Part One, Chapter Two

Jean Luc felt like it has been forever since he had laid his eyes on his stunning house.

Something was odd about it, though. He had felt like his home should be quite filthy since it had been a year, but the outside was so clean.

He murmured a thankful message to whoever had cleaned it before opening the door. He locked it instead. A hint of fear pounced at him as he discovered that the entrance to his house was left unlocked.

It was mild compared to a mere second later.

As he pushed open the door, crimson red words greeted him back. It was written in pretty, but horrific handwriting. The handwriting of a murderer.

Jean Luc almost felt his heart pounce out of his chest as he read the message. He let his eye linger on the face below it before looking at what was once his house.

Scrambling, he reached for his phone and almost dropped it. The smell, his surroundings and the message caused a type of panic that he had never experienced. There were bodies. Bodies above bodies with wounds that sent a sickening pound everywhere inside and on his body.

He was scrambling for words to tell the police as he dashed away. A nauseating feeling swelling in his gut and the constant flash of the scene he just witnessed was shown again and again in his head. A traumatic scene that would undoubtedly be engraved in his memory.

Fear was still pricking his bones and causing his legs to give out when assistance came. Dozens of them arrived after the simple mention of the most wanted criminal.

Jean Luc had heard the rumours and telling that started a few weeks before he left. Even in another state, he received news about the murderer that cannot be found.

A lunatic and psychopath, Jean Luc had thought. Whoever it was had used his home as theirs, and the fact made him want to hurl his guts out even more.

He was attempting to calm himself against a tree when two people were brought out of the house. The sight of them definitely did not help.

A man and a woman were led out of his house. They were on beds, and alive. Barely.

The woman was beautiful. It was the first thing Jean Luc noticed before his eyes trailed to the red knife wound somewhere below the stomach. The man was almost twice as injured, and Jean Luc couldn't help the rise of bile in his throat.

Before he could help it, he threw up.

--

A bad idea, Raven thought. Though, she knew better. This was a great idea, but the pain was stubbornly in the way. 

She passed out, despite her best efforts. She allowed herself to be stabbed so she would be seen as a victim, then escape without any suspicion from authorities. She had withstood pain much worse, but her best friend Blake had stabbed her a little too forcefully for her liking. That stupid little--

"Hey," a male voice rang out.

For a moment, she was disorientated and puzzled. Celie had stabbed Blake too, and hopefully multiple times. He should not have the physical capability to be beside her bed.

However, it sounded different. More calming and peaceful.

"What?" Raven's voice was hoarse, and perhaps too authoritative.

"Are you alright?"

"Ass. You stabbed me. What do you think?" The words came out a slur and inaudible.

There was silence after that. Raven was able to claim her thoughts and clear her mind in those few seconds. The time enabled her to comprehend that it was not Blake speaking. Her eyes snapped open, and the pain instantly registered in her mind. She allowed a quiet groan before trying to sit up

"I don't think that's a good idea."

This time, she could see the face of the man who spoke. Raven knew him. Every little information from a detailed background search.

Jean Luc.

"Who are you?" Raven murmured. Her plan was in motion, and she was grateful that her mind cleared before she let something serious slip from her lips.

"I'm Jean Luc," he introduced. "Are you alright? You were injured in my house with another man."

Raven wanted to say that it was her house before realising it was not. A year is a long time to get used to something.

"I'm fine," she managed to reply with a smile. Fine was an understatement. She was thrilled and excited. She might have gotten painfully stabbed, but the thought of this plan made her blood pound in a pleasant way. At that moment, she realised how strangely amusing it was.

"I'm Lucinda," Raven said. It was a pretty name, and she did not mind using it more.

Before Jean Luc could reply, the room was flooded with people. They were a significant part of her plan. She recalled every little detail of what she shared with her team of friends.

Upon seeing them, she immediately slipped on a mask. The mask of Lucinda--a girl who assisted a friend with some issues regarding money and unfortunately landed herself in a lion's den.

