Hey everybody! Thanks for the feedback and comments you've been giving me, it helps me grow as a writer. I'm still working on getting better and working through certain kinks with these stories, but thanks for your patience while I figure it out. I really enjoy writing these stories, and I'm glad you all are liking them too! Stay tuned for more upcoming chapters and stories. Enjoy this chapter!
Warning: this story contains elements of non-consent/reluctance in certain situations.
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"What do you mean 'find him'?"
"I mean what I said, I want you to help me find out who this mysterious murderer is."
Laila took another sip of her drink as she repeated herself, almost verbatim. The butterflies in her stomach were fluttering rapidly from a slight nervousness, but all in all she was doing her best to remain composed during this situation. She was still talking to the man who groped her at the club, who approached her suddenly and stealthily out of nowhere. The alcohol may have been helping, but it was primarily her experience and determination with tense interviews and stories that was allowing her to stay calm.
Every now and then, she would glance over at Rich or the other undercover cops in the area, just to make sure they were still lurking. A slight nod would signal to her that they were still watching, and therefore, that she was still safe. She wasn't too worried about the possibility of a fight or physical altercation happening anymore. Her primary concern was trying to convince this guy to give her the information she needed, and agree to an outlandish plan.
"Okay, I was just making sure I understood correctly. And why would you want to find a murderer? Shouldn't you be trying to avoid him, since he, you know, kills people?"
"I want to find out more information about it, and see if my hunch about it being connected to something bigger is true. More importantly, they're terrorizing people in this city, just like you are apparently, and they need to be off the streets. The murderer needs to be in jail."
"Okay, I just needed to confirm it. You are batshit crazy like I thought."
"I'm the one that's batshit crazy, when you're the one that gropes women in the night. Like I said, terrorizing the city." Laila said in an assertive, yet quiet tone of voice. They were talking quietly the entire time, so as not to disturb the peace or bring extra attention to themselves.
"Like I said, it's different, and it's something you know nothing about."
"What's different about it? What am I missing about it? Please enlighten me."
"It just is, I don't want to explain it or say anything about it. What I do know is that you're ridiculous for going after this person. Why are you doing this anyway?"
Laila sighed heavily and stared at him with an honest, innocent gaze.
"I just...look, I know I've put you in a fucked-up situation, and I know you probably have a million and one different things you'd rather be doing than being here talking to me. I get that. And I know you might feel like there's no incentive to helping me. You're right, it does sound crazy. But there are women out there being terrorized, attacked, killed. Brutally, from the rumors and stories I've heard. And everyone in this city deserves to walk and have a good time without having to worry about that. It's just wrong, and if it's tied to something else like I think it is, even more people could be in danger. I can't just stand idly by while that happens."
"Right..." He replied reluctantly as he took another sip. She could tell he was listening more, but still felt a communicative barrier that hadn't been breached. He understood the stakes, but didn't see why
he
should help.
Laila also noticed he kept looking at the bite mark on her neck, almost incessantly, every minute or so with quick glances.
"Look, let me put it to you this way. The city has basically been on high alert lately, even though it might not seem like it. You heard about Club Strobe shutting down, right? Things like that have been happening all around the city, stories being written, police and reporters all over the place. Lurking, in desperate pursuit of the next big story or criminal to take down. Arrests have increased exponentially since this all started."
"And what makes you any different from them? Aren't you a reporter?"
"I'm someone actually trying to help people, not just get her name on a plaque. And I'll do whatever it takes to bring these people down. But this can help you too."
"Oh, really? I'm dying to hear this." He said sarcastically, but with a renewed interest in the tone of his voice
"I mean it. Like I said, there's a lot of commotion going on in this city right now. Things are hot. You seem like someone who doesn't stay in too much, someone who likes to have fun and enjoy the town. You also seem like the type of person that prefers to remain secluded, unnoticed. You don't seem to like attention. I'm sure you've noticed that it's a little more difficult for you to navigate around here lately.
"...Yea that's true." He said with a slow nod.
"Patrols are up, some people aren't coming out as late, and there's just a general stench of fear in the air. But, if you help me uncover whatever's been causing all this violence and fear, then you can go back to having your fun and seducing all the women you want. We can help each other."
Laila sat back and observed him pondering her proposal for almost an entire 60 seconds, occasionally taking sips in between. She hoped he sniffed out the logic in her stance and agreed to help her.
"Where would you be going next?"
"This place called Jinx, it's the location of the last reported murder. I've never been there, but it seems like...
"Jinx? Whoa, I don't know if you're ready for that yet."
"What do you mean? What's so bad about it? I'm sure I can handle it."
"You might think Club Strobe was wild, and it is. But Jinx is on a completely different level. It's not just wild, it's way different than what you would ever think. It's not your ordinary club."
"But it's just a strip club, right? I've been to a strip club or two."
"Nah, this just isn't another strip club. That place is like another world. The rules are just different there."
"So, you've been there?"
"Yea."
"So, what's different about it? I feel like you're speaking in coded language right now."
"The environment, the atmosphere is just different. It's hard to explain. But if you're there, you'll understand what I mean. You can feel it."
"Well, I still don't know what you mean, but I know I need to go there and ask some questions. I need to find out more information."