Enter The Second Heroine

Prague, Czech Republic

It was a Tuesday and Patricia had her traditional classes as usual. She was the school freak. A lone wolf “shrouded in the darkness.” A black blouse with three-quarter length sleeves; with lace on the ends, which was also on the collar and decorated with old-fashioned gilt buttons. Pants from more modern times, narrow, covered with a kind of shiny material. She camouflaged her shortness with high heels. This time black shoes with a thick heel and a platform that laced up.

She developed a friendly relationship with her teacher, who discovered her talent for solving criminal cases. He led her to her calling. She originally wanted to study law, until an incident, where she met Michal Musil changed her mind.

The bell ended class and everyone started packing up their supplies and getting ready for the next class. The professor left the classroom, but he forgot some books. Patricia noticed them lying on the table shelf. The mentor had already left, so she took them and followed him. On the way to the office, one of her classmates stopped her. One of the unpleasant, patronizing variety.

She ordered Patricia to check her project to make sure she didn't make any mistakes. Patricia just raised one eyebrow. “You think it's my problem? I do not think so. You are studying at this school to become a member of the police force and this would be a fraud, see the paradox? Take your project and annoy someone else." The angry classmate shouldered her and left the scene with a long nose. She had to be strict with those kids, they were just trying to take advantage of her and they spread nasty rumors like everyone else.

Patricia just waved after her with an ironic smile on her face and continued on her way to the teacher's office. As always, she knocked on the door and opened it. She was stunned. A slightly tanned man was talking to her professor. She saw the papers on the table and her natural curiosity was awakened.

She stepped closer to the rustic table. She placed the books next to the documents and took the photos in her hands. "What are those stab wounds just above the earring hole from?" Marek ran up and tore the papers from her hands. She only managed to pull her hands up towards herself. "Calm down tiger, just don't bite me!"

Marek took a closer look at the pictures. The girl was right. They were stab wounds. Stefan may have thought they were older piercings. The teacher smiled. Marek turned his head towards him. "No way. I can't babysit while I'm working on a case. She has no idea about these things.”

Patricia raised her eyebrows once more for the day. She was fed up with being constantly underestimated by strangers. "You are half Romanian, second generation. Probably in your early thirties and still single as you have a stain on the back of your shirt.

You must have bad eating habits due to lack of time, for the little drooping, wrinkly, and dry skin. Some nutrition problems, because of the yellowing around the eyes and corners of the mouth, and also some injury, specifically on the left leg, which never fully healed. You didn't run straight to me, but instead, you wobbled.”

She crossed her arms and waited for a reaction. Marek was amazed. She knew more from a brief encounter than people who have known him for a long time, but still, he was very stubborn. "Never mind, I don't want a kid hanging around me on such a serious case anyway!"

Mr. Musil approached Marek and put his hand on his shoulder. Even then, he knew that Patricia was able to help him solve the murders. He tried to force her on him as a partner with a little lie. "If you really want to catch the serial killer, you need someone who will professionally play the bait in a controlled situation."

Both men turned to Patricia. She was immersed in rummaging through Marek's papers. She felt both of them burning holes into her back and turned to face them. "Yes?!" She snapped. They wanted her to play bait. "NO!" Suddenly, Marek changed his attitude. He slowly walked up to Patrica and put his arm around her shoulders and pushed her towards the professor.

“You'd make a good example for bait. You're short…” he stroked her hair “…and you look like an adolescent.” He pointed to her thin figure. But she was pissed, Mr. Musil just nodded. "You should try it. New experiences are good for you, and role-playing will be safe. The police will keep an eye on you, while you're on your job.”

Of course, she knew they were both trying to manipulate her. Well, probably enough reasons to change her mind; for now. "Alright, so what should I do?" They both smiled and she got another practical exam.