The Hellborn Princess

Heya Everyone.

This week, in preparation for Camp NaNoWriMo, I thought I'd share with you, my project from 2015. It's the start of a novel called The Hellborn Princess it's fairly interesting because in order to keep myself writing and interested in the month long challenge was to make more and more horrible things happen to my characters. Rereading back over it now I both love it and hate it. Both because it's fast paced and action packed. It's a hard thing to continue now, but regardless I hope you like it!

Chapter One:

Pink water lapped at the shoreline, washing over bare feet as a young woman stood in the shallow waves. Her long auburn hair flicked out behind her with the strong breeze that forced her hands back down to hold the only item of clothing that covered her tall and lithe frame. Her deep blue eyes reflecting the sunrise as she gazed over the horizon. Searching for something that wasn’t there, only a vast expanse of ocean dancing in the pale light.

“Anything?” A deep voice had her turning her head, glancing to the muscular man that walked up and stopped behind her, his feet just out of the water’s reach, keeping the only clothes he wore, his ripped jeans dry. His emerald green eyes ignored the sunrise, focussed entirely on her instead. A hand running through his raven black hair as she turned to him with tear-filled eyes.

“Nothing. It’s been weeks Alex.” He stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her and tugging her into his heavily scarred and bare chest. She paid no mind to the scars as he slid his hand in her curls. She rested her head on his broad shoulders.

“It’s been a week Roza, and the ship had to undergo massive repairs. The crew knew where we were going, they’ll find us. You just have to be patient.” He sighed, resting his head on top of hers. He could hear the tension in her voice, and it reflected what he felt inside. They were both doing everything they could to hold onto hope that they would be rescued.

“I can’t.” She whined, “The ocean is calling to me! I can’t not be on it.”

“And that’s why we’re in this mess in the first place.” He pulled away from her, storming back towards the small base they’d made out of what they had scavenged from the shipwrecked yacht.

“It was your suggestion!” She called, following him up the beach, pausing by the dwindling fire to dump more wood on the blaze, bringing it roaring back to life. They would have little need for it once the sun rose higher.

“I’m sorry. I thought you’d check the weather Captain!" He snapped, spinning on his heels to face her. His features softening for a second as the fire illuminated the harsh purple bruises along her

legs. He hated seeing her in pain, always had and always would, especially when faced with the guilt that her pain rested on her shoulders.

“What’s your excuse? You’re the first mate!” She responded, ducking her head beneath her curls so that he wouldn’t be able to see the sting of his words. He was right, she was captain, it was her job, her fault.

“I was trying to make you happy! Forgive me if that’s so wrong!” Alex sighed, sitting down and hanging his head. “You weren’t happy watching the repairs for Hellborn take so long, you felt trapped like you always do when we aren’t on the open ocean. I thought a small trip would be good and now,” he sighed once more, “we’re more landlocked than ever and it’s killing both of us.” He lifted his head and looked at her as she sat beside him, her hand resting on his leg and head on his shoulder.

“I am happy with you.” She spoke softly, turning her head slightly to kiss his bicep.

“No, you’re not.” He pulled his arm out of her grasp, “the only place you’re truly happy is out there, and I’ve always known that. I never tried to stand in the way of that.” He stood, glancing towards the shoreline. “It runs in your blood, and it flows through mine. I understand the itch that accompanies being stuck on land better than most. This isn’t easy on either of us.” He turned and knelt before her, grasping her hands in his. “But you must have faith they’ll come and find us.”

“I have faith in you Alex.” She moved one of her hands to cup his cheek. “And in our crew.” She leant forward to kiss him, savouring the taste of his lips before she pulled back. “But I have no faith in myself to survive this much longer. The ocean’s call is too strong, and I am weak to resist it.” Alex chuckled, leaning forward to kiss her once more.

“Then perhaps I’ll just have to distract you.” He whispered across her lips, a hand slipping down to his shirt where it was still wrapped around her torso, fisting his hands in the white button down shirt by her waist.

“Haven’t you done that enough.” She teased, stilling his hands before he could tear the fabric from her body.

“Not nearly enough.” He whispered with a smirk, flattening his hand regardless. “But you’re right. These are all the clothes we have left, and you look so good in my shirt.” He trailed his lips down her neck, nuzzling the collar out of his way. Roza smiled, tangling a hand in his hair, her eyes on the horizon.

“Alex.” She gasped, tugging his head back as she spotted something on the horizon. He groaned and pulled away from her.

“When are we ever going to get time like this alone again?” He muttered, turning to follow her gaze regardless.

“We’re not alone amante.” She whispered, pointing at the huge ship that appeared on the horizon. The three masts laden with rectangular sails that silhouetted against the still-rising sun. Hull they both knew would be navy blue cutting through the ocean as they navigated towards them.

“They have horrible timing,” Alex complained with a smile, sitting beside her and wrapping an arm over her shoulder. Roza laughed, resting her head on his shoulder.

