RAVE AND THE SPECTRE VS JEFF THE KILLER PART 7

7
When morning rose, James rubbed his eyes as he climbed out of his bed, donning his sweat pants and gray tank top. His mother was making breakfast while his dad watched the news. His father noticed his son up, and pointed at the TV screen. "Hey James, come and watch this." James noticed on the TV that the anchor man was talking about Spectre and the high speed chase he gave.
"...despite LAPD's best efforts," The anchor man resumed speaking. "Spectre manages to escape with the help of Rave. Detective Hogan, who is in charge of the 'Masked Murder' case, refuses to comment on the situation at hand, but advises all parents and children to stay inside their homes after dark, as the 'Masked Murderer' is still at large."
All James could do was groaned in frustration. "Yeah, I don't like it either." his father said.
Just then, his mother puts breakfast on the table, and James quietly ate. His mother looked at him with concern. "James, why are you so quiet?"
James shrugged. "I'm fine." He lied. "I just got a lot on my mind."
"Well, don't hesitate to tell us, okay?"
"Mhm."
He haste his eating, wanting to finish so he could go to his room. Once he was in his room, he booted up his home console and began to play his game. It was then his watch beeped. He pressed the button and Tara came on screen.
"I see the crime fighter is learning new techniques using his persona combat simulator." Tara said sarcastically. "At this rate, you'll be able to go pro in no time."
"You know games help me think, Tara." James paid little mind to her.

"I got some intel on this psycho by hacking to the LAPD database. His name is Jefferson. It doesn’t tell much for a last name, but many call him 'Jeff' for short. He's a  killer by nature. Doesn’t have much of a pattern aside from just picking a victim he feels like picking and going with it."
"He sounds like an average serial killer." James said nonchalant.
"Unfortunately, that’s all I can pull from him. A lot of the data about his past is vague and cryptic. It’s as if he doesn’t exist in the database. I'll be sure to dig more into this. You should check and see how Traci is doing instead of playing your games."
"Yeah...you're right."
" Over and out." Tara screen turns off.
It was then James paused the game and pulled out his phone and began dialing her number. It rung a few times before she spoke on the phone. "Hello?"
"It's me, James."
"Hey James!" Traci spoke in a rather upbeat mood.
"You seem very happy."
"Yeah, it's nice to have some good rest for once."
"So were you able to get back to the hospital quietly?"
"Soooooorta..." She made a nervous chuckle. "I got back to the hospital, but Morgana told me my dad was looking high and low for me. Thankfully, she was also able to cover for me; telling him I under her care during the attack and your chase from the cops"
"And the injury? How did you get away with that one?"
"Also taken care of. She told my dad she gave me some of her special soup that helps make me feel all better. Explained about how it’s been passed down by generation after generation." She had an obnoxious smile on her face. "I guess she really is an old hag!" It was then she began to laugh.
Unfortunately for her, James didn't laugh with her. "..." It was then she began to calm down into a nervous chuckle. "Aaaaanyway...I'm glad you're feeling better. I was wondering if we could meet up and talk."
"Alright, how about the beach then?"
"Sounds good to me."
It was then Traci heard a knock on her door. "Oh, gotta go. Dad's about to walk in. Bye!" It was then she quickly hung up the phone. She looked at the door. "Come in."
As expected, Hogan opened the door and had a bit of a concerned look on his face. "Hey, everything alright, sweetie?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." She smiled. "I'm going to the beach to meet up with James, alright?"
Like a switch, he went from concerned parent to full father mode. "Wait wait, WHO?" He frowned. "This is the worst time to meet a boy, Traci. Especially with that maniac out there."
"Daaaaaaaaaad!" Traci cries. "It's not 'some boy!' It's my friend, James Jordan. I met him on the internet. He just came by to visit LA with his parents."
"Hmmm." He frowned. Still not liking the idea of this. Traci was under the impression her dad was already thinking of going for his shotgun.
"Pleaaaaaaaaaaase?" She bought two of her hands together and interlocked her fingers with one another, giving him the old school puppy dog eyes. It rarely ever fails.
"...." The dad groaned in frustration. "Fiiiiiiiiine, you can meet him...."
Traci quickly got up and hugged him. "You’re the best pop!"
"But I'm coming with you."
She then had a surprised look. "What? Why?"
"That killer is still out there, and I'm not going let him have a shot at you a THIRD time."
Her father had a point. In fact, she couldn't blame him at all for being very defensive. It was then she sighs as she lets go of him. "You better not embarrass me, dad."
"I won't."
"OR scare him off."
"That, I can't promise. The only thing I can promise is I’ll glare menacingly at him."
