Chapter 34: Peter Pan's New Pursuer

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

Lambeth city had terribly humid and chilly air that made James want to take off his jacket but at the same time, keep it on. The streets were quiet; the sky was gloomy. The rainy weather seemed to have sucked the soul out of the town itself. It had been two days since his return from London when Detective Roger called him up to relay some important findings.

After scouring older investigations, Roger found what might just be Gregory Skul's alleged hideout. They had already narrowed down on Lambeth, which turned out to be a good start since the suspected location was deep within the crevices of the small town. James intended to inform Gwen about his trip to Lambeth.

Intended but did not.

James shook his head. Something was off with Gwen. She was distracted and different from when they met a month ago. Although she was acting strange, James was not one to jump to conclusions and exclude her from an investigation she started. However, it was Detective Roger who instructed him to do just the opposite. When he phoned him that day, he specifically told him to come to Lambeth, alone. He advised him not to bring Gwen along, with little explanation besides, follow my instructions, or you'll regret it.

James did not enjoy following orders; he preferred deciding based on his own judgements, but something about the way Roger said it made him think twice. Gwen was acting suspicious. Maybe it was for the best she did not come along.

James' boots scraped against the rough and wet alleyway. Rats scuttled further into the darkness, and the air stank like rotting organisms. He reached the end of the alley and was met with a wall, stained with moss and graffiti.

Roger was specific, but this was a dead end. There must be another way past the wall. James inspected the wall, searching for loose bricks or trap doors. Then he looked around, shallow holes turned into puddles riddled the ground. A rat leaped out of one of the broken pipelines and splashed into a puddle. He heard an unexpected clang. The rat was quick to scurry away, before James came over to the puddle. The murky water made it only slightly visible; however James was sure he saw a square latch with what looked like a wheel lock. It could have been a manhole, but it was worth a shot.

James tried twisting the wheel, his hands plunged into the shallow water. The wheel was stuck due to rust, hence required as much effort as he could muster. The grinding of the metal signalled that he finally got it to budge. The wheel turned and the metal latch popped open. James flicked on his torch and shone the light into the hole. It was in fact not an entry into the sewer. There was a rusty metal ladder leading down to the ground. He could vaguely see what resembled furniture at the bottom. Carefully James made his way down the ladder.

Once at the bottom he scanned his surroundings. He was in a square room branching into two corridors. The room he was in only had a single coat hanger and a chair. Dust covered the cement floors and cobwebs filled the ceiling. This place was long abandoned.

Just as James took one step forward, he heard a whizzing sound. From the corner of his eye he saw a small object hurtling towards him. He was quick to dodge by an inch before it smashed into the wall and burst into flames which quickly died down. Unfortunately for him more came his way. The explosives began firing from the walls and ceilings. James tried to dodge as much as he could as he made a run for the corridor. The explosives burned through his coat, searing his skin. Thankfully, he made it into the corridor before they grilled him alive.

Panting heavily, James eyed the dark corridor. What other traps awaited him?

Gregory Skul did not leave his lair unprotected.

Clutching the burnt skin on his arm, James went forward with caution. The corridor led to a room, with a simple padlock locking it. Already flimsy because of rust, a strong tug was all it needed to break. James opened the door and waited for a moment, just in case, before entering.

Inside, the room was bare. There were long tables and cabinets as furniture. The leftover wires of what would have been attached to computers filled one of the desks. James noticed apparatus such as incubators, centrifuges and other scientific equipment. This was a laboratory. James searched through the drawers. He found none of the paperwork. However, he managed to collect some old samples of substances in reagent bottles. Some chemical analyses would hopefully be fruitful.

The final drawer had a couple of old leaflets and cards within it. Most of them had names of unknown people, but one had Gregory Skul on it. Or more specifically Dr. Gregory Skul. James' gears started turning in his head. The mystery just took an odd turn.

Gregory Skul was not just a criminal. He was a scientist.

-----------------------

"So do you want me to come over? No? Oh... Okay then," Pauline spoke over the phone, her other hand occupied with a brown paper bag filled with groceries.

Gwen was on the line. Since prom ended yesterday, Pauline was more than worried about her. Gwen said she was going to be too busy with university applications to hang out with her, which was fine. However, Pauline wanted answers. She wanted to talk to Gwen about what she saw last night. Whether that person she saw with her was the killer. And if he was... Pauline felt anxiety climb up her spine.

Gwen did not want to see her. Something had happened last night, and she was distracted by it. He was hurting her. He had to be. How could Pauline stand by and watch her best friend go through all this?

Gwen was quick to end the phone conversation leaving Pauline to mull over her thoughts. She trudged along the sidewalk, clutching the groceries in her hand. Suddenly, someone leaning against the wall, of the cafe she was about to pass, came up beside her.

"Good afternoon, what a coincidence that we meet again?" said the man.

Pauline recognised him. "You! From the other day. You're the one who gave me that name card..." Pauline recalled. The man before her was the same. He was in a black trench coat, with the same black hat and creepy-looking walking stick.

"Indeed. I believe it was of great help to your friend," he said.

"I-I guess..." Pauline replied, unsure.

The man eyed her, his blue eyes penetrating.

"You are troubled. Regarding your friend, and the criminal she has associated herself with," he said, shocking Pauline.

"How did you know?" Pauline asked, cautious. Who was this man and how does he know so much?

He smiled ruefully, "I too have connections with that boy... I could help you and your friend," he offered.

"Why do you want to help?" Pauline asked.

"Because I know from experience, getting involved with that boy will bring you nothing but misery," he said, his eyes coercing her into believing him. Pauline wanted to help Gwen. She wanted her to stop getting involved with the killer. Anymore and she would lose her friend.

"Fine... What do I need to do?" Pauline replied. The man smiled, there was almost a glimmer in his eyes, but they held a tinge of psychotic glee.

"Well, then my new partner, why don't we start with introductions.

"My name is Gregory Skul."

----------------------
A/N: What do you think will happen?! Leave a vote and comment, lost boys!

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net