Chapter 6 – Dark Entries
Darrow Hospital, Crystal Cove, January 7, 2023.
08:30 pm
Fred shouted Daphne´s name when he saw her unconscious body fall. Then, he picked her up in his arms and rushed to the emergency room, fearing for her life. Daphne was bleeding so much that she scared everyone around. So, nurses, security guards and medical students provided a bed in the emergency room, Fred laid her there and the nurses did their job. Unbelievably, Fred didn't know what to do. Instead of acting, the horrible image of Daphne slowly losing her life paralyzed him, and fear only allowed him to check the weak, almost imperceptible pulse in her cold arm. But he wasn't the only one who didn't act: none of his internship colleagues were able to understand what was wrong with her. Luckily, the chaos caused by Daphne's arrival caught the attention of more experienced doctors, including Brad Chiles and Judy Reeves, and they rushed towards the nurses to help them save Daphne.
Immediately, the group of students left the room and let older doctors do their job. Only Fred remained there, in panic, looking at the vital signs monitor. During the next minutes, the doctors shouted phrases that, Fred knew, meant very bad things… Until the continuous noise coming from the monitor showed that Daphne's life was over. Fred reacted with an indignant scream and held her hands tightly. At the same moment, Judy abruptly pushed her son, so that other doctors could perform resuscitation maneuvers. In shock, Fred watched two or three attempts, holding the girl's belongings tensely. Aware that Daphne wouldn´t come back, Judy took her son out of the room and closed the door, to prevent him from witnessing what would come. Outside, Fred heard his father say, "Time of death, 8:38," indicating there was nothing left to do for her.
For the first time, Fred saw someone die. To make matters worse, it wasn't "just someone": It was Daphne Blake . Young, sweet and beautiful Daphne Blake. The mixed feelings that Fred harbored during the short periods he saw her made that tragedy way more painful, and he felt part of him die when he realized such feelings would no longer exist. Fred noticed the questioning looks of other students on him. However, sadness kept him distant, oblivious to everything, except to the image of that beautiful girl. Suddenly, Judy opened the door and Fred was taken out of his trance. Immediately, she hugged her son with tears in her eyes, and said something about "notifying Daphne's parents". Fred agreed, yet he couldn´t believe that was really happening. A short time later, Brad left the room. He wasn´t crying like his wife, he just seemed scared and furious at what he had witnessed. Then, he took Fred by the arm and led him through the hall.
Brad: Shut the fuck up until we arrive at my office!
The threatening tone prevented Fred from saying anything. Anyway, he didn't know what to say, the image of Daphne dead left him completely speechless. When Brad arrived in his office, he led his son inside and threatened him before closing the door.
Brad: I'll call a lawyer and I'll be back in a minute. And when I return, you'd better tell me every detail about the kind of shit you´ve done to that girl, Frederick, or I'll make you bleed in the same way she bled!
After Brad closed the door, Fred remembered his mother's request: "tell Daphne's parents". So, he decided to search for her cell phone inside her purse. When Fred opened it, he saw the dirty fabric and the book "Kabbalistic Numerology" by Frank Melker. Then, he finally understood the meaning of everything that had happened minutes ago.
Darrow Hospital, Crystal Cove, January 7, 2023.
08:42 pm
The feeling of suffocation slowly faded away, until Daphne felt her entire body fall asleep, immersed in endless tranquility. The air around her seemed very cold and echoed continuous chilling sounds, similar to an unknown machine in operation. Suddenly, the mysterious sounds gave way to a continuous, high-pitched hiss that soon became an out-of-tune radio sound with static. The noise was so loud that bothered her and made her hands cover her ears. When she opened her eyes, she realized she was not at Darrow Hospital. She was in a very old, windowless room, on a dirty bed with a musty smell. In panic, Daphne quickly got up and looked for her purse and her coat, but there was nothing around, except some very old furniture. The walls had large old photos of landscapes, and they were covered with fabric, with red and black arabesques printed on it. With tears in her eyes, she ran to the wooden door and desperately turned the handle, but the door was locked. At that moment, she understood she had been kidnapped.
