《Call Of Death》Chapter 17 : Beneath The Dense Forest
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They were busy driving on the way back when Officer Chad received a text message from Chief Simon saying they must go to a forest near the area where they talked to the strange man earlier. After reading the message, he glanced at Detective Lee.
"We have to go back." He said.
Cameron looked at him, confused. "Why?"
"Chief Simon texted me saying we have to check on some forest near the area of that strange man." He showed him the message.
"Huh? How did she know that we already went to the second witness' address?" He asked.
"I don't know but we should check the forest, maybe we could find something there." Devius suggested.
Detective Lee immediately took a U-turn back to the area. They are not so familiar with the place but they got to the forest's entrance without any problems. After parking their car, they both went out and stared at the trees. Tall grasses and humongous trees are everywhere. The wind blew at their direction and Cameron felt a familiar chill. He did his best to shove it off but the feeling won't go away. He looked around and just sighed, thinking he was being distracted because he really doesn't like forests for he has some unpleasant memories in there.
"Are you sure it's the place that Chief is talking about?" Cameron asked Devius who's also busy looking around.
"Hmm. I'm sure, it's the address written on her message also, it's the only forest near this area." He responded.
Cameron nodded and sighed. "Then let's go and check it out so we could go back before dark." He stated.
They both started walking. Not long after, Officer Chad received a text message from Chief Simon again saying a witness told them that a house was located in that forest where they believe is that where the culprit has been hiding.
"Detective Lee, look at this." Devius showed the message to Cameron.
"Who's this witness she's talking about? It seems like he knows a lot." Cameron said out of curiosity.
Officer Chad shrugged. "I don't know, should I call chief?"
"No, nevermind." Detective Lee shook his head. "But, a house in the middle of a dense forest?" They both looked at each other.
"Do you think the culprit is really here?" Devius asked.
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"I don't know." He simply responded. "Let's just look for it."
They then started walking again when but not long after, Cameron's phone started vibrating, indicating that someone is calling. He saw an unfamiliar number flashed on the screen and answered it.
"Cameron-hyung!" He heard Seuk Tae's cheerful voice.
"Hyung?"
"Uh, am I not allowed to call you that?" Seuk Tae's voice became sad.
He shook his head and said, "No, it's alright but I'm at work right now, Seuk Tae. This is very important. Did something happen?"
"Hmm. Nothing, I just want to say that... good luck on finding the killer, hyung." After he said that, the line was cut.
Detective Lee just smiled and put his phone back to his pocket while Officer Chad is looking at him with a grim face. Devius couldn't tell why but he kinda felt a hint of jealousy when he sees his senior smiling because of someone. Even if he didn't see who's calling, he head that it was Seuk Tae. Upon seeing the smile on Cameron's lips, he couldn't help but feel annoyed for some reason, even if Seuk Tae is just a kid.
"What? Is there something on my face?" He was taken aback when Cameron spoke, he didn't even noticed that he was already staring at his partner.
"Tss! Nothing. Let's just continue looking for that house." He said in an annoyed tone and then started walking, leaving Cameron confused.
Detective Lee didn't see his scowling face because he is walking ahead of him. Both of his hands are resting inside his pants' pocket while he is busy inspecting the surroundings. Officer Chad went to the other part of the forest, carefully looking at every possible place someone could take as a hideout.
On the other side, Detective Cameron Lee is busy checking every path, hoping he could find some trace if the culprit has really been hiding beneath the dense forest. He doesn't feel anything unusual for quite some time but as the time passed by, the surrounding is getting more and more uncomfortable. As the time passes, the sun is slowly setting and it's also starting to get dark.
'Damn it, Cameron, hold still.' He told himself.
It's already afternoon and the sky is gloomy. The wind's breeze is also becoming freezing cold. The surrounding is in deafening silence. The sound of the wind blowing is sending chills to his spine. It's making him anxious. It's as if someone or something is staring at him not far from where he was standing. He couldn't tell if he's just being paranoid because of his unpleasant experience in a forest when he was a kid or if it's his detective instinct acting up.
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He looked around but could not see anything more than the trees surrounding the dense forest. Seeing how quiet and peaceful the place is, it still somehow gives him the feeling of something bothersome. As if in any moment, there will be some devilish thing that's going to happen.
"Cameron, pull yourself together. This is not the time for your personal feelings." He whispered to himself.
Officer Devius Chad turned to look at his senior to see what he's doing. That's when he saw Cameron biting his lower lips. He's been working with Detective Lee for quite some time and he noticed that Cameron always do that when he's anxious or upset. He was about to smile when he felt something weird. It's as if he's being watched. He wanted to look around but instead of doing that, he pretended as if nothing is wrong and smiled, thinking that someone might really be there.
"Detective Lee, there's nothing here." He shouted, gesturing his hand.
Cameron sighed and looked up. "Why would they send us to a place like this? It's not habitable, don't you think? I can't even see a single bird." He said.
"Maybe it's not the right place." Devius sighed.
Cameron furrowed he's brows. "But you said it's the only forest near this area?"
Officer Chad simply shrugged his shoulder. "I don't know either. Maybe the information is wrong. I didn't see a single house or whatsoever. Let's just get back to the car and discuss some thing with the chief." He suggested.
The truth is, he just wanted to get them out of the place because he doesn't feel safe. He wasn't afraid for himself but he's worried about Cameron for some unknown reason especially when he saw his balled fists.
"Okay." Cameron agreed.
"Let's go."
He was walking ahead of Detective Lee but he can feel that he stopped on his track and turned to him. He saw him staring at a certain direction — a tree.
He couldn't see what he was looking at but when he saw a hint of fear in his eyes, he just wanted to get them out of there as quickly as possible. He saw when Cameron Lee clutched his fists tighter.
'What is wrong with, Detective Lee?' He asked himself, confused but couldn't answer.
That's when he decided to call him and act normal. "Detective Lee?" He saw Cameron reached out to his gun.
"Detective Cameron Caiseus Lee, what's wrong?" Devius turned him around so he is now facing him, the fear in his eyes were still visible.
Cameron didn't say a word, instead he quickly glanced at the place where the tree is. Devius knows he saw something but he doesn't know what that something is. If that's the culprit, why is Cameron looking so anxious? He wanted to asked him but he suddenly ran towards that direction and Devius had to followed him.
Officer Chad felt his phone vibrating and when he checked it, an unknown number was flashed on the screen. He was confused at first but decided to answer it.
"Hello?"
"I want that card too. I like the bright, flashing color that really lightens up my mood." Said the unnatural deep voice of a man.
'What the hell? This isn't a time for prank.'
Devius furrowed his brows. "Who is this? I'm so busy right now, U don't have time for jokes." He asked but he only heard a chuckle on the other line before the call disconnected.
He stared at his phone and was about to get it back to his pocket when he saw something at the back of it. It's his business card. He always kept one on the back of his phone just in case he forgot to bring some in his wallet. He was about to ignore it but after seeing it's color, that's when he realized that the card that the caller was talking about is his business card. He immediately took it out and saw that it was color red. It has some bright, flashy red tint on it.
'Oh. Fuck.'
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