Chapter 9: The Libra
The next morning I was woken up by the sound of my ringtone going off. The song of Panic Cord by Gabrielle Aplin filled the room. I tiredly reached for the phone on my nightstand and answered it. I groggily said, "Hello?"
"Morning Vital," said the cheery voice of Edward, "It's me, Ed."
"Edward?"
I looked at the time on my digital alarm clock and saw that it was 7 in the morning. "Hey, what's up?" I said as I sat up in bed while rubbing my tired eyes.
"I've found at least two people who fall in the same description for his next victim."
"Really? Great, what should we do?"
"Well, I don't know when exactly he will strike. Too bad he doesn't give us a time limit so we could save the victims before then."
"Let me guess," I yawned real quick, "You want me to go to the hospital and watch over them?"
"So we could watch over them. We'll be outside their rooms but we'll make sure they'll be okay until visiting hours is over."
"Alright just let me get dress real quick. I just woke up and I think I'm barely even alive right now."
"I'll get you some coffee and donuts."
"And like that, I'm getting out of bed. You want me to meet you at the hospital or GCPD?"
"Meet me at the precinct. I'll fill you in about these two during the drive."
"Alright. See ya then."
I hung up the phone and got out of bed to get dress. The outfit I chose to wear was a little casual than my usual attire. I wear a dark red long sleeve sweatshirt, dark blue skinny jeans, and black and white converse. I then put on my gray coat for the finishing touches then walked out of my apartment with my wallet and keys. I'm not taking my umbrella this time because for once it stopped raining.
When I walked outside the sun isn't out but Gotham city is covered by the familiar gray clouds. Sunshine barely breaks through the dark clouds here. When it does it's rare. I really don't mind the rain as much, but I would like to have a day when it's sunny and raining at the same time.
Before I walk into the precinct I was tackle hugged by Kai. She tackles me with such force the air knocked out of my lungs and we both fell to the ground. "Kai?! What are you doing here?!"
"Oh, I just missed you." She said.
I couldn't help but smile as I said, "Well I miss you too Kai. Mind if I get up please?"
"Oh sure."
"Thank you."
She helps me get up as she asked me, "You're in casual clothes. Is today your day off?"
"Yup,"
"Why are you at your work then?"
"I'm supposed to meet Edward here, him and I-,"
"No way you two are finally dating?"
I quickly shushed her as I said, "No it's not like that. Don't say that so loud around here."
"Oh sorry," She said along with a giggle.
"I'm here because he figured out two people that might be the Bookworm's next victim."
"Seriously? He's back in action after five years? You don't think Bookworm is onto you guys is he?"
"He gave us a message last night. We figure he might be one of the people who works for GCPD."
"Hmm, besides Ed, are there any other Forensic Scientists?
"Yeah at least about 6 more. Why?"
"Forensic Scientists know how murders happen. To think they also know how not to leave evidence behind, right? Hence, why cases become cold when no one can figure out who did it. Do you think the Forensic Scientist who was, in that case, might have tweaked it?"
"But the only Forensic Scientist on that case was-," No it can't be, can it? No, I don't want to believe it. "You may have a point but it might be the other Forensic Scientists. Listen, mind if we meet up later?"
"Actually, mind if I tag along?"
"What? Kai this is dangerous work were doing."
"Work that you're not supposed to be doing. Come on you guys are supposed to keep an eye on two people right? Well, I can monitor the security footage with my laptop." She pats her red messenger bag, "Keep an eye out for the entire building."
"... I can't believe I'm saying this but you're right. We need to take precautions about this case, but we're keeping you anonymous."
"Okie Dokie."
"Wait here and keep your hood up."
"Alright."
After she put on her hood I went inside the precinct to look for Edward at his office. Once he saw me coming up the stairs he said with a smile, "Vital, I'm glad your here."
The first thing he took notice was my outfit, "This is the first time I've seen you wear something casual."
"Well, I didn't really feel like dressing formal. Hey my friend, Ms. Onodera, wants to help us in this case."
"Ms. Onodera? Isn't she the woman who was yelling at you in Japanese?"
"The same."
"You told her about this case?"
"I didn't think she would be interested enough to actually want to help us. But don't worry she's an expert in hacking security footage. She can keep an eye out for the entire building for us while we watch over the two patients."
"I suppose. As long she doesn't tell this to anyone else."
"I'll make sure she won't."
"Alright then let's get going. Of course, I'm still going to pick us up some doughnuts and coffee."
"Awesome thanks, Edward."
He stand up from his desk and put on his dark brown boat. We both walked out of the precinct and meet up with Kai. She waves at us and she said in Japanese, "Goodmorning love birds."
I feel my cheeks burning by her comment. "What did she say?" asked Edward.
"She said Goodmorning," I said.
"Edward Nygma right?" said Kai.
"Yes, and you're Ms. Onodera I presume?"
"Call me Kai, what should I call you?"
"Ed or Edward is fine."
"Ed it is then."
"Alright let's go to my car then."
We followed him into the car as I climb into the passenger seat and she got in the back seat. During the drive, Edward asked both of us, "So how long have you two been friends?"
"Not long at least about a good two years or so," I said.
"He used to work at the public library with me." said Kai, "We both put up books and organize everything."
"Oh so not much different from being the new Records Keeper." said Edward, "What made you want to quit the library, Vital?"
"I uh... Well..."
"Vital and I got into a misunderstanding argument." said Kai, "He thought I didn't want to be his friend anymore so he decided to change jobs for my sake. Of course, he thought wrong and that's why you saw me at the precinct yelling at him the other day."
"What was the argument about?"
