Aragorn laughs softly, shaking his head. “Well it’s incredibly rude to wake someone up by screaming. And I basically kept you up for the rest of the night. Sleep is necessary. So yes…I do owe you. And besides those stitches were a needed fix.” They sigh as they lean back.
“Stay safe out there. Alright? If you ever need me…you know where to find me. At least for the time being.” He smiles warmly at Vaughn as if he were an old friend.
“It wasn’t really your fault, though,” Vaughn answered. He didn’t believe that Aragorn owed him at that current time. His head nodded at Aragon’s goodbye. “Yeah, I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks, man.”
With that, Vaughn left the apartment. He couldn’t wait to get back to work, honestly. His first stop would be the library, where he could use their public network to look through the registry for his next target. Next, he would get to work, planning out what he would do to take out the man within the next week or so.
Aragorn sighs heavily as soon as Vaughn leaves and turns back to his computer. “Might as well get back to work…” He mumbles, rubbing his eyes. They felt so tired…yet they knew they wouldn’t be able to sleep…he just guessed he’d pass out later that week like he usually does. He just hoped this time…it wasn’t in public.
Aragorn worked until noon, then stood and got ready to go out and interrogate. They thought maybe start with the library and ask the librarian if they knew anything about these cases. Probably? Maybe. He hoped so.
Once he was done preparing himself, they gathered their files and recorder and headed out to the library to get this case going. He was gonna find out. Yes. They were going to find out. Aragorn walked into the library, looking around. New area…he wasn’t a fan. They walked up to the librarian and smiled. “Hello, miss. I was wondering if I could speak to you about the murders going on around here.” He said in a hushed voice. “I’d be happy to pay you for any information you have for me.”
Vaughn sat in the library at the most private spot he could find. He was at a computer where the screen couldn’t be seen unless you stood behind him, and his back was decently close to the wall. He was currently on the registry, a notebook off to the side that he was jotting notes down in. Names, locations, committed crimes. Those types of things. He had been there for a few hours and hadn’t found anyone that felt right yet.
The librarian greeted Aragorn before a frown formed on her lips. “What would you like to know? I don’t know much, I’m probably not the best person to ask about this,” she replied.
Aragorn hums. “Oh any information will do. Even suggestions of people you know who may know more will be a great service.” He hands her a paper. “You can write what you know here if you’d like.” They add.
They hadn’t noticed Vaughn, but could feel a familiar presence in the library. Though he just brushed it off as paranoia. They waited for the woman to write everything she knows, then once she’s done, he takes the paper and thanks her.
The librarian nodded her head, writing down what she might have known. She wrote down the names of local bar owners and private detectives. She didn’t know much, and didn’t think that one of her frequent visitors could be the killer they were looking for.
Vaughn finally found his next target. Simon Waters. A domestic disturbance landed him in prison for a sentencing of five years. He was recently released a month prior after only serving three, due to good behavior. Vaughn scoffed to himself. That was difficult to believe. He wrote down the man’s information on his notepad before pulling up another tab. He logged into one of his burner accounts on Facebook and looked up the man’s name. After a few minutes of scrolling through accounts, he found the right one.
Aragorn nods, “Thank you, Ma’am. This is greatly appreciated.” He slips her a 100 dollar bill and folds up the paper, slipping it in his folder. “Have a great day. Do you mind me using your computers?” He tilts his head slightly, his long light blond hair sweeping to the side and exposing his pointed ear.
As he waited, he clutched the folder tightly to his chest. “Oh…and if I could…would you all happen to have any files on the city?” He shows his badge. “Just in case.”
The librarian was shocked by the money, but gladly accepted it. “Go on ahead,” she replied with a polite smile. “We keep things like that in the back room. The code for the pin pad to unlock the door is 3285.” When mentioning the back room, she nodded over towards a side door that why near the computers. She was more than happy to give him access after seeing his badge.
Vaughn stalked through the man’s social media pages, trying to find a spouse. He didn’t post her whatsoever, at least not since he was released from prison. He guessed maybe they had gone into hiding away from him upon hearing that he had been released early from prison. Surely there was a restraining order in place, but that didn’t stop men like him from going after their victims. He clicked his pen, brows furrowed as he searched.
