The mischievous gamer God Chapter 21 - 20: The First Call

As Tet watched the two of them, he conjured a second chair next to him and a table, then a large viewing screen. Snacks and drinks appeared on the table with a flick of his hand. Just as he finished, a warm, glowing fla shimred into existence beside him, and out of it stepped Hestia.

She sat down in the chair next to him and said, "So, my nephews found you."

He nodded. "Yep. And they asked for a favor."

"Don't worry—they're not in any danger," he said casually.

"I know. Pass the popcorn." she said.

The two settled in as the screen flickered to life, watching Apollo and Hers begin the ga.

"Herm," Apollo said, tapping the desk with theatrical flair, "what do we do?"

Hers replied dryly, "We listen to so tunes while we wait for the plot to begin."

Apollo grinned and held up three fingers. "Three... two... one—"

Suddenly, Hers perked up. "Caller on line one!"

"There it is," Apollo said with a laugh. He picked up the line and, with his signature upbeat energy, spoke into the mic, "Welco to 189.16 The Scream! You're on with Apollo—what can I do for you this evening, caller?"

He and Hers heard a woman's voice, tense and urgent.

"Thank God I was able to make it through, Apollo. My na is Leslie Harper, and I'm the 911 operator for Gallows Creek."

Apollo blinked. "You calling to request a song, Leslie?"

She replied, "What? No! I—I found a body, and I need your help."

Apollo raised an eyebrow. "911 is calling for help? You do know I'm a radio DJ, right? You should be calling the sheriff for that."

"I'm at the sheriff's office right now," she said. "Sheriff Matthews is dead."

Hers muttered, "Oh sh—here we go. Didn't expect the sheriff to be the first."

Apollo whistled. "I know, right? Talk about a twist."

Leslie continued, "I couldn't get a response from the departnt. That's never happened before, so I ca to the station… and I found him."

Hers asked, "Do you know what happened?"

"Soone got him. Soone got up very close," she said, her voice wavering. "I… I really don't want to say what they did. He's surrounded by bullet casings. I think he tried to shoot at whoever it was."

Apollo cut in, tone a bit more serious now. "Is there anyone else at the station? Anyone who can help?"

"No. I checked everywhere. The only person here is Deputy Martinez… but she's knocked out, tied up, and thrown in a jail cell."

"Holy shit, and I thought the cops in New York had it bad. These poor saps got taken down by one guy," Hers said. Then he added, "Leslie, call the next county over—tell them we need backup."

Leslie responded, "I tried, but for so reason, I can't call anything but local numbers. Sothing's wrong. I'll have to go there myself and let them know what's happening."

"Shit," Hers cursed. Then he said, "But if you leave while there's a murderer on the loose, who's going to man the phone lines?"

Leslie replied, "That's why I called. I've rerouted all 911 calls to your station."

Apollo replied, "No pressure or anything."

Leslie said, "Yeah, well… let's have so on-the-job training. Right now, I have an ergency. I need to get an unconscious Deputy Martinez out of that holding cell. Any ideas?"

Hers said, "Where are the keys?"

Leslie replied, "In the cell. With her."

Then Apollo asked, "Is there a spare set anywhere?"

She said, "Yes—of course. There has to be another set sowhere."

Hers jumped in, "Check the sheriff. He most likely has a master key on him."

"Good idea," Leslie said and ran back to the sheriff's office. As she turned the sheriff over, she said, "Sorry, Sheriff…" After searching his pockets for a mont, she added, "I got them."

She ran back to the cell door. "They work," she said, then opened the cell. "All right, give a minute to untie Deputy Martinez and I'll be right back."

Hers said to Apollo, "If this was a real town, they'd be screwed."

Apollo nodded. "I know, right?"

Then they heard Leslie say, "Co on, Deputy Martinez… just got to get you in your office chair." With a final grunt, she managed it. "I'm back. I just got to get Deputy Martinez to my car before I head to Henderson. If the killer ca back now, she'd be a sitting duck."

Apollo said, "That's a good idea. It'd be safer to take her with you."

Leslie responded, "Thank you guys for all your help. If you handle all the other calls like this one, you'll be fine. Just work together. You can do this."

She continued, "Now, I've got to get—"

Then they heard a loud explosion.

"What?! My car! My car is on fire!" Leslie shouted.

Hers's voice was laced with worry. "What do you an your car is on fire?!"

Then they heard it—an eerie, slow whistle.

Apollo's eyes widened. "Oh cool… the killer's here."

"No, it can't be…" Leslie whispered. "Oh boys, we've got big trouble."

Hers said, "Oh? Perhaps she knows who the killer is?"

Apollo asked, "Who is it, Leslie?"

She answered, fear creeping into her voice. "It's the Whistling Man… but it can't be. He died years ago. But that mask… that whistle—"

She cut herself off. "He's coming this way."

Apollo shouted, "Quick! Get back inside and lock the doors!"

"You're right!" Leslie said. They heard the doors slam and the locks click. "He's trying to break in. My car is totaled. What do I do?"

Apollo stayed calm. "There's got to be police cruisers, right? You can use one of those."

"Yeah, that could work. Just let see if Deputy Martinez has any keys on her… Let just reach into your pocket there, Deputy…" After a brief pause: "Yes! She has so!"

Then she added, "Wait—the Whistling Man is right there. How am I supposed to get myself and Deputy Martinez to the car?"

Hers asked, "The deputy got a gun?"

"No, it's missing," Leslie replied.

Hers thought for a second. "What about the sheriff's gun?"

Apollo cut in, "Won't work. He most likely wasted all the ammunition trying to defend himself. Check the deputy's belt. Does she still have any of her non-lethal equipnt?"

"Yeah, she's got a baton, pepper spray, and a taser. But I can only carry one. What should I take?"

Hers said, "The baton's out. You wouldn't be able to put enough force behind it to do anything—not while carrying another person."

Apollo added, "You said he was wearing a mask, right? That ans pepper spray's out too. Take the taser."

"If you're sure…" Leslie said. Then, grabbing the taser, she paused. "Wait… do you hear that?"

Hers replied, "It's quiet."

Leslie said, "I don't see him anywhere…"

Apollo leaned in. "Now might be your only chance. Take it."

As soon as he said that, they heard Leslie pick up Deputy Martinez and scramble toward the nearest police cruiser. She managed to get them both inside, started the car, and for a brief mont, it sounded like she was ho free.

Then ca the shatter of breaking glass.

Apollo shouted, "What's going on, Leslie?!"

"He broke into the car! He's got Deputy Martinez—GET OFF HER, YOU SON OF A BITCH!"

Then ca a zap and a startled scream.

"Yeah! How do you like that?!" Leslie shouted triumphantly.

Hers yelled, "Leslie—drive!"

She hit the gas. Tires screeched.

"Oh, what a rush," she breathed. "Thank you both. We're okay. I'm on my way to Henderson now. I'll bring back help as soon as I can. Gallows Creek isn't Nowheresville, but it's pretty damn close. It's going to take about three hours each way."

Apollo said, "Drive fast, but drive safe. We'll hold down the fort till you get back."

"Thank you… and good luck," she said, just before the line cut.

Then Hers said, "Did she say six hours?"

"Yep," Apollo replied.

"Shit," Hers muttered.