Chapter Text
My life as a detective has been great. I've solved countless cases, helped families find justice, and built a reputation I'm proud of. I should feel fulfilled — and for the most part, I am.
But the nightmares won't leave me alone.
Same one every time. I'm running through the woods, out of breath, slipping on wet ground. I don't know where I'm going, just that someone's behind me. Always just out of sight. Sometimes I see flashes — trees, blood, something silver glinting in the dark — but never the full picture. The only thing I really remember are his eyes. Cold. Watching me like he's already won.
I wake up gasping, heart racing, like I never left the forest.
This morning, I woke up drenched in sweat, screaming from the same nightmare. My roommate, Gat, rushed into the room.
"You okay?" he asked, eyes wide with concern.
"Yeah... just the same old nightmare," I muttered, sitting up and running a hand through my messy blond hair.
"You want some chamomile tea? It helps you relax," Gat offered gently.
"No, I don't wanna trouble you," I replied, still trying to steady my breathing.
"You're getting some anyway," he said, already walking to the kitchen.
That's Gat. Quiet, stubborn, takes care of people without making a big deal about it. It's why he became a doctor.
Still dazed from the nightmare, I slowly climbed out of bed and made my way to the table. Gat handed me a cup of chamomile tea as I sat down.
"Thanks," I said, giving him a small, tired smile.
He smiled back, soft and reassuring, before turning to start his breakfast.
"You want me to make you anything?" he offered, already reaching for another plate.
"No, you've done enough. I'll make something myself," I replied.
I ate breakfast and get ready to go to work.
I got dressed like I always do — black pants, plain grey t-shirt, leather jacket, the usual. I tied my hair back in a low ponytail and sat down to put on my boots. Just before heading out,I reached for my silver ring.
Then I remembered.
I lost it.
No clue when or how. It's been gone for weeks now. I've checked every drawer, every pocket. It's just... gone. I try not to think about it. It's dumb, I know. But not being able to figure out where it went messes with me. I solve puzzles for a living. Losing something so small shouldn't bother me this much. But it does.
I grabbed my badge and went out.
"Will it kill you to wear some color, Cally?" Gat teased.
"Color is underrated. There's nothing wrong with what I'm wearing right now," I replied, slipping on my jacket.
"Well, there isn't... but maybe wear some red to bring out your green eyes or something like that," Gat said, flashing me a smirk.
"I—uhh, no," I replied, a little flustered by that. I quickly grabbed my keys. "Okay, I gotta go."
I told him goodbye and headed out, trying not to think too much about his comment. I got in my car and drove off to the Ninety-Nine Precinct, where I work.
I got to the precinct, did the usual greetings, mumbled through some paperwork, grabbed coffee that tasted like burnt regret — the same routine I'd been running on autopilot for years. Nothing felt out of the ordinary.
There was a file on my desk. I sat down and opened it.
Wimbledown Park.
Didn't ring a bell. At least, not in any way that made sense. But something about the name felt like a whisper I couldn't quite catch.
I flipped through the photos. A cabin in the woods. A trail, half-overgrown, winding between the trees. Something about it all made my skin crawl — not because it was gruesome. Just... familiar. Almost like I'd dreamed of it.
But that was impossible. I shook it off and took the file to my captain to let him know I'd be heading out to question locals. Just part of the job