2025-12-01 16:14:24The rain hit the streets of New York like it was on some rampage to release fury on earth and destroy the earth.
I didn't like the weather, there was this sadness attached to rainy days,I just couldn't explain it but that feeling was always there.
I woke up in a very foul mood today, the heater in my apartment decided to take a casual leave,abandoning me in the brutal hands of Mr cold,I had a very very lousy night.
I had to admit—despite the weather and all,I was in rare form today. The last case I closed had made headlines, and even the local news was practically singing my praises. Driving through Manhattan, I couldn’t help but smile, there was this sweet victory in having the last laugh, seeing the looks on those bastards as I cuffed their hands.
Ahhh, life has got some moments indeed.
Traffic was unusually tame, as if the universe knew I deserved a smooth ride. I rolled down the window, letting the air fill the car, and for a moment, I let myself bask in it. It felt good to be recognized, to see hard work paying off.
But then my mind wandered—inevitably—to Jesse. My boss. Jesse, who had a permanent scowl as though he drank soured milk every seconds. I couldn’t shake the feeling he disliked me. Why? Jealousy, probably. He couldn’t stand that I had a knack for closing cases, for seeing the angles others missed, for… being good at my job. It was petty, but somehow fitting.
Shaking the thought off, I parked the car in the lot. Work. I liked work, mostly. But sometimes work had a way of reminding me that the world wasn’t always aligned with my victories.
Off I went to the coffee maker, there was nothing good like starting your day with a cup of coffee, this was all the adrenaline I needed, it was like a drug I needed to get me through,I didn't even know why people took drugs, when a cup of coffee would solve everything.
As I stood, coffee in hand, thinking of how I was going to fly high today with whatever interesting case comes my way,I felt a tap on my back.
“Hi, Andy”, croaked Stuart, “Excuse me”.
You had to give it to me for the perfect description, this guy's voice sounds just like that of a frog and he was also mousy-looking. I guess I didn't just like because he was my boss's cousin.
“Yes Stewie, what do you want?”
“Jesse wants to see you”, the young man said, eyes darting nervously.
I hadn’t even stepped into the office. What does that guy want from me exactly?.
“Hmmm, your uncle must really like seeing my face right?,“ Okay boy, tell him I'm busy, and will see him once I'm free”.
Of course, I wasn't doing anything but I just wasn't going to give that rat-face the satisfaction of jumping up at his beck and call.
I was going to savor my cup and coffee and then go see him.
I straightened my shirt, tried to tell myself that there was nothing important he was going to discuss with me, just business. But when I pushed open the door and saw them both—the captain and Jesse—sitting there, eyes fixed on me like they were afraid of what they were about to say, I felt a flicker of unease.
“Andrew, I requested to see over half an hour ago?” Jesse said.
“Was it”, I replied.
“You know how it is with work,no time for sitting down and chit chatting, there's so much to be done and sincerely I haven't got the time,I apologize" I said quickly with this slight grin on my face.
Jesse knew I was making fun of him and with my eyes I dared him to say anything.
He was my partner for ten years, both of us working our asses off, closing cases and making fun of people at the top,we were soulmates - well just workmates please but we were very good together. I never knew that the bastard was eyeing an office position without even telling me, I got to know after he was given the position and the bastard just assumed this air of authority like he was better than me.
“Very nice of you to join us, Agent Hale, please sit” the captain quickly said,he probably wasn't ready for our brouhaha.
I swallowed,sat down and forced a casual tone. “ You wanted to see me?”
Neither of them answered immediately. Jesse’s jaw tightened. The captain’s fingers drummed lightly on the desk, betraying his discomfort.
I sat there, trying to read their expressions, guessing at the words they were holding back. Whatever it was, I had the sinking feeling it wasn’t good. And somehow, I already knew it had something to do with me.
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THE OFFER.
What?” I said, then laughed. Not because it was funny, but because sometimes laughter was the only thing standing between you and losing your damn mind.The mayor sat there just looking at me as if I'd suddenly gone mad. He didn't say anything, just looked at me.“Mayor Collins,” I said, shaking my head, “are you kidding me?”He didn’t answer.“Just when I’m in the middle of my investigation, you want to pull me out?” I went on, spreading my hands. “I smell a fish here. A very smelly fish.”That finally got a reaction.“Well, Agent Hale,” he said mildly, “I don’t cook. So there’s no way you’d smell fish in my office.”He chuckled at his own joke, like we were two men sharing a light moment over coffee.I didn’t smile.“Your services are no longer needed in Cedar City,” he continued smoothly. “I regret to inform you that arrangements have already been made for your return.”I leaned back in my chair. “Nah,” I said. “No, Mayor. I regret to inform you also that I’ve grown to like this to
THE MAN AT THE TOP.
