CHAPTER ONE

The night was dark and cloudless. Trees waved backwards as the wind blew. Lightening and thunder roared in the sky and from all indication it was about to rain.

A girl raced down an assorted lane. She wore a brown shirt with a black trousers and was barefooted. She ran as fast as her legs could carry her. A figure followed behind her. It wore a dark hood over its head and wore a dark long coat. "Stay away from me!" The girl screamed as the figure followed. It moved through the shadows and was faster than any human eye could see. It kept chanting something in a strange language. It seemed to be taunting her.

The girl continued to scream as she ran. Rain dripped down slowly from the sky. The girl kept running and screaming. She raced towards a tree. Her lungs were almost exhausted and her breath was shallow. She fell on the tree for support. The figure suddenly appeared behind her and shoved her hard towards the tree. She fell backwards and landed on the tree. She then stumbled to the floor as she moaned in pain. The figure grabbed her by the neck and lifted her up slowly. She continued screaming. The hood covered the face of the person but she could see his lower lips. It wasn't pleasant to see. Whatever this person was wasn't human. She screamed as the figure drove its hand into her chest.

......Alice suddenly jerked back into consciousness. She was actually screaming in reality. She tried to catch her breath as she scrambled for the switch to her room light and turned it on. She held her hand on her chest to confirm if it was just a dream. It looked real. Relief flooded through her when she saw nothing. It was just another nightmare but not the first time. It came in different ways and each seemed real. The only thing similar in all the nightmares was her. She was always a little girl in these strange dreams. She jumped out of her bed and moved towards the main room. She struggled to her kitchen and filled a glass cup with water. She gulped down its content hastily. Her eyes moved to a corner on the wall and she spotted a picture frame carefully hanged there. Pain flushed through her as she saw her and her husband with a beautiful baby.

Sometimes she thought it would be a good idea to commit suicide but she still had questions about herself that needed answers. She never met her parents as she was raised in an orphanage home. The only identity she had was a necklace which her mother gave to her before giving her away and she'd kept it with her since. From a young age she had been fending for herself. Thankfully she was a strong and special kid. Gifted as some would say.

Alice left the kitchen back to her living room. She didn't want to think of her husband and baby girl anymore. She hated the feeling of helplessness it brought to her. She lied down on the sofa and closed her eyes trying to force herself back to sleep. She suddenly heard a knock on the door. Alarm and panic broke through her. She knew she wasn't expecting anyone and no one she knew would want to come see her so early in the morning.

She grabbed a golf stick and walked cautiously to the door. "Who’s there?" She asked.

"Its Mrs. Bakes" a voice replied. Alice sighed deeply. She was her next door neighbor. She wondered what she wanted by this time. She dropped the golf stick carefully and opened the door to let her in.

Mrs. Bakes rushed in.She appeared worried as she gazed at Alice all over. "I heard you screaming, are you alright?"

Alice felt embarrassed. "So sorry" she apologized. "It was just a nightmare. I didn't mean to startle anybody."

Mrs. Bakes let out a breath in relief. "I was so worried, i actually even called the cops". Alice flushed in surprise. "I'm a cop, You didn't have to."

"Your nightmares are getting rather too frequent," Mrs. Bakes said. "I know you're having a hard time I really do. If you need someone to talk to or if you need anything at all I'll always be here for you."

Alice was appreciative. Ever since the death of her husband and daughter Mrs. Bakes had always been there for her. She hugged her friend tightly. "Thanks" she said amidst sobs. " Thanks for everything". Mrs. Bakes reciprocated the hug. " Its alright" she said.

After a few moment they all let each other go. "Will you be alright?" Mrs. Bakes asked.

"I'll be fine", Alice replied. They both heard sirens approaching. "Don't worry I'll talk to them" ,Mrs Bakes said. She gently touched Alice cheeks and gave a smile before going out.

Alice went back to her sofa. She was glad someone still cared about her. She went to her espresso machine and made herself a hot cup of coffee. She gulped its content down. She moved to her kitchen and made pasta. The place was slowly getting brighter as the sun was beginning to rise. She ate hastily and soon went inside to shower and got dressed. After everything she checked her image on the mirror. The police uniform fitted her completely. Being a detective was what made her happy and not too lonely.

She moved out of her house at first light and moved towards her car. It was a police patrol vehicle. She smiled as she got in and drove down the road. The sound of the engine and the wave of the breeze blowing over her helped distract her thoughts. She drove to the station and packed in the car pack before entering inside.

Everyone there greeted her warmly as she moved to her desk." Good morning", a male voice greeted her before she could settle on her seat. She looked up and saw Edward. He was tall, masculine and looked handsome. He set up a cup of coffee before her as he smiled.

