He's Escaped

**BREAKING NEWS:**

"The notorious serial killer known as 'Shadow,' said to be the great-great-grandson of Jack the Ripper, has escaped from the world's most secure prison. Authorities warn that he is extremely dangerous, and police are working around the clock to apprehend him. The question remains—how did he escape, and where will he strike next? They better find him soon, or else we're all doomed. Now, in other news, the WSA awards—"

The television snapped off.

"How the hell did he escape from the most secure prison in the world?!" The director's voice thundered across the room, his face red with fury.

The warden, pale and shaken, cleared his throat. "We...we don't know."

The director slammed a fist against the table. "Arrrrrgh! You better find him, or you can kiss your job goodbye."

The warden swallowed hard and nodded. Just then, a cadet burst through the door, a bundle of envelopes in his hands. "Letters! Get your letters!" he announced, passing them around.

"This one's for David. This one's for Rebecca. And this...this is for all of us," he added, staring at a single envelope with no name or return address. His brows furrowed.

"What do you mean 'for all of us'?!" the director snapped.

"I mean it just says, 'To all the cops.'" The cadet hesitated.

The director snatched the envelope and tore it open. His eyes scanned the first line, and his expression darkened.

"It's from him," he said in a near whisper.

"Who, sir?" the cadet asked hesitantly.

"Who the hell do you think?! The damn serial killer!"

A cold silence filled the room as the director unfolded the letter and read it aloud:

---

**DEAR POLICE,**

AS YOU KNOW, I HAVE ESCAPED. YOU KNOW WHAT I'M CAPABLE OF, AND YET YOU LET ME SLIP AWAY. NOW, LET'S PLAY A GAME.

CHOOSE TWO OF YOUR BEST DETECTIVES. THEY HAVE TWENTY-ONE DAYS TO FIND ME. IF THEY SUCCEED, EVERYONE LIVES. IF THEY FAIL, BLOOD WILL PAINT YOUR STATION WALLS.

EACH DAY THEY DON'T FIND ME, ONE OF YOUR OWN WILL DIE.

TO GIVE YOU A HEAD START, HERE IS MY CURRENT LOCATION: **69 LANE, 420 STREET, THIS TOWN. Tick-tock, detectives. Tomorrow, the hunt begins. Let's see if you're as smart as you think you are.**

---

As the final words left the director's lips, a chill ran through the room. Officers exchanged nervous glances. The same question lingered in their minds:

**Who's going to take the case?**

"QUIET!" the director barked. "Set a meeting with them. I want them in my office in twenty minutes."

"Yes, sir!" the cadet responded and rushed out.

---

Fifteen minutes later, the cadet returned, leading a tall, broad-shouldered man into the director's office. His sharp blue eyes were filled with reluctance.

"James," the director greeted him. "Where's—"

Before he could finish, the door swung open. A striking woman with piercing brown eyes strode in, her presence commanding attention.

"I'm here, sir," she said flatly.

The director nodded. "Bernice, take a seat."

She sat beside James, deliberately avoiding eye contact. The tension between them was suffocating.

The director sighed. "As you both know, our dear friend 'Shadow' has escaped. He sent us a letter challenging us to find him in twenty-one days. If we fail, people die."

He then took a deep breath and looked at them. "That means..." he said taking a deep breath. "You two have to work together." They looked at each other and then back at the director. Just then the man stood up with anger. "NO!!" he blurted out. James clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as memories of betrayal surfaced. 'Not again,' he muttered, shaking his head. The director out of anger shouted at him.

Silence.

JAMES JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN'T FORGIVE SOMEONE FOR SOMETHING THEY DID TO OFFEND DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO PUT THE LIVES OF HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE IN DANGER!!!" The room felt stifling, old wounds threatening to resurface. With fury in his eyes, James stood abruptly, his chair scraping the floor., and left to his office.

---

Hours passed. The cadet from earlier hesitated outside James' office before knocking. "Sir, may I come in?"

James exhaled. "Yeah."

The cadet stepped inside, shifting nervously. "I just wanted to say...you're my inspiration. Seeing you take on this case is incredible. Thank you for motivating me."

James looked at him, taken aback. His hardened expression softened, just a little.

Moments later, he was back in the director's office.

"Sir, I'm in," James said. "But let's make one thing clear—I'll work with Bernice as a partner. Not as a friend."

The director smirked, nodding. "Good enough for me."

The hunt for 'Shadow' had begun.