I awoke to my leg being shaken. Rubbing my eyes I sat up to look at my husband, Vernon. My body still felt heavy.
"Hmmm?"
"The station called me. You left early. So did Tim. I looked at the camera and you went inside with a man."
I rubbed my forehead, "The witness..." I tried to think of how to tell him the truth of what happened. How could I make him believe something so outlandish? Then I remembered my neck and suddenly I was wide awake, "You need to listen to me. I know this doesn't sound believable but last night I was taken by people that could hypnotize-"
"-For fuck's sake, Max," He swore as he stood, walking away.
"Wait," I said, jolting forward to turn him to me as I exposed my neck, "I have a bite mark, look. I wasn't dealing with a human. I know how crazy I sound but I promise I'm not lying."
"There's nothing there."
My face fell. I darted into the bathroom and studied myself in the mirror. My brows met as I looked over my neck. From the corner of my eye I could see Vernon move to stand in the doorway, his arms crossed.
"He bit me. It knocked me out."
"Please tell me the truth."
I felt my face heat up. I turned to him. I pushed my hands through my hair. I squinted my eyes shut as I took deep, slow breaths. I racked my mind for any explanation. Remembering Tim I raced out of the bathroom and into my car where I grabbed my phone. I ran back inside to sit on the couch. I dialed Tim and brought the phone to my ear. He answered on the first ring.
"Hey. Is everything alright? Sergeant Cross was worried about you."
"Do you remember what happened to day after I brought the witness in?"
"What witness?"
"Atrox."
"Is that even a real name?"
My face fell into my hand. I'd never felt such a need to scream in years. I hung up. I supported my heavy head with both my hands. I could feel Vernon watching me.
"You've been working a lot. We should get you some help."
I dialed Sergeant Cross next. His heavy, rumbling voice came to my ear immediately.
"Sergeant Cross."
"Hello. It's Maxine."
"Are you well?"
"I am. I'm sorry I left early."
"No, don't apologize. You've been through a lot the last twenty-four hours. You should take some time off."
"What?"
"The mental health of our officers is just as important as their physical health. You've gone through a lot. You deserve rest."
I eyed Vernon once more, "Do you remember the people that captured me?"
"Of course."
"Tell me what you found about their bodies?"
Vernon walked away, I assumed for privacy.
"The bodies were incinerated."
"What?"
"I'm sorry, Hazelwood. The guilty party has been fired."
"No," I moaned, tears brimming my eyes.
"I know it's frustrating. Listen, you've been on this case for months. You need a day off. Take this week to yourself."
"She's still out there."
"We're looking for her."
Did I tell him he couldn't look for her? That he would need the knife I'd grave robbed and now wore around my neck? Tears burned down my cheeks. I felt empty. Tired.
"Tell me what's on your mind."
"They weren't human," I said and held my breath as I waited for his response.
"What are you saying?"
I sighed. Relenting I said, "The things they did to people..."
"I know, sweetheart, I know. When was the last time you saw our psychiatrist?"
"I don't know."
"I'll make an appointment with her. Take a week off."
"I can't."
"You have to. It's just a week. I can't have you suffering a break."
"I know."
"We'll make dinner for you tomorrow. That sound good?"
"Yeah."
"Good. I love you, little girl."
"I love you, too, old man."
I hung up. I slammed the phone against the couch and rested my head in my hands again. I felt the cushions shift to accommodate Vernon.
"I think yesterday caused a break. You should get some support, then we can talk about us."
"I didn't cheat on you with a person of interest of all people. He was in this house for less than five minutes."
"We don't have to talk about this now. I'm going to make some calls."
"No," I said as he started to leave, "I'm gonna see Dr. Kim."
He got up and walked away. My hands ran roughly through my hair, turning the tight ringlets wild and unkempt. I decided to change and jog to the gym to blow off steam.
The jog was only five minutes long. Once I arrived I bought a mango smoothie next door and went inside.
"She found me!" One of the men called out.
I rolled my eyes and laughed. I swiped my card and went straight for the treadmill. I ran for five minutes while listening to music. Soon I stopped and took my phone out of my pocket. I'd never been interested in horror. True crime interested me but I found it disrespectful when people added a supernatural theory to their stories. Now here I was searching for a podcast that would do just that.
I ran longer than I ever had as I listened to people talk about vampires. Sweat drenched my body and the endorphins made me high. I kept my dagger in my bra. I couldn't imagine taking it out even as it uncomfortably prodded me.
The podcasts mostly spouted nonsense that I, even after seeing vampires, couldn't stand. One, however, described exactly what I had seen. Even down to the ring and the jagged, sharklike teeth. They spoke of beings that toyed with their prey before draining them dry, beings that could manipulate thoughts and memories. Unfortunately it only made me frustrated due to the fact that the speaker knew less than I did. I tried to find the identity of the speaker but came up with nothing.
At eight in the night I threw out my empty drink and started for home. I'd spent six hours exercising and despite my confusion I was proud of myself.
The cool air chilled my wet skin as I walked. It was unusual of me but I took out my earbuds and placed them in my pocket. As I walked I felt eyes on me. I lived in a big city, and so I was used to people looking at me but this felt different. My vision grew more vigilant as I walked, picking up the pace. Suddenly I looked to the roof of an apartment building and saw someone leaning against the rail. I stopped in my tracks and made no effort to hide the fact that I was staring. I could only make out the silhouette but something told me it was her. We stared at each other for a long time. Eventually she raised her hand and wiggled her fingers in a mock 'hello.'
I tilted my head to the alleyway and turned into the dark. I pulled my dagger out, returning the sheath to rest around my neck and gripping the hilt in my fist. My hand shook as I waited for her. My eyes darted from the left entrance to the right. I held the dagger behind my back. My skin froze against the icy brick. The waiting gnawed at my mind until I had no sanity left.