2 Chapter 1: Simple Man

Brooklyn, New York City

June 5, 1998

The Journal

Daniel could recall every time he's been through this. Sitting in his Boss's office getting shouted at once again.

Daniel Doobie, a young boy of just twenty-four years. A well kept individual, who's very organized. From the outside, he's just your normal college student. But underneath, this boy is more complicated. Under bandages of time are the mental and emotional scars that have left him psychologically confused.

Daniel never showed this side… It sheltered secrets of his past and present. For him, he wanted to seem normal, someone of no importance. Being a journalist made this especially difficult.

"Daniel! Are you listening to me?"

His boss was shouting and waving a hand in front of him. The man's voice sounded like the embodiment of frustration.

"What the hell were you thinking!? Trying to harass the story out of our one big break! Not only that, but in her own home!? "

The man collapsed in his swivel chair, taking off his glasses to massage his temples. He was an older man. Short, with a bit of weight on him. He loosened his tie, after feeling his face heat up with his anger.

"I will not tolerate this, none of it!"

The man slammed his fist onto the table, looking up and glaring at Daniel. The boy showed no signs of fear nor worry. Seeing Daniel's claim attitude pushed the man's frustration further, as droplets of sweat arose on his forehead.

"The next time you anger someone with a potential lead… You're the one who's going to be delivered to the district attorney's office with my shoe in your ass!"

The man motioned for Daniel to leave. Once he did, he pulled out the drawer to his desk. Rummaging through files and paperwork he finally found what he was searching for. A flask, something to help him forget his troubles.

Daniel opened the door, taking one last look behind him and seeing the man finish the contents in the flask. He walked out the door closing it behind him slowly, collecting his thoughts in a soft sigh.

"My boss is an alcoholic… What's to like about this opportunity?"

Daniel mumbled to himself with a roll of the eyes, as he headed back to his desk to pack up his things. The incident causing all the fuss, wasn't really Daniel's fault. It was a case of "Wrong Place, Wrong Time". An elderly lady, one claiming to be an eyewitness to what could have been a robbery plotted out by a mysterious group. One who's been robbing banks in Manhattan.

This elderly lady though, had seen absolutely nothing or from what she could remember. Having Dementia, the old woman forgot she had invited Daniel inside, mistaking him as a marauder breaking into her home. In which she only worsen the situation, telling police Daniel had threatened to take her exotic mixed breed cat, Mr. Mister.

"Cheer up, Daniel! We have those unreliable witnesses at times. Interviews are like a roll of the dice. You win and get the story, while other times you lose and end up with nothing."

A girl from across the office popped her head up from a typewriter. She had alluring red hair, looking like that of satin. She wore no makeup, but she made up for that with her natural beauty and her luminous jade eyes.

This young girl of just twenty one, is Haley B. Work partner of Daniel's. She was there the first day he began working for the publisher. Since that day, they've become close friends.

"I see… I guess I should have looked into this 'Potential Witness' a bit further before asking her any questions."

He tried to not seem too upset by flashing a happier expression and laughing it off. If he was honest, the whole thing was embarrassing and a bit silly.

"You know…"

Haley stood up from her desk, marching over to where Daniel was standing. She stopped in front of him, taking and sitting on his desk. She cleared her throat, leaning over towards him and bumping his arm with her elbow.

"We could go out for a drink tonight? They opened that new Chinese restaurant on the corner by the subway! I heard that you can earn a feel meal if you catch a fried egg in your mouth!"

Daniel looked up from his bag with sarcastic enthusiasm

"Amazing! But… I think I'll take a rain check."

"Still helping that cousin of yours move, huh?"

Daniel rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, looking off in another direction.

"Yeah, although not with me! I heard she's moved on to better things."

"A new job? Or..?"

"Something like that."

With that, Daniel threw his bag over his shoulder. He took a brief glance down at his wrist watch, 9:48 PM. He wasn't one to stay up late. There was a schedule and he tried to stick to it. At ten o' clock he was in bed, giving him eight hours to rest up for work and classes.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow Haley, goodnight!"

He peered back over his shoulder with a wave of his hand and rushed towards the elevator. Haley, still sitting on his desk threw her hand up with a slight smile.

"Night…"

She sat there for just a few moments before stepping down and making her way back to her own desk. Coming close, she stopped and looked back at Daniel's desk. She noticed he had left his coat. He was forgetful at times, especially with little things like his coat or his notepad.

She scanned the office, tiptoeing back over to the young man's work area. Getting closer, she kneels down next to his coat. Taking one of the sleeves, she brings it up to her face. With one quick pan around the room, she starts sniffing it.

She inhales as much of the scent as possible, smelling it all the way up towards the shoulder.

