Chapter 1

I stood there, frozen at the sight of mom. She didn't look right, and her entire body was covered in blood. There was a puddle of blood forming where she was. I look at Mrs. Fairchild, standing over mom with a bloody cleaver dripping blood. She turns towards me, and I see her front is covered in blood. She slowly walks toward me and I slowly back away. I hit a wall, I feel a scream in my throat that won't come out. Mrs. fairchild is practically on top of me and raises the cleaver, as I sink to the floor.

"Devil child." She whispers as she swings the cleaver towards me. I sit up in bed screaming. I rubbed my face with both hands, trying to get rid of the aftereffects of the dream. I bring up my knees and wrap my arms around them as I look at the clock. 3:00 am, I look at the bottle of sleep medication next to the clock and grimace. I hated to take those pills, but I had to fly to Seattle for Indigo's baby shower. The flight wasn't until 10:00 am, but I wanted to be well rested so I didn't accidentally fall asleep on the plane and dream. I sighed, grabbing the pill bottle and went into the bathroom. I grabbed the cup on the sink, poured water into it, and swallowed the pills with the water. I put the cup back and looked at myself in the mirror. I was pale, had dark circles around my eyes, and my hair looked like it deflating. I went back to bed to sleep until eight, when I had to get dressed, pack, and leave for my flight.

After my flight, I went to the cafe Indigo wanted me to go to when I got here. When I got there I didn't see her. Maybe I'm early. I went to order a black earl gray tea. I sat down at a table near the door with my tea and looked at my watch. 1:30, I sighed and let my arm drop. The only time I arrive to a social occasion on time, and she's late. Well I shouldn't be to hard on her, she is pregnant with twins after all. She's probably still having lunch, I feel a bit sorry that Victor has to deal with this. I pulled out my father's notebook and began to reread it when I heard someone clear their throat. I looked up to, perhaps, one of the most attractive men on the planet. He had wavy, brown hair that reached the nape of his neck, hazel-green eyes, lean physique, about 6'2, and had bronze skin that reminded me of mythical gods.

"You wouldn't happen to be Harmony Crow, by chance?" He asked. I cocked an eyebrow

"Who wants to know?" I asked eyeing him He held out his hand.

"I'm Uriel Benedict, Victor's older brother." I blinked surprised, then took his hand.

"Uriel, like the archangel?" He blinked as well before sitting.

"I think you're the only one who's made that connection."

"Well, I'm special that way." We lapsed into silence, and were uncomfortable immediately.

"So . . . What do you do for a living?" He asked.

"I'm a private investigator. How about you?"

"I am currently in the middle of getting a degree in forensic science." I nodded.

"Cool." We sat there quietly for a few seconds, until Uriel pointed at the notebook.

"What's that?" I look at the book, feeling nostalgic for a second.

"I guess you can say, it's a case I've been working on for a while."

"I take it by the look on your face, it's personal?" I nodded.

"Used to belong to a savant scientist I met once when I was five. Only problem is that I keep running out of leads to find him." I look outside at the people, cheek on fist, and sighed.

"What did he do?" My eyes narrow in anger.

"He kidnapped and experimented on thirty innocent women, and wasn't caught for it."

"Would it help if you remembered what he looked like?"

"Probably. Would be even better if he just happened to be across the street. Why, what do you have in mind?"

"I have the ability to read people's past. I was thinking that I could take you back that day you mention." I stared at him in awe. It would be great to know what the doctor looked like, but it probably involved Uriel going into my mind. I thought about the victims, and their suffering happening to other people. Their pain was worth suffering a few minutes of having someone in my head. I eyed Uriel warily.

"Are you saying that you would like to help me find the man?"

"Yes."

"Alright. I have things to do after this, but I'l be free by six. How do you want to do this?"

"We could get a room at a hotel if you want to be private about this." I nodded. "Then I'll get us a room at this place by Indigo's office." Just then Indigo and Victor came in.

"Sorry we're late, I was finishing up lunch." She said apologetically. I smiled at my poor friend. It's been seven months since I last saw her, and she looked massive. She waddled over to the chair next to me, and gently plopped herself in the chair while Victor went to order drinks.

"Man, do I miss the days when I could walk. I can't wait for these babies to come out." I smile at her complaining. "Anyway, what were you guys talking about before we got here?" I glanced at Uriel before answering.

"Oh, just stuff." She looked at me skeptical. "We decided to get rooms at hotels, instead of going to your place." Now she looked crest-fallen. Man were pregnant women sensitive. Indigo suddenly jumped, then winced as she rubbed a spot on her side.

"Are you alright?" Uriel asked sounding worried.

"I'm fine. It's just, sometimes they kick hard." Victor came back with a tea for Indigo and a coffee for himself.

"So are you excited to become parents?" I asked. This time it was Victor who was crest-fallen.

"What's up bro?" Uriel asked.

"He's just upset about the whole child-birthing process, and what I'll go through." Indigo answered. "Personally though, I can't wait to get rid of this extra weight. It's exhausting carrying round two babies day after day."

"Have you picked out names for them?" I asked.

"Well we're naming one Madison Karla, which made your mother burst into tears by the way." She gave a pointed look at Uriel, who shrugged in response. "And we haven't decided what to name the other one." She winced again, then frowned at her stomach while rubbing it. "I swear, they're already fighting each other, and they're not even here yet." She complained. I looked at my watch to how much time passed, almost half an hour. As I looked up, I saw a woman approaching Indigo.

"Aww, can I feel?" The woman asked, lifting her hand.

"How would you like to feel a punch in the nose." Indigo snapped back. The woman quickly ran off, and I stared at Indigo surprised by her reaction.

"I have never, in my life, seen you act that way towards someone." I confess.

"Why don't you get pregnant, and see what it's like to have random people come up and want to touch you." She replied. I finished my drink then stood up.

"Well I have things to do, so I'll see you tomorrow." I said as I went to the door. As I was exiting, I took one last look at Uriel to see him looking at me. I quickly looked away and walked down the street.