• Quote:
    "Life is a gamble at terrible odds. If it was a bet, you wouldn't take it."-Tom Stoppard


    1:30 AM MONDAY- Elizabeth Short

    I woke up that morning in a daze; nowhere near enough sleep. Getting out of bed I realized that I was still wearing my uniform. The name-tag that had clearly seen better days stated that my name was Elizabeth Short. Funny, how sometimes you get so caught up in your work that you completely forget who you are, and it seems I've been doing that a lot lately.
    Turning the coffee pot on, I quickly made myself some toast and pulled the jam out of the refridgerator. As soon as the timer on the coffee pot went off, I grabbed a mug and began chugging down the burning liquid, then turned and flew out of the door.
    Where are you going?
    Hopping into the red Maserati I had conveniently stolen the night before, I noticed that there was a pink sheet of paper resting against the dashboard. Someone had clandestinely placed it there sometime between eleven and now, the only hours I had spent sleeping. Curiosity short-circuited my brain, and so I opened the paper only to find a letter addressed to Mrs. Short.
    You're married?
    Dear Mrs. Short,
    so glad to see you have put forth the effort into living a normal life. Good for you. I would like to say we are honoured you're taking time out of your "rescue" schedule to come and visit us. Please, keep in touch, as we will make sure that you do.
    Sincerely, The Group.
    p.s. Stealing is illegal.


    No need to panic now.
    Someone knows your secret.
    I reread the letter over and over until I was sure I had each word memorized. One thing was certain now, I had to pack the few things I owned and make a run for it.
    Getting out of the car, I ran back into the apartment to shuffle my belongings into a duffle-bag, collecting only a toothbrush and some files I was suppose to destroy. I darted back down to the car only to find an empty parking space.
    Run!
    Doing the only thing I could do in a situation like this, I fled the empty parking lot, my legs unwilling to stop. I had no idea if I could escape before....
    Slowing my pace to nothing more than a jog, I stumbled across a penny, heads up.
    Superstitious fool.
    Well, maybe there could be some luck in my life, afterall, how much worse could my situation get?
    I settled for an alleyway right off of 32nd Street for a place to relax. Who knew what lay ahead of me?