Makoto let go of Andrew and sat back down on the couch. Andrew smiled a little and sat next to her.
"So any luck on this case at all?" she asked.
"No luck. I think this is going to be unsolved." he said.
Makoto sighed. "You don't know how much I regret her death. I wanted to kill the bastard who killed her. I hate myself for not being able to solve this case."
"Well maybe hearing this might help. Maggie Houston's husband is dead," he mumbled.
She looked up at him surprised.
"What?"
"Amara told me as she was driving me home," he explained.
"What the hell is going on here?"
"This is becoming less and less of a coincidence. Did they say what the COD (cause of death) was?"
"No, they are trying to figure it out."
Makoto looked at her watch.
"Listen I'm gonna go home. I need some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow okay?"
Andrew scratched his head.
"You could stay here tonight."
Makoto cleared her throat.
"I'm not sure that's a good idea."
"I'll take the couch." he offered.
"Okay."
Makoto got up and went into his room.
She took off her shirt and pants, only to be wearing a short tank top and her underwear. Her cell phone vibrated on the dresser. She picked it up. The caller id read Nephrite. She rolled her eyes.
"Hello?"
"Makoto it's me," Nephrite greeted.
"I thought I told you this morning not to call me," she gritted her teeth.
"I know, but I want to apologize. I was completely out of line. I was an asshole. Can we meet somewhere? I really need to talk to you," he pleaded.
"Nephrite, I'm really tired. We can talk later," she replied.
He sighed.
"Fine. Bye."
"Bye."
She turned off the phone and got under the covers. The material of the bed felt cool to her body and she quickly went to sleep.
She laid there as if dead. Her chest rose up and down slowly. Her head throbbing slightly as she got up from the dirt floor. The cold hit her body and she carefully put a robe on that was laying beside her. For some reason she knew the way to the bathroom. She looked into the mirror that was above the sink. Her reflection was horrifying. As though there wasn't glass there, someone began to materialize in it. She gasped and stepped back. He was faceless. He grabbed her by the throat and began to choke her. She struggled and tried to pry his fingers loose. Her breath became short and rapid. Her lungs screaming for air. Her eyes were glazing over. The room spinning... it was time to die-
Makoto screamed in her sleep. Cold sweat covered her body. Her heart beat quickly. Ragged breathes escaped from her mouth. Andrew ran into the bedroom.
"Makoto!"
She started to shake. He ran to her and shook her by the shoulders.
"Makoto! MAKOTO," he yelled.
She opened her eyes and let out a sob. She grabbed on to his waist.
"Andrew," she cried.
"What happened?"
Makoto didn't answer. She just held him and cried. Andrew looked bewildered.
"Want me to stay here with you?"
Makoto nodded her head and lay back down. Andrew put the covers over her and wrapped his arm around her waist. In the dark, he could still hear her quiet sobs. Soon she quieted down and her breathing went back to normal. He stroked her cheek and made himself comfortable next her. Soon he too fell asleep.
...
Nephrite punched the wall in his office. He sat down in his chair and looked at his hand. It began to turn a deep purple and swell. He took a sip from his glass of bourbon and looked at the clock on his wall. The time was 3am.
...
Makoto awoke to see Andrew's arm around her waist holding her protectively. She began to panic, moved his arm and got up. Andrew opened his eyes.
"You seem much better."
Makoto jumped and looked at him.
"What happened last night?"
Andrew looked at her astonished.
"You must have had a nightmare. You were screaming in your sleep. I ran in here and you wanted me to stay with you."
Makoto sighed.
"Thank you. I really haven't feeling myself lately. Can you drive me home so I can change?"
"Sure."
Minutes later, they were in his car on their way to her house. He stopped in front of her apartment building. She looked at him and smiled.
"I'll only be a minute." before she stepped out, Andrew grabbed her hand gently.
"So what does this mean?"
"What it means is that I'm trying. Andrew I'm still with Nephrite. Can you understand that?"
Andrew gave her a lopsided smile.
"Yeah, I do."
"Good. As soon as I'm done changing, we can go to work. Do you want to come in and wait instead of sitting in the car?"
"I can wait in here," he replied with a smile.
"Okay, fifteen minutes," Makoto called while she walked into her apartment building.
A black Hummer was parked at the corner from behind Andrew's car. The windows were tinted to keep any unsuspecting eyes out. The car's engine roared to life and sped down the street. Andrew sat in his car with the radio playing. He drummed his hands on the dash board. The Hummer went racing down the street. Barely a mile away from Andrew's car. Soon it was half a mile. A quarter of a mile. Right at the bumper. Andrew didn't even feel the Hummer hit him from behind. Makoto heard screams and the sound of metal being crushed. Her blood ran cold. She raced down into the lobby. Crowds of people were outside talking. She ran outside and let out a scream. Soon the darkness overwhelmed her and she fell into a faint.
-WooWoo316 :-)