“Please, we both know you’re just as anxious to be out there as I am.” She turned into his side, kissing his jaw.

“I am.” He turned to steal another kiss, before watching as their ship got steadily closer. Able to make out the gold designs that danced along her gleaming in the sunlight. The name displayed proudly in cursive along her bow, 'The Hellborn Princess'.

The anchor was dropped just off the shore, the ship a buzz of well trained and hard working crewmen, as they dropped the sails and set a rowboat in the water.

“Let's go home.” Alex stood, offering her a hand up. She accepted, pulling her hand back before the rescue crew reached the shore. Hands tugging his shirt down, trying to cover more of her legs.

A woman was the first off the rowboat, knuckles strained white around a black bag as she approached the pair, greying brunette hair falling into the hazel eyes that betrayed her worry for her two young commanding officers.

“Rachelle.” Roza took a step towards the only other female on her crew.

“Doc.” Alex nodded at her, folding his arms over his bare chest, muscles bulging against his fingertips.

“How are you both feeling?” Rachelle focused on the cuts, scrapes and bruises that were scattered over their bodies. A quick and silent check that they were both okay, trying to determine the worst of their injuries, knowing better than to think either of them would tell her the full extent of the damage as long as there were others around.

“Fine Rach, we’ve been swimming in the ocean daily to keep everything disinfected. We managed to salvage some of the water from the shipwreck.” Roza answered, motioning towards half empty cans further up the beach. Two of the crew made their way up the shore to gather the abandoned stuff and put out the fire.

“And between us we knew enough about hunting, fishing and scavenging to have gathered enough food to last. I built a shelter to keep us warm overnight, it’s up in the forest.” Alex shrugged, focussing his attention at Roza as she shifted her weight uncomfortably. She glanced back at Alex, her eyes falling to his bare chest before she pulled her gaze away.

“Wayne. What’s the status of my ship?” She demanded, looking to the fourth and final man. He raised himself from the rowboat, running a hand through his short black hair much like Alex did when he was stressed, revealing the grey streaks that were normally hidden. His sea blue eyes looking anywhere but his Captain and her First Mate.

“Let’s get you both back to the ship. James has made a full meal, and Rachelle probably has more tests to run.” Alex stepped closer at their Bosun’s words, his arm brushing Roza’s shoulder blades. They all knew each other well enough to know that their Bosun’s deflection of the question meant nothing good.

“What’s the status of our ship?” He growled, narrowing his eyes at the man in charge of the equipment and crew that kept the ship running. His posture mimicked that of Roza’s, silently letting him know that neither would move an inch until he answered the question.

“We had to take a few shortcuts to get here as soon as we did. The crew’s still working around the clock to finish the repairs before we pick up the student’s next week.” His hands tugged at his hair before he dropped them to his lap. It wasn’t the news either of them wanted to hear, having their ship out here was dangerous.

“Will she be ready?” Roza asked, leaning back on Alex, both physically and emotionally.

“It’s not looking too good Captain, but we’ll do our best. As long as we avoid any sort of rain or heavy weather for the next week she should be fine.”

“And if we don’t? This little Isle is knowing for her chaotic weather and spur of the moment storms. It’s why Roza and I were stuck here.” Alex wrapped an arm around Roza’s waist as she turned and attempted to bury her face in his chest. Everything was just too much for them right now.

“If we don’t... We’ll see how well that new bilge system you invested in works.” Wayne shrugged nervously. “The topsides haven’t been fully sealed yet, and there are parts of the deck that are still totally open to the elements.” He continued speaking softly,

“It was a choice we had to make, no one else would brave the sea’s wrath to come and find you. Not the navy, not the so-called coastguard, no one. They're all too scared of storm season.” Rachelle tried to explain their decision to leave before the hull repairs and refurbishment was completed.

“We would have been fine.” Alex argued, “You should have finished the repairs first.”

“Well, we didn’t know that! All we knew was you had made a mayday call that you were sinking and then nothing! It’s been ten days with no word from either of you! We were worried.” Rachelle snapped at both of them, watching Alex take a step back from her and hold Roza tighter to his chest. A hand cradling her head as if to protect her from them.

“Can we...” Rozas' voice trailed off, muffled by Alex's muscular bare chest. “I want a shower, and I want to see the state of my ship for myself. Have the men make sail for the nearest port once we are done here. Leave the wreckage, perhaps it shall serve as a warning and safe haven by the next victims of this treacherous isle. If Alex and I could not navigate her storms safely I fear for anyone else foolish enough to try.” Roza turned in Alex's hold to speak directly to her Bosun.

“Aye Captain!” Wayne and his two crew members saluted, talking amongst themselves to figure out the best way to salvage parts desperately needed for ‘The Hellborn Princess’

“Rachelle, you take Roza back to the ship. There are a couple of things I need to get then I’ll join you.” Alex ordered, dropping a kiss to the top of her head when he was sure no one was watching. “Whatever it is that is bothering you, deal with it quickly. The crew will sense something is wrong with you.” He whispered his lips beside her ear.