"Thanks but I already had this in the morning" She said with a smile. "No harm if you have another again" he pressed, "besides you know my coffee is always special." She laughed and shook her head before taking the coffee and drank it.

"Happy?" she said as she handed him the empty cup.

"Alice!" A voice called suddenly and they both turned. It was their boss. " A new situation", he said. " You and detective Edward can get your asses to the field and stop a gang who just robbed a store on avenue road."

Both Edward and Alice jumped on their feet as they scrambled outside the building. " Don't forget to call for backup if need be" he advised as they were about leaving.

"There won't be need for it", Alice assured.

"Let's use my car" Edward suggested as they rushed out. They both raced to his car as he took the wheels and raced the car. They checked their radio frequency and discovered a store had just been robbed. Edward raced the car towards avenue road. It was a short drive. They reached the store." They went that way" a woman screamed. "A black van" he added.

Edward raced towards the direction she pointed. He put on the sirens to clear the road. He was on top speed. Vehicles bent away from their lane as they chased the gangs.

"Over there" , Alice pointed at a black van which was driving recklessly at a right bend from their position. Edward swerved the car immediately. Alice prepared her gun as she loaded it.

"Hopefully there won't be need for that" Edward said. "There will always be need for it with this people", Alice replied. They chased behind the black van.Alice took the microphone for the speakers. "This is the police", she announced, "you are advised to pack your vehicle now and surrender."

A man popped his head through one of the windows of the van holding a rifle on his hand. He opened fire immediately at them. " Shit!" Edward cursed as he turned the vehicle in a zigzag to avoid a direct hit. "Don't loose them" Alice cautioned.

"Yes ma'am" he replied with a smile. Alice didn't even bother to glance at him. Her eyes were on the van.She issued another warning at them but they continued shooting at them. They were all black dudes.

Alice chuckled silently. This people were joking with fire. She brought her head outside and fired at the van. "Move faster!" She ordered.

"You look hot when you're like that", Edward teased. He hit the accelerator harder as the police vehicle itched closer to the van. The man continued shooting at them. It was hard to pick a target when two vehicles were in motion. He fired repeatedly at them. Some of his shots broke the side mirrors and traffic lights on the police vehicle.

Alice fired back at them. She was unafraid if a bullet would hit her. "Stay at their right" she said. Edward obeyed and moved to the right of the van. He was somehow ashamed that a woman was the one doing the shooting but he had to admit to himself that Alice was better than anyone when it comes to things like that.

Alice had a good shot on one of the back tyres of the vehicle and she didn't hesitate to take it. The tyre burst out and the van suddenly slid and tumbled on the floor. It rolled severally before coming to rest on its side. Edward drove pass the van and quickly parked. He grabbed his gun from his belt and quickly came out of the vehicle as he made his way to the van.

Alice heard a gun cock from inside the van. "Get back" she screamed. Edward seemed to take her words for granted as he moved closer to the van. " I aren't a novice he shot back at her". A bullet suddenly hit him on the chest and he fell backwards and landed on the ground.

Alice muttered curses under her breath as she ran quickly to him and started dragging him back towards the police vehicle. The door to the van facing upwards slid open as a man armed with a rifle came out. Alice dragged Edward quickly towards the back of the car as the gangs fired at them.

"Bitch!" One of them screamed as he fired at the police vehicle. The others also came out. One of them held a big nylon loaded with cash they stole from the store. They all scrambled out and ran towards an alley.

Alice called for backup and she went into the car and brought bandages from the first aid kit box. She covered his wounds. " Stay here I'll be right back." She said.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?" He groaned amidst pain. He studied her countenance and saw the determination in her eyes. "You can't be serious!" He almost screamed.

"Don't worry", she replied. She stood up and chased after them. " Wait for backup!" He screamed after her but she was gone.

She raced through the alley keeping to the shadows. She listened carefully for signs of there whereabouts such as heartbeats or footsteps or something. Her ears then picked whispers. It looked like they must have covered quite a distance when she was attending to Edward. She tucked her gun into her belt. She won't be needing that. She moved quickly and swiftly covering long distances with few steps. She spotted them walking. They seemed relaxed as they knew no corps would risk coming there alone.

"Hey guys" she said as she stood behind them. They all froze and turned back and were shocked to see a female cop standing behind them. "You must be out of your mind" one of them spat out.

"Perhaps she wants to get fucked!" Another said as he moved closer. "This white female cops like we black dudes. Can't stand our charms."