Aragorn smiles and quickly writes down the number in gel pen so it could wash off after a while. He then nods to the librarian and walks over to the back room, unlocking the door and stepping inside. As they looked around, they spotted a few files that took interest to him and he quickly snapped pictures so they could research further. Once he was done collecting all he needed, they walked over to the computers about a row away from Vaughn and began searching.
It took a while, but he managed to get into the government cameras. He smiles softly. Yes! He was getting somewhere now! They began typing quickly, snapping pictures of the dark figure that had been caught only two times on camera. That must be it! He then sent the pictures to his personal email and work email and began looking into any other evidence they could find.
After a while longer, Aragorn looks up to rest his eyes from the light of the screen and Notices a familiar face. Vaughn. He smiles. “Hey.”
Vaughn continued to write down notes at his computer. He took note of family members, birthdays, jobs- absolutely everything and anything that he thought may be able to help him with his current target. He made a plan in his mind. Watch the residence for a few days, learn a routine that the people living there had, get the victim alone so he could talk to them, and then go from there.
He was pulled from his thoughts by a voice greeting him. He quickly shut his notebook and changed tabs, looking up at who greeted him. Aragorn. “Hey, what are you doing here?” he asked, hoping the man hadn’t seen anything.
Aragorn smiles brightly. “Was about to ask the same question. I’m working on that case.” He chuckles as they stretch. “I think I’m onto something.” He blinks. “Oh!” They rummage through their notes, writing and then smiling back up. “Do you have any kinda suspicious or anyone who may know of anything?” They tilt their head slightly, brushing his hair back.
“I’m trying to see if more people have caught this guy.”
Vaughn’s fingers twitched against his lap under the table. Of course, Aragorn was looking into his case. He didn’t want to talk about it, but this could be a fantastic opportunity to see what exactly Aragorn knew. Clearly, he had no suspicions of him, since he was asking him those questions. He shook his head a tad in reply. “Nothing comes to mind.”
Vaughn leaned forward a bit towards Aragorn, glancing towards his notes. “Have any ideas? Since you’re onto something,” he said.
Aragorn nods, smiling. “Several witnesses have claimed they’ve spotted him. Thought they couldn’t get a good enough look. But there’s some blurry pictures from street cams I was able to find.” He pulls out some pictures. They were blurry…but it looked recognizable only to Vaughn. If anyone else were to see it, they probably wouldn’t be able to tell.
“I’ve also seen reports of a few younger kids who said they saw the mans face. Which is good! Though of course…kids.” He sighs.
Vaughn looked over the pictures, biting the inside of his cheek. They were of him alright. His face was thankfully turned away from the camera and his figure was much more of a blur, but it was still him. If only Aragorn would open his eyes and see that the man he was looking for was only a few feet away.
“I wouldn’t expect kids to be reliable witnesses,” he agreed with a nod of his head. He knew exactly what kids Aragorn was talking about. He had just left the house of one of his kills and was climbing into his car. He had taken off his mask, and had looked up to see a couple of young boys walking with their bikes. They were staring straight at him. He was lucky enough to be able to speed away quickly.
Aragorn shrugs. “I still think I’ll question these kids. If their descriptions are all the same…we may just get our guy.” He sigh heavily as they lean back and rub their face. He looked exhausted. “Anyways…not gonna lie to you…and don’t tell anyone…but I feel like…this guys doing something good here…” He mumbles, staring at the pictures. “I mean…just imagine how grateful these people would be to be…free…” he trailed off slightly, still staring.
After a moment, they blink and shake their head. “Anyways-“ He clears his throat.
(Sorry for the delay, work has been kicking my ass LOL)
Vaughn's brows raised as he listened to Aragorn. Aragorn agreed with what he was doing. Maybe not the method and way he was going about it, but he still agreed. "If you think he's doing something good, why are you still trying to stop him?" he asked. He hoped that was a normal and unassuming thing to ask. He was curious now, and it was getting the better of him. It excited him that Aragorn could almost understand why he was doing this. No one else would save those people, which meant that he had to. He was their only hope, and arresting him would stop all of that.