“I am fine Alex.”

“and I am the King of France.” He countered quickly, raising an eyebrow at her. Roza sighed, leaning into him for a second longer before turning and tugging on her Doctor’s sleeve, motioning for the elder woman to follow after her.

"Captain?" The doctor asked, glancing behind them as Roza lead her down the beach and away from the boys.

"I need your promise that you won't breathe a word of this to anyone," Roza whispered, not trusting that their voices wouldn't carry down to the boys.

"Patient-Doctor confidentiality agreement as always. What is it Roza?" Rachelle replied, watching her normally strong and confident commander falter, hands wringing nervously, as she tried to figure out what to say.

"I need you to get me a pregnancy test at the next port." She eventually sighed, mimicking Alex and running a hand through her auburn curls.

"Roza?" Rachelle watched closely as her eyes flickered to Alex.

"I thought this was why you made the no fraternisation rule." Rachelle couldn't help but scold, the twenty-one-year-old Captain was like a daughter to her, and far too young to be expecting a child.

"I made that rule so the students and crew wouldn't..." Roza started to defend herself angrily before trailing off with a sigh.

"How long?" Rachelle softened her voice, resting a hand on her shoulder.

"We've been together nearly four years now. Secretly of course." Roza glanced towards Alex, turning away when he caught her staring at him.

"Does he know? About you possibly carrying his child." Rachelle asked, watching the interaction between the pair, wondering how she'd never caught on before. They weren't exactly subtle.

"No, I'm only a week late. I only realised because he pointed it out. I reminded him it happens occasionally, but this just feels different." Roza explained, sneaking another glance at her lover.

"He knows your cycle?" Rachelle was shocked, no man she'd ever been with had caught onto hers, and they'd always be annoyed when it seemed to happen at 'random' times.

"He's really observant." Roza shrugged, looking up as Alex started jogging their way.

"Ready to go Captain?" He asked, sliding to a stop and spraying sand all up Roza's legs. Roza's eyes narrowed at him, but it didn't stop the twitch of her lips upwards.

"Yeah, we are." She rolled her eyes, bending down to wipe the sand off her bruised legs, wincing when she applied just a fraction too much pressure to her injuries.

"Capitaine-" Alex reached for her, as she started to tip forwards. Rachelle looked to him quickly, catching a wince on his features before he hid it.

"I'm fine Alex." Roza waved off his help, standing straighter concentrating on not swaying again. It was momentary dizziness, it would pass, and she would be fine.

"Sure." Alex wrapped an arm around her waist, tugging her into his chest, frowning down at her at the lack of resistance she put up. Her eyes were squeezed tightly shut, face screwed up in a grimace. "Roza?" His grip around her loosened as she shoved him back, barely having enough time to turn before vomiting.

"Alright, back to the ship." He hooked an arm around her waist as she stood, lifting her into a bridal hold easily. Roza didn't complain like she normally would have, wrapping her arms around his neck and curling her head in against his neck and shoulder.

"You're not much warmer than normal, so we'll get you back to the ship, warm you up a bit. Get some real food in you. You'll be right as rain in no time." He whispered to her, glancing at Rachelle and motioning with his head towards the small rowboat.

"Yes sir." She walked ahead of the pair, reflecting on what Roza had said and what she'd seen between the couple. Still trying to figure out how she could have missed what was staring her right in the face, them all right in their faces.

"Sir? Is everything alright?" One of the crew members asked cautiously upon noticing their approach.

"Everything's fine. Something just didn't agree with our beloved Captain that's all." Alex smiled with a glance down to the young woman in his arms. "We'll head back to the ship if you're ready." His words were directed at Wayne catching the man's attention, as his eyes flicking to the pile of stuff beside the small row boat.

"Not quite, but go right ahead. Send the boat back with another crew member. Alonzo's freaking out." Wayne answered distractedly, surveying their surroundings. He spared a glance to the first mate in time to see his eyebrow raise in response to his casual treatment of him.

"I mean if it's okay with you sir. I'd like to remain here for a while longer. There is more we can still salvage from the wreckage." Wayne corrected himself, eyes hardening in the young man's direction, softening as they fell to the woman in his arms.

"He's pulling your leg, Wayne. Go right ahead, get what you need." Alex grinned wickedly as Roza lifted her head to raise an eyebrow at her first mate, mimicking him perfectly.

"You ruin all my fun." He growled teasingly, shaking his head to try hide his laughter.

"And you harass all my crew. We're even." She replied, sticking her tongue out at him. His eyes glanced between the row boat and Hellborn, silently making calculations in his head before he made his decision.

"If you say so Capitaine." He bounced her gently in his hold, before walking towards the small row boat. Roza didn't notice when he missed it entirely, walking until the water reached halfway up his calf muscles before dropping her. Roza screamed her voice carrying across the water and drawing every eye on both the shore and the ship. Alex's laughter ringing out only moments later, a collective sigh of relief came as they all watched Roza surface. Wet hair looking black as it flopped over her face and dripped down the now see-through white shirt she was wearing.  