Daphne cried and begged for help, but no one answered her. After a few minutes, she heard the sound of someone unlocking the door. Without hesitation, she opened it, but no one was there. On the contrary, there was a large and ominous corridor, full of doors like that, and the annoying radio noise was coming from the end of it. Daphne was scared, but she ran down the corridor, since it was her only chance to leave that place. To her dismay, the hall ended in another windowless living room, with very old furniture, a brown rug in its center, and a tube television in the middle of the rug. Around the television, there were three very pale children, with dark circles under their eyes, staring at the image of TV statics. As she approached, Daphne noticed the children looked scared, their eyes and mouths were slightly open, fixed in an expression of horror, as if their faces had frozen after a fright. Daphne felt horror when a boy noticed her and stared at her with a listless, zombie-like gaze. She knew those children were also victims of the same kidnapper, but she couldn´t reach out to them. Strangely, they did not seem to be human, nor alive. Immediately, Daphne walked backwards until she returned to the hallway, and tried not to attract the attention of those kids.
However, in the hallway, she felt more fear: the same old man she saw in James Arthur's garage was just four doors away from her. Fortunately, she was behind him and he didn't notice her. Daphne panicked and froze. She was sure that sinister man was the kidnapper. While he entered one of the doors, she held her breath to avoid making any kind of noise. When the old man disappeared, she felt a cold hand touch her shoulder. As she looked back, she saw Hannah Renner, Mayor Jones' wife and Fred's mother. Hannah was identical to the photograph Daphne saw in the newspaper clipping, except for her clothes, which seemed old. On her face, there was the same frightened, morbid expression; although her lips moved, Daphne could not hear her voice. At that moment, Daphne understood she had been taken by Hannah's kidnapper, because she had discovered his sinister modus operandi involving numbers and spots.
Daphne: I know who you are! I'll help you escape, we need to get out of here!
Daphne realized she couldn´t vocalize her words either. Instead of trying to speak again, Hannah took her arm and led her to the next door. Then, Daphne found herself in a typical 80s living room, with a white staircase leading to the upper floor. Immediately, Daphne ran to a large sliding glass window, but before opening it, she noticed a calendar from the year 1981 hanging next to it. On the calender, April 5th was circled in red pen, and the days before it were crossed out. Next to the circle, there was the number 7626 written, and next to the crossed out days, there were the predecessors of that number, indicating the count of something. Then, Daphne tried to pull the sliding glass, and immediately, Hannah grabbed her hand and prevented her from continuing. Daphne shuddered when she looked through. She saw that, outside, there was a typical 80s neighborhood. The cars, the houses, the toys on the streets, the people's clothes and the utensils, strangely, everything seemed like a reality from forty years ago. Daphne felt a chill run down her spine when she realized she had no idea where she was, and why she could´t leave that house. Confused, she ran back to the initial door, but instead of returning to the corridor, Daphne saw herself in a familiar place.
Without explanation, Daphne was on Crystal Cove cliff, where there is a viewpoint that attracts many tourists. Hannah was there too, but she remained motionless, next to a rock, staring at her. Daphne smiled when she recognized the place, and grabbed Hannah´s hand.
Daphne: I know where we are! Let´s go, police is not far from here!
Daphne couldn´t verbalize again, so pulled Hannah´s wrist to make her follow her, but the woman didn´t move. Hannah had a listless gaze, and when Daphne looked around, she paralyzed too. She noticed that place looked very different, the houses around it were missing, the light poles were not so modern, and there was no road. Just like the previous neighborhood view, that place seemed like Crystal Cove cliff 40 years ago. Suddenly, a terrified female scream echoed around the place and startled Daphne. The fright made her wake up from a dream, and she realized she was still on the same filthy bed, in that old room, and Hannah was next to bed, staring at her.
