100-Story Building: Chapter 1 - Lorenzo

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(Edited)

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"Hello...Michael, this is Roger."

"Hey, detective! It has been a while," responded Michael immediately recognizing the familiar voice.

"Listen, one of the locals at the 100-story building wants to see you. He says he has some information."

His face turned pale, and a cold chill crept up his spine. Even if his body froze at that moment, his mind fired up and it seemed like millions of thought bits were being processed at an extraordinary speed. He was frightened and happy at the same. He has been expecting this, he has been preparing for this. Doubts started mixing into the thoughts. What if this is nothing? It can't be?!

"What do you want me to do Michael?"

"Are they one of the residents?"

"No, we know better Michael. We don't interfere with residents. He is one of the locals in the neighborhood."

"I can meet him tonight."

"Ok. Let's met by 100-story building at 10 pm. Or I can pick you up."

"No need, I will be there."

Not only he remembered that building, he knew quite a lot about it. One thing he still didn't know for certain why it was called a 100-story building. It only had 16 floors. There are many accounts and stories about that place. Some say it is called that because of hundreds of stories told about the event. Some say they witnessed seeing it being 100 or so floors high. There were no historic records or blueprints that showed the building had more than 16 floors. Only residents knew for sure. After the event, it was ordered to leave residents alone. They lived there in isolation from the rest of the world.

He wasn't sure if he needs to inform the team about this meeting. He picked up the phone and started scrolling through the contacts. On the second thought, he kept delaying to press the call but. He decided to go alone. He had to be sure the information is useful and actionable.

* * *

Michael parked his car at Ezzy's Cafe, a few blocks away from the 100-story building. Streets were dark, clear and quiet. After a couple of minutes of walking, he saw the police car parked at the curb, and three officers were standing by and chatting. They detected my movement towards them and both took an alert position.

"Who is there? Identify yourself," yelled Roger.

"It's me, detective. Michael." He kept walking towards the officers steadily. Roger started walking him hastily and upon reaching shook his hand embraced firmly.

"It's been a long time my friend. How have you been?"

"I am good. How are you? How is Jenna?"

"She is doing well. Much better, thanks to you."

Jenna is Roger's daughter. She was one of the affected ones during the event. She used to live in the 100-story building and almost turned into residents. Michael and his team help her and others to recover after the event. But there were many they couldn't get to, many who became residents.

"He is a couple of blocks down, waiting for you in the alley," said Roger pointing the direction.

Roder and Michael started walking down the hill. As they approached the alley, Roger pulled his gun out and waved his hand to stay behind him.

"It's ok, detective. I got it from here. It is better if I go alone."

"Are you sure? You may need protection."

"I am a sure detective. You can go now. I will talk to you tomorrow."

"Ok. Be safe. Call me if anything changes."

There was a strict policy for authorities not to interfere with residents. Police could only patrol the neighborhood and report back to the base, and not allowed to take any action without approval. After the event, because of the investigations and detention of residents, some residents fell in a coma, some became ill and started behaving not like themselves. Nobody had an explanation of the aftermath. To avoid further damage to residents, they introduced a policy of non-interference. This also applied to locals, who were not necessarily residents but lived in the vicinity of the 100-story building.

"Hello," Michael said quietly.

"Dr. Parker? Is that you?" asked the voice from the alley.

Michael pulled out his cellphone from his pocket and wanted to use the flashlight.

"Woo..wooo. What is that? Put that away."

"Don't worry. It's me. It is just my cellphone. It is too dark here."

"You don't light here. I mean no harm to you Doc." said the stranger from the alley, walked towards Michaela and extended his hand. "Pleasure to finally meet you. My name is Lorenzo."

"Nice to meet you too Lorenzo. You have some information for me?"

"Yes. Not here. My place is down the hill. Please come with me."

They started walked through the alley, turned left and kept walking down the hill.

"So, what has been happening Lorenzo?"

"I think I have a message for you. From them. You know. I think they are surveilling me."

"From who? What's the message?" asked Michael although he knew who Lorenzo was referring to.

"You know who. Those who came six years ago. I am having strange visions. Hearing and seeing your name in my dreams. They are watching me."

It was obvious that Lorenzo was scared. His hands were shaking, and there was a tremble in his voice.

"Here we are. This is my place," said Lorenzo. They walked into the driveway of the house, he pointed to the chair in the patio. "Please, have a seat."

"How long has it been going on Lorenzo?" asked Michael slowly sitting down.

"Three weeks. I didn't know what to do. Didn't know to contact you. Luckily, I met the detective and he promised to help me. I hope it is not late."

"Late for what?"

"Something is going to be happening in the Grand Gardens Palace before the dawn."



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