To Your End

July 31, 2022

Everything was fine. Stable. Predictable.
Looking back now, it's hard to believe how much can change in just thirty days. One month was all it took to tear apart everything we knew, leaving the three of us—Maria, Naveen, and me—on the run, haunted by the life we'd left behind.

The Detective's Office – Present Day

The clock on the wall ticked steadily, marking the passing hours as Detective Emily Roiss flipped through yet another set of documents. Across from her, Danial slumped back in his chair, rubbing his temples. The small office, with its stale air and fluorescent lights, felt like it was closing in on them.

"This case isn't adding up," Emily muttered, her fingers tracing the edge of a crime scene photo. "There's something we're missing."

Danial sighed, dropping a thick file onto the table with a thud. "I think we should leave it," he said, leaning back and crossing his arms.

Emily's head snapped up. "What?"

"You heard me," Danial replied, his tone flat. "We've got nothing. No solid evidence, no concrete proof. Just a pile of assumptions that won't hold up in court."

Her eyes narrowed, frustration simmering beneath her calm exterior. "So, we just give up? After everything we've uncovered?"

Danial stood and began pacing, his movements restless. "Emily, we've already been warned of this case. The higher-ups think Ava's guilty, and they're ready to close it. We've got other cases piling up. Cases that actually have a chance of being solved. We can't keep chasing ghosts."

Emily slammed her hand on the table, making Danial pause mid-step. "I'm not chasing ghosts, Danial. Something doesn't sit right, and you know it."

"And what do you expect to do about it?" he shot back, exasperated. "We're at a dead end. There's nothing more we can—"

"I'm going to MacArthur Park," she interrupted, grabbing her coat.

Danial stared at her, incredulous. "You're kidding."

"I'm not," she said firmly, heading for the door.

"Emily—wait!" Danial groaned, snatching his own jacket. "Fine, but don't expect me to back you up when this blows up in your face."

MacArthur Park – The Crime Scene

The house stood eerily silent, the once vibrant garden now overgrown and untamed. The air inside was stale, carrying faint traces of decay that made them both cover their noses as they entered. The crime scene had been cleaned weeks ago, but it still carried an oppressive weight.

Emily walked carefully through the living room, her eyes scanning every corner. "Why does it feel like we've missed something obvious?" she muttered to herself.

"Because you're obsessed," Danial called from the bedroom. "There's nothing here, Emily. This place has been swept clean."

Ignoring him, Emily continued her search. As she moved toward the far corner of the living room, something caught her eye. She crouched down, her breath catching.

"Danial! Get in here!"

He appeared moments later, his expression weary. "What now?"

Emily pointed to the floor. "Footprints. Three distinct sets."

Danial frowned, leaning closer. "That could be anyone's, Emily. First responders, forensic teams—"