Later on, Marcus is seen driving James to the beach with a rental car.  James wore his black batman T shirt and swimming trunks. He had with him some food and his costume. Once they arrived, James climbs out of the car. At the time of their arrival, Hogan's car arrives. Traci got out of the car and James couldn't help but blush and stare. Traci walked over to James and hugged him, snapping him out of it. James noticed that Hogan was glaring at him, which made his blood run cold. Hogan began to approach towards the two as Traci moved to the side.
"So, you must be this 'James,' my daughter spoke of, huh?"
"Err...yes, yes I am." He offers a handshake. "Nice to meet you."
"Same." He accepted the handshake by giving him a VERY firm handshake. James winched slightly as he felt the pressure on his gripped hands. "So what's your full name?"
"Is there any reason why you want to know?" James questioned him.
"It’s simple courtesy." He said with a very stern tone, which made James gulped.
"James Jordan." He said nervously.
"Daaaaaaad!" Traci cried in annoyance. "Quit interrogating my friends!"
Ignoring his daughter, he pressed on the questions. "I'm sure you're going to keep your hands off my daughter at all times, correct Mr. Jordan?"
"Y-y-y-yes sir." James stuttered a bit.
"Dad!" Traci cried once again. She's beginning to blush with embarrassment.
"Okay sweetie..." He looked at his daughter. "I'll wait out here for you till you're done. Don't go off too far."
"I won't." She groaned a bit in annoyance as she grabbed James’ arm and pull him towards the sandy shores. "Come on!" Traci and James began to walk far away from him. Once they were earshot away from her father, they sat down on the sands and Traci let out an exasperated sigh. "My dad is such a pain." She looked at James with a frown. "I'm sorry that he bullied you."
"It's okay," James said with a shrugged. "He's just been really protective of you, and I don't blame him. He’s a dad after all."
"I guess..." Traci trailed off. It was understandable, but she still didn't like it.
James then moved to a different subject. "So...you heard the news this morning, huh?"
"Yeah..." She looked down at her toes. "Survived two magical attacks like it was nothing." He looked at James. "Do you think he's inhuman? Like...maybe he got injected with some whack out drugs or something."
James shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine." He simply said. "All I know is that he’s a serial killer."
Traci was then silent as she looked at the ocean in front of them. It was then she spoke out. "I...I really don't want to face him again. I mean, I got lucky twice, but I could get killed if I faced him again..."
James then looked at her. "I'm scared too...but we've faced enemies much worse than him."
"YOU’VE faced all types of bad guys," Traci said. "Me...all I've faced was that old hag and probably a few other monsterous enemies. I don't think I can handle a unpredictable killer like him."
In that moment, James then placed a hand on her shoulders. "You won't. I'll be right here with ya."
Traci then looked at James and almost began tearing up. He then gave a warm smile. "Thanks James..."
Meanwhile, Traci’s dad and Marcus are seen standing around the sidewalks looking at their children converse.
"Are you always this protective of your daughter?" Marcus calmly asked.
"When you're a target of something," Hogan explained. "You always got to be protective. There was this one time a mob boss I was investigating tried to eliminate me by planting a bomb in my car. Both me and Traci were nearly killed yet somehow we were thrown clear without a scratch. To this day I have no idea how."
"I heard the news of that killer out there. I'm a Memphis police offer, but I don't mind helping you out on this investigation."
"I appreciate the offer," The detective sternly said. "but because Traci was targeted I’m off the case so I have no say in it. Besides, you're out of jurisdiction." Not to mention he didn't feel like going through paper work to approve him working on this case.
"I guess you have a point there." The male shrugged as he began to walk to his car.
"Aren't you going to wait for your son?"
Marcus looked back at Hogan. "My son knows how to take care of himself. He knows the killer is out there, so I'm expecting him to be home before night time."
"You have a lot of faith on your son."
"I'm supposed to."
“It’s different with sons, I suppose”
Both men were silent as Marcus resumes walking to his car. Once inside, he turned on the engine and drove off. Hogan looked back at the two teenage kids and frowned. "...But when it comes to daughters a father never stops worrying."
"...We better go suit up and ask around about this Jeff guy. Hopefully these people have more information." James declared.
"Alright, see you later." She got up and begins walking back towards her dad.
Traci’s dad looked a bit surprised seeing his daughter walking back towards him. "Huh? Is something wrong?"
"Nah," She simply said. "I'm done with the beach. Can you take me back home?"
"Alright."
Not wanting to argue, he got back into the car along with his daughter and drove off. Later on, Spectre and Rave went about asking people left and right if they've know anything about Jeff. At first, they didn't get any luck, but they managed to catch a break. One of the civilians knew that Jeff tends to go to this bar at the end of town Called 'The Messy Joint.' They decided to go there at the evening. While at the front door, they looked at each other. "Are you ready?" Spectre said.
"Yep." Rave responded.
"Just remember to follow my lead."
"Okay." They began to march closer to the front door.