Mysteries Around Him

Chapter 3: On The Loose

Hallie's POV

Later that evening, I'm sitting on my bed studying the syllabus I was given for history class. I'm fascinated by the topics Professor Zen will be covering this semester. What I'm looking forward to the most is the vampire section, which we get to start next week.

I don't know a lot about vampires besides what I've seen in fictional movies and television shows. I don't know how much of what they're depicting is the truth, or if real at all, so I'm looking forward to what Professor Zen will have to say about it all. I'm glad I decided to take this class. History has always been one of my favorite subjects, so I'm glad I get to take it as an elective while studying for my degree in veterinary.

After lunch with Abby, and eating the infamous avocado toast, I did in fact eat my words because it was bloody delicious. Abby took me around campus and made sure to show me all the important areas and buildings that will be useful for me, which I'm grateful for. I never once thought about asking someone to show me around in case I get lost, so I'm glad she offered when she did. Saved me from a lot of trouble in the future.

Abby had another class in the afternoon, so I went back to the dormitory and spent the afternoon relaxing up until this very moment. I'm lying on my bed with my laptop on my stomach. The tiny television on the wall above the door is switched onto the news station for background noise.

My phone buzzes on the mattress beside me and I see a text from my mom.

Mom: I hope you enjoyed your first day of classes. Your father and I are looking forward to talking with you soon and hearing all about it.

I smile at the message and type a response back. Even though it's only been a couple of days since they dropped me off, I miss them a lot.

Hallie: I had a great day! I made a new friend. Her name is Abby, and she is really funny and nice. I will tell you and dad all about it soon.

I continue on with my studying, trying to make notes of what I'll be learning about over the next few weeks and also jotting down upcoming assignments in my planner.

“…breaking news,"

Those two words capture my attention, tearing me away from my laptop. I glance up at the tiny screen to see a man standing in a dark alleyway with red and blue flashing lights from what appear to be police sirens. I reach for the remote control and turn the volume up.

“There has been another murder in the string of crimes flooding the streets of Los Angeles. The victim appears to be a woman in her 20s and her body has been completely drained of blood."

My mouth falls open at his words. Not many people know this fact about me, but I'm a bit of a true crime fanatic. It's not a career I would pursue because it doesn't fit my personality, but it doesn't stop me from keeping up to date with the latest cases or searching the internet for old cases that I have yet to read. And this is a case I have yet to hear about.

“The victim seems to have been killed in this very alley. The police have been unable to find any evidence that could lead to a suspect."

As the man continues to talk about the case, my mind is reeling. I had no idea that there has been a string of murders happening in LA before I arrived a couple of days ago. This is the first time I'm hearing about a case where the victims have been drained of their blood. What kind of MO is this for a killer? It's very strange.

I find myself researching the case for the next thirty minutes. I learn from news articles online that there have been up to ten murders linked to the same case just based on the condition of the bodies. Most of the victims have been found with no blood, puncture wounds to parts of their bodies, and rapid onset of decomposition even though the murder had just been committed when they were found.

“This is very odd," I mutter to myself as I chew on the tip of my fingernail on my thumb, trying to understand how this could've happened. I have never seen this type of thing in any true crime cases I've researched.

When I look at the time on my phone, I see it is approaching 9 p.m. and I am yet to eat anything for dinner. The deep grumble that comes from my stomach is a good indication of that.

With the murder case on my mind, I grab my key card and make my way to the kitchen. I keep my eyes on the floor as I walk to the refrigerator. The room is quiet, thankfully, so I can eat in peace without having to start a conversation with meaningless small talk. My mind is too preoccupied right now.

I pull out items to make a sandwich because I'm not in the mood to cook. With everything bundled into my arms, I spin on my heels to face the wooden table, only for a squeal to escape my lips when I see someone sitting there, watching me intently with an amused look on their face.

This isn't just anyone. It's River.

This is now the second time I've run into him in the kitchen. I'm getting the feeling that this is going to become a regular occurrence.

“Another late-night snack?" River raises a brow and points his long finger at the food in my arms.

I slowly lower them to the table as embarrassment makes my cheeks turn pink. “Uh, yeah. Is that the same reason why you're in here?"

River shrugs and leans back further into the seat, folding his arms over his chest. “I guess so."

I stand in front of the wooden table as an awkward silence settles in the room. Although, I think I might be the only one feeling awkward because River hasn't taken his eyes off me. I feel uncomfortable under his gaze, but it also has me feeling curious as to why he is watching me so intently.

“I don't see any food," I point out just to break the silence.

“I already ate," River simply says before nodding his chin at me. “You're Hallie, right?"

“H-How did you know that?" I stutter, confused as to how he could possibly know that when Abby is the only person I've spoken to properly since arriving at the dormitory.

River shrugs as a cheeky smile tugs at his lips, similar to the one he flashed me earlier today. “I have my ways."

“Well, you're River, right?" I counter, feeling slightly bold the longer I stand in his presence. His personality is strong and confident, and I can tell that he knows he is hot sh*t at this school. I mean, I would too if I were him with those looks and big eyes.

He chuckles, the sound is deep and rich as it echoes across the room. “I would ask how you know that, but I think I already know the answer."

“You seem full of yourself," I say without thinking as I sit across from him at the table. I expect him to curse at me for saying such a thing, but he simply laughs, and I find myself wishing I could hear it for longer.

“I can see why you would think that," River says as he tilts his head slightly, his eyes searching my face. “You seem…innocent."

“I-Innocent," I almost choke on the words as I repeat it. “What makes you think that?" I didn't think I gave off that kind of vibe.

River shrugs with a twinkle in his red-speckled eyes, now brighter under the direct light as he pushes the curls out of his eyes. “I can just sense it. You seem shy at first, but once comfortable enough, you open up and reveal your true self. You haven't quite gotten there with me yet, but I can still feel it."

“I…" I have no clue how to respond to that because no one has ever analyzed me like that before. I don't think it's something I even knew about myself. But then again, I don't know how truthful River is being.

“Don't fret, strawberry, you'll realize it soon enough."

I watch as River pushes himself out of the chair and begins walking out of the kitchen. My mind is running a mile a minute after that entire conversation and with the local murders on my mind, but one thing does stick with me.

“Hey!" I call out to River, and he stops in the doorway, looking over his shoulder at me. “Why did you call me strawberry?"

River grins, his tongue darting out to lick his bottom lip. “Because you have strawberry blonde hair. I like it."