"Alex you arse!" She shrieked, shoving him backwards. Alex didn't stop laughing as he stumbled back a step before regaining his footing.

"You said I couldn't harass your crew." He teased, holding his hands up and sticking his tongue out at her, dancing back out of her reach as she made a grab for him.

"I never said that! I just said you always do." She crossed her arms with a huff, hiding a smirk behind her hair, walking backwards into deeper waters. He followed her, stepping closer, his head dropping so he could whisper in her ear, just as she expected him too. Water reaching halfway up his chest, and lapping over her shoulders.

"Well, I couldn't have you getting jealous now could I?" He teased, sliding an arm around her waist beneath the water so no one could see it. Roza took that moment to strike, wrapping a leg behind his knees and shoving hard on his chest. He let out a startled cry, falling backwards in the water.

Roza didn't wait to see him surface, turning and taking off, her powerful strokes taking her closer and closer to her ship. She could hear Alex following her, a low growl before the water splashed behind her. She knew it was only a matter of time before he caught up to her - he was stronger, his strokes more powerful than hers.

Still, the adrenaline pumped through her veins, her heart racing with the thrill of the chase. Hellborn growing closer as she forced her muscles to the extreme, trying to get to her ship before he could catch up with her. A squeal left her lips as his hand wrapped around her ankle and tugged her back to him. A smile taking it's place as she heard his laughter.

"Whatever shall I do with you now I've caught you beautiful." He whispered, treading water just in front of her. They both looked up in unison, hearing movement from above them.

"I nearly made it," Roza smirked, reaching out with one hand to brush her fingertips against the hull.

"Doc's gonna kill us," Alex whispered, swimming closer until her back was pressed against the recently cleaned hull.

"Nah she won't. Salt waters good for injuries, and she'll be glad to see us staying fit and taking care of ourselves." Roza rested her head on his shoulder as he wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed the top of her head.

"And as much fun as I've had. I'm exhausted. You ready for bed?" Roza nodded in reply, trying to hide her yawn beneath her hand.

"Captain! Sir! Look out!" A voice called before a ladder dropped down behind them, the ends of the ropes sinking in the water, weighted down by the metal rungs.

"Ladies first." Alex motioned towards the ladder with a flick of his head.

"Nuh ah, I'm literally wearing only a shirt, that has probably gone see-through. You go first and make sure there's a blanket or something to cover me with. I have no desire for my crew to see all of me like that." Roza pulled away from him, hanging back as he chuckled at her.

"Fair point." His eyes raked over the little of her frame that he could see through the water.  "I don't particularly want the rest of the crew to see you in just my see-through shirt." Roza splashed him when a smirk tugged up the corners of his lips.

"Get up that ladder First Mate." She ordered before he could retaliate.

"Aye Capitaine!" He saluted with a wink, swimming the short distance between himself and the ladder and starting to climb, making it look easy despite the sheer enormity of hauling his wet and tired body up the 28 meter high ship. Roza only waited until he was halfway up before starting to follow, shivering when the cool wind hit her body. Her muscles screaming in agony as she forced them to their limits, feet trying to slip out from beneath her on the slippery metal rungs.

"Capitaine!" Alex reached the top, clearing the deck of all crew to give her some privacy, returning quickly to peer over the side of the ship, watching as she struggled to finish climbing the ladder. Sheer exhaustion apparent on her face. Roza didn't respond, hooking her arm through a rung and pausing to catch her breath. She wasn't unfit, not by a long shot - but whatever had her sick, be it pregnancy or illness, she was growing weary.

"Few more steps Roza. Come on sweetheart..." He encouraged her, Roza smiled up at him, taking a deep breath before continuing to climb up the rope ladder. Swear words falling from her lips when a gust of wind blew both it and her away from the ship, twisting the rope above her, her back thudded heavily into the oak wood, winding her.

"Roza!" The ladder suddenly started moving upwards, and Roza could do little more but hold on for dear life as her crew hauled her upwards. She could hear Alex's reassuring voice directing them. His hands falling on her waist and lifting her over the railing, curling her against his chest as a blanket was draped over her back. Alex whispered a mix of curse words and reassurances in her ear as she started gasping for air through choked sobs.

"Sir?" Hands steadied Alex as he tipped forward slightly, watching him closely.

"We're fine boys, just haven't slept very much in the last week. We'll be good as new after a good rest." Alex's words slurred together. Unable to find the energy to lift his head from Roza's shoulder where it had slumped.

"Get them to the medical bay. Find a full change of clothes, and someone goes pick up Rachelle now." A strong Spanish accent started throwing out orders at the men standing around idly. The hands on Alex starting to turn him, more taking Roza from his grasp.

"Alonzo. Carry her." Alex gasped, looking up into the chief navigators hazel eyes, trusting the Spanish man with his childhood best friend. Alonzo stepped closer, his scrawny build blocking just enough of the harsh sunlight so that it didn't land in Alex's eyes as they followed the blonde haired man.

