Kath stepped out of Sheldon's house and switched on her cell phone. The first notification she got was a text from her father, telling her about the new plasma TV he had bought and asking her about her week. Kath answered to him without mentioning her real situation. He wouldn't have understood. He would probably think she was joking. In short, it wasn't a good idea.

Kath raised her eyes from the phone to find Ben locking his door, also on his way to work. Kath doubted for a moment before rushing towards him.

She was so eager to have a word with him that she didn't notice the old jeep which stopped near them.

"Ben!"

Ben stopped and looked at her with a tiny smile.

"Ah. Morning, Kath. You're living with Sheldon now, huh? I knew you guys get along."

"He's scared and so am I. Uhm, listen, Ben, I'm sorry about what I told you last day."

No response from him, not even a small change in his expression. Why did he have to be that way? Anyway, Kath continued.

"This is a really strange situation and I...we don't have much idea of what should be done. I wish I had cold blood to do something about it or just forget about the matter, as you did. It may be something dangerous, it may be just a strange creature we will never see again, but...Oh, come on, Ben, say something."

"What do you want me to say?" Ben shrugged. "I don't know what's going on either. I just think this can't affect us so deeply. As you said, this could have no importance at all."

The man inside the car was interested in the conversation but sun was rising and it was better to do things quick, before somebody could see them. He stretched to take a small gun from the glove box. He quickly checked it was loaded and then turned towards the two young adults. He aimed at the man.

"...We haven't seen it since then, I am pretty sure it's gone to Roswell or the Pentagon..."

Sheldon was still asleep. Now that he didn't have a job, he had plenty of time to sleep. He had been paranoid those days but having someone in the house who would notice if something went wrong and a few chill pills helped him sleep better. He had planned to sleep for many hours, but he awoke very soon. Like the neighbors, he was surprised by a sound which had never been heard before in that placid town: a gunshot. And then a feminine scream and the noise of screeching wheels as a car dashed away.


"Billy, hey Billy."

Billy looked at Warren without really looking at him. Was he sniffing him? Anyway, that man looked more like an animal than a person.

"Do you know who I am? I am Warren, remember? The sheriff. You know I want to help you."

Billy's response was a roar, and Warren had to step back to escape from his hands sticking out the bars to catch and scratch him. Well, it was no use. The doctor had said it was just a matter of time but Billy seemed indefatigable. His throat was even sore from so much snarling and yelling; it had to be painful for him and yet he didn't stop. He didn't sleep, he barely ate...Where did he get that energy from? It was really dreadful.

Someone knocked at the door behind him to catch his attention. Warren turned to see Luc there.

"Ah, you are here. This has turned out to be a very interesting month." the officer commented, and walked towards him. Warren caught a very unpleasant smell coming from his armpits but was so interested in the news he brought he didn't mention it right away.

"So what do we got?" he asked, and took him to a place where Billy's screams couldn't bother them.

"Attempted murder in Avery Lane."

"Attempted murder? Well, this has to be the first time in Warner Falls' history that someone has tried to kill someone."

"It all happened around 7:25. These people..." Luc quickly checked his notes. "Katherine Reese and Benjamin Whitby, were having a conversation in the street when they were shot all of a sudden by a person inside a jeep which fled."

"And they didn't get the license, of course."

"No. They were too shocked."

"Are they wounded?"

"No, the man just got a scratch on his leg."

"Good. Did somebody give us something useful?"

"Only that the car was a jeep, an old model, and that the driver was a man. Well, that's what they think. Everything happened too fast, they said. But they think it was a man."

"We're getting nowhere with that."

"I'll get to work right now. Let's see if I find something."

"Sure. Just be careful, okay?"

"I remind you that I worked in the military of my country before being a policeman, I can take care of myself." Luc smiled.

"Yeah, I know you're no cadet but if there's a murderer in Warner Falls, now I'm sure anything can happen."

Luc gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder before walking out. He found Marina on the way, carrying a considerable pile of folders.

"Morning, Luc. Nice morning, isn't it?" she greeted him.

"Yes, it is. My, you look particularly charmant today, girl." Luc observed.

Marina giggled.

"Oh, Luc." was all she said before going to her desk.

Luc continued his way but turned his head to watch her. Maybe it was that dress, which he had never seen before. Perhaps she had done something to her hair, or put a bit more make-up on. But whatever that subtle change was, Luc definitely liked it. With a smile, Luc left the police station, ready to investigate the most incredible happening in Warner Falls.