PRELUDE
On the rooftop of the building a woman hangs onto the edge not wanting to let go. But the thing inside of her grows stronger every day, and she knew that if she let it come out it, would be disastrous. She attempts to let go, but the thing inside of her holds her fingers strongly to the edge. So she tells herself, "I can't do this, it won't let me!"
Hauling herself over the edge she formulates another plan. She knows that she must act quickly, because it is almost fully-grown and she can't shake the fear of knowing what her unborn child will do to the world. Changing her mind at the last minute she turns around and bolts towards the edge of the building. This time the thing inside couldn't stop her, and she vaults over the edge and plunges the 30 stories to her death, killing her instantly.
Lying there on the ground, surrounded by her own blood, she is finally at peace. She was unaware or caring of the fact that her attempt had failed and that her belly was moving, as her unborn child struggled to get free. Finally, a tiny little claw rips through its mother’s belly and blood splatters, mingling with the already growing puddle on the ground. Snarling, it tears her abdomen open and rips it's way free of her belly crawling up, and sitting, almost perching, on her chest. It looked down at this woman that would try to destroy it and smiling for an instant, it tears off a piece of her flesh, and begins to eat.
Chapter One
Stevenson
Sunday morning Post
July 7, 2005
MURDER OR SUICIDE
A 32-year-old woman was found dead this morning at the foot of Smithington Towers. She had fallen the entire 30 stories of the high-rise to her death. The police would not give any details of the crime, only that she had been pregnant, and seems to be married, due to the ring on her finger.
Otherwise there are no clues as to her identity. When asked if this was a suicide, the police chief, James Colleren, stated only, "It has not been ruled out, and is a strong possibility." The police are running a full-scale investigation, and homicide has not been ruled out either. The police are asking that, if you have any information as to whom the woman may be, or know any details surrounding her death, to please call the Tips Hotline at 555-9856.
Police Chief James Colleren, threw open the door to his office, frowning he yells,
"I want Stevenson, Knapp, Kingsworth and Holland, In my office, PRONTO!"
The chief was a large robust man, and when he yelled everyone knew to move quickly.
A young officer in the back of the room chimes, "Stevenson is on vacation Sir, I don't know if we’re going to be able to find her."
"Well, you WILL find her, within the next ten minutes or I’m going to..."
"I'm right here chief", Stevenson interrupted, as she struts through the door and throws her jacket on the desk.
Stevenson is a very pretty, slender woman, with long brown hair. Even though she was the only woman among them, they never really noticed her beauty. She is a great cop, who tackles some of the biggest men. Beautiful, yes. Femine, no. She walks regally and demands authority, and she can think on her toes and has quick wit. Therefore, she is greatly respected among her peers.
"Stevenson?" called the young officer, "I thought you were on vacation?"
"I was" she replied, "until I read the morning paper! Whatcha got for me chief?"
"In my office" he replied "as well as the rest of ya'!" and then he turned around and marched into his office slamming the door behind him.
"Well, so much for 'Hi Sandra, how was your vacation?'"
"I think we better get in there." Said Knapp, as he pushes his chair back, standing.
All four detectives head into the chief’s office in a straight line.
Stevenson walks in first taking the seat to the right of the chiefs desk, followed by Knapp, Kingsworth, and Holland (who is always last).
Kingsworth is Stevenson’s partner. A fine looking gentleman, well built, and very handsome. She had noticed his good looks the first day that they met, and was thrilled when she found out he would be her partner. Much to her surprise, she also found that he is a damn good cop, and proved to be her equal in every aspect of the job.
Knapp is an older gentleman who had been on the force for many years. Everyone looked up to him, for he had been around the mill more than once and knew the ropes better than anyone in the department.
Holland is Knapp’s partner. He is a rookie, fresh out of the academy. He is young and pimple faced, and yet is learning fast, especially under Knapp’s watchful eye. Knapp had trained all of them, and they were all good cops because of him.
Stevenson now looked around the room at all of them and waited for the Chief to speak.
"What's up chief?" asked Stevenson.
"Well, all the papers know, is that she fell from the top of the building, but I think there is more to it than that." replied Knapp.
"Why? What did you find?" asked Stevenson.
Knapp replied, "Well, she did fall, we know that, but there was something odd about her body."
"I'm sure there would be something odd with everybody’s body who just happened to fall off a high-rise." Stevenson responded sarcastically.
"Stow it Stevenson!" Yelled the chief,
"Sorry chief. Go on."
Knapp continued, "Well, she appeared to have been torn open," he paused, looking at each of their interested faces and continued. "...from the inside."