After the initial scream, the same voice screamed three or four more times. The intensity and frequency of the screams indicated the person was in trouble. Immediately, Daphne stood up and left the room, fearing the person begging for help would be murdered. When the screams stopped, she heard children's voices repeating "Herbert Stevins" several times, then, the same female voice screamed the name "Herbert" desperately. Daphne realized the noise was coming from the same door the old man had entered earlier, and when she opened it, she saw a terrifying scene. A woman over 60 years was crying over the bloody body of an elderly man, dressed with typical veteran´s clothes, and the man was in agony, begging for help. Again, the woman screamed the name "Herbert" and begged for help. Not knowing what to do, Daphne returned to the room to ask Hannah´s help.
Unfortunately, Daphne was unable to vocalize her request. Hannah just approached Daphne calmly and handed her one photo she had removed from the wall. Daphne noticed it was an old photo of a river, and the name Patapsco was written in the caption. Daphne looked questioningly at Hannah, but instead of explaining, the woman simply shoved Daphne roughly. As she fell, Daphne felt such an impact on her back that she was unable to breathe. The pain was so great that Daphne felt suffocated again, and she breathed in as hard as she could
Darrow Hospital, Crystal Cove, January 7, 2023.
08:48 pm
Fred had Daphne's cell phone in his hands when he heard an agonizing scream. Two or three screams echoed through the halls soon after, and after them, he heard a familiar voice call the name "Herbert Stevins". His heart raced at the possibility of being Daphne, so he hid her belongings in a safe place and rushed to the emergency room. When he looked through the glass, he saw the girl panting and shouting non-sense words, while struggling on the hospital bed. Fred smiled, and joined the several nurses that crowded around the girl. Then, the older doctors came, and everyone seemed astonished by what they were seeing. A doctor mentioned the possibility of being just a momentary reaction caused by adrenaline, and at the end of it, she would die again. However, it was refuted by the nurses, who showed that all of Daphne's vital signs were completely normal.
Not knowing what to do, the medical team just restrained the girl and tried to calm her down. When she finally stopped screaming and struggling, she laid on the bed and kept her eyes open, staring at the ceiling. Judy and the others called her name several times and tried to bring her back to consciousness, without success. Fred held one of her hands tightly, and the doctors started talking to her again. Then, Daphne's eyes got filled with tears and she sobbed. Her reaction cheered the team, and they insisted on calling her, to bring her back to reality. After several tries, Daphne finally moved her eyes and sat up in bed. Instead of letting go of Fred's hand, she squeezed it tighter and cried uncontrollably.
Daphne: Please, help me! I saw a man dying! His name is Herbert Stevins, he was bleeding! You have to help him, that old man… that old man killed him! And he will kill the kids and Hannah too, and... and… I can´t remember the place… it was a house… and… I was kidnapped… he took me to an old house…
Daphne was confused and her voice was weak. Apparently, she was trying to remember more details, but she couldn´t.
Judy: Honey, you need to calm down, it's ok! It was just a dream! You are in the hospital now… you had a sudden illness, and the medicines we gave you made you dream about these things…
Daphne: It was not a dream! I saw it! I was there! The old man made me bleed! And he killed that man! He took Hannah Renner too, I know where she is, I saw her, I swear!
The mention of the name Hannah Renner made Fred shudder, yet he kept his hands holding Daphne's cold, trembling hand. After a brief silence, Judy insisted on calming her down, and after a while, Daphne stopped repeating the same phrases and fell silent. With Daphne out of danger, part of the team left the emergency room to deal with the crowd of agents and police officers that had gathered outside.
Judy: I can´t explain, Sheriff! When she arrived, she had lost more than 40% of her blood, then, she died in the following minute.
Brad: And all the blood was lost from a nosebleed and a small cut. There were no other injuries. I have never seen something like this before.
Judy: Ten minutes after dying, she woke up screaming, as if nothing had happened and, mysteriously, her body had recovered all the blood. Since then, she is totally healthy. Crazy, uh?