"Did you see who it was?" one of them asked. He had softened his voice upon seeing tears stream her face. Very, very fake tears, but no one noticed

"Yes," Raven said, gasping as if recalling. All that was in her head was the plan. "It was a man and I saw the tattoo on his back. Long hair and--"

Everyone was waiting, eager. Gender was a large clue and one that could divert any possible attention away from her, the true target.

"Is there anything else you can tell us about your situation and the demon?"

Raven had to conceal the grin that swept across her face. She quite enjoyed the title she inherited.

"Yes," she murmured with false fear. Her words were followed by a tremble as she continued with her lie.

"Thank you for the information. We will seek justice for you, your friend and the many lives taken."

Raven wished that she would get a day to explain. To tell people that those lives taken were never innocent. They either owed money of a sum beyond comprehension or were horrible people. She enjoyed seeking justice, yet in the eyes of others, it was simply murder.

"Wait," she said. "How's my friend?"

"He is alive but gravely injured, and currently still unconscious."

Raven nodded solemnly. Her thoughts, however, were having a party. He deserved it. I'll give him a proper whining soon for gutting me like that.

As everyone but Jean Luc left the room, Raven heaved a sigh of relief.

"That was terribly scary," she said in a voice softer than her original. She needed him, or more specifically, his finger and knowledge. It was a key to a door into a house of money.

She was impatient for her money, and Jean Luc was extremely trusted by the man who owed her. He had information, and his fingerprint was a key to open the door to her beloved future millions.

The crew suggested torturing him for information and slicing his finger. It was easier and quicker than gaining trust and playing with feelings, but she had already stolen his home. Perhaps he deserved some better treatment.

"Tell me about it," Jean Luc scoffed. "Coming home to a murder scene isn't fun."

Raven cracked a small smile. "Being the victim of murder isn't much to celebrate, either."

A low chuckle escaped Jean Luc's lips, and the sound was rather enchanting to Raven's ears.

"Where are you going to live now?" She was quite eager to know.

"I have no idea. I had assumed my life was steady until this moment."

A smile curved Raven's lips as she suggested, "I can give you a place to stay for a while. Rent you a room, perhaps?"

"Oh, you don't have to do that. Instead, I should be the person to provide you with something. You're badly injured, and I'm pretty sure you're just as traumatised as I am."

Raven pouted, and the action felt unfamiliar. Apparently, it was supposed to look cute. "So you're pitying me?"

"No, I'm not." He gazed at her in a pleasantly playful manner. She had only seen the look on Blake's face before.

"Then, why don't you accept my offer?" Raven shrugged. "It's pretty kind, honestly. We've seen things that are terrifying, and I don't think living alone will be good to either of us."

"You're acting oddly calm for someone who almost got killed."

"If I truly showed my fear, I'd be trembling. Forgive me if I'm trying my best to hide my emotions."

Jean Luc smiled as he said, "Fine. I'll pay you."

Raven had to refrain from raising an eyebrow. It was too simple. Jean Luc might not be a stranger to her, since she knew everything about him. However, she was one to him. It was unlikely that someone would agree to stay at a stranger's home so simply. It showed how safe and unalarming she is. Raven did not know to be offended or pleased.

"Are you okay?" Raven was shocked that she allowed the words to be sounded. "Seeing what you saw will haunt you for the rest of your life."

"No. Truthfully, I am shaken. The better question is, are you?"

"I've seen many horrible things growing up. In Domsville, it's not very uncommon. It's my first time seeing dead bodies, though. And so much of it."

"How's your wound?"

"Painful."

Jean Luc smirked. "I've never known someone so...like you."

"Well, now you have," Raven murmured, darting her eyes around the room she was in. She hated it. "When can I get out of here?"

"You seem like the stab wound was barely anything. I think you'll be out soon enough."

"I hope so." Raven was much more used to talking in a sharper tone. One that showed power and leadership instantly. However, she could get used to this softer tone when talking to Jean Luc.

"Would you like food, Lucinda?"

The name he used to regard her rolled off his tongue like honey. It was attractive, and for a moment she wanted it to be her true title.

A grin rose to grace her lips. "I'd love food."

Although she knew his age, name, previous schools, jobs, and everything about his history, the background checks did not state his kindness. It was refreshing to know someone so nice.

"I'll be back."