Chapter 1 The Rose

"Catherine wake up. Wake up" my sister Heather said from behind the closed bedroom door. "I'm up" I shouted back to her. I was lucky she was here. My sisters enjoying the years while she's still young and then theirs me. Single, 30 and a cop. What a wonderful description. With a sigh I slid off my bed and to my closet putting on a pair of black slacks, a white button down silk shirt and black boots. Before I left my room I remembered to slide my gun into the waistband of my pants.

"Hey babe" I told my little sister as I kissed her forehead. She just nodded at me and continued to watch the news in her silk purple nightie and eat her cereal. As I go to the pantry to grab a banana I see the words monster attack on the screen. "Raise it up." I tell her from behind the kitchen island. She does as she's told and the words claw marks and ripped skin get jumbled up in my head. I grab my bag and walk out of my apartment without saying a word, and without knowing where I am going. Halfway to my car I have to make a decision. Work or Vincent.