Brad: Further tests will tell us more, but, apparently, it was a reaction caused by some drink, or some medicine… we were informed that she was on a date…
The explanations continued and Daphne listened to them carefully. Then, she realized where she was, and what had happened to her, so she looked at Fred in a frightened way. Fred smiled and shook her hand.
Fred: Welcome back to the world, Daphne Blake. I'm glad your trip to the other side was cancelled.
Fred felt stupid for making a joke at that moment, but Daphne laughed and he felt relieved. When Daphne realized that her hand was still in Fred's hands, she blushed and took it away immediately. Her attitude embarrassed Fred, so he looked away. Suddenly, the door was opened abruptly, and Bart Blake came in, in tears, and hugged his daughter tightly. Nan and Daisy Blake appeared soon after and did the same. When he saw the Blakes together, Fred felt he was useless there, and for this reason, he decided to leave. However, at the door, he noticed that Sheriff Bronson Stone, some police officers and several FBI agents were waiting for him outside.
Bronson Stone: Mr. Jones, would you please follow me.
Darrow Hospital, Crystal Cove, January 7, 2023.
10:30 pm
Fred: …when I left the hospital, I saw her leaving her car. She was bleeding profusely. Seconds later, she passed out. So, I took her to the emergency room, and the doctors helped her.
Fred kept a serious face while he spoke, and when he finished, he looked at two FBI agents who were staring at him. It was the fourth time he repeated the same story, with the same details. The officers of Sheriff Stone's team finished their notes and looked at the sheriff, waiting for his orders. Bronson sighed, thanked Fred for his time and said "that's all" while leaving.However, his attitude did not influence both federals, who remained there, staring at Fred.
Agent Ryan: Mr. Jones, can you describe how was the bleeding? Where exactly was she bleeding?
Fred: When I saw her, her nose was bleeding, and she had a lot of blood on her blouse.
Agent Ryan: Then, she passed out? In the north part of the hospital´s parking lot?
Fred sighed impatiently and glared at the two federals.
Fred: Yes, sir, she passed out in the north part of the hospital´s parking lot.
Agent Ryan: Security guards mentioned it´s a place where you usually park you car… right?
Fred: Yes, sir.
Agent Ryan: Ok, the parking lot is huge, but, somehow, she was exactly where you usually park your car. Don´t you think it´s strange?
Fred: No, sir.
Agent Ryan: Ok. So, a few minutes after passing out, she died.
Fred: Yes, sir.
Agent Ryan: And a nosebleed caused her death. As a doctor, don´t you think it´s strange?
Fred: What I think doesn't change the way the events happened, sir.
Agent Larson: Of course not, son. So, you can tell us, right? Don't you think it's strange that a healthy young woman died by nosebleed?
Fred: Depending on what made her bleed, no. If it was a blow to her head, or a punch to her nose...and the offender was way stronger than her… maybe.
Agent Larson: So, you believe she was attacked…
Fred: No. I´m just saying that she has a cut on her forearm. And it seems like a defensive injury.
Agent Ryan: Ok. So, the offenser probably attacked her right before she passed out. Am I right? Or, as a doctor, do you believe that she suffered a blow an hour earlier, when the tracker showed her car was in Riverdale, and only at 8:30 the severe bleeding started?
Fred: I'll say it again, sir: WHAT I THINK DOESN'T INFLUENCE ANYTHING!
Fred knew he shouldn't show any emotion, but he couldn't control himself. Unfortunately, his anger was exactly what the agents were expecting.
Agent Ryan: Well, Mr. Jones, considering that you saw your last patient at 6:30, and no one saw you in the hospital hallways until the moment you brought Miss Blake to the emergency room, you have no alibi. So, your opinion really matters. Otherwise, the most acceptable version for this case is: you secretly met Miss Blake in Riverdale and attacked her in a coward way. When you saw her bleeding, you regretted it and tried to save her. So, Frederick Hermann Jones Jr., we'll give you one more chance to tell the truth: what happened to Miss Blake?