"I will Alex, let the boys help you." Alonzo rested a hand on Alex's shoulder, watching as the first mate leant heavily on the crew member holding onto him.

"'er first." Alex was too tired to mask his natural french accent like he and Roza normally did. His eyes drawn to her as she rested her head against a deckhands shoulder, hands white-knuckled as she gripped the blanket tighter around her and shivered.

"Alex." She whispered, her own Spanish accent bleeding through as she was hoisted into Alonzo's arms. He wasn't as strong as the deck crew, but he was strong enough to support her for the short trip to the medical bay.

"He's coming Captain. Get some rest." Roza nodded sleepily, curling herself in closer to her friend. Alex didn't allow his eyes to fall closed until Roza vanished from sight, Alonzo carrying her down to stairs and below decks. His weight collapsing against the deckhands that attempted to support him. All he had needed to be was strong for his captain. Now she was safe he could let the toll of the past week fall properly onto his shoulders.

"Hold tight sir." He heard a male voice whisper, before feeling his feet being dragged out from underneath him. His eyes too heavy to allow himself to fight, he surrendered.

How To Commit The Perfect Crime: Murder

Heya Everyone, so the blog post I was working on for this week has turned out to be a bigger project than originally anticipated. So instead here is the start of a book I was working on about two years ago. I had great plans for it and did a lot of research into logistics and things, but never actually wrote more than about three chapters... oops.

Just a tiny heads up, this does contain graphic detail of a murder and crime scene, so if that isn't your sort of thing please don't read any further.

Dr. Alan Roberts was by no means a normal man. At age ten he'd been the near eye witness to a murder committed at his boarding school. The subsequent police investigation intrigued him, catching the bully responsible was a thrill like none other.

Age 28 saw Alan Roberts graduating at the top of his class, with a PhD in Criminology, a job with one of the top FBI crime labs already lined up thanks to years of summer jobs and internships.

It took four years, four glorious, wonderful successful years, for Alan Roberts to lose that thrill, the adrenaline rush that came with understanding the evidence and sending a killer away. It had gotten too easy, and he was getting bored.

Chapter 1:

The letterbox shook with each heart-stopping 'boom'. Lights flashing every nameable colour illuminating the front lawn, glass fragments from broken beer bottles reflecting the light onto what one could only assume was a white house. The lack of decent lighting making it hard to tell.

Music shook the window panes, damaging eardrums from just the sheer volume alone. Police, detectives and Forensic personnel alike were forced to talk in hand movements, or loud yells directly into another's ear.

More bottles of alcohol littered every available space down the corridor towards the lounge hall. Some half drunk and abandoned, others seemingly untouched, strobe lights suddenly seemed to get themselves stuck on flashing red, illuminating a man directly ahead of them. He stood in front of a curved television so large it could have been confused with the wall behind him.

"Damn rich kids." He could be heard to mutter as he attempted to turn off the music and return the lighting to normal. Curse words passing his lips as it consistently went wrong, making the problem worse as he accidentally turned the bass up to full, bottles and paper cups smashed as the furniture and walls shook, vibrating things onto the floor, risking contaminating the crime scene further.

A middle-aged man rushed through the door, narrowly avoiding the glass, skidding to a halt before the television, with a simplistic flick of his wrist everything stopped. Lights switching off fully before slowly rebooting to the normal soft white that was deemed to be standard. The music ceased altogether, replaced by loud yells and flinches as people found they could once again talk normally. Several more could be caught removing makeshift headphones that had been cleverly manipulated to cancel out most of the noise.

"Thank you, sir." The lab assistant spoke softly, making a hasty exit before he could be reprimanded for not knowing how to work a television set when he was trusted with laboratory equipment worth millions of dollars.

"Doctor Alan Roberts, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation crime lab. My team and I were sent to assist with the case." The middle age man calmly turned around and spoke to the lead detective, acting as if nothing had been out of place before his arrival. His badge held out for her viewing pleasure as he heard someone walk up behind him.

"Steph and Ryan have gone to get witness statements, but I doubt they'll be much help." A soft female voice spoke as a young woman stopped at his side. The petite blonde only glanced at the detective for a moment, before turning her attention back to Alan. Hands fidgeting awkwardly in her black FBI issued jacket, uniform for when the team were at a crime scene. Amy flicked her eyes to the detective once more, before speaking once more.

"I'm going to go see if anyone accidentally recorded anything, have fun with your body." The female skipped away towards the television set, ignoring the eyes that followed her, she seemed to be bouncing on her heels as she manipulated the television set without hassle, barely there movements making the biggest on scene changes. Her green eyes scanned the data that flashed before her, searching for patterns no one else would dream to look for.

"Doctor Amy Poole, my colleague." Alan half introduced, watching as the detective eyed his hyperactive friend.

