Memories Of You

"Excuse me,here to see Dr Dave.I've an appointment with him"detective Park of Division 48 Hollywood Police Headquarters says to the receptionist with a smile on his face.

"Good day sir, he'll be with you shortly,just take a seat"the receptionist with blonde hair replies meekly before pointing towards a chair.

"Thanks"and with that he pulls out his phone as patients and doctors including nurses walk by.

" Good morning detective, I'm sorry for keeping you waiting, just got out of a very tedious surgery"Dr Dave utters as he nears the detective.

"Same here doc,nice meeting you in person.has heard alot about you from my colleagues at the office."

"Detective please take a seat and before we proceed to the autopsy room,I want to fill you in on a serial case close to this, with a slight difference. Look here are some pictures from previous cases, the former Detective left them with me"

"I've always known that you're a genius" the detective says after going through Dave's gatherings.

"Really thanks it's my pleasure. Remember I spoke to you on the phone about this particular murder case and will let you analyze the body after which I'll tell you the result of the autopsy."he responds as the walk down the hallway leading to the autopsy room.

" I must warn detective,the sight is so disgusting"he chips in before opening the door.

"I see dead bodies almost everyday so it's normal to me."

Dave slowly uncovers the body with disgust and pain written all over his now pale face.

"Gracious Jesus!!!" Detective Park exclaims almost throwing up at the sight.

The body in question belongs to a guy with black hair and his forehead maimed with the number 6 boldly encraved on it.Other parts of the body greatly damaged but organs still intact. Hands bent in an abnormal way and chest cut open to reveal the heart.

"This is cruel, it's quite similar to the case of Jack Rock,but the mode of killing alittle different"the young doctor in his mid twenties mutters quietly not glancing at the body for the second time.

"You're right Dave and we've to do something before he kills more people"

"According to my findings, this isn't the first person to have been murdered this way. You can see the mark on the forehead and with that we know this is the sixth person."Dr Dave says before covering the body.

"I'm new on this case and will appreciate your help since you're into it already."

"I'll try my best,but please make sure your men get this psychopath before he does more harm.One more time he's good in handling medical tools since he uses spartula and anaesthetic on his victims."

Copy that, thanks Dave and looking forward to working with you to unravel this mystery" Detective Park chips in before walking towards the door.

"I'll be leaving now" he chips in before closing the door behind him while doctor Dave stays back lost in thought.

After leaving the autopsy room, doctor Dave enters his office distressed and disheartened by what he saw.Closing the door behind him and drawing the curtains,he opens a safe which contains a memory box,spartula and some other stuffs that would make one think he's gone crazy.

He carefully brings out the memory box and with tears in his eyes,opens it to reveal a video tape,series of short notes and a family picture of him and his brother including their parents.

"I miss you so much bro"he mumbles battling with the tears that make to drop from his blue eyes.Gently,he places his glasses on the table before shutting his eyes flashing back to his brother's last words and the incident.

*Flashback*

Younger Dave of eighteen returns from school farmished, only to see kaven his elder brother on the floor struggling to breathe while bleeding from neck and guts.

"Noo bro you can't do this to me please don't leave"Dave weeps clutching his brother like his whole life depends on it, breathing shallowly.

"Listen to me Dave, please protect her from him.Dont let him hurt her.Her name is Rain Lois please do that.please becareful and I love you." Kaven manages to eke out before growing numb as this hits Dave like a bombshell.

"Nooooooooooooo don't please!!!!"with pain in his voice and eyes shooting out from his eyes like someone in a trance,he twitches before panicking with his brother still in his arms.

Few minutes later the police arrive to see his body numbly beside his brother.

"Hi Dave hard at work" Doctor Nadine an elegant and gorgeous lady in her early twenties and a friend to him says dragging him out of his thoughts, startling him in the process as he tries wiping away his tears and putting away the memory box before she enters fully.

" Just a sec Naddy"he mutters before putting on his glasses and comporting himself, while she waits patiently outside the door.

"Come in" he chips in as she opens the door fully.

Staring at him for ages,she notices his demeanor and makes to question him, but thinks against that before slowly sitting across from him still staring.

Not ready to act less concerned,she places her hand gently on his in a reassuring way without muttering a word,but her gesture says it all.

