Terribly sorry, I cant title anything.

So, I assume you are reading this because you think you can help, or maybe you’re just looking for a good story. Well either way, follow me into the streets of London, and prepare yourself for a harrowing tale. Follow me, for if I just told you, you would never believe me.1

The wispy tendrils of fog engulfed the dark night. The full moon cast an eerie glow on the Thames River. Few people were out at this hour, and only three of these few are important to the story. I can only give you the identity of two of them, for the third is the mystery. They were my young friends Thaniel and Alaizabel Carver. They were strolling along to try to stop another kidnapping. To date, in the recent series of kidnappings, there had never been more than one person taken at once. But they were taken, and the items left at the scene were as strange and as creative as the others. With each person, came another strange item, and the person perpetrating these crimes had yet to leave a clue. The items left are as follows: a harpoon, a telephone with broken wires, a meat pie; sprinkled with arsenic, a small phial of sulfur, a cupful of water from the Thames, and with the most recent kidnappings, a letter opener and a clothes hanger. My name is Cathaline Addison, and some might call me a detective. If you can tell me what all these items have in common, you’re a better detective than I am already.2

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Alaizabel awoke shivering. She couldn’t remember much, strolling along with Thaniel, a cloth over her face, and the strong scent of chloroform. Wait a minute, Thaniel, where was he? She looked around, but it was pitch black. She reached out her hands into the darkness, something she wouldn’t have done if she were thinking rationally, and felt people around her. “She’s awake,” said another woman’s voice. “Who are you?” Alaizabel asked warily. “It doesn’t matter, we’re all in the same trouble,” the woman replied. “Where’s my husband?” she asked, not sure if she wanted to hear the answer. “He hasn’t woken up yet.” came the matter of fact reply. She automatically made herself believe the woman, not wanting to think of what else could be. A bit calmer, genuine curiosity returned, “So, where are we?” “Not a clue, kid.” ‘Well, whoever she is, she’s quite the eloquent speaker,’ Alaizabel couldn’t help but think. Then realization dawned, they had been kidnapped. Well, the other people may have accepted their situation, but she wouldn’t, and she knew Thaniel wouldn’t either. 4

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I was sitting at my desk, thinking about Thaniel and Alaizabel. It’s different when you know the person. Every part of the case was harder, because not only are you risking your own life and career at some point, but you are risking your loved ones’ as well. It magnifies the fear of messing up immensely. I was trying to concentrate on the happier thoughts. The scenarios were getting progressively worse, and I was desperately hoping the tip we’d gotten would be true. Dixon burst into the room. He was my boss, but had become a lot like an older brother figure or maybe even one of those creepy uncles that are really awesome, but scare you at the same time. He saw my face, “Are you okay?” he asked, concerned. “Yeah, I’m fine.” I said, because I had myself half convinced that I was. “Okay then, any news?” he asked. I expected my answer to take him by surprise, “Actually yes, we have an anonymous tip, they know where he’s taking them all, and we’re going in as soon as some reinforcements get here.” As if on cue, about ten people walked in. “Let’s go.” Dixon said, and I could tell he was excited. 6

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Thaniel was working on a plan when there was a knock near wherever they were being held. Eyes got wide, and all conversation ceased. There were voices, and one was particularly familiar to Alaizabel and Thaniel, it was Cathaline! “Everybody yell, they’re Cops!” Thaniel said excitedly. They all started yelling, energy renewed at the thought of getting out of this alive. 8

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We were at the alleged kidnappers’ evil lair, and questioning the supposed scoundrel when we heard screaming from the basement. We opened the door, and seven pairs of eyes looked out at us happily. None of them attempted to get up, and we asked the now restrained rapscallion why they weren’t getting up. He refused to talk. May I take this chance to rebuke whoever invented the right to remain silent? “Why can’t you get up?” I called down. “We’re chained to the wall.” I heard. “Where’s the key?” I demanded from the very angry looking man who still refused to talk. I smirked, and nudged Dixon, who clenched his fists, glaring at him. “In the safe, behind that picture,” he said, scared. Ah, it speaks! “Who are you,” I asked, since we were engaged in such deep conservation anyway. “Mark Maycraft,” he said promptly “Why did you do this?” This was always one of my first questions, because I had always wondered what drives people to do such demented things. “ I don’t know, one day I decided to, and I’ve done it ever since, I guess I just wanted to see how far I could take it,” he didn’t say it in an annoyingly prideful way, but it disturbed me how rational he sounded. We got everyone free, and after checking them all for injuries, escorted them home. 10

Cases like this are always the best. The unspoken thank you in the eyes of each person, each person’s family is worth all the stress. I had never before been on the worried friend’s or families’ side, never realized that their job was just as difficult as mine. Finally, it was just Thaniel and Alaizabel left to take to their home, “Cathaline, do you want to stay for a while?” and suddenly, everything was normal again. 11