"White shoes at a crime scene?" The detective muttered to herself, before nodding at the man before her. "Deceased is this way."  The female detective motioned with her head, refusing to introduce herself despite his patience in waiting for her to do so.

The body itself was slumped against the furthest wall from them. Blood pooling around the body, soaked into the dark blue carpet below them.The kid seemed almost normal from the neck down, no sign of defensive wounds. The now deceased college student seemed fit enough to attempt to take on any attacker, or at least outrun them. It was from the shoulders upward that everything became exciting. The head itself was missing, seemingly torn from its shoulders, leaving behind a mutilated mess. Strips of flesh dangled over the collarbones, veins no longer seeping blood down over the victim and his clothing. Blood spatter covered the wall behind him and the surrounding furniture, indicating this had been the location of his death. Large gaping holes were missing between patches of blood spatter.

"I need all this sent to my lab immediately, including the clothing of the students who were standing here." The detective nodded, turning and walking away quickly, leaving Alan alone with the John Doe and a man who appeared to be of mixed descent. A white lab coat a stark contrast to his mocha coloured skin and short black hair.

"Nikoli." Alan placed a soft hand on the medical examiner's broad shoulder. The man glanced up at him, tears in his chocolate brown eyes.

"Alan, you got here quick." Nikoli swiped at his eyes, standing up and hugging his old friend. Alan reluctantly returned the hug, he had forgotten how affectionate his half Russian schoolmate could get.

"Always do, what can you tell me?" Alan pulled away, both men turning serious in a heartbeat.

"No defensive wounds, untouched from the shoulders down. Just like the others. From what I can tell the head exploded upwards, we could only find brain matter on the roof, and on top of the heads of those standing nearby. The blood spatter seems to be from the force of the aftermath. Skull fragments and teeth have been located practically everywhere. We're hoping to get a hit off fingerprints because the skull reconstruction could take months." Nikoli knelt back down, lifting the victim's left arm and turning it over. Blue gloves adorning his hands to prevent risking infection or disease.

"What is odd is this puncture mark-" Nikoli pointed to an angry red spot just above his elbow, the vein it lead to stood out more against the skin. "-victim's girlfriend claims he never would have touched drugs, straight A student, on the football team, he wanted to be a lawyer, drugs would have him out on his arse and his dreams dashed. I'll get his medical records sent to me, maybe he just had a routine vaccination. " Nikoli released the arm, resting it over the John Doe's own lap once more

"Without my tools, I can only estimate that time of death was within the last few hours. Body was still warm when I arrived, these footprints are mine. I've already given Darla my imprints so she can add them to the evidence files and have me ruled out of the suspect pool." Alan nodded, kneeling down and slipping on blue gloves of his own.

"May I?" He asked, waiting for Nikoli's approval before he touched anything. Most medical examiners he had worked with were displeased with the way most FBI agents demanded control of a crime scene or body, Alan was overly cautious to ask each time, unwilling to offend anyone that could impede the speed of catching a serial killer.

"Of course my friend." Nikoli motioned for him to go ahead. Alan smiled once, before beginning his own quick examination. Unlike Nikoli, he ignored the obvious lack of physical evidence, nor was he looking for what could have caused his sudden demise. Long slender fingers instead followed the angry red vein that Nikoli had pointed out earlier. Fingers pressing down against the cold skin, golden-hazel eyes closing as he felt instead of saw what he was hunting for. Alan continued his search of the body in much the same way.

"Hmm, thanks, Nikoli." Alan Sat back on his heels, peeling off his gloves and pushing his rectangular glasses back up on his nose.

"Anytime Alan, find anything?" Nikoli offered a hand to his friend to help him upwards once more.

"No, I'll get back to you if I discover something in the blood work." Alan shook his head sadly.

"We have nothing either, music was too loud, they were too drunk." A third male voice chimed into the conversation as two people walked towards them. The male's six foot four stature easily towered over everyone else in the room, slouched slightly as he walked in an effort to appear less intimidating. He was more muscle than anything else, hours spent at the gym as his 'stress-relief' after a harsh day at the office. The female interns around the laboratory often swooned over his muscular frame, much to his pleasure. His short cut black hair was spiked up in all directions, only made worse as he ran his hand through it once more. Icy blue eyes flickering nervously between the female lead detective and his so-called partner Stephanie.

Doctor Stephanie Jones was holding her head aloof, shoulder length red bangs no longer shoved behind her ear instead falling freely down under her chin. Brown eyes that seemed to be almost orange were locked on Alan as the olive toned woman made her way closer. At six foot she stood taller than both Nikoli and Alan, looking over them to see the body slumped behind them.

"Detective Darla was just saying she had a spare room back at the station that we could set up in. You ready to go?" Stephanie asked words said softly despite the strong undercurrent of rage in her tone. It was a familiar voice to Alan, the same one he had heard the behavioural analyst use when she was speaking with a suspect they wanted to trick into believing everything was alright, calming down a possible suicidal serial killer so they could restrain and interview them. Steph was enraged, and if Spark's shifty, nervous gaze was anything to go by, it was the detective who elected such a strong reaction.
 