The real Fred, who had already solved cases that the FBI had never solved, closed his fists in anger and felt like punching those arrogant agents. However, the uninteresting Fred just sighed impatiently. Then, he started repeating everything for the fifth time.
Bart: Ryan, Larson, can you give us a minute?
Immediately, both agents left the room. Bart didn't say a word while he took the agents' seat, and, slowly, Fred felt all his anger turn into fear.
Bart: Ok, Jones. I've already heard my daughter, now it's your turn. Please, tell me what has happened since 6:30 pm, when you finished seeing Mrs. Hartley.
Fearing a lawsuit, or even a conviction, Fred obeyed and told his version for the sixth time – obviously, omitting the period between 6:30 and 8:30, when he was in his room researching Joel Marlow. At the end of his testimony, Bart thanked him and dismissed him. As Fred left the room – and the two agents returned to it – he heard Bart saying: "He's telling the truth, he didn't attack her. Unfortunately, my daughter is lying". Fred felt relief after hearing that, but the feeling was short-lived. A few minutes later, Brad led his son back to his room. His furious expression made Fred's heart race, even so, he dared to face his father.
Fred: The FBI said I´m innocent and you still don´t belive me? I didn't attack her, ok?
Brad: In this case, I know you're innocent. But for the other things, I know you´re the one to blame.
Fred sighed impatiently and tried to control his anger as best as he could. Even so, he ended up disrespecting his father.
Fred: Damn, what the hell have I done now? I saved a woman? I should have left her die in the parking lot, that´s it?
Brad: No, son, you did your duty. But you didn't save a woman, you saved the woman... the same woman you were alone with at the club, the same woman you were with in the photo that went viral, the same woman who was in your room this morning... understand what I mean?
Fred felt so angry that he laughed, disdaining what he had heard. Brad remained serious, ignoring his son's arrogant reaction.
Fred: Seriously? Are you really insinuating that I caused this situation? I don't even know this woman!
Brad: No, I´m insinuating that you clearly want to know her better. I'm insinuating that you've been staying out all night, you've been missing classes and appointments, you've been lying to your fiancée... and everything has started when you met her. I don't know what's really going on between you both… in fact, I prefer not to know…but I can't let you ruin your life because of this, Frederick.
Fred sighed, showing impatience, and tried to calm down before saying anything. Brad looked uncomfortable for having that conversation.
Fred: Look, it's not what you think, ok? There's absolutely nothing going on between us... as for the last nights, I went to a bar with Shags and Velma to celebrate my birthday, what's wrong with that?
Brad: You are putting your career aside and disappointing people who have always been by your side, that´s what´s wrong. Where the hell were you today between 6:30 and 8:30? Dr. Hutton said you weren't on duty, that's unacceptable, Frederick! And I won´t even mention how inappropriate it is to go out at night without your fiancée…
Fred was furious after hearing that. However, he knew his father was right. He was really ruining his life because of reckless adventures that, sooner or later, wouldn´t end well. He was being irresponsible with his obligations, and he was hurting people he loved. To make matters worse, he was thinking about Daphne Blake way more than he should, and he knew that was wrong. Looking into his father's eyes, Fred saw how disappointed he was with all the recent events, and he felt guilt hurt his chest.
Fred: Hey, I'm really sorry about everything. I never meant to harm anyone, I just wanted to… I don't know… get out of the routine a little bit… this internship is a total shit… but I promise it won't happen again…
Brad smiled and patted his son on the back, proud to see him admit his mistakes.
Brad: Now, go home, you need to rest.
Fred agreed and pretended to use his cell phone for a while, so that Brad would leave before him. Alone, he took Daphne's purse and coat from the hiding-place and left the room. Unfortunately, when Fred saw her, she was surrounded by her family, the sheriff and some doctors, including Judy. When she saw her belongings in Fred's hands, Daphne ran towards him and grabbed them immediately, fearing that her parents, or the police, would get them first. Bart looked questioningly at Fred, then looked at his daughter, who seemed to hide what she had in her hands. Judy was embarrassed and looked threateningly at her son, then she made up some silly excuse to justify why he was with Daphne's stuff. At the same moment, some doctors and agents appeared and announced the results of all tests that Daphne had done. The public and embarrassing disclosure enraged her, and she cried. Nan took her daughter's side and protested.
