SCARED CITY- SERIAL RAPIST
Olivia was exhausted as she entered her quiet, dark apartment. These last few days have been exceptionally long as the whole squad worked to find the latest rapist to terrorize the city. One PP was hesitating to alarm the entire metro area, but it was becoming quite clear the recent attacks were all related. She slowly removed her gun and shield, placing them on her bedside table. Her motions were mechanical as her thoughts were with the victim she spoke with earlier. The fear that was in her eyes burned through to Olivia as she pleaded with her to find her rapist. Olivia promised her that they would indeed do that knowing that she had no right to promise such a thing. This guy was elusive and always managed to stay one step ahead. These were the days Olivia wished she was meant to do other things in life. She couldn't leave her work at the office, it was always with her. So many times she wanted to quit and leave the city. Start over somewhere new where there was no crime, no rapes, no murder. Was there really even a place like that? Olivia's thoughts returned to their latest victim. Her pleading cries still felt by Olivia even after more than twelve hours had passed since she had held her hand in the emergency room. Olivia had talked her into consenting to a rape kit, and stayed with her the whole time. If only she could take the woman's fear away too. She could help, but only if they caught him. They would; she knew they would eventually. The scary part was not knowing how many more women would have to experience this monster before they did.
Olivia jumped, her heart beating right through her chest, it seemed. She had drifted off to sleep only to be woken by her cell on her nightstand table. "Benson." she forced out and answer.
"Liv, lets go. Meet me at Mercy. Another victim."
"I'm on my way."
"Liv, she's a child." Elliot's tone was soft as he knew the effect child victims had on them both. There was silence on the other end and Elliot heard the line go dead.
Olivia's heart sank as she quickly pulled on a pair of jeans and a simple top. She pulled her hair up and grabbed her gun and shield before heading for the door. She arrived at Mercy right behind Elliot and together they found their victim.
Carrie was only twelve years old. She was home alone, asleep in her bed, when a stranger entered through her window and attacked her. "Where are her parents?" Elliot asked the patrol officer. "Mother works nights and father is out of the picture."
"Any siblings?" Olivia asked staring at Carrie through the window to her room. "She didn't say." Olivia couldn't help but wonder what good this cop was.
"We'll take it from here." Elliot dismissed the cop. He followed Olivia into the room and waited for Olivia to establish their course of action. She was so good with victims, children especially. Made Elliot sad to know how much she wanted children of her own.
"Hi Carrie. My name is Olivia."
Carrie was shaking and crying and Olivia couldn't understand what she was saying. She quickly moved toward the child and pulled her into her arms. Carrie's arms quickly wrapped around Olivia's neck. It wasn't long before Carrie settled down and Olivia helped her back against the pillows. She sat on the side of Carrie's bed and spoke softly to her.
"Carrie, I am a police officer and I want to help find the person that hurt you. Can you tell me what happened?"
Carrie cried a little more before she began to speak. Elliot sat in the back of the room and jotted down details from Carrie's story. He was always so amazed with his partner. "Please don't leave me." Carrie's sudden outburst shook Elliot from his thoughts. Olivia sat back down on the bed and motioned for Elliot to go ahead. He left the room and immediately went to work locating Carrie's mother.
Olivia joined Elliot a few minutes later. "She's asleep, but I doubt for long."
"You okay." Elliot knew she wasn't. He wasn't either. This was sick and he couldn't help but think of his own daughters.
"No, but she needs us to be. Any luck finding her mother?"
"Yeah, she's on the way."
"Okay, then we wait. El, what do you think?"
"I think it's the same guy. We've got to catch him." Elliot clenched his jaw and his eyes turned cold. "Even if we have to kill him."
Olivia lightly touched her partner's arm. "We will." She was so calm and focused. Elliot knew that little girl got to her, she would've gotten to any detective.
The partner entered the squad room and immediately hit the coffee table. It's not that uncommon to start their day at three am, so the coffee was always fresh. Elliot sat at his desk and began preparing this case. He pulled the files of the other victims and compared their cases with Carrie's. It was going to be a long day and he knew it. Olivia was only at her desk for a few minutes before her phone rang. "Detective Benson."
Elliot watched her expression carefully. "Carrie, honey. Slow down. Carrie, is your mom with you?" Olivia looked up at Elliot and nodded. "Okay, I'll come back. Calm down, you're safe now." Olivia hung up the phone.
"Liv, you can't baby sit." Elliot realized how insensitive that sounded as soon as he said it.
"El, she's twelve years old." Olivia debated whether or not to continue. "What if Carrie was Kathleen?" That was a low blow and she knew it. "El, I'm sorry."
Elliot waved her off. "It's okay, go."
Olivia grabbed her purse and keys and headed out. She looked back at Elliot who sat at his desk with a blank stare on his face.