"Drop your weapons and surrender yourselves peacefully so you won't get hurt or perhaps killed." The men all burst out into laughter. One of them moved closer to her. "Its either you're crazy or you want to get killed", he said with a smirk.

Alice's eyes narrowed, " okay you guys like the hard way so the hard way it in".She suddenly vanished out of their sight. Her movement were supernatural. She grabbed one of them by the neck and shoved him into the wall. The man had a fatal impact with the wall and he fell unconscious. The others turned and faced her in shock. She however didn't give them chance to recover. She kicked one on the chest and he flew almost immediately and hit the wall. He also became unconscious. Alice was holding back most of her strength so the damage wouldn't be too fatal.

One of them attempted a blow to her head but she caught him by the wrist and twisted it slightly. His wrist snapped almost immediately as if in anticipation of her attack. He screamed loudly. When the others saw what was happening they all dropped their weapons. "Here's the money" one of them said. They all went on their knees.

"See, you should have just cooperated from the start" Alice said, "violence wouldn't have to be an option.". She rounded them up and used one of their belts to tie them together. Shortly after some police showed up. Their eyes shone in surprise when they saw she had already arrested them. Some were even unconscious. She smiled at them. " Take them" she said.

"She's a freak!" one of the gang screamed as soon as he saw the police.

"Can't accept the fact that a lady beat you up", a male cop replied, "have to make up stories."

The man didn't seem to agree. "She’s not fucking normal!" He continued screaming.

"Shut the fuck up!" The cop screamed. Alice simply just nodded at the officers as she left them.

She emerged from the alley and spotted Edward who was lying on a bed. Apparently he didn't want to be taken for treatment till she was back. He saw her approaching and his surprise and disbelief flickered across his features. " Where are they?" He asked. His questions were however answered when he saw police bringing them from the alley and taking them to a police van. Two were even unconscious. Alice signaled to one of the medical personnel there to take him into the ambulance. Edward didn't object this time as they took him in.She continued staring at her in disbelief. Alice tried to avoid his gaze as much as possible.

Alice rode back to the station. When she entered the office everyone stared at her in amazement. They must have heard the news. She moved to her desk. Another female officer moved to her. "Boss will like to see you." She said.

Alive nodded her head in acknowledgment. She took a deep breath before proceeding to his office. She knocked gently at the door and he ushered her in before she came in.

"Take a sit," he said. She did so immediately. " I'm very happy to have someone like you in my department" he began. " You have earnestly risked your life so many times to ensure justice prevails and I respect you for that. I added your name to the list of people who needed promotion two weeks ago.........."

"...But I'm not due for promotion" , Alice objected. He signaled her to still remain quiet which she did. "You deserve it" , he said as he brought out a promotion letter and handed it to her. " Even headquarters recognizes your work."

Alice was appreciative. " Thanks", she said. She felt genuinely grateful to him. He had always been supportive to her even before her husband and daughter died.

"That will be all," he dismissed. Alice saluted as she stood up. However when she was about to leave something caught her eye. It was a photo hidden in a file. A new case apparently. What attracted her was the dead body. The sergeant caught her staring at it. "That will be all" he said again.

Alice however didn't leave. She reached instinctively for it and snatched it from the file. It was the photo of a murder scene. The victim's body was desiccated and all of his or her face was peeled off. It was gruesome. The victim wasn't however Alice's concern. It was the way the victim was killed. A strange familiarity flushed through her.

"What is this?" She asked.

"A new case" , he replied from another city. "Nothing you should be worried about. I wonder why its even here."

Alice grabbed the file and quickly glanced through it. She looked at him when she read a particular section. " It says here that your best detective is needed for handling this case."

"Alice I can't post you there" he said. "Why?" She asked almost immediately.

"You know why" he replied. "I can't have you solving a case on personal reasons its against our profession etiquette in every way."

"Please," she pleaded. "This is the chance I've been waiting for. Don't take this from me." Her eyes watered.

"What about your promotion? He asked. "Screw it" she replied, "I need this". "You'll be doing me a favor, besides I'm your best detective."

He sighed heavily. He obviously didn't want her to go but he hated that look in her eye. The look of desperation. There was nothing he could do to convince her otherwise. "Okay," he gave in. "I'll have you recommended."

Alice gave a relief sigh. "Thank you," she replied. "You have no idea how much you've made my day". He nodded his head and waved her out. Alice saluted and dropped the files on the desk before going out.

She strongly believed that Whoever killed that person was responsible for her husband and daughter's death. This was going to be the closest lead to that case and no matter what happens she would follow this case to the latter no matter the cost. She was going to find her family's killer. She knew this new mission would change the course of her life but right now she didn't care. She just found a new purpose for her life.