Nan: That's enough, Bart! This is ridiculous! How dare you expose your daughter like this? She is a public person!
Nan hugged her daughter and took her from the investigative spectacle created by Bart. Judy and the other female doctors followed them, and Daisy did the same, right after looking at her father angrily. Fred decided to leave too, after all, he didn't want to get into more trouble. To avoid the looks and evil comments coming from the other students, he chose a less frequented exit. When he arrived at the hospital morgue´s exit, he saw a message from his mother saying: "Stay away from this girl, or I will put you up for adoption again". The moment he passed the door, he saw an ambulance parking in front of it, and a group of paramedics were removing a dead body. When the coroners approached, the paramedics said: "Herbert Stevins, 76 years old, died of intense bleeding of unknown causes at 8:48 pm."
Blake Manor, Crystal Cove, January 7, 2023 - 11:45 pm
Silence reigned during the way back to Blake Manor. When they arrived, Daphne immediately opened the car´s door and ran to the mansion. While she was trying to unlock the door using her own key, Bart grabbed her wrist.
Bart: This conversation isn't over yet, young lady. You still owe me an explanation about what happened to you!
Daphne: This conversation ended the moment you subjected me to a two-hour interrogation, then announced to everyone all the results of my tests! What do you think you're doing, dad? I'm not a little girl!
Bart: You´re lying like a little girl!
Daphne: I´m not lying! I´m just minding my own business! Can´t you understand that you don´t have the right to know everything about me? You have to respect my privacy!
Bart: If you live in my house, you have to respect my rules. I´m your father and I have the right to do whatever I need protect you!
Daphne: Oh, you want to protect me? Really? I'm the victim, and you're blaming me!
Bart: I'm not blaming you, I just want to know the truth!
Daphne: Of course you´re blaming me, you´ve told everyone that I´m lying! You put a secret tracker in my car because you don't trust me!
Bart: Should I trust? At the dinner, you didn't want to say where the hell you were going. Then, you lied about your location, and your irresponsibility made everyone think that an innocent young man attacked you!
Daphne: I TRUST YOU, DADDY! YOU NEVER TELL ME WHERE YOU GO, YOU NEVER TELL ME WHAT'S GOING ON IN YOUR LIFE, AND EVEN SO, I TRUST YOU! BUT, IRONICALLY, I CAN´T EVEN LIVE MY OWN LIFE WITHOUT LOSING YOUR TRUST!
Daphne finished her sentence shouting. Then, she forced the lock angrily, but couldn't open it, so she crossed her arms and called Jenkins. Her words silenced Bart for a moment, and made him reflect on his actions. Nan and Daisy appeared soon after, and Nan scolded him.
Nan: Secret trackers in our cars, Bartholomew Blake? What the fuck was that? We are your family!
Bart: You can question my methods, Nan, but never their effectiveness. Without the tracker, we wouldn't have known she was lying about where she was, and the investigation would have...
Nan: WHAT INVESTIGATION, BART? For God's sake, she's our daughter, not a convicted criminal! Didn't you hear what the doctors have said? She had a sudden illness, it was an accident! You are obsessed with your work, and you think that everything has to be investigated!
Bart: I want to know the causes of this sudden illness, that´s why I´ve started an investigation! You can't scold me for worrying about my daughter, I just want to solve the problem!
Nan: Invading her privacy and exposing her won't solve the problem! God, can´t you understand there is no crime and there´s nothing to investigate? She just wanted to go out with a college boy, IDK, go to a party, have fun and drink something different…damn, don´t you remember how being 21 was like?
Bart: When a date ends in severe bleeding and death, I don't understand, Nan. And I think it's absurd that you normalize that. Our 21yo times dont´matter, we´re her parents and it´s our duty not to encourage her lies...
