Chapter 44

As Ethan finished the call, he let out a heavy sigh before finally meeting my gaze. "The PD wants us to investigate a body found in a field nearby," he murmured, shaking his head. "Looks like it's going to be a long night." His words lingered in the air like the distant echo of a mournful cry. It was evident that the weight of our job weighed on him greatly. His jaw was tense, and his eyes held a haunted look that I had seen before—a look of someone who had witnessed too much death. We both understood that this was not the ideal moment to address personal matters. Duty called, and we had to answer.

The merry-go-round came to a stop, and we stepped off, our previous conversation about love and regret fading into the background as we made our way towards the pickup. The park lights cast eerie shadows on the ground, giving the scene the ambiance of a somber tableau from a lost love story. Ethan started the engine, and we drove through the quiet streets, the headlights piercing the darkness. The silence inside the truck was palpable, filled with the anticipation of what awaited us. It was a stark contrast to the emotional turmoil we had just experienced. We both recognized that our personal issues would have to wait until we fulfilled our duty.

The siren on the dashboard remained silent, a tacit acknowledgment that we needed this time to regroup before immersing ourselves in the grim reality of our work. As we approached the field, the flashing lights of the police cars grew brighter, painting the night in a pulsating display of red and blue. The scene was already bustling with activity—officers securing the perimeter, forensics setting up their equipment, and a medical examiner's van parked nearby. Ethan's grip on the steering wheel tightened, and I knew he was preparing himself for what we were about to encounter. Despite the ache in my heart, a flicker of determination ignited within me. If I couldn't have Ethan's love, I could at least stand by his side and support him through moments as dark as this. We parked the truck and stepped out, the weight of our unfinished conversation weighing heavily on our shoulders.

The warm evening air carried the scent of freshly cut grass and the faint metallic tang of blood. Anticipation twisted my stomach as I wondered what we would discover. Ethan, holding a flashlight, took a deep breath and led the way. The grass was damp with dew, and it felt as though we were walking through a quiet sea of spirits as we approached the yellow tape that encircled the body. The scene was grisly, though I had witnessed worse. Still, my heart ached for the lost soul and the family that would soon be consumed by grief.

Stepping closer, I scanned the area, searching for any clue that could lead us to the killer. Ethan stood beside me, his eyes sharp and focused. In that moment, we were more than just lovers in conflict – we were partners, united in our purpose to bring justice to the innocent. The victim, a young woman, lay in a contorted position, indicating a brutal and agonizing death. The similarities to Morales's previous crimes were unmistakable. Anger surged within me at the sight of her, mingled with fear – fear that the monster we had been hunting had returned.

Ethan's hand brushed mine, silently reminding me that we were in this together. We both knew Morales had a flair for the dramatic, often leaving behind messages that taunted us. As we began processing the scene, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, as if he were nearby, reveling in the chaos he had caused.

Look here," Ethan murmured, pointing to a small, nearly imperceptible symbol carved into the victim's wrist. It was Morales's mark, a twisted emblem of his sick game. The realization hit me like a blow to the gut, and I swallowed hard, attempting to control my emotions. This was it – our worst fears had come true. The nightmare had returned, along with the memories of the lives he had shattered. We had to find him before he could claim another innocent victim.

Officers were already taking photos and collecting evidence, their expressions a mix of disgust and determination. The medical examiner knelt beside the body, her gloved hands methodically searching for any overlooked clue. The buzz of conversation grew around us, but all I could hear was the frantic pounding of my own heart. We had to apprehend him, not just for the sake of this woman, but for anyone else who could become a pawn in his twisted game. I clenched my fists, feeling the surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins.

The investigation ahead of us would be both lengthy and challenging, but we had to start somewhere. Ethan took a step back, his gaze never wavering from the lifeless body. "Let’s search the area for any signs of struggle or evidence that could lead us to Morales," he growled, his voice low and intense. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily upon us, like a burdensome cloak. We had a killer to apprehend, and our personal emotions had to be set aside.

The night loomed before us, filled with the grim task of reconstructing the final moments of this unfortunate woman's life. As we traversed through the tall grass, the whispers of the wind seemed to carry the echoes of her final screams, serving as a haunting reminder of the horror we were confronted with.

The forensics team began their meticulous work, casting a blue light over the area as they meticulously searched for any clue, no matter how minuscule. The flashlights danced across the ground, revealing droplets of blood that had seeped into the soil, a silent testament to the brutality of the crime. The sight of the woman's lifeless form, her vacant stare piercing into nothingness, was an image I knew would haunt me for a considerable time. Nonetheless, we couldn't allow ourselves to be consumed by it. We had to persevere, to uncover something, anything that could aid us in capturing Morales. The medical examiner spoke quietly into her recorder, meticulously documenting the grim details of the scene. Her voice remained detached and professional, but I could sense the weight of it upon her as well. Each time she pointed out a new injury, a new piece of the puzzle, it felt like a stab to my gut. I tried to maintain my focus on the task at hand, but my mind kept wandering. I had to keep it together, for the sake of this investigation, for the sake of the woman lying before us.