(XD it’s cool! Take as much time as you need ^^)
Aragorn sighs softly. “I just…” He looks around, then leans forward and whispers, “I’m getting paid…a lot…and I need the money. Really bad. Especially with the situation I’m in right now…” They sigh. “I understand the guy…and honestly…if it wasn’t against my morals…I may have done the same. But…I just can’t. I also need this money. Then I can sustain myself no matter where I go. I wouldn’t need to be homeless and worry about my next meal…”
He clears his throat. “Anyway- sorry. Please don’t tell anyone about that. I’ll lose everything.” They then started looking worried as they fidgeted with his pen. “I just…” He sighs heavily and looks away.
(I love dogs, but they are so exhausting sometimes LMAO)
Vaughn lost a tiny bit of hope. He had thought that he might have the chance to convince Aragorn to back off of the case, since he did partially agree with what he was doing. But at the mention of money, he felt a tad frustrated. He took it as Aragorn choosing money over anything else, something he couldn't do. If he had been offered a large sum of money to stop doing what he was doing, he would never take up that offer. He was passionate about what he did, and he would die for the cause of helping people. It was what he lived for.
"I won't tell a soul," he simply confirmed with a nod of his head. He leaned back in his chair, catching Figure out of the corner of his eye.
(Ooooo dogs! I completely get it tho- my dogs a menace in of herself-)
Aragorn fidgeted uncomfortably, sighing. “I…” He debated on admitting that they also had no choice in this matter. He was promised protection from the very thing he was running from. As long as he worked for these people…they were safe. Others he sought to protect were safe. He and anyone else still close to him were cloaked. The cult hunting him wouldn’t be able to find them or anyone else. And he needed that reassurance. Plus…if the cloaking were to break…he’d have enough money to still keep himself and those he loved safe. They honestly didn’t want another bird tattooed on his skin again. That was his goal. And he’d do anything to keep that from happening.
Eventually, Aragorn just sighed heavily and leaned back, looking back down at his papers. Maybe he shouldn’t share…he didn’t want to seem like he was asking for pity. He just wanted to reason…he just wanted someone to understand. They of course, decided to keep it to themself. They wouldn’t bother this man any longer with his problems. “Thanks.” He whispers finally.
(Yeah it’s pretty great, most of the time LMAO)
Vaughn frowned as he watched Aragorn. The silence was tense and there was a heavy weight in the air. Something was wrong with the whole situation, but he would have never been able to guess what it really was. He assumed Aragorn was having some sort of moral dilemma, and that was none of his business to pry.
“How long have you been on the case? If you don’t mind me asking,” he asked. That, he would pry on. Any bits of information that could give him the upper hand on how the investigation was going. An opportunity like this didn’t come around this often. Never had he been able to get information from the inside.
Aragorn blinks as his thoughts flee. He looks up at Vaughn and smiles slightly. “Almost a year now…I’ve been jumping apartments so I can stay close to the organization and areas of investigation.” He sighs heavily as they set some files out in from of them. “I’m kinda upset that I’m just now getting somewhere…at least the people I’m working for are kinda understanding.” Aragorn mutters under his breath, then rubs their forehead.
He then takes a deep breath and takes a drink of water. “It’s been rough…” They murmur. “I’ve had certain deadlines that I’ve barely been able to finish. I’ve gotten sick a couple of times from the added stress and moving around. But I don’t really get off days…so…I still haven’t had much time to recover from the last time I got ill.” He makes a face of what seemed like annoyance.
Vaughn’s brows raised a tad upon hearing the time frame. A year? He was a bit surprised he hadn’t run into Aragorn before last night. Maybe he had and he just didn’t remember. It wasn’t that large of a city. But it told him that he was getting messy. Aragorn had only recently got those leads on his identity. He had gotten sloppy, and it was coming back to bite him. That told him to up his game a bit.
“I see,” he replied shortly before getting an idea. He could use this to get ahead. Being friends with Aragorn could prove helpful. “Would you like to grab coffee with me?”
Aragorn blinks up at him. “I- oh- um…sure- yes. Yes that would be nice.” He stammers, his cheeks coloring slightly. They then smile warmly at him. “What time would you like?” He asks softly, setting the papers he had aside to show he was fully involved in the conversation.