"I'm done. Nikoli?" Alan answered,

"I'm waiting for one of my assistants to return, and then I will be on my way, pleasure to see you again old friend." Nikoli clasped Alan on the back before he wandered away once more, muttering about brain mush and skull reconstruction.

"Alan, Detective Darla, we used to work together before I went FBI. Darla this is our Criminology expert, Doctor Alan Roberts. Behind him is our computer genius extraordinaire, Doctor Amy Poole." Ryan introduced, ignoring the glare she directed at him.

"Pleasure Ma'am." Alan was diplomatic in his response, confused as to how he should act around the other woman.

"Ah!" All eyes flicked to Amy as she shouted triumphantly, with a flick of her hand the lights turned off, and three-dimensional holograms filled the room, acting out the final moments of the young man's life. Alan walked through the holograms, barely flinching as he passed through life like human beings. Colours flashed, music blasting from the speakers. Just like it had been a few hours earlier.

"Mute." Amy's voice rang out, silencing the music as everyone made to block their ears once more. Quiet followed as everyone watched astounded at what happened before them, following the victim as he stormed through the door, eyes frantically scanning the crowd before he seemed to spot what he was looking for. John Doe strode towards a couple furiously making out on the dancefloor. He pulled the female off the male, shoving her behind his back, and punching the man. A fist fight began, the woman trying to pull them apart, her yells and screams silenced with the music gone. Eventually, the other man allowed himself to be tugged away, spitting blood out of his mouth. He turned instead to yell at the woman, unable to speak any other way, she looked resentful, guilty as they argued. A scream passed her lips unable to do anything as her boyfriends head exploded, screams that echoed from others as they realised the horror that was happening before them.

"Amy, rewind, start this again," Alan ordered, motioning for Nikoli to come closer, together they watched as the body imploded once more. Over and over they watched the gruesome scene, looking for anything that could indicate what had caused the man to quite literally blow his top. Neither man flinched as bits of holographic brain matter rained down upon them. Easily ignoring the commotion behind them as police officers and crime scene investigators alike snapped photos and gathered new evidence that had previously been missed. Stephanie and Ryan had more questions for those who had been in attendance, able to locate who had the best view for the murder and preceding fights.

"Amy, could you pause the holograms and take us frame by frame from the start of the explosion," Alan called, yelling over everyone else in the room to be heard. They fell silent after that to allow for the FBI agents to communicate with each other.

"And is it possible to bring the sound back in, without the music?" Nikoli added, wondering if the music had drowned out an important clue, perhaps the sound of the explosion could have been confused with one of the bass notes of the song.

"It's possible, just give me a minute or two. I'll play it frame by frame then bring it back to normal speed with sound added." Amy replied, frowning as she turned back to the huge television before her. Alan watched as the scene rewinded before beginning again, slower, making him better equipped to notice anything out of the ordinary.

"Nik-" He murmured, reaching forward towards the holograph as a thin red line appeared in the victim's neck, travelling so quick that it was only in one of the frames gone by the next. It took a few more minutes for the head to explode once more.

"Amy." Alan didn't have to say what he wanted, the computer genius already taking it back and freezing the entire scene on that one moment.

"Camera," Nikoli called, one of his assistants racing forward to take several still images of the discovery.

"What do you think it is?" Alan asked, Nikoli could only shrug in response, he had never seen anything like it before.

"Perhaps a chemical compound? It could react to a chemical release in the brain?" He offered his best guess,

"Metal implant, triggering a self-destruct sequence in the brain?" A lab assistant called out, Nikoli and Alan shared a glance.

"Well then, you best get hunting for a small metal object that could travel through blood veins and pack enough of a punch to explode a man's head." Dectective Ryan Spark spoke, glaring at the person who made the suggestion.

"No, it could be possible. Insert a small amount of an explosive compound into the brain, when the neural pathways fired up, they could have triggered the explosion. Granted the device would have to be microscopic, and there would be little to no physical evidence left behind, at least, not that's visible to the naked eye." Alan stopped him, almost sounding excited about the possibility.

"That would definitely make a noise, though, or at least a lot of smoke. I didn't see any evidence of a bomb." Ryan pointed out, moving closer to the two medical doctors, his tall stature offering a different vantage point that neither of the other two men had.

"I'll test the cavity for explosive residue. Detective, that television has important evidence, can you have it taken back to my lab to be analysed once we're finished here." Nikoli spoke, Darla was quick to agree, she had been unaware of the television holographic capabilities, it was rare to see it in a student's residence. The new technology could cost up to tens of thousands of dollars.

"Go again please Amy, last time." Alan requested, paying extra attention to the area he had noticed earlier. The sound was back as she played it once more. Voices raised as their victim and his girlfriend argued over what had just occurred.

