|chapter one|

Late into the night, Beth sat at her desk, filling out the last few reports. Another shift that had gone past her regular hours. This was starting to become a habit, working late. That wasn't particularly Beth's fault, rather all of the cuts within the station that brought burdens on everyone. This week was particularly busy. With dry, tired eyes, Beth strained to read each line on the paper, the past ten minutes having only shuffled the pages around. Coffee would be nice, she thought, but at 2am that would be suicide tomorrow. It's not even the latest she's stayed this week.

"Ah, fuck it." Beth mindlessly murmured as she closed the mess of folders on her desk. Sliding open the drawer by her leg, she dumped every pile into it without thinking twice before locking it. With a "clean" desk, Beth grabbed her coat off the back of her chair an slung it on. With a full yawn, she dug around in the pockets for her cellphones, both work, and her other phone. Two missed calls from her parter, and a few business related texts, none that interested her on the black phone, though. She buttoned the last few buttons on her coat before flicking off her computer monitor and heading to the stairway.

Her car was across the street, a layer of snow dusted on top. Each step on the icy ground had her cursing under her breath. Beth wasn't keen on the cold weather, particularly ice. Paul would tease her whenever she slipped, but thankfully that wasn't too often. The heater worked excellently, and quickly too. Beth yawned and rubbed her eyes before shifting the car into gear and pulling out. She was speeding, who didn't? It wasn't one of her best ideas, but she was tired, the only thing she could think of was bed. Besides, not many people were out at this time of night, she could get away with it. The silent drive seemed to be taking forever until her phone began ringing, startling Beth so much that made her hit the breaks, skidding to a stop.

"Shit!" She yelled, fumbling her freshly defrosted fingers in her pockets, pulling out a pink phone. She had just missed whoever was calling. Eyes rapidly scanning the phone, moving faster than her fingers were, she called the person back. It took her a moment to realize where she'd stopped her vehicle before she pulled to the side of the road. No answer from the other end. Sighing exhaustedly, Beth hung up, her forehead against the steering wheel. Her eyes had closed during the call, and stayed shut, just for a while longer. At least that's what she told herself. Five minutes had easily passed before the phone went off again, this time the phone was in her hand, ready to be answered.

"Hello?" Beth spoke first, waiting a few moments before repeating herself. Whoever had called didn't say a word.

"Beth?" Finally a woman spoke.

"Alison.." She groaned partially, trying to hide the slight sounds of annoyance in her voice. "What's up? Everything alright?"

"Oh Jesus H Christ, I didn't wake you did I?" Although Beth couldn't see the other woman, she knew she was biting her fingernails out of worry or anxiety.

"No, no.." Beth muttered drowsily as she leaned against the door, her seatbelt unclicked.

"I did!" Alison gasped, hand covering her mouth.

"I was working."

"Oh.." Alison seemed to regain her composure. There was silence once more, the sounds of Beth breathing, and a slight rustle from Alison's end.

"Why'd you call?"

"Mmm.." Alison swallowed something loudly, Beth assumed it was one of her many pills- something Beth's professional life chose to ignore. "I was worried about you."

"Worried about me? Hah.." Beth couldn't help but grin to herself, that was the first time in a while she was reminded that people actually cared about her and her safety. Something Paul rarely did, if ever.

"I'm serious!"

"Why's that?"

"I had a dream.. A nightmare. You had been in an accident, there was so much blood.. It was terrible." Alison's voice cracked, sounding on the verge of tears.

"Well, shit." Beth chuckled accidentally.

"Beth." Alison scolded.

"Sorry, jeez. Why don't you go back to sleep?"

"I can't. I already tried." Alison sniffled, once or twice.

"Because of Donnie..?"

"No, he's not even here for the night. He's on a business trip." Alison sounded as if she'd expected Beth to already know that.

"Alright. Then why can't you sleep?"

"I just can't, Beth. I keep worrying about you." Beth heard a sigh, then a clank of glass. Alison was drinking wine or something, it was usually wine.

"Alright." Beth muttered, her car engine starting, seatbelt clicking back in.

"Alright?" Alison sounded surprised, but stunned. "What do you mean by that?"

"I'm coming over."

"No!" Alison nearly shrieked. "You can't do that."

"Why not?" Although Beth had been told not to, she still started driving towards Scarborough.

"You just can't.." Alison kept protesting.

"Donnie's not there, right? I'm coming over."

"My kids! My kids are here, Beth, that's not a good idea."

"I'll be quiet. Don't worry, Ali. I'll be there in a few minutes. Meet me at the back door, alright?"

"Beth!-" Alison raised her voice, but Beth had already hung up.

The drive literally only took a few minutes, especially at the speed Beth was going at. She parked down the street and around the corner, to be discreet about her visiting Alison so that the neighbours wouldn't ask any questions. She headed down the dark street, and around to the door she said she'd meet Alison at. Beth tapped quietly before burying her hands into her pockets for warmth. Minutes passed before Beth tapped again, this time trying the handle. Locked. How typical.

"Come on, Alison.." Beth muttered out of annoyance. Her hands returned to her pockets, fingers clutched around the small pink phone. Beth was tired from the past few weeks, so the idea of calling hadn't came to her mind so easily. The phone rang twice before Alison picked up.

"Beth? Why are you calling me at two in the morning?!" Alison was whispering, but she sounded pissed.

"You've got to be kidding me."

"Beth?"

"Go unlock the back door." Beth hung up, phone being dropped back into her pocket as she muttered something along with the lines of "Jesus, idiot".