It's a Cruel World.

5 Years Later.

I sat up straight in bed, a cold sweat running down my back making me shiver in the heat of the afternoon sun. The echo of Jakes voice choking out an 'I love you' floated around in my head. It was always the same dream that plaged me. Him dying in my arms.

I hadn't had a dream that vivid in a while. Something bad was going to happen I could feel it.

A noise outside my bedroom door made me jump and reach for my gun, before I realised it was probably Moggy my tabby cat. Resigned to the fact that I wouldn't be getting anymore sleep, I begrudgingly left my bed and pulled on a tank top to cover my naked torso. Heading to the kitchen, Moggy followed hot on my heels. As I stopped to get coffee, she rubbed herself around my ankles. "okay, okay, I'll get you some food." Meowing in appreciation, she jumped onto the counter top while I grabbed a can of tuna from the cupboard.

Once Moggy was settled, I grabbed my coffee and went and sat on the back porch. Arizona. It was hot, dusty, dry and did I mention hot? Stretching my legs out in front of me I had to squint at the glare they caused in the sunlight. I suppose that's what working nights for five years does to you, turns you into a freaking albino.

I drained the remainder of my coffee and headed back inside. Moggy had scoffed the tuna and was now cleaning herself on the sofa. I scratched her behind the ears and headed to the shower. Before I could get there the phone rang.
"Hello."
"Bella, I need you to come in now." Steven, my night supervisor, breathed down the phone. "We have a triple homicide on our hands and most of the day shift has gone sick with food poisoning. Something they ate at the new seafood joint. So we're stretched thin and need all the help we can get."
"I'll be there."
"Thanks Bella." Steven abruptly hung up. I stared at the phone in my hand a tad too long before I realised I had to get my ass in gear.

Well there goes my shower.

I slumped off to my bedroom and got ready for the evening.
Black slacks.
White tee.
Blazer.
Badge.
Holster.
Pistol.

I placed a bowl of water down for Moggy, grabbed my keys and blew her a kiss. "Be a good girl, Mogs. See ya later."