"It's a personal argument."
"Oh, sorry. So did you taught him to speak Japanese?"
"Yes, I have. Since he wanted to speak to me in my language I taught him. I was really surprised how fast he learned it, though. Since he reads books so much he can finish one in a day."
He went into the drive-thru of the donut shop and ordered a dozen with three coffees. Kai and I both thanked him. "You're welcome," He said, "I know when I called Vital he sounded really tired on the phone. So I decided to get him something to wake him up. So how much do you know about this case, Kai?"
"Not too much but I know the basics. This guy is killing people based on the books right?"
"Correct but he's killing them in the order of the 12 zodiacs. This will be his 7th victim if we don't stop him in time. So what kind of hacker are you, and why are you into it?"
"Well, I'm kind of a White Hat on the side. I used to be a Black Hat but don't worry I've reformed a long time ago."
"So now you repair security?"
"Yup."
Wait a second, I remember when the security footage back at GCPD had skipped a few times. I would ask her to get the footage back but I've already figured out that Edward was the one who killed Kristen and Tom. So there's really no point in asking her. I wonder though if I go back to looking into the footage again? Will I find the person who circled the words in the books I've checked out?
Oh man, I am so mad at Bookworm for that. Because I can't bring those books back to the library since now they're vandalized. Which also means I have to pay for them. Damn you Bookworm!
Once we arrive at the hospital Edward said, "You can wait in the car while watching the footage right, Kai?"
"Yes I can, just leave three donuts with me."
"Sure."
We left her in the car and walk inside the hospital together. "Okay this is where we split up," said Edward, "Here's the patient you'll look after." He handed me a file of a female patient. "Just check to see if she's okay first, then wait outside her room."
"Okay, so where's the patient you'll look after?" I asked.
"She's on the other side of the hospital, unfortunately. But keep your phone at the ready in case any suspicious activity happens."
"Right, be careful."
"You too."
Once we split up I had to go up to the third floor to see if the patient is still alive. I entered the room they have her in and see how she's doing. Everything seems okay. She's asleep, breathing normally, and the equipment is set up correctly. I smiled in relief that I've found her still alive.
When I was about to wait outside all of a sudden my mouth and nose were covered with a cloth that has chloroform. Making me drop my coffee I tried to take whoever's gloved hand off me but his arm gripped my body making my arms immobile. As I felt tired and my eyes became heavy. My body became limp until I couldn't struggle anymore. I fell asleep into the arms of what I could only believe that are Bookworm's.
...
Waking up I was sitting down in a chair and my right cheek was being patted by someone else's hand. I open my eyes and was surprised to see Edward. He looks so worried that he keeps on asking, "Vital, are you okay? Who did this to you?"
"What?" I said, trying to process everything what he just said to me.
"How many fingers am I holding up?" He held up 3 in front of me.
"3," I answered.
"It seems you were chloroformed. What do you remember before you pass out?"
"I was checking up on the patient and suddenly a gloved hand covers my mouth with a cloth. Next thing I know I went to sleep. Wait how's the patient?!"
I look past him and saw that the patient I was supposed to watch over is okay. "She's fine," said Edward.
"If so, then why was I knocked out then?"
Suddenly we heard the fire alarm went off. "Shit," said Edward as we both realized why. "Come on we have to get out of here."
"What about-?"
"We can't do anything about the other patient. This fault is on me. Now let's get going, Vital."
He helped me stand up from the chair as we quickly head outside and into his car. When I climb into the passenger said immediately Kai asked me, "Are you okay, Vital? He didn't hurt you did he?"
"What?" I said, "Wait how did you know?"
"She was the one who called me and said that you were being attacked by a man dress in black." said Edward, "She was watching the footage of you being chloroformed so I rush over to you as fast as I could."
"Also, I saw him put something in your coat."
"Really?"
I dug into my inside pockets and pull out a black envelope. I open it and read it out loud, "To think this is the only thing that really keeps you alive since it's a part of your system. But if you have too much of it, you become its victim.
Hope you had a nice nap, Vital. And Nygma I thought you know how to detect red herrings? I guess I was wrong. I bet next time if Vital get's in trouble you'll ignore it this time. Good luck trying to solve this next riddle you two. Until next time."
"I'm really going to strangle this guy." said Edward.
This makes me wonder, though. If I get in trouble for this next time will Edward ignore it? He'll probably have to for the next victim's sake. I wouldn't blame him, the whole reason why we're on this case is because we're supposed to save the victims. Look at us now, our first time trying and we fucked it up.
"How are you feeling, Vital?" asked Edward.
"Huh?" I said.
"Was that your first time being Chloroformed?"
"Um, yeah."
"How do you feel? Do you have a headache or feel a little lightheaded?"
"A little lightheaded yeah."
"I'm going to get you some water real quick and take you back to your apartment."
He stop by at a corner store and got out of the car to go inside to get me some water. Kai asked me in Japanese, "You sure Edward doesn't like you in that way?"
I said to her in Japanese, "I'm sure, I think he's only acting like this as a friend."
"So how did it felt being chloroformed?"
"Weird and scary. But it makes me wonder why Bookworm didn't kill me?"
"Maybe he's having fun yanking both of your chains around."
"Maybe, but now he knows you're a part of this. Since you called him when I was in trouble. He was counting on Edward to come running to my rescue so he could kill the other patient."
"But why that patient and not the one you were watching over?"
"I don't know. That's a good question."
Why didn't Bookworm kill the patient I was watching over? They were both Libras. Kai said, "So who did you think he'll be after next?"
"He's killing people in order by their zodiacs. The next one up is the Scorpio."