That type of body language was learned from years of experience and watching humans. He has learned, that no eye contact, doing other things while listening, and having a blank expression was considered rude for most mortals. So, he started trying to perfect his skills of people pleasing. Look at the person speaking, eye contact, set everything else aside, nod and shake your head to show you understand, and make various facial expressions to show empathy and sympathy when needed. It was a skill that had gotten him many jobs in the past, and a skill that took years to perfect.
Vaughn tucked his small notepad and pen away into the back pocket of the jeans he wore. "Are you free now?" he offered, head tilting in the slightest. It was dog-like, almost. Unlike Aragorn, he didn't know many social cues and never really learned how to portray them. Sure, he could read others like a book, but when it came to himself expressing things physically, he fell short. He seemed to have a distant expression most of the time, and that paired with his monotone voice could cause some confusion on what he was really meaning. The only times he really had emotion was when he was killing, and all that showed was rage.
Aragorn smiles and nods. “Sure. Yeah we can go now.” He starts packing all his belongings up, then stands, towering over the sitting Vaughn. From that point of view, Aragorn looked like they could easily snap him in half if they wanted to. Hell they probably could. Though of course, the intimidation didn’t last long when Aragorn smiled at him softly and turned slightly to put his hair half up into a bun.
Once he was done, he looked at Vaughn once more. “Ready when you are.”
Vaughn didn’t like their current position. He didn’t like being stood over, and he seized up for a moment. While it wasn’t very noticeable, it caused a nauseating feeling in the pit of his stomach, and he was glad he hadn’t eaten that day. It reminded him of his father, a position they often took with each other when he was a child. His father was a tall man, and he had been much shorter during the time he was in his life.
He snapped out of his panicked daze after a moment, clearing his throat and getting to his feet. He stuffed his hands away into the pockets of his dark jacket. “I’m ready, let’s go on ahead,” he said, beginning to walk for the door. As he went, he glanced over at the librarian, who seemed to be looking at him thoughtfully. The paranoia was trickling into his brain, and he was quickly convinced that she could see right through him. He quickly glanced away, breaking eye contact as he headed out into the street.
Aragorn watched Vaughn closely as he followed, their strides long and graceful. They tilted their head ever so slightly as they watched their acquaintance. He definitely seemed off. Very off. Aragorn seemed concerned at this behavior, but just decided to watch and learn. File down this data and see what happens.
As he followed Vaughn, he tried to make small talk. “Are you from around here?” He asks softly.
Vaughn kept stride with Aragorn, having to walk a bit quicker than usual, though it was not much of a bother to him. It was a quick walk to the coffee shop, it only being a couple of blocks away from the library. When asked about himself, he wondered if he should lie, just to protect himself and his identity a bit. He decided against it. Aragorn had no reason to suspect him of anything at that point in time. That's what he told himself, at least.
"No, I'm not. I've only lived here for a couple of years. I moved around a lot growing up," he answered. That wasn't a complete lie. He had been there longer than just a couple years, but he had moved around a lot. Being stuck in the foster care system for a good portion of his life could be thanked for that. He was moved from home to home, each one giving him up quickly due to his mental health issues. "What about you?"
“I’ve also been moving around a lot…” he sighs. “I honestly can’t remember the last time I stayed idol…I haven’t had a home for as long as my memory spans.” They sigh a heavy sigh, looking down as they fidget with his hair. “I think the longest I’ve ever stayed in one place was a year…and even then I’d have to go from place to place all day…sleep on benches…”
Aragorn shook their head, clearing their thoughts and brushing his long hair over his shoulder. “It’s alright though…can’t miss what you’ve never had…right?” He laughs softly, trying to brighten the mood.
Vaughn's lips pressed together thoughtfully as he listened to Aragorn talk. A traveler not by choice, similar sounding to his own situation. He nodded his head carefully in agreement about not missing what he never had. He could only partially relate. He had something- while not for long, he still had it at one point. A family, a stable home and environment. A reminder of why he could not stop what he was doing. He killed to keep other people having that same feeling of a happy life being ripped away from them.
They arrived at the coffee shop shortly after their conversation. Vaughn opened the door for Aragorn before following him in. They headed up to the counter to order, and he ordered a small black coffee that he would put cream and sugar into.