24 Hours To Halloween

It took Larry almost a week to go to the hospital for his results, eventually he had to go since Kai kept calling to remind him.

He arrived to see Kai already waiting for him, with a white envelope in his hands.

"Hey, Larry." he said gently. "Are you ready?"

Larry gulped. "Do you know?"

"Yes, but I'm not telling you anything until you open it. You should find out yourself."

Hands shaking, Larry opened the envelope.

CAMILA'S HOUSE

The bell rang. Francisco opened the door. "Oh, hey guys." he greeted, letting Alex and Macy in.

"Hi, Mr Glavas." Macy beamed, her cheeks dusted pink.

Most of the women in DreVille, young and old, secretly crushed on Francisco Glavas.

After all, he was always the clean-cut Italian gentleman with a dashing smile, not to mention he was a single father who had developed a comfortable life for himself and his daughter.

"Is Camila home?"

"No, dear. She's out with Paul. It's been an overwhelming week for everyone."

He turned to Alex. "How's you little sister doing? How are you doing?"

"We'll be fine." replied Alex.

"I know you will." said Francis.

"And you have your friends who'll be there for you anytime. Anything you need, we're all here."

"Thank you."

"Well," said Macy. "We should probably get going."

"Oh, come on, guys." said Francis. "Please, join me for a cup of tea. If Camila isn't back by then, you can go."

Alex shrugged. "Ok."

*************************************

"Feeling any better?" asked Camila.

The couple were having a date to free themselves from the stress everyone had felt the previous week.

"You're with me." replied Paul. "I've never been better."

They were interrupted by a voice.

"Well, well, hello, cuties."

They turned their heads to the voice.

"Izzy?" said Camila "What are you doing here? How are you?"

"I'm fine." she replied.

"How are you holding up?" commented Paul.

"I feel wrecked, but with time, I'll heal."

"That's good."

Izzy noticed someone behind them before she pointed to another table.

"Camila, that dude's checking you out."

They turned around and looked at the table, where a guy, noticing he had been caught, hid his face behind his menu.

Camila's eyes widened. She slowly turned her head back.

"You ok?" asked Paul.

Camila looked at him. "Yeah."

She chuckled nervously.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

They resumed their conversation, but Camila subtly turned her head and found the raven-haired guy smirking at her.

She glared at him.

Son of a bitch.

MIA'S HOUSE

Mia got up from bed. It had to be noon by that time.

After a week full of emotions, planning a Halloween party with Macy, trying to catch a psychopath, all she wanted was peace, and she knew catching the Slayer was the only way to get that.

She got up, had a shower and breakfast. Then she sat comfortably on her bed and took her notes, ready to have another crack at it.

You can outsmart the police, but you won't outsmart me.

CAMILA'S HOUSE

After having tea, Alex and Macy were ready to go home.

"So, I heard tomorrow there will be a Halloween party." said Francis.

Macy beamed. "That's right. Everyone's invited. Mia and I organised it for the children of the orphanage."

"That's good to hear. I admire your good attitude in such difficult times. I can't say now but I hope I'll be able to attend."

"Alright, but remember, you have to come in costume." said Alex.

He turned around to leave, but tripped and fell over a small table.

Papers fell to the floor.

Francis and Macy snickered at him.

"Woah, watch where you're going, buddy." Francis remarked still trying hard to stifle his amusement.

Red-faced, He started to pick up the papers.

"Wait a second."

He skimmed through one of the papers.

It was a letter. A love letter.

"This has my mom's name on it."

HOSPITAL

Larry stood frozen.

"You have a tumor in one of your lungs."

Kai explained slowly. "It's still pretty early so it can be removed with surgery and you'll be perfectly fine. We can set a date. It's really not that big."

Larry felt like he couldn't breathe anymore. "I- I need to talk to my parents....You know, if they answer."

"Of course." said Kai. He bro-hugged Larry.

Just before leaving, Larry remembered something that made him stop.

"Um, Kai?"

"Yeah?"

"Last week you asked me to give your best wishes to Paul. But I never mentioned his attack."

"I know. Dr Sanchez sent me a text."

Larry nodded.

"Oh, ok. I'll see you later."

CAMILA'S HOUSE

Alex was holding the letter.

Macy just stood there with her lips parted, not knowing what to say or do.

Francis sighed and rubbed his face.

"It's not what you think."

Alex breathed through his nose, trying to stay calm.

"It's not? Because this looks like your handwriting, and I'm pretty sure 'Martha Stark' is my mother's name."

"You weren't supposed to know—"

"Why not? Why couldn't I know?"

"Because she knew you'd react like this!"

"How long has this been going on?"

Francis sighed. He knew there was no escape.

"A few weeks ago. It all started with a drink. Alex, I really liked your mother."

Macy was too shocked to react.

Alex ran a hand through his hair.

"I can't. I just can't do this right now."

He stormed off, followed slowly by Macy.

*************************************

Paul and Camila were walking home.

Izzy had already gone home.

They stopped in a corner.

"You sure you don't want to stay over?"

Camila smirked.

"Not today, pervert."

His cheeks heated up.

"T-that's not what i mea—"

"I know, i'm just teasing you, but seriously i can't. Gotta do some errands for my dad."

Paul pouted. "At least call me?"

Camila chuckled and gave him a quick kiss. "I will."

She stood there and watched him leave.

Once he turned the corner and she was sure he wasn't coming back, she picked up a rock, and without warning, threw it into the bushes behind her.

Someone cried out and crawled out, groaning.

Camila grit her teeth.

"I should have known it was you. You've been stalking me since God knows when! What the hell?"

Julian Norman got up.

"Hi, Camila. It's been a while, huh?"

Camila glared at him. "Why are you stalking me? I said I wanted to never see you again!"

Julian grinned.

"I'm here to take you back, of course. I still love you, you know."

"How stupid are you? What we had was definitely not love. You made that clear and believe me I fully agree with you now. I'm with someone, I'm sure you already know that."

"Yeah. But he's not me. Cami, I missed y—"

"Don't you dare start with me! And you're right, he's not you at all. He doesn't see girls as personal conquests to brag about. Leave me alone. I don't want to see you ever again."

She left him stunned as she walked away.

Camila had changed. And that only made him want her even more than he did before.

MIA'S HOUSE

Mia groaned in frustration.

She had been analyzing names and circumstances for hours and still had nothing.

How do cops do this shit?

She went back to look at the murders.

Suddenly it hit her. No way! It couldn't be!

She analyzed it all the possible ways, but she always got the same name. Tears rolled down her face.

She wiped her tears angrily as she walked to her wardrobe and opened it.

This ends now.