Nan: YOU ARE TREATING HER LIKE A CRIMINAL BECAUSE OF A WHITE LIE! BUT THE REAL CRIMINALS ON THAT DAMN FORUM ARE TREATED LIKE HEROES!
Nan's words disarmed her husband, and he fell silent. Impatient with the butler´s delay, she took her own keys and opened the door. As Daphne slowly walked up the stairs, she heard her father talking to Dr. Brad Chiles and apologizing for everything he had done. Before closing her room´s door, she heard Bart call her name, but she ignored him.
Daphne heard someone knock on her door, then, Bart asked to come in. She ignored him again, but he entered anyway.
Bart: Honey... I... thought… maybe… you should call Judy and Brad to thank them... and to apologize for...
Daphne: Oh, right, I have to call Judy and Brad because you think I should. They didn´t save me, but I have to thank them just because you want me to follow the social etiquette rules. Plus, I also have to apologize for the trouble you´ve caused them. Wow, how lovely it is to be a 21-year-old puppet!
Daphne finished uttering her ironies and looked angrily at her father. Bart sighed and looked into her eyes with regret.
Bart: Well, you´re right, sweetie… I don´t have the right to treat you like a small child… but…in fact, I didn't come here to give you orders... I came to apologize for my actions... I never meant to harm you... I just I wanted to protect you.
Bart's words sounded true, but Daphne was still angry and she couldn't smile and accept his apology. Bart realized that she was really upset and decided to leave. Before leaving, he left a piece of paper with the Chiles' phone numbers, in case Daphne changed her mind. When Bart closed the door, Daphne sighed with anger and ran towards the small paper like an angry wolf. However, before crumpling it up and throwing it into the trash, she froze. Of all those three telephone numbers written, one of them made her reconsider her decision: Fred Jones.
Darrow University Campus, Crystal Cove
January 8, 2023 – 12:10 am
Fred had just finished typing a series of long messages to Velma and Shaggy, informing them about the book and everything that had happened in the past few hours, when an unknown number appeared on his cell phone screen. He thought he should answer it, since it could be someone from the police, asking more and more questions about Daphne Blake. To his surprise, he recognized the sweet, feminine voice that answered.
Daphne: Hello? Fred? Hi! It's Daphne... Daphne Blake… the woman you´ve saved hours ago, remember?
Fred found her innocent for thinking that some man in the universe would ever forget her. At the same time, he found her noble for calling him.
Fred: Hi, of course I remember you, I´ve never…
Then, in the next moment, he felt like a jerk for saying those words and making it so clear that he considered her unforgettable. Fortunately, Daphne interpreted those words in a different way.
Daphne: …you've never seen someone die, then, come back to life, right?
Fred: Well, to tell you the truth, I've never seen anyone die. Much less, resurrect. But I hope to never experience such a thing again… it was heartbreaking…
Daphne: Well, that's why I´ve decided to call you... I want to apologize for scaring you... for putting you into all this mess... and, also, I want to thank you for taking me to the emergency room... you know, I only survived because you helped me.
Fred felt his heart race when he heard those words, but he remained calm and tried to think of something that would keep Daphne talking.
Fred: Oh, no need to thank me. Just promise you won't die again.
Fred regretted making a joke out of something serious. Luckily, Daphne laughed and agreed.
Fred: I'm serious. I don't know what happened, but I hope you're ok...
Daphne: Oh, don't worry, I'm fine! It won't happen again...
Fred: …and I really hope you report the person who did this to you. I don't want to see an article about you on True Crime Forum.
Fred realized he had said too much because Daphne immediately fell silent. Embarrassed, he tried to correct what he had said.
Fred: I mean, it's none of my business, but sounds like you went through something terrible... so, I hope you talk to someone about what happened...
Fred wanted to ask what had happened – and, mainly, what had made her scream the name of her mother and "Herbet Stevins" –, but he didn't have the courage to do it. Daphne laughed shyly, and it took her a while to speak again.
Daphne: Well, I don't know why you care, Fred, but... thanks for caring.
