Do Not Cross

While Yuki and Anastasia's questioning was happening, Alex and Vivian followed Martin deeper into the alley.

The feeling of worms tunneling deeper into their pancreas felt stronger every step they took into the alley.

The mere knowledge of a carcass being present on the other end drenched their sleeves with sweat.

"Whatever happens, keep yourselves together." Martin said, not quite realizing the large gap in experience between the youths and himself.

He held them to a much higher standard than he did with average trainees fresh out of the academy, after all, these kids were from the IJA.

"Ok…" Alex softly replied, then thought "Why'd he choose us to come with him, why couldn't we just go look for other witnesses..."

They continued to follow the expert down the dark alley, and eventually approached another man who appeared to be important to this process of investigation.

He wore a white plastic-like material over his clothing as he exited another portion of the alley that was hidden from the view on the outside.

"Martin—" the man halted his words as he realized Alex and Vivian just behind him, then firmly continued "What're kids doing here?"

"They're from the IJA, they're on an assignment." Martin replied.

"Well, the body is just inside." The man said this as if there was an opening to a building around the corner, the youths just assumed that he was accustomed to finding victims inside rather than in alleys, or it could've been just his own preferred language, who knows.

"What happened? Why're you out here?" Martin asked, curious as to why everything was moving much faster than the average crime scene would.

"I needed a smoke."

"Hmph… alright." Martin said, then thought "He's usually always inspecting the body by the time I get here... Am I really this late? Just what the hell did they find out here?"

Martin and the two youth members of group one took a right, and headed for the yellow tape that highlighted a small open area within the alley.

The foul stench struck them stronger than lightning, every movement closer became much heavier, as if quicksand was between them and the crime scene.

They couldn't quite see what laid ahead, but the stench alone was so strong, it felt as if a rabid dog was tugging on their nostrils.

Every step closer brought more weight to their shoulders as their heads dipped through the waterfall.

They've finally approached the yellow tape, still questioning how they've made it this far and why have they been damned to accompany Martin onto hell's doorstep.

The sight even brought a sharp pain to Martin's eyes, the man who was hardened by the devil himself couldn't withstand the immense heat that came with the view.

The body was completely cut in half as if it were a piece of chocolate, the upper half was unrecognizable.

The walls and floor were painted red, it was a surprise that the victim's clothes were more distinguished than their head.

The two youths still couldn't believe what was in front of them, they froze like deer in headlights, having a pause of horror wasn't welcomed, but it was predictable with the eyes of innocence.

"Who… What… What would do this to another person… Not even animals go this far when faced with survival, even they have more empathy than whatever did this…" Alex thought, it was difficult for him to talk when he was nearly swallowed whole by the quicksand.

Vivian appeared pale, as if she was the victim herself, the sensation of spewing out her dinner came on the longer they stood there.

"Let's go." Martin said, implying that they go further into the scene.

"He wants us to go in there… I can't even move right now… why would he want us to get closer… Why would he want me to get closer when I can't even move…" Alex thought, the fear of stepping further, the thought of being chewed by Cerberus wasn't one would wish upon their worst enemy.

Vivian didn't hesitate to eject herself back into the alley and firmly vomit whatever remained in her gut, she acted without much thought, just pure impulse, survival had kicked in much sooner than the other two.

"This is the most crucial moment of the investigation, so take notes on everything you see. Without evidence, it is impossible to find the person responsible for this… It looks like they left behind the weapon…" Martin said as he ducked under the yellow tape and examined the scene.

Martin didn't notice that fear had consumed Alex, who was stiff as a statue just behind the yellow tape.

After an uncomfortable silence, Martin looked back to see if Alex was keeping up with him, or at least, attempting to examine beyond the yellow tape.

What he saw was nothing more than a shattered window, one that once had a reflection, but now is nothing more than pieces on the pavement.

"Damn, they're just kids… What am I doing bringing them to see this… Damn, I can't make them unsee this either, I'm so caught up in trying to show them how to be a great detective that I forgot that they're not even half my age…" Martin thought, then said, "Alright, tell everyone to head back to the motel, I'll take care of this."

Alex was still stuck in the mud as a reply was more hopeless than an underwater echo, as Vivian continued to release yesterday's servings.

Who was responsible for such a violent crime, just what monster slept through the night, what lied ahead for the youths of group one and were they even prepared to face such a creature?