On Friday, Hex pulled on one of her dresses, a red sweater dress with brass buttons on it. Paul had always said that red was her color. Now it seemed to remind her of Dinah’s death. Her hands trembled slightly as she clasped a locket around her neck. Hex rolled her shoulders back and straightened, giving her reflection a nervous smile. She took a deep breath and stepped out of her bedroom. Bo would be there in ten minutes and Chris and Sterling would arrive soon after. Hex had woken up in a panic and had went into the bathroom and wretched. After her stomach had been emptied, she’d gotten dressed. Hex had calmed down quite a bit but was still nervous. She walked down the stairs, greeting Bear as she passed him. He padded along beside her. She quickly made a pot of coffee and sat at her table. The machine beeped and she poured the coffee into a thermos and screwed on the lid. She shoved it into her messenger bag and sat back down. The manilla folder sat on the table and she opened it, going over the photos.
She was startled by a knock on her door. She answered and Bo leaned against the frame. She ushered him in and went back to looking at the photos.
“I’m trying to figure out everything we know so far,” Hex explained. Bo nodded and glanced over her shoulder, also taking in the horrific images. Another knock sounded and Hex answered the door again. Sterling and Chris stood in the doorway and she stepped aside so Chris could talk to Bo.
“Come on, we’ve got to go,” Chris said, all business. Sterling smiled and Hex and she bowed her head slightly. He slipped his arm into hers and they both went to her car.
“I wish you hadn’t agreed to this,” he told her.
“I told you before, it’s my decision,” she responded. He shrugged and she started the car. Chris drove ahead of them. The car ride lasted about 3 hours and the conversation was mainly small talk. Halfway through the drive, Sterling had taken one of her hands and they’d remained that way for the remainder of the ride. They finally pulled into the parking lot and Hex took a deep breath to prepare herself. She was as ready as she would ever be. She climbed out of the car and headed for the entrance. They went through the protocols, going through metal detectors, having their weapons confiscated, and other safety measures. They were each handed vests and ID cards and buzzed into the room. Paul was slumped in a metal chair, his wrists cuffed. He straightened when he saw Hex.
“Sarah… Oh my lord, Sarah! You’ve grown up so much… You are just as pretty as ever,” he said. Hex pulled out the chair and sat down. “You’re wearing red.”
“Yeah… I remember you saying it was my color,” she told him. “I’m not just here to visit. We need your help, Daddy.” Sterling shot her a look, telling her to watch herself. She nodded and turned back to Paul. “There’s a Copycat Killer on the loose. Do you know anyone that might’ve been obsessed with young girls and famous murders?”
“I… I know one person. His name is Carson Jackson. I can give you all of the information you need,” Paul told her. Hex smiled.
“Thank you. I know this isn’t easy,” she told him, standing. His hand flashed forward and he gripped her wrist.
“Be careful. Sarah, he’s dangerous,” he whispered. Hex tried pulling her wrist away but he held on tightly. “Promise me you’ll be careful.”
“I- I promise, okay?” she said, flustered. He nodded and released her wrist. Sterling had been as stiff as a board the entire time Paul had held her wrist and now relaxed. Hex rubbed her wrist and turned, walking out the door, being followed by Bo, Chris, and Sterling.
(If you actually read my story, I give away the ending soon so maybe if you want a surprise plot twist don't read it. I'll mark it in some way)
It had been a week since Hex had talked to Paul, and the anniversary of her rescue was that night. Her mother always threw some type of charity ball BS and called Hex to see if she was coming.
"Hex, darling, you'll be at the charity ball tonight, I hope?" were the first words out of Hex's mother's mouth.
"Hello to you too. I'll be there. With a date," she snapped back.
"Watch your mouth, hon. I'm still your mother. I do hope you'll stop by at the house to talk with me," she continued, disregarding Hex's outburst. "This charity is for you, and you should be thankful I'm doing anything to help you. You've done nothing for me whatsoever." Hex bit her tongue hard and hung up without saying a word in response. She dialed Sterling's number and he picked up on the first ring.
"Are you doing anything tonight?" she asked.
"Um... no, what did you have in mind?" he answered hesitantly.
"Do you want to pick me up at my mother's place and escort me to a stupid charity ball thing where rich people get drunk?" Hex asked. "Oh, and you'll need a tux. Okay, thanks, bye! See you tonight!" She hung up and grinned.
A/N: This is separated by lots of chapters that I haven't even finished yet so some of these scenes aren't in the story yet.
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