"I'm fine Nadine, when did you return from Singapore,thought you would stey a bit longer"he says staring back at her.

"You don't look good,i mean you seem sad."he chips proving beyond doubts that he truely is a gentle man and a caring one too.

"I should be the one asking you that"

Hearing this from her makes his counternance change but he tries his best to conceal his pain.

"Don't change the subject,tell me did anything happen in Singapore" he persists knowing fully well that she can't continue playing like nothing happened.

"Nothing happened,I heard that you're handling a serial case and I'm interested,so t rushed back to see things myself" she utters not giving him the chance that drag on with his questions which are so uncomfortable to her.

" I'm surprised you picked interest in this case you know as a doctor, don't get me wrong.Actually all through the time I helped the police unravel murder cases,I haven't seen one so cruel.Not that the former aren't cruel but this is extreme and you'll understand what I mean when you see the body.

Looking at her glaring at him,reminds him of the fact that something is off and he must find out before it's too late.

" What's wrong Nadine, I'm not blind and know fully well something is off with you"

"Nothing like I said before,but I've this feeling that I know the dead person in that room and I pray my suspicion isn't right" she responds with fear in her eyes, but it disappears within a sec making her return back to the calm Nadine she has always been.

"Mmmm I believe you can't see the body just yet,take your time and if you need someone to talk to, I'm always here to help"he assures her before taking her free left hand in his.

Deep inside her, Nadine wanted to open up to him, but the thought of what she was told back then in Singapore made her tread with caution.

" Do you mind if we go out for lunch" he drags her out of her thoughts now on his feet.

"Yep I really need that because I'm farmished and have missed California" she ekes out a rare smile which would throw every man off his feet, making Dave chuckle to himself in awe.

"You sure have a breathe taking smile" he states making her blush and embarrassed.

A rush of adrelaline prompts her to quickly make for the door as the atmosphere around them grows tense.

Seeing her reaction as a cue to follow suit,he rushes after her as she turns abruptly to say something colliding with him, leading to his glasses falling to the ground.

She bends swiftly as he does stoop to feel for the glasses and collide for the second time with the awkwardness increasing by a degree farenheit.

" I'm sorry" she mutters before placing the glasses on his palm,but due to his poor sight without his glasses on he fails to see her staring deeply at his endowed and attractive pink lips with the urge to kiss him.

" Whats wrong with you,get yourself together" she thinks to herself before rising on her feet as he puts on his glasses oblivion of the situation.

"Let's go Nadine and I'm sorry too" he says before opening the door, saving her from the moment.

Slowly walking towards the cafeteria with none of them talking to eachother made the receptionist wonder what's off with the two close friends at colleagues.

" I should mind my business,but doctor Nadine is so lucky to have the best surgeon and most handsome guy as a friend.I would have loved it if he looks at me for once,but no he's always busy with work.His voice so beautiful and eyes the cutest with it smiling at you.Wow I'm so into

Doctor Dave" she mumbles to herself oblivion of the doctor looking at her with a file on his hand.

" What are you thinking of" he asks startling her out of dream with a look of disdain but a calm voice.

" I'm sorry doc was just thinking" she responds before slowly taking the file from him.

" Don't think too much" doctor Steve says before leaving.

"This is another doctor I like but the problem is that he's too quiet"

" Concentrate miss crush" she says pointing a finger at herself in a funny way.

* At the cafeteria

"Nadine,so how's your brother Fred" Dave asks as the wait for their order, startling her in the process .

"Oww Fred he's perfect,sends his regards to you, but I didn't get the spend much time with him because of the new case, you know. So tell me all you have gathered on this case maybe things you think might the motive of the damn killer."

"Mm,with my findings this isn't the first time he's killing,besides this is the sixth.The last one before this was a lady by name Rain Lois who just got into the state from Canada.

This is the first male so far and another thing he kills with a spartula and anaesthetic but what baffles me is that he administers it after designing and maiming his victims. In other words he makes them undergo pain before cutting open their windpipe and opening up their heart before administering anaesthetic. Can you imagine the inhumanity." He shakes his head in anger and disgust while she stares at home dumbfounded and lost in thought.

" No don't tell me he's the same person in Singapore,ohh my gosh"she thinks to herself uneasy and almost light-headed.