He cared. More than he should. And because of that, he couldn't find the words to respond.
Daphne: Well, I've already caused you enough trouble today. So... bye, Fred!
Fred ended the conversation by saying "bye". But some mixed feelings wanted that farewell to be just a "see you later".
Blake Manor, Crystal Cove, January 8, 2023 - 12:35 am
Daphne regretted ending the conversation and hanging up. Fred cared. He was probably the only one who really cared. And besides, he was part of that mystery. He was Hannah's son and, therefore, one of the indirect victims of the great enigma involving fractals and unsolved cases. "He would understand," was the first thought Daphne had when saving Fred's number in her contacts. However, a minute of lucidity later, she felt ridiculous. "Of course, Daphne, call him immediately! And tell him you have a secret identity that you use to screw up your parents' lives while solving cold cases! Then, say that when you died, you saw his mother in an old house. He will definitely understand and take you to a psychiatrist!", replied the voice of reason in her mind, making her delete Fred's contact and give up any possibility of talking about what happened. After leaving her cell phone on bed, Daphne decided to take a shower. While removing her watch, she noticed that its hands were fixed at 8:38, as if they had been melted. On the back of the watch, the metal also seemed melted, it was dented and it had a brown stain in some parts. Daphne shivered when she saw the watch completely destroyed, as if it were burned in flames. "Not even you understand what's going on, Daphne, he would never understand!" was the final conclusion she had before getting into the shower.
After shower, Daphne finally laid on her bed and picked up the book she found in Mr. Arthur's house. She looked for the pages that had drawings similar to the stain on the garage. While analyzing them, she realized that, despite being similar, they had small differences. Each one corresponded to a different sequence of numbers, so Daphne quickly flipped through the pages, looking for spot number 6102016, the number in James Arthur's place. Before Daphne could find what she was looking for, she heard someone knock on her door. Unfortunately, the person didn't wait for a response and opened the door without permission. In a panic, Daphne hid the open book under her bed and quickly laid, pretending to sleep.
Daisy: Daph? May I come in?
"You should have asked before coming, darling," was the angry response that popped into her mind. Still, she nodded sleepily and smiled. To her astonishment, Daisy intended to stay there, since she had a pillow in one hand, and an inflatable mattress in the other. Daphne got angry, because her presence would prevent her from investigating the book – and, possibly, posting about it on the True Crime Forum .
Daphne: Daisy, I don't know what the hell you thought when you decided to bring these things to my room, but it's not going to happen. I'm exhausted, good night!
Daisy: What? You ungrateful mean bitch, I'm just worried about you!
Daphne: You've never worried about me in my entire life!
Daisy: You've never died in your entire life!
Daphne sat down on her bed, crossed her arms and looked disdainfully at her sister, who was shyly adjusting her makeshift bed.
Daphne: Do you really want me to believe that you are not here just because you want to know what happened to me?
Immediately, Daisy sat on the inflatable bed, crossed her legs and smiled.
Daisy: I want. But if you don't believe it, no problem... just tell me!
Daphne rolled her eyes and showed irritation, but Daisy ignored her and continued looking at her with a smile.
Daisy: Were you on a date?
This time, Daphne ignored her sister and curled up in her bed, making it clear that she didn't want to talk.
Daphne: Nite, Daisy.
Daisy: Who is he? Do I know him? Give me a tip!
Daphne: Night, Daisy.
Daisy: Why did you go to Riverdale? And what have you done to bleed like that?
Daphne: Shhhh, good night, Daisy.
Daisy: Was it a drug? Or just sex?
Daphne: GOOD NIGHT, Daisy!
After saying goodbye emphatically, Daphne turned off the lamp and covered herself up to her head. Daisy laid on her bed and remained silent for a few minutes.
Daisy: You were with Fred Jones, right?
Daphne blushed when she heard the name Fred Jones. But her only reaction was throwing a pillow towards her nosy sister.
Daphne: GOOD NIGHT, DAISY! DAMN!