Prime Suspect (When I Saw You In Remains)

Chapter 4: Trust Issues

The message I'd received from The Werecat prevented me from sleeping at all. Worse, I couldn't text Shells to tell her what happened because I was still questioning after my parents' speech. What if they were right, what if two teenagers were manipulating me and messing with my mind all along. Even only thinking this about Shells hurt my heart. Was I in love with my abuser? God, don't let her be.

I left my room and silently knocked on Jen's door. ''Willow?'' she asked ''Come in.'' She also wasn't able to sleep. I entered her room. She slid and opened a place for me in her bed, I laid there next to her. She had cried and the tears dried around her eyes. We watched the wall together for a moment.

''You also don't know what to believe, do you?'' she asked. ''What to believe, even what to think.'' I told her ''I got a text from the Werecat.'' Her eyes were widened so quickly in shock, she said ''WHAT? The Werecat? What did it say?''

I answered her ''He sent me a picture of a shed, told me to meet him there.'' She asked me ''What are you going to do?'' I told her ''I think I'll go. Without telling Shells or anyone in that group... If they are behind this, they gotta be expecting a call and set-time from me. Let's come to their surprise.'' Jen nodded ''It's a great plan.'', then frowned ''only if it's them behind this, though.''

''I know!'' I told her, ''that's why I am scared.'' She was concerned, ''I am with you on this. We are sisters and a team forever.'' I looked at her and said ''Do you remember the first novel we read together. It was a mystery novel, The Fowl of Falcons.'' ''Yes, I do.'' she smiled ''the 8-year-old me had no business reading that; the plot's a blur but it's still on my mind.'' I laughed, ''The Falcons were chasing the secret leader of a mob that terrorized their city. That's what we are, now. The Falcons... especially funny because our rival is a cat.'' She lifted her pinky ''Falcons forever?'' FALCONS FOREVER. I stayed in her room, we slept feeling safe together.

...

We woke up early in the morning with the door bell ringing continuously. My step-dad opened the door, while I was still on the stairs. There were two uniformed police officers waiting, one of them spoke: "Is Willow Nathaniel home?" the officer asked. "I am here!" I said and ran down the stairs toward them. "You need to come to the station with us." said the officer. My step-dad questioned: "What for?"

"There's a search for Claire Dutchson. Ms. Nathaniel is the last known person to see her, she needs to testify at the station." My dad stopped me, he said to the officer "We'll come with our own car. Thank you." The officers left. After we closed the door, he told me to get dressed. My mom and Jen also went to get dressed in order to be there for me.

A few minutes later, he knocked on my door. "Have you got a minute?" he asked me. "Yes, come in." I said. "I'm not here to preach about you-know-who, I know you are upset. I just came here to tell you that you are a witness, not a suspect. Don't be scared. Know your rights. Don't speak theories because they'll never believe them. Just tell them what you're sure about and you'll be fine."

I told him "Thank you!" He nodded at me, with a comforting smile. Afterwards, we left the house for the police station. Matthew was smoking outside, he was devastated. He watched us as we drove off.

When we arrived, detective's assistant escorted me to the interrogation room. My family was waiting outside, the detective entered right after. 'Hello, Willow. I am Detective Prince. No need to be nervous, I am just going to ask you some questions.'' I shook my head.

''When was the last the last time you saw Ms. Dutchson?'' – ''3 days ago, around midnight.''

''What were you two doing at the time?'' – ''She gave me a ride home. Then we both entered our houses.