[i]The darkness consumed all that she could see, the silence ringing in her ears. Unsure of which way was up and which way was down she ran forward, hoping to run into something that could lead her away. As she ran her footsteps echoed in the empty world, her breath filling the air around her in puffs of white. "Cold, so very cold." She whimpered as she jogged, eyes growing wide with fear. "Wrong, something is wrong so very, very wrong." She shivered, picking up her pace. Another pair of footsteps echoing in the dark. With no idea where she was going or who else was with her she ran faster, the second footfalls never fading. Tripping, she landed hard on the ground she couldn't see, the footsteps fading at last. Sighing with relief she turned around only to face the image of a floating jack-o'-lantern and knife, the blade sinking into her throat in a flash of red.[/i]

Nova flung up in her bed with a gasp, eyes wide and hands trembling with fear. Slowly she lay back, her head spinning from her quick elevation. She concentrated on her breathing, shaky fingers tracing over the skin on her neck. She sighed with relief, wiping away the beads of sweat that had formed on her forehead. "Just another dream." These nightmares had been plaguing her since the murders had started, the screams of the dead haunting her while she slept. Suddenly there was a knock at her bedroom door causing the young woman to jump slightly. "Come in." She cleared her throat, sitting up properly in the bed to address her early morning visitor. 

"Good morning Miss. I've brought you your morning tea." The maid smiled gently and placed the tray with the tea on the table beside the bed. Nova smiled gratefully, picking up the cup and sipping at it gingerly. "Another nightmare Miss Black?" Nova nodded silently, the tea slowly calming her nerves. "I'm not surprised, with everything going on in this city." Nodding again, Nova placed her cup back down on the tray, slipping from the bed to start dressing.

"I've decided to offer my help to the police, the nightmares are getting worse and it doesn't seem like they are any closer to catching this lunatic. Any word from my father?" She asked, slipping out of her nightgown before pulling an expensive black dress from her wardrobe.

"Yes, we received a telegram this morning from him. The Master said that his business trip has been extended. It will be a couple more weeks before he can return home." The maid noted the girl's disappointment, helping Nova into her outfit before sitting her down to pin up her hair. Ever since Nova's mother had died of illness her father had delved deep into work, leaving the young girl to be raised by the household servants. At 19, Nova was supposed to have been married, or at least engaged already, but that opportunity was taken from her by a murder not unlike the ones making the news. "Are you sure you want to go out there and help. It's a noble thing but it's dangerous work. You could get hurt." Nova smiled at the maid, standing and collecting her bag.

"Don't worry, I'll be careful." She reassured the woman before leaving her to her work, stepping outside and making her way to Baker Street. Rumors and reports were already circulating about the latest murder.... Murder number twelve. It wasn't hard to figure out where it happened, and she could see the line of constables from a good ways off. Taking a deep breath, she marched her way up to the line.

"I'm sorry Miss. You can't continue on any further, this is a crime scene." The man said, blocking Nova's entrance to the scene.

"Yes, I'm well aware that this is a crime scene. That is why I am here, I need to speak with the Chief about something important. Could you fetch him for me?" She smiled politely but her tone held a stubbornness that told the constable she wasn't about to walk away quietly. Confused as to what to do, the man finally nodded and turned, leaving Nova behind at the line to await a response.