Eight---The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

Look at them...look at our trophies...We can't do this! It's not right! Was it right that they took your happiness! That they got everything you wanted! Was that right? This is their punishment. What they deserved. And now look, you have everything they took.

Saddened, albeit crazed, brown orbs settled on the three infants in their carries. Each a perfect representation of their parents. A little piece of each of the victims. Funny, how each of the woman had named their child before they submitted to the fate that was to befall them. How willing they had been once they had been told no harm would come to their child. The fear in their eyes though, the wide-eyed terror that you could almost smell. It filled the hate and sadistic hunger like a hot meal.

"Well, Sephrin...do you miss Mommy? I would miss Mommy. But you didn't know your mommy did you? Because I killed her. Right after you were born. I did. Be afraid of me Sephrin. You might be next." The voice was soft and calming, despite the horrific bedtime story it spun.

"And you, little Mai. Mommy's bright angel...well Mommy doesn't get to see her angel now. But Mommy gets to be one. Is that fair?" The little girl looked up and began to cry.

"No it's not fair, is it? Shall we make you an angel too?" The child was once again placed in the carrier as a killer moved on to the third child.

"Little Rykkie Ara. Now aren't you just the prettiest little girl? Joan would have been so proud...but Joan's not here anymore. Just like the others. Oh no. They had to pay. And it's all your fault."

After dropping the two families off, Squall drove back to the hotel room in silence. Fujin rocked Chasen in her arms as he drifted off to sleep. She thanked Hyne they had gotten their in time to save him. But, save him from what? Had he even been in danger? Frowning, Fujin went through the other files. All women were expecting.

"Squall?" Fujin called softly. He didn't answer.

"SQUALL!" He stalked over to her. She pointed at the files.

"All these women were expecting." Squall raised a brow.

"I know that." She rolled her eyes.

"But did you see or read anything about the remains of a child? Or the presence of a child anywhere near the victims body?" Squall frowned. How had he over looked that?

"No...Fujin what are you getting at." Fujin put the sleeping child in his arms and tapped her nose as she sorted through her thoughts.

"What if they children aren't in any danger? What if they killer keeps that as some sort of ...trophy? A lot of serial killers do that, keep trophies." Squall paused.

"Fujin, whoever's doing this is too smart to keep children as trophies. It's too risky. The killer could have simply dumped the body somewhere else." Fujin stopped. He was probably right...

"Call Dr. Aveki." Squall looked at her.

"Call! I want to talk to her." Squall dialed her number and handed the phone to Fujin.

"Hello Dr. Aveki? This is Emmie Lou Jones, on the homicide cases...yes, I wanted to know if you had noticed something anything else that had been unusual about the bodies...for instance, whether or not the mother had given birth before she was killed or if the baby had been...extracted." Fujin paused listening.

"I see. Thank you so much. Bye." Fujin nodded.

"All women died after child birth." Squall cursed. The pyscho had just gotten crazier and three times as deadly. He had the children.

"Oh Melissa! You have to get here soon! I miss you and Sissy misses you...oh Melli..." Phoung broke off into sobs.

"A..A...Alisha...didn't make it..." The sounds of hysterical sobs on the other end of the phone brought a smile to the face that watched Phoung Matsuura from the window of the orphanage. Everything was going to plan. Phoung was next...pretty little Phoung.

"I'm sorry Melli, Edea has to call Garden. I'll call you ok? I love you." Phoung hung up the phone and climbed into bed.

You'll have forever to sleep Phoung...and forever is closer then you think.

Fujin slept soundly in the chair beside Chasen's carried, her head propped up on her fist. Squall smiled, looking at her sleeping figure still trying to rock the carrier. Chasen smiled up at him, clapping. Squall thought back to the farmhouse. How he'd leaned over and kissed Fujin. How...natural it had been. But she seemed so angry about it. Somehow, the thought saddened him. His cell rang. Squall's blood ran cold as Fujin opened her eyes, fear seizing them.

"...Hello?"

"Hello Squall...satisfied with your little victory? It will be your last, boy. Don't worry...I'm taking such good care of the others...such pretty little babies. You should have seen it Squall..." The voice trailed off. Squall gathered up his will and asked the question it wanted.

"Seen what?"

" The fear in their eyes, as they begged me not to do it. I was their friend after all. But they took it all away from me Squall, so they had to pay. And children have to pay too. How will that look on t.v Squall? The bodies of innocent children? One you couldn't save...Tsk, tsk. Can you save them Squall? Can you save Phoung. She looks so pretty sleeping here. So peaceful. Will she scream for me, do you think? Or will she go quietly? Maybe you can save her. Or maybe you can't. "

"Where are you!" Squall screamed. Fujin jerked back, startled by his outburst.

"Now Squall, that would ruin my fun. You want me to have fun don't you?...No? It's ok Squall, you can't win this game. You see, you've only got a pair. I've got a full house..." The voice disconnected.

"Squall? Squall!" Squall turned to her, his stomach sick. Why couldn't he figure out the killer's puzzles?"

"You've only got a pair. I've got a full house. Lucking a fucking fortune cookie! It never makes sense until its too late!" Fujin paced for several minutes. The clues gave away locations. But you had to decipher the clue to get the location and the clue was hard part. Naturally. An hour passed. Then two. Finally it clicked.

"Squall don't you get it! It's simple!"

"Now you're being the damned fortune cookie! If its that easy why don't I get it! Never mind what is it?"

"It's---" A click. Both people froze. Someone just disengaged the safety on a 50.

A.n: Weeeeeeeee! An update! I hope it was worthy! And I hope the cliffy keeps you wanting more! I had to get this out here and I actually love this chapter. If anyone can guess where the next spot is going to be, I'll give you a huge cookie! Review those of you who are actually still reading this! I lvoe you all!

i Ultimate!