12

Dumbfounded by what we found, Kevin immediately calls Andrew. It was late, but it was a huge break that we felt not sleeping at all. Andrew arrived almost immediately. Since he "officially" entered the town; he moved closer to the apartment, making it easier to meet.

"Sorry for the late call. Mari found something..." Kevin said while ushering Andrew to the living room.

"What is it?" he asked and looked at me. I'm still sitting on the floor. My hands are shaking now.

I silently turned the laptop facing them. I found the first clip. At first, it was pointing into the sky. I'm guessing Alexandra was capturing the night sky. The second clip is a bit shaky... I held my breath and played the first video. The two guys sat on the couch.

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[Look! I know you are still mad at me, but I have a lead!]

That's my voice talking to Andrew over a video call.

[I saw something okay! And if I'm right, this isn't just an ordinary missing people's case! ]

I can't remember what Andrew said during those times, but my voice from the video tells me that I'm upset.

[I'm following someone right now. He's acting suspiciously ever since I got here. He's surprisingly accommodating, and hold on... Damn... I lost him where did he--]

From the video, a strong thud was heard, and something fell on the ground.

The video cuts off...

I played the second video, this time, the video is shaky... Alexandra's breathing hard and she tried to muffle her breathing.

[UGH! GET AWAY FROM ME! HE--]

My voice was cut off by a loud thud. From Alexandra's position, she can clearly film the silhouette of a man standing over me and assaulting me. There was a muffled sound from the man, but it was too distorted to make out the voice.

He grunts and casually smashes my phone and then throws something in the bin. I think that was my bag.

The video was cut off when I was saying something...

[You...]

Alexandra might have freaked out... If she held on a little longer, I might have said something... a name or a clue... but she did so much for me already at this point.

I prayed a small prayer for Alexandra.

--------------------

We sat in silence... No one dared break the silence enveloping the apartment.

I have to do something...

I slid my phone into my pocket and sent the video into the app. I have to get my memories back at all costs. I stood up and looked at the two. They looked shocked at the video. The alleyway was dim, but the night sky gave enough shadows to see how I was attacked.

"I need air." I quickly said and almost ran out of the apartment. Their reactions were bewildered, but I was already out of the apartment before they could catch up on me.

I ran as fast as I could and reached the alleyway in record time. I stood there for a long time, looking around...

Let's give it a shot... I told myself as I played the video while holding the phone up and looking straight at it.

A few minutes later... a hand grabbed me on the waist and turned me around. I almost kicked the guy to see Kevin. His face lined with concern.

"Mari?" Kevin looked at me...

"Yes? Sorry I suddenly ran out. I just want to clear my head." I replied while giving a deep sigh.

"I understand. Well, we better head back to the apartment. It's late. Andrew went ahead already." I nodded.

When we went back to the apartment, I went straight to my room and brought out my phone. And send a message to Jason.

"I trust you...meet me at the storage unit tomorrow at 6pm."

[That's breaking and entering. But okay, I'll meet you there.]

I didn't reply, and turned on the IIO phone that Andrew gave me. If my phone is really bugged, someone will destroy or plant evidence there.

Without a second thought, I called Jason. This time I used the encrypted phone.

[Hello?]

"Jason. It's Zamira I mean Mari... Change of plans. We're going at 8am. I have to verify something."

[Okay... sure. Thank you for helping me finding Alexandra's killer.]

"No... I should thank you. See you later," I replied and hung up.

I prepared a small camera that I will be placing in the storage unit once we get there. I really hope it's not Chance... but then again...

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I barely slept and lied to Kevin that I'll be out for a run. He wanted to join me, but I insisted. I want to see concrete evidence before calling him in.

I got into the storage facility, and Jason was already there.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked me immediately. I nodded. There's no turning back now.

He led the way, and we reached the storage unit under my name. He carefully inspected the lock before producing a set of lockpicks.

"Now that's illegal," I told him, my eyes wide with bewilderment.

"That's why I asked if you were sure. I know this is wrong, but I desperately want to end this thing. If Alexandra died in vain, I don't think I'm gonna be okay." Jason explained. He stopped for a while.

I assured him by tugging his sleeves. He turned to me and gave me a smile.

"Thank you for trusting me." I nodded at his remark as he continued picking the lock.

*CLICK*

The lock opened, and we carefully entered the storage unit. It's full of biohazard drums. I immediately took out my phone and took photos.

"Don't touch anything," I told Jason as I felt him shift from one side.

"What are these things? It's like to cut something," he said and pointed at one side of the unit. My stomach churned as realization hit me.

I was here before...

Suddenly, memories flashed into my mind like a tap in full blast. I froze on the spot like I was in a trance.

Jason's voice was distant... I can hear him, but t's like he's so far away.

"ZAMIRA!!! MARI!!!" Jason shouted while shaking me hard...

"A-are you ...okay?" he pinched my shoulders.

"Oh yes... I'm fine. I just need your help propping these hidden cameras. One inside and one outside the unit. " I replied, changing the subject. I was still a bit giddy but I have to hold on for now.

He got the camera's from me. They're pretty small.

"Where do you want it?" Jason asked.

"Let's put one here," I said and pointed at an old shelf facing the door. He carefully placed the camera at an angle, and I looked at my phone that's acting as a monitor. He then placed the second camera outside the storage that is hidden between a fire extinguisher and a drainage pipe.

"Alright, that's it. Did you get your photos?" he asked and looked at me, hopeful. I nodded, and we carefully locked the storage unit. I promised to keep him in the loop. It is breaking protocol, but it's the least I can do.

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That afternoon I went directly to Chance's café and saw him at the register.

With my memories back... talking to him might be a bad idea... but it would be suspicious if I don't talk to him as well.

"I thought you'd be at the station?" Chance asked, surprised.

"Well, I'm in my running clothes. I kinda feel sticky, so I went here first. Some of my clothes are still in my locker, right?" I asked while stealing a can of orange juice from the fridge.

"Yeah. But, since you're here... can you watch over while I'm gone? I'll buy some stocks..." Chance said... I nodded excitedly, but deep inside... I have a bad feeling...

I took a quick shower and changed my clothes. Chance was already waiting on the counter to bid goodbye.

I opened the app and looked at some files... it seems Andrew is still updating the system even if he's working on it officially.

[You okay?]

[You left all of a sudden last night.]

[I was worried, but I can't let Kevin know that we're already working way longer than he knows.]

[By the way, the video... let's talk about it later. Drop by the station.]

[Message me when you get this.]

Andrew... sometimes I like how he is so concerned... now that I think about it, the reason he didn't want me to go investigate was that he was getting promoted as chief of the department. I wouldn't have a partner then.

So... he managed to get into this case even if he was promoted? Or did he turn down the promotion? I was so tempted to log into the database, but I have to keep an act that I don't have my memories yet.

*BUZZZ*BUZZZ*BUZZZ*

I opened the app and checked the hidden cameras... I felt my heart sank to see who it was... my heart was torn as I saw him start to move the items all over the place and start dousing them with gasoline.

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He's burning the evidence...

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Chance...

Why?!