The ride to City Hall felt longer than it should have.The black sedan glided through Cedar City like it owned the road. There were no sirens or urgency in the manner in which they drove. It was just quiet confidence that didn’t need permission or explanations. The driver never spoke, never even glanced at me through the rearview mirror. His hands stayed locked at ten and two, his posture stiff, and his eyes forward like he was transporting something fragile or dangerous.I watched the town slide past the tinted window.People walking dogs. Shop owners unlocking doors. A group of teenagers laughing near a bus stop. Normal life. Too normal. The kind of normal that always sat on top of something rotten.I noticed something odd, every time the car passed people, someone waved.Not at me, but at the car, at whatever power rode inside it.That told me more than any police report ever could.City Hall sat on a small hill, a brick building with white pillars and a freshly manicured lawn. Fla
UNINVITED GUESTS.
Something felt wrong before I even saw it. I know I wasn't paranoid, just that I've learnt to watch my back especially in a place as dangerous and filled with secrets as this hellhole.The road to my cabin was quiet, very, very quiet for mid-morning. The trees stood still, no wind, no birds. Even the crunch of gravel under my boots sounded louder than it should have.Then something odd, A black sedan.It was parked just off the dirt path, clean and polished like it didn’t belong anywhere near this place. The windows were tinted dark enough to hide whatever was inside, and the engine was still warm.My heart kicked hard against my ribs.I increased my pace, every muscle going tight. My eyes moved to the cabin next, and my stomach droppedThe door was open.I knew for a fact I’d locked it. I always did. Especially after the little midnight invitation that almost took my Tommy from me.Tommy, oh my God.Low voices drifted out from inside, it was calm and casual and playful, just like the
THE WEIGHT OF KNOWING.
You know how, when you’re young, you’re told that wishes come true?That if your tooth falls out and you slip it under your pillow, the tooth fairy will come in the night and trade it for something better. Something magical. Something that means you’re safe.I believed that once.I wished for a lot of things back then. Small things. Big things. Stupid things. Things a kid shouldn’t have had to wish for in the first place.But standing there alone on that sidewalk, watching the black Range Rover disappear down the street, I wished for just one thing.I wished this nightmare would end.I wished I could get the hell out of Cedar City and pretend none of this had ever touched me.The town felt like it was closing in, like it had teeth and was slowly sinking them into my ribs. The air felt thicker than it had a few minutes ago, harder to breathe. Every sound seemed louder. Every passing car felt like it slowed just enough to look at me.“You’re not welcome here” That’s what the place screa
FINDING OUT.
“What… what do you mean?” I asked, the words leaving my mouth before I could stop them.Shock must have been written all over my face, because Tate stopped walking and stared at me like I’d just said something strange. For a second, it felt like we were both surprised by each other’s reactions.“What do you mean, what do I mean?” he asked slowly.“You said your girlfriend was kidnapped,” I replied. “I— I didn’t realize…”“Oh,” Tate said, exhaling as if the air had been sitting heavy in his chest. Then he shrugged lightly, like he’d said it a hundred times already. “Yeah.”He started walking again, hands in his pockets, eyes straight ahead.“My girlfriend was kidnapped a while back,” he continued. “Alongside her twin sister. And some other girls too.”My heart skipped.“What’s her name?” I asked, already dreading the answer.“Laura,” he said quietly.The name hit me like a punch to the ribs.Laura.I kept my face neutral, but inside my thoughts were spiraling. Laura Grayson. One of the
THE MAYOR’S SON
I stayed where I was for a few seconds after the boy jogged past me.If I followed him too fast, and I’d draw attention and too slow, and I’d lose him.So I waited. Counted my breaths. Let my pulse settle just enough. Then I followed.I kept my distance as he moved down the street, his pace easy and relaxed. He wasn’t in a hurry. He wasn’t looking over his shoulder. Whatever he was wearing on his wrist didn’t worry him at all.People waved at him, not the polite nod strangers give each other. These were real waves. Familiar ones. A man stepping out of a store lifted his hand and smiled. A woman walking her dog called out his name. Someone driving by honked lightly, not in anger, but greeting.The boy waved back every time. He looked easy to talk to and confident, like he belonged everywhere he stepped.Popular, I thought. Or protected or probably both.I pulled my hood lower and kept walking, pretending to check my phone, pretending I had nowhere important to be. The town was fully aw
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