𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐄𝐍 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐓𝐇

𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍

"The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable," —James A. Garfield

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

"Detective Wilson! May I have a quote?"

"Detective Wilson! Is it true that the murderer of Coraline DeVille is running loose with no charges?!"

"Detective Wilson! Over here!"

Ryder Wilson huffed, pushing past all of the reporters. It was six in the morning, he hasn't had his coffee, he's barely had any sleep, and frankly- he's tired of everything.

Once the detective managed to walk into the police station, he walked into his office. He sat down on his desk, finally noticing the small package on his desk.

That's weird.

The hazel-eyed man cautiously looked at the windows in his office, trying to look for a clue of who might have left this here.

Wilson slowly ripped the package open, a USB, along with a small note, falling out. The note read, "this is who REALLY saw her last."

His eyebrows rose, and he clearly became curious of what's in the device. He quickly grabbed his laptop, and he wasted no time placing the USB in.

When he got the file, there appeared to be only a single video on it. It better not be a fucking prank. The video started playing, and to his surprise, it was the front side of the DeVille Manor.

And the one and only, Coraline DeVille, was sitting on the porch, looking as if she was waiting for someone.

Coraline DeVille shivered, rubbing her skin to try and make herself warm. She didn't grab a coat, she was in too much of a hurry.

The girl quickly stood up when she saw a black pick up truck drive over to her house, the plates looking extremely familiar. It parked right in front of her, and Oliver fucking Bailey got out of the driver's seat.

The redhead walked over to her, his signature cocky smile plastered on his face, "Did you miss me?"

"Oh yes, so so much," she retorted sarcastically, "Look, I need you to do me a favor. There's someone following me- stalking me."

Oliver laughed loudly, and Coraline quickly covered his mouth and whispering harshly, "Shut the fuck up, you fucking idiot, I told you to come here quietly for a fucking reason."

The redhead slightly gulped as he saw the desperation in her chocolate orbs. He realized she was telling the truth, and as much as he hates to admit it, he's worried.

Truly, nothing ever happened between Oliver and Coraline. They were simply just friends. They have been since they were in diapers. It was just a bonus for Oliver that he can piss off Nikolai in the process of hanging out with her. Yes, he constantly flirted with her, but they both knew it was playful.

"Fine. What do you need me to do? Take you to the police station?"

"I've tried- they don't believe me. I need solid proof for them to keep me safe," she chuckled bitterly but quickly shook her head as she felt shivers run down her body, but it wasn't because of the cold.

"But I know someone has been following me around- I feel their eyes- it keeps me awake at night. Sometimes I- I hear footsteps, and each time I walk alone, they get- they get closer and closer, and I've never feared for my life so much. I-I know I'm not the best person, but I don't- I really don't want this-"

The redhead pulled his friend into a hug, gently hushing her and rubbing her back to calm her down, "Shh.. it's okay- it's okay," a few minutes passed by before he hesitantly spoke up, "could it be Romano?"

Coraline immediately pulled away from him, "No- no it isn't him. It's not, I swear. Look, I just need one thing from you."

The boy rubbed his face, slightly scared of the answer to his next question, "What is it?"

"I need you to track a number."

Detective Wilson quickly checked the time and date of the tape once he saw Oliver Bailey get back in his car.

Yup, it was one in the morning. So much later than when Nikolai was last seen with Coraline. That can mean one thing.

Nikolai Romano is innocent.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

AUTHOR'S NOTE.

it's been a big while again! haha, but i swear i will never give up on this book. i'm too attached on it to just say goodbye :'). anyways, hope you like it!! we're kind of getting close to figuring out what happened to cora!