Achilles

Chapter 7 - identifying

It had been three days since the bank robbery and not once in that time had my mind not been replaying the scene.

The doctors told me it was normal to be this way after a  traumatic event so I just nodded along. However what I didn't tell them was that I was reminiscing a certain thieves voice, and his eyes and even their scarred arm.

I couldn't help but feel some sort of familiarity with them.

I must've been going insane.

"Callie?"

I looked up to Viola who stood in the doorway clutching a phone in her hand.

She had refused to leave me alone this entire time. I appreciated her worry but I oddly didn't feel like I was in any danger.

Everyone seemed to think that I would be scared of my own shadow at the moment but that was far from the truth.

"It's the police, they wanted you to come to the station to help" she spoke like she was scared of my response.

"I've told them everything"

Maybe a slight lie.

"I know but they've brought some people in, they wonder if maybe you can identify someone or at least help with further descriptions?"

I blinked in surprise at hearing they had suspects.

"Okay, yeah sure thing" I agreed

Viola smiled before walking back out the room informing the officer that I agreed.

I quickly dressed before allowing Viola to drive me to the station. She insisted that she would come inside with me but after some convincing she agreed to wait in the car. I was certain that I could do this by myself.

As soon as I walked into the station I recognized the lead detective on the case.

He was a man in his early fifty's with dark, yet slowly graying hair. It also appeared that he had passed his peak physical fitness years a while ago too.

"Callie, how are you doing?" Detective Holloway asked

"I'm doing okay"

He smiled sympathetically.

"Thank you for coming in, just follow me this way please"

I nodded and followed behind him through a door. we stopped in what seemed to be a small office.

"Before we start I just want you to know that you can stop at any time"

I nodded silently waiting for him to continue.

"Behind this glass is a line of five men, if you could just look at them and see if anything is familiar. We will also ask them to speak and see if you recognize any voices since we know they had their faces covered"

I didn't even notice the glass when I first walked in, it just seemed like a mirror.

"I'm ready" I spoke without moving my eyes away from the glass.

Within seconds the mirror seemed to fade and then five men appeared in my sight.

"Can they see me?" I quickly asked while turning to face the detective.

"No, they can't" he answered

I turned my eyes back to the men and slowly skimmed them individually. I wasn't exactly sure what I was looking for. Perhaps I was mad to think that I would have some sort of feelings like some damn mind reader.

Then my breath hitched in my throat.

I stared at guy number four.  My heart picked up until it felt like it was about to jump out of my chest.

I stared at eyes of the man that helped me carry the coffee, then I looked down to his lips that gave me the best kiss I've ever had.

I shook my head and breathed slow to steady my heart rate.

"Nothing?" Detective asked

"there arms" I whispered

Detective looked at me confused.

"I remember seeing a tattoo on the persons arm" I lied

"Why didn't you tell us that sooner?"

"I- I forgot, I'm sorry. My minds been all over the place" I lied once more

I was glad that the man didn't press any further. I'd never liked to lie but I suddenly felt like I had to in the current moment.

"Lift up you're sleeves and hold you're arms out" Detective Holloway spoke through the speakers.

Each of the men slowly did what they was told but I could only stare at man number four.  I tried to read his face, see if he gave anything away but there was nothing.

Perhaps this was just one really big coincidence. Only one way to find out.

I moved my eyes down his arms until I found exactly what I was looking for.

The scar only looked faint from the distance I stood but I could still see it.  It started at his wrist and run the length of his forearm.

It was him.