Ghosts

1) Calm Before the Storm

The sun twinkledagainst the buildings of Chicago, inviting me back into its welcoming arms. Icouldn't help but smile as my home came closer, closer to seeing my unit, toseeing my partner. As much as I had enjoyed- uh- needed this break, I was welland truly ready to return to the job I loved. As I looked out over the sky, mythoughts drifted back to the previous two weeks.

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The cabin was just as I had remembered, perfectly nestled between the ash trees towering around, perched on the earth just as the ground started to rise into the mountains in front of me. The snow capped the mountains like a glove, glistening in the soft sunshine. Although it had been years since I had ventured up here, it looked exactly the same. The weathered wood exterior looked out over the valley I had hiked up, several miles from the narrow driveway winding through the forest from the main road. I stood on the small porch, momentarily looking out over the view, before turning and going in, dumping my pack, suitcase and food bags just inside the door. The small kitchen along the western wall looked newer than I had remembered, a small fridge positioned in the corner next to a fancy gas stove; my great uncle must have done some renovations since I was here last. Turning my head left, I recognised the hand-carved wooden sofa and matching armchairs arranged perfectly around the stone fireplace for maximum heat in the dead of winter. In between the kitchen and living room was the matching dining table, directly opposite the door I had walked through.

I snapped out of my thoughts, reaching down andpicking up my suitcase and pack, before venturing down to the end of thehallway, right of the fireplace, to the larger of the two bedrooms. I dumped themon the double bed, disturbing the layer of dust that had settled on the duvet,making me cough. Looking around the room, I couldn't help but think of fond memories,of my family and I huddled together on the bed, eating chocolate, watchingmovies on my father's old laptop, laughing at each other's jokes. Before thechildhood I really remembered had begun.

I had woken early, my body still used to the early bustle of the 21st district. The air was cool, the wind blowing gently through the trees, though not quite mimicking the signature breeze of the Windy City. I stood looking out over the porch, watching the sunlight twinkle on the water of the lake ahead of me as it climbed the sky. My fingers curled almost protectively around the hot cup of coffee nestled in my hands.

The tranquil view was a welcome respite from the succession of many particularly difficult cases Intelligence had just finished wrapping. Voight had all but pushed me out the door, somehow noticing that deep down I was rattled, forcing me to take a two-week break.

In the worst of it, I had been haunted by the first nightmares I had had in over ten years. Even so, I had reluctantly agreed.

I sipped the last drop of piping hot coffee just as the last sliver of the sun poked out over the top of the mountains, warming the frosted grass. I was looking forward to venturing through the landscape, hiking through the trees and taking in the earthy scents, starkly different from the city.

I hadn't been hiking since high school. I turned on my heel and ventured inside, looking for my hiking boots.

The air was brisk, but somewhat refreshing from the subtle layer of sweat that had settled on my skin. The trail winded through the trees before following the gradient of the mountain. It was calming to be back in nature, the months stress all but forgotten. I stopped halfway up the peak, taking a breather leaning against a tree, and looking out over the landscape. The sun was perched overhead, glistening off the lake below me, the breeze slightly stronger. The scene was mesmerizing. Trees towered above me, grass poked out through the blanket of leaves.