"D-Daniel… Daniel…"

Her face becomes flushed, her eyes closed and her mouth slightly opened. Her heart pumped at an insane rate, so much she could hear it in her ears. A soft moan escaped her lips, catching her attention. Her eyes shot open.

She stood up immediately, regaining her poster and snapping herself from the fantasy she was experiencing. She scurried back to her desk, pushing the typewriter aside and putting her head down.

"I don't even know if it's okay for a female to ask a male out… UGH!"

She sighed loudly, slamming her head on the desk repeatedly. The boss walked out of his office, a cigar hanging from his mouth. He looked over at Haley, who didn't have a concussion yet, surprisingly.

"Haley! Knock that shit off! That makes the fourth time this week! Fuck sake…"

Haley raised up, an enormous red mark stretched across her forehead. Blushing, she turns her attention to the older man.

"My apologies Mr. Brooks! It won't happen again! Promise!

Central Park, New York City

June 5, 1998

10:02 PM

It was a clear night out. Each star could be seen, illuminating New York's Central Park. Daniel comes here often. A certain spot held memories dear to him, helping him clear the worries he would have throughout the day. But it was more than just a spot to collect his thoughts...

He parked outside the entrance to the park, driving his 1978 Plymouth Barracuda. He thought once of changing this car. Not because he hated it, but because it brought unwanted attention towards him. Turning the key, he kills the engine. He sat there a minute, his hands firmly gripping the steering wheel. He looked in the rear view mirror, checking his appearance as if he was meeting someone important.

After a few more times of just making sure he was presentable, he took a deep breath and opened the car door. Upon stepping out, he heard banging and muffled screams. He didn't seem too surprised by this, he actually seemed a bit annoyed by the loud beating against metal. Stepping around to the back of the vehicle, He popped the trunk.

He peaked in, giving a warm smile as if greeting a guest. Inside was a girl, no more than twenty, blonde shoulder length hair. Black mascara ran down her tear stained cheeks.

"Hello, Elizabeth."

Daniel spoke, addressing the girl by name. She tried to scream, but the tape wrapped around her prevented it.

"I know this is sudden, but I want us to talk about this. I want this to work. So…"

Daniel leaned forward, ripping the tape from her mouth. The young girl yelped in pain, but Daniel placed a hand over her mouth.

"Shhh… I just want to talk, okay?"

He moved his hand and stood back.

"Y-you're insane! All of this just to talk..?"

"You never gave me an explanation for our breakup. Being your partner for the last two months, I deserve to at least know why."

"You were too clingy… You were always hanging around me… You were with me even when I went out with friends."

"I thought that's what you do in a relationship, right? You spend time with that person you love."

"Not all the damn time! You got to the point it was creepy!"

Daniel looked directly into the girl's eyes, causing her to look away from him.

"Then maybe we should get to the real reason behind this 'breakup', shall we?"

Daniel walked around, opening the passenger side door. He pulled a folder from the glove department. Coming back to the girl in the trunk, he pulled photos from the folder. Each photo he would toss in the back of the trunk with the girl. They were all of her with this other man, but there were many more; of them at a nightclub, walking into a hotel together and one taken from their hotel room window.

"W-what the…"

"Surprised? While we were still together I recall I gave you this personal time. Sadly, I shouldn't have trusted you."

"It's not like that… Alex was just there as support! He was trying to get me into Harvard!"

"Ah, Alex! A third year Harvard student majoring in Bio engineering. He was invited after receiving a scholarship from a prep school who saw potential in him. What a waste."

Daniel chuckled, throwing the folder on the ground. He reached inside the trunk, pulling out an iron crowbar. He took a few practice swings with it, getting a feel for the weapon. With a twisted grin, he looked back over his shoulder at the girl.

"I'm sorry Elizabeth, I don't think we can talk through this one."

The girl's eyes widened, her face drained of all it's color as a shiver ran over her spine. She began shaking, her body trembling as tears welled in the corners of her eyes.

"No! No! Please! I'm sorry! Look, we can give this another chance Daniel!"

"You know, I wonder when the papers will give me a nickname? Like actually notice me? Jack The Ripper only killed five women before they dubbed him 'White Chapel Murderer' or 'Leather Apron'. Hopefully my infamous name is something better than 'Leather Apron'."

The girl had no choice, screaming as loud as could. But it was all in vain, as an Unseen Presence covered her mouth. She was confused and terrified. If Daniel was in front of her... Who or What was this covering her mouth.

Then something even more bizarre happened. She began to Laugh… Starting at just a slight giggle. She was Happy, yet she was just scared moments before. Anxiety was clawing at her lungs, but now she was… Laughing?

"I'm sorry things couldn't work out Elizabeth…"

Daniel towers over the girl, bringing the crowbar above him. For a moment there are only echoes of the girl's laughter throughout the park, dying as they fade into the silence of the night.