The Night They Went Missing

Philando

The rustling sound of cars driving by the station erupted into the room. People moved around, phones pressed to their ears and coffee in their hands. The typing of key boards were everywhere as the room also began to fill with chatter. The police station was always busy and rowdy as the active life of police officers always were.

 Looking to my right as the bell on the door announced someone walking through, the bright sign above the desk, covered with paperwork, shined brightly in the words 'police station'. Calls were being made left, right and centre with the chatter getting louder. Chairs were stationed outside a door which led to the cells, which were mostly full of drunk people, waiting for them to become sober again. I've been here, working as a police detective for years.

 I turned my attention back to the computer in front of me, the logo of the station pasted into the middle of the background. Currently, I had no cases, and I was mainly out stoping fights between people when they've had too much to drink on a night out. This was something I had to deal with on lots of occasions, but it comes with the job.

 My boss approached me, striding over to my desk that was full of empty coffee cups and pens. His glossy grey hair glimmered in the moonlight that was projected from the window. It surprised me how he already had grey hair, even though he wasn't too old. Guess that's what having three kids gets you. His chestnut eyes narrowed and stared at me.

 "Got a call from a woman. Apparently she found a body in Sherwood Forest. Get you stuff and let's go." his dark voice instructed.

 His large figure and deep voice might have made him seem like an intimidating person, but he was the complete opposite. In fact, he was the nicest and friendliest person I knew.

 As I gathered my jacket, badge and other equipment that would be needed, I wondered why a woman would be out so late. The sky was already dark, the moon already out and walking around this late wasn't a wise choice. How did they come across the body? All my questions would be answered as I quickly followed after my boss, slowing my pace down, so he could keep up. He wasn't the quickest or most athletic person I know, but he could catch criminals and that's all he needed to be able to do, beside other aspects too. 

 Slamming the doors of the police car, we set off towards Sherwood Forest. The radio between the different stations were kept loud and other police members had already arrived at the scene.

As we pulled up to the car park, police cars were scattered everywhere. One man stood leaning against one of the cars, holding a torch in one of his hands and waving at us to come over. We stepped out of the car and walked over to him, but something seemed familiar. Looking around, a red mini that was the colour of blood stood out to me. The familiar style of the car made me feel like I had seen it before. Maybe I had, but I've seen many cars like that and I'm sure it wouldn't be who I thought.

 "Thought I'd show you where the body was. The night's dark and it's hard to see in those woods when it's this dark. And believe me, the body isn't easy to find. Come on, I'll show you." the man explained as he led us deeper into the forest.

 The rain from earlier on was still pounding and seemed to get worse the more we entered the forest. My boss – Freddie – passed me a torch from out of the bag he was carrying along with him. The bright light allowed me to see where I was stepping as me foot slid along the mud that was now soaked, almost made into a puddle. Foot prints were imprinted onto the ground from where other people had walked, echoing the person's footprints before them. 

 Eventually we arrived at the scene. Tape was wrapped around trees, creating a square in the forest beside a river. People walked around the tape, snapping pictures where the bright flash of light was carried throughout the forest. Once all the pictures were taken, officers who were present at the scene ducked under the tape to start examining the scene and body.