" Nadine you're not saying anything"he asks concerned.

" Do you have any idea the age bracket of these victims"

"Yeah all are between twenty and twenty-five" he replies suddenly thinking as their meal arrives making them drop the discussion inorder to have a peaceful meal together.

Now outside the restaurant, doctor Dave options to drive her home which she refuses before flapping down a cab to his surprise.

" Take care and see you tomorrow Dave"she calls out to him as the cab pulls off the side way.

Not satisfied he follows the cab making sure not to lose sight of it until they arrive at her house.

Now satisfied that she's safe,he leaves for his home.

Nadine enters her house to notice an intruder leaving from the window and consciously walks towards the window only for her to see a note tusked at a corner of the window.

"Why have you suddenly return from Singapore to take up a case that could lead to your death.Who do you want to impress and mind you, I'm closer to you than you think.Trust nobody including me"it reads making her shrink in fear."What is this, nobody else knows that I'm back from Singapore and interested in the case apart from Dave.wait is he the murderer"she mutters under her breathe confused.

" No he can't be the one,no I don't think so" she refuses to come in terms with the situation.

"I need to tread with caution and what am I saying, he's the only one that knows my house."

She collects herself and hides the note in a hidden place.

*The next day*

Nadine enters the hospital looking glum but manages to eke out a smile when passes by the receptionist who smiles back.She walks down the hallway to Dave's office and slowly opens it without knocking,to see him holding a spartula and a mean look on his face, making her shrink in horror at the bitter realization.

She gasps and shuts the door drawing his attention."Nadine what are you doing"he asks with his voice trembling before opening the door.

"He's really getting me to suspect him" she thinks to herself as he stares at her.

" I heard what you said,why not come in and stop making assumptions"he chips in making her flee to his upmost surprise.

"What did I do wrong?" he asks himself before walking after her.

He spots her down the hallway and walks towards her with alot of things running through his mind.

" What's wrong with you today, did anything happen last night"

"Oww what now, he's asking me maybe to force words out of me" she thinks before turning to face him.

"Nothing I'm scared because you startled me" she lies giving him a cute smile that drives him crazy and short of words.

" Okay come let me show you the victim in the autopsy room"he replies leading the way without saying anything else.

Immediately they get to the room,she turns around with her eyes fixed on him searching for any sign of guilt on his face.

"Look Dave I want to go in alone, please respect my stand" she mutters

"Are you sure?" he asks but she vehemently refuses with her mind already made up.

She goes in all by herself and slowly uncovers the body.She screams out loud prompting Dave to come running in concerned about her welfare.

He sees her cuddled at the foot of the bed weeping profusely.

"Nadine calm down,what happened"he asks as she trembles and kneels beside her.

"Clive!!!!!" she screams clutching to him like a child.

" Who's Clive,please calm down and explain everything to me.First of all let's leave her"he says quietly and leads her out of the room to try pacifying her.

He hands over to her some pills inorder to calm her down, but she refuses to take them.

"Don't leave me please,I need you more than ever.The guy in there is Clive who's my best friend both in highschool and college.I saw him in Singapore and he promised to come visit me here.I guess this is it,why him,he hasn't wronged anyone and can't even hurt anyone."she breathes out, trembling and hot tears rushing down her cheek uncontrollably.

"Pull yourself together for his sake, don't break down because he won't like that. I know how it feels losing a loved one,but we can't do anything to bring him back to live. The only thing you can do for him is to avenge his death by finding the cruel killer and bringing him to book for justice to prevail."

Listening to her wails makes him vow deep inside to find the killer

Still crying profusely she experiences shortage of breathe before growing numb on his arms triggering a similar event in his mind.

" Nadine" he calls out to her before lifting her off the ground and out of his off to a private ward.

Watching her as she sleeps reminds him of how quiet she's always and wonder if the things happening would give him the chance to care for her like the way he always wanted.

"Can there be us with everything besides I need to find Rain and erase the hurt and guilt I feel about my brother's death. I can't tell Nadine about my Post traumatic stress disorder and panic attacks or even let her in on my secret.No I can't do that,time would tell. I really wish I can help her now that's she needs her best friend most.I never knew that guy was her besty".he thinks to herself carassing her hair fondly.

