Chapter 1. First Sight of the Others
Many people never think of the life orphans face. Not until they become orphaned. My life was pretty good up until my 10th birthday. The screams of my mother still haunt my dreams. The evil laugh and murderous look in those bright silver eyes, that alone made up my choice in life. I will become a detective and find people just like the man that stole my childhood and my mother.
That had been about 12 years ago, living in the system until I was adopted by a nice family that didn't mind my determination to get my way in life. The only thing I hated about those years waiting, working towards my goal, was the constant bulling. Even now I'm picked on by my coworkers. I'm about 5'4 and around 112 ponds. I'm a black belt in karate and some other fighting styles. The main thing that sticks out about me is my hair and eyes. My hair is long and sort of wavy that is very dark brown at the top of my head and blond at the ends. And my eyes are a rare hazel, dark brown to dark green.
I'm standing in front of my commanding officer, Patrick O'Donel. "Sir, you wanted to speak with me?" He looks up from the papers on his desk when I speak. "Ah, yes please take a seat." He states this calmly as though we were close friends. I take my seat and notice that all the paper on his desk evolves around the resent murders. He sifts the files around so I could see them better. "Do you recognize anyone in these pictures?" The question startles me, I look up at his expecting and curious eyes. I take a better look at the people in the photos. "N .. Yes one." My answer was quiet barely a whisper. I was still staring at one picture. I could only see her face, but I knew it was an old friend of mine. I pick up the picture my hands shaking like a leaf. "What's her name?" The questions come with a gentle tone. Though I only heard one I already knew what I was going to be asked. I take a deep breath, unaware of the new person in the room. "Her name was Stela, we both were in the same class at the academy. She didn't make the cut but we still kept in touch." After saying that much my voice fades, unable to continue. I'm also aware of the man standing behind my chair.
"Tch, what a sad story." A very sarcastic voice rings in my ears. The look on Pat's face was enough to tell me not to engage but I didn't care. I turn around to see a man about my height and skinner, with dark hair and grey emotionless eyes. He looks familiar then Pat speaks. "Did I say you could come in?" Even I could hear the threat in his voice. "And who said I cared." The man said. That's when I realized who he was. Levi Ackerman, the best detective in the country. If the rumors are true. A small laugh escapes my throat. "What's so funny runt." The snare and question was directed straight at me. Which only made me smile more. "Oh, nothing I'm just surprised that a world famous detective is in my presence." The answer comes out a bit sarcastic but hey who cares. This seems to ease the tension in the room. I turn back to Commander Pat. "I guess you want me to finish." A slight nod is all I receive. I close my eyes and continue. "The last I heard from her was about a week ago. We were talking about her new boyfriend." I stop lost in thought unaware of the tear leaking down my cheek. "Crystal," the sound of my name snapped me out the trance I was in and a gentle hand wiped the tear from my cheek, making me look up, " do you need the day off?" I slowly shake my head, "No sir. I'm fine." I can tell that my lie was not successful. I simply put on a small smile and bow my head and continue with my answer. "I really don't need to, I've worked through grief before." This part of my answer caught Levi's attention. "Is there anything else you need me for?" My question came out in a steady voice that seemed to surprise Commander. "Actually, Levi will be staying here for awhile. Could you show him the spare office and answer any questions he has, and then your free to go." I decide to have a little fun and did a silly salute, a fisted hand on my heart and behind my back. "Sir, yes sir." This I know for certain will make him smile, and it does.
As I lead Levi through the office towards the office that will be his, I notice that he didn't talk much so I just told him were everything is and was about to leave when "What was that solute thing?" I turn around and he looks a little embarrassed about asking, but to my surprise he asks, " What exactly was that, I've never seen it before." I smile and answer his question. " Well I guess I start at the beginning of the story otherwise it wont make sense." I look over at him to make sure it was okay, and sat down, he was already sitting behind his desk. "Well, first off I made that solute so he wouldn't send me home. I first met Pat when I was 10, no he's not a relative of mine. My mother was killed by this guy, the case went cold, anyway I was the witness to the crime and was being drilled with questions none stop." He raised an eyebrow at this. "Pat just came on sift when he saw me. He started playing around and was trying to cheer me up. I started to play soldier with him and the solute I made to him, he was the caption, was like the one you saw. Ever since I joined the force I just make the solute to either to shut him up or to show him I'm really ok." At the end of my story Levi looks as though he understands and waves me off. I shrug and leave.
All I could think after the young lady left was that she was unique. And her story only made me wonder more about her. Why am I thinking about her, I have a case to solve. He looks at the photos of the women and stops on the one that was called Stela. Shaking his head he read the reports. Ahh, just as I thought the killer seems to be a vampire. He stays at the office for a while then calls a friend, Hangi, to look more into officer Crystal's file. "Why so interested? Is she a suspect or…?" Hangi's voice faded out on a question. "No, it just seems I'll have to interrogate her since one of the victims was a friends of hers." His reply seemed to be somewhat panicked. He clears his throat and continues, "There seems to be a code v here. And I need the city history records as well." He doesn't wait for her answer only hangs up and heads to the hotel that he was staying in. His thoughts again returned to Crystal, and her forced smile and the light of determination in her eyes. I really need to stop thinking about her. You know you cant get attached to anyone. He scolded himself.