The Poisoned Tree: Prologue
Disclaimer: The usual stuff. I don't own the original Cold Case characters, though not that many in here are mentioned.
Author's Note: This is my first time writing a Cold Case fic, or any sort of mystery/police/detective fanfic for that matter, so please bear with me. I'm just putting up the first couple of chapters to see whether or not you guys like it. (So please review). I don't know how realistic these situations would be, so I apologize in advance. I haven't seen enough episodes to know all of the background plots. This story could stand alone, but there are hints of Lilly/Scotty.
August 3, 2004
The door closed with so much force that the whole house shook. The young girl listened as the two garage doors opened simultaneously and two cars started, at slightly different times. Eventually the garage doors closed again. She watched her parents leave, their shouting still ringing in her ears.
As soon as the ringing died, she heard a new sound. The familiar pace of someone making their way up the carpeted steps.
"Vivien my dear." The voice came from her grandmother. "Where are your parents going?"
Vivien shuddered inwardly. That voice was so sweet and sugary it made her nauseous. Those eyes revealed nothing but innocence. But it was an act. It was always an act.
"….none of your business!" Vivien yelled. She pushed past her grandmother and ran down the stairs. She couldn't breath. She hastily zipped up her jacket and bent down to tie her shoes. She had to get out. But both the cars were gone. No matter.
Half an hour later Vivien got on board a bus. She didn't know, or care, where she was going. She had to get away.
It would be many hours under the silence of night before she returned, only to find a flashing police car in the driveway. Curious, Vivien took out her house keys and opened up the door.
She saw her parents and a policeman sitting in the living room. All three of them got up but were unable to find the words to say.
Without a word, Vivien slowly climbed up the staircase, listening to the familiar creaks and groans. She reached the upper landing, and saw a limp hand on the kitchen floor.