"Nadine you know you're my all and I want the best for you.Be strong for your friend and move on please, don't end up like this"he mutters with tears in his eyes and lips trembling.

*Hours later*

He leaves the still sleeping Nadine with a nurse and leaves to meet up with the detective in his office.

"Is Clive a drug addict because I saw these drugs spilled on his bed.What did the autopsy result say"

" No he isn't a drug addict, those are anaesthetic and the guy is free from drugs. Surprisingly he's doctor Nadine's bossom childhood friend and playmate.Do you think the killer knows them or the guy was just unlucky. I just don't get it" Dr Dave responds with his voice filled with anger and frustration at the turnout of events.

" I'm equally confused and thrilled by everything, no wonder the former detective handling this case left it.The more we try rattling and resolving this,the more it gets complicated and mysterious.Are you this guy isn't among us as friend.We have to be very careful and vigilant. About your friend tell her to becareful, because one way or the other he might come after her."the detective warns with his eyes blazing with anger.

* I'll definitely let her know what we're in for,this isn't an ordinary ordeal,he can strike anytime he wants without mercy or warning and everyone is a suspect"Dave concurs with his arms across eachother.

" I have someone to look after detective, but will call you later in the day"he chips in.

Nadine wakes up as he enters the room with her eyes swollen and red from her crying.

With a coarse voice she tries opening her mouth to say something,but gets cutoff by tears which spill off her eyes.

" He took care of me in my most vunerable state,do I still need to doubt him, besides I have known him for sometime now"

Noticing the tears, he gently wipes it off with his fingers sending shivers down her spine, making her uneasy at the impact.

" Don't worry everything will be fine and Clive would get justice,that I promise you.

" Thank you Dave, I'm tired now and will be leaving for home. Tell doctor Kent I'm not in the best state now and thanks one more."she mutters before getting down from the bed alittle lightheaded,but able to get hold of herself.

" I will drive you home if you don't mind" he says as they near the hospital's parking lot.

Without saying anything,she enters his car quite tired and disheartened.

" Why are you quiet Nad,do you anything to ask or something you're confused about and needs clearification" he glances at her as she faces the window sobbing quietly.

" Um nothing,just that I'm dumbfounded by everything that has happened. My Clive is such a nice guy and doesn't deserve to die in this manner,I don't mean others deserved this" she mumbles very shaken by the whole event.

" I'm really sorry for what happened to your friend" and to this she nods as they pull into her drive way.

" Thank you for the ride and take care" she says before slowly walking towards the door as he makes to leave.

He turns back around as he notices something odd and makes it in time to catch on an intruder with face mask on looming over the asleep Nadine who's still putting on her work clothe.

He fights with the masked intruder as thee rumble wakes her up to see them struggling. Suddenly distracted, Dave gets slashed by the hooded figure who runs out.

Still in a trance Nadine rushes over to Dave who clutches his arm in pain" You're hurt and it's quite deep.Seat while I treat it"

She returns back with a first aid box and swiftly treats his cut before bandaging it.

"Thanks for saving my life" she says with tears in here eyes.

" I did what I'm meant to do and one more thing your can't stay here any longer. You're coming to my house"he responds before wincing from the pain.

He waits on her patiently as she grabs a few things she needs before making sure the house was properly locked before leaving with Dave for his house.

"Wow your house is enormous,do you live with a whole lot of people.This is huge for just a person."Nadine mutters amazed by the beauty of the house with her eyes gazing round in awe.

" Come let me show you the room you'll be staying in from now onwards "he breathes out before leading her upstairs to a room down the hallway leading to his.

Nadine wonders how he is able to live in such a big house without getting scared or lonely"Is he maybe a psycho,vampire or ghost.Noo he should be more like a werewolf " she gasps before hitting herself lightly on the head making Dave to giggle amazed by her assumptions.

" Why are you amused so suddenly?"she asks without a hint of joke on her face.

"Oww you're funny, I mean what your said sounds funny"

"I didn't say anything or can you hear my thoughts" she responds with her eyes wide in surprise.

Dave feels uncomfortable with her question and makes to deny it." Don't be rediculous, do you believe in such things, nonsense.Be logical please. I'll leave you now to settle down."with that he leaves quietly and closes the door after him before letting out a sign.