. "Nothing interesting. Just chasing criminals, catching them and sending them to prison because they deserved it. Just like that, it's a piece of cake when I'm with my baby." He said talking about his gun.

"Oh. But, does everyone who're behind bars deserved their places?" She asked out of curiosity.

Devius shook his head. "No." He simply answered.

"Why is that? Weren't everyone in prison criminals?" She asked again.

Officer Chad just smiled. His sister is really innocent about some things even if she's already in her twenties.

"No, princess. Not everyone in prison deserved to be there. Not everyone who are behind bars are sinners or criminals. And not all criminals chose to be one." Daena just looked at her brother constantly talking while she listens and eat her dessert. "Some commits crime to protect themselves or their families. Some are accused falsely and other just chose to be in prison because they have no where else to go." He explained to which his sister nodded.

"Oh. You're good at explaining, Vius." She praised him.

"Of course, I'm your brother." He chuckled.

"Hmm. I should get going now. I just went here because I missed you and I wanted to see you." Daena got up after glancing at her watch.

"Alright. Break a leg on your exam, my beautiful sister." Devius gave her a flying kiss to which she just jokingly act disgusted but return it to her brother before walking out.

Officer Devius Chad just stayed there for a couple of minute before leaving the payment on the table and heading back to his station. When he finally arrived, everyone is busy with their businesses so he just went to his table and begun with his work too. There are no assignment given to them aside from the one he had already accomplished earlier so he just read some of the files in his computer.

When he can't find anything interesting he stood up and was about to walk away when one of his colleagues and also his friend, Isaac Chase, spoke to him.

"Officer Chad, do you want to go to a party tonight?" He asked.

"What kind of party is that, Officer Chase?" He asked back.

The officer took out something in his pocket, an invitation card. "Some club will open tonight and they're having a party and it's all free as a form of advertisment."

Officer Devius Chad stared at the invitation card before facing the other officer. "He who refuses free things won't be blessed. I'm going, Isaac." He winked.

"Tss. Just say yes, no need to give me your cringe sayings." Officer Chase joked.

"I'm your best friend so you have to accept me as I am. Haven't you been used to me?" He laughed.

Officer Chase shook his head and smiled. "Then, let's go together later. See yah, Devius."

"See yah!"

After waving at each other, both men returned to their places and did whatever they have to do. Officer Chad went home first to get change before meeting with his friend.