"Of all the people to make out with, you pick him!? I get that you're mad, that you want me to be jealous, but I have had it up to here with you and your cheating ways. It's over, I don't ever want to see you again." John Doe shouted, trying to make his betrayal and anger obvious despite the music that ruined all hopes of a civilised conversation.

"My cheating ways!? That's rich coming from you. Mr all-star-rather-stay-home-and-'study'. I'm not that stupid, who was she, the girl you'd rather spend time with than me?!" The girlfriend retaliated, slurring her words slightly as she yelled, swaying on her feet from the amount of alcohol she had clearly consumed.

"I was studying! Unlike you I actually care about my gra-" A loud boom shook the room, all eyes on Amy wondering if she had accidentally turned the bass back on, a shake of the blonde's head was the only answer they needed.

"An explosion, explains why our killer always strikes at parties, the base would muffle this easily." Darla scowled, upset that her own people had missed it.

"No big deal Darla. My guys are just better." Ryan called, ruffling Alan's hair affectionately.

"Well done Doctor." Alan batted the detective's hand away with a tired sigh. running a hand through his hair in an attempt to sooth the shaggy brown locks back down into place.

"Yeah, good spotting Alan." Amy half grumbled, ending the hologram projection and allowing the television to be packed away, scrutinising every movement so as to be sure nothing was damaged in the transfer, protecting what had seemed to be one of their most valuable pieces of evidence. Amy started yelling furiously when she watched one of police officers roughly tear cables out from the back of the television, dismayed with his lack of care for such finely crafted and expensive technology.

"My lab, please. The FBI will be conducting their investigation from there. That's no problem right Darla?" Nikoli turned to the scowling detective, the woman clearly having no choice but to agree.

"Thank god, you are a lifesaver." Ryan breathed, resting an arm around the medical examiner's shoulders, relieved he wouldn't have to deal with a woman who clearly made him feel uncomfortable.

"I'm done. Nikoli, give me a lift?" Alan rescued his friend, Ryan laughed, holding his hands up in mock surrender, taking a few steps backwards as if he was frightened of the other man.

"Sorry. We'll be along once Steph's done." Alan knew Ryan was mocking him, there was no way the detective was even remotely afraid of him. His own 5'11 stature, while considered tall, had nothing on the other man. Alan, with his glasses, shaggy hair, and favourite white lab coat looked every bit the nerd that, if in high school, guys like Ryan would have picked on without a moment's hesitation. Nikoli, half Russian and a much bulkier man was a much less obvious target, yet had still been a target nevertheless, the man with a sensitive side like none Alan had ever encountered since their high school days. His overprotectiveness of the man he had called his best friend for over five years of his life had kicked back in so naturally that it startled both friends.

"We shall see you there." Nikoli agreed, resting a hand on Alan's shoulder and leading him away.

"Still looking out for the little guys I see." Nikoli murmured softly, as they watched their John Doe get loaded onto a medical stretcher and into the truck.

"After José, can you blame me?" Alan responded just as gently, words not meant for anyone else to overhear. Nikoli had no answers, the loss of their other friend had haunted them both since middle school. The trio had been the best of friends, they had thought nothing could tear them apart. Not the bullies that made their every moment hell, nor the teachers who separated them during classes, not even the fact that they came from three entirely separate religions, countries and walks of life. Their abnormal maturity bonded them together, and they always had said that their differences had joined them in ways their similarities never would.

They found out all too soon that there was a force that could separate them, something that would shake their unbreakable bond and break the boys to their core. Nikoli was eleven when it happened, and Alan twelve, José was mere days off his twelfth birthday, it was all he could talk about, he had permission to invite the whole school to his celebrations, a traditional Spanish fiesta. He was determined to invite everyone, even those who had opposed the small boy, those who teased and taunted him since he had arrived at campus. Both Alan and Nikoli had warned him against it, the boy was more fragile than most, but also more stubborn and headstrong. He had ignored his friend's warnings and paid for his mistake with his life.

The event had changed Nikoli and Alan beyond recognition, both boys refused to talk to anyone but each other, trusted in only each other. They had no care for their families or those they had graciously called friends. The boys became loners except for each other. Their therapist had claimed it 'normal considering the circumstances' and the boys were left alone, to grow out of it, allow time to heal all wounds. The only thing the duo found comfort in was bringing the culprits to justice, police officers and crime scene investigators all too happy to allow the boys to observe what they did, each child had a unique view and opinion of the data they were given, analysing it near perfectly time and time again, eagerly learning from the mistakes they did make. It left the investigators wondering what the world had been robbed off with the murder of the third boy.

Eventually, the two boys opened up a bit more as they grew into men, allowing others into their lives, although never trusting them as they did each other. It became harder as the years passed, Alan studying criminology, and Nikoli to become a medical examiner, the strain on their friendship was tough, but their bond prevailed in the end.

"They seem like good people Alan. I am glad you have them to care for you." Nikoli squeezed his friend's shoulder before walking around the medical van to get in the driver's side. Alan hesitated for a moment, knowing the conversation had ended on the topic, but he took the passengers seat with little thought.