Stalker // DNF

2: Cold Case

George's head lolls to the side in exhaustion, tipping away from his computer screen. The unending amount of forms and paperwork are blending all words into one lump and his unfocused eyes are staring into the screen as if it were the abyss.

He hadn't slept much last night, as expected. To be honest, this was partially his fault as he'd stayed up late gaming with his friends. He'd got caught up in a bet; whoever lost had to buy the food and drinks for whenever they went out next. It started well and things were going his way, but then George's tiredness kicked in (or so he claims) and he lost the game by a long shot. He hopes by the time they actually agree to meet up, all will be forgotten.

Luckily his shift is ending within the next half an hour, so he's just tying some loose ends before collecting his stuff and leaving.

'Hey George.' He exits his daydream by shaking his head loose and looks up to see Kai, his colleague, hanging from the door frame by an arm hooked around the corner. 'Can I come in?'

George nods his head while repositioning himself in his seat. 'Of course, what's up?'

Kai walks in and sheepishly sits himself on the edge of George's desk, avoiding the loose pieces of paper and stationery.

'Um... it's about the cyber-stalking case,' Kai explains.

George's jaw tenses at the mention of the dead-end case which has become to taunt him at its eeriness and impossible conclusion.

'Okay.'

Kai shifts uncomfortably on the desk and grips onto the wooden cusp. 'Right, I know you're the leader of the case and it's mainly under your directions.'

'Yes, but you know I'm open and listening to anything you or anyone else -'

'I know, it's not about anything like that,' Kai interrupts. 'Me and the team have been talking and... I think you know too that we're not getting anywhere 'cause of a lack of evidence and stuff. Also, the victims don't seem to be in any danger at the moment 'cause things seemed to have stopped and we've improved their online safety, so it's unlikely anything will happen to them.'

George nods along as Kai talks, knowing where this is going. Once Kai pauses for a breath, George jumps in.

'You think it's a cold case and we should leave it unsolved.'

Kai nods slowly. 'At least until more evidence shows up, 'cause this ain't going anywhere.'

George pushes air through his lips and rubs his palms across his eyes and forehead forcefully. He really wanted to find the stalker and protect anyone else who could fall victim to them... But Kai has a point, they just need more information for that to happen.

'You're right,' George sighs, feeling an immediate weight fall off his shoulders when he admits this to his co-worker, and to himself. He hears Kai sigh shallowly in relief at his agreement. 'It's a dead end. But promise me one thing -  as soon as any evidence remotely related to this comes up, we jump right back in.'

Kai nods, 'Of course.'

A short silence passes through the room as Kai hops back onto his feet and approaches the door.

'Thanks, Boss,' Kai says, saluting playfully as he walks away.

George smiles and extends his arms over his head to stretch his stiff limbs. Tomorrow, he'll finish up the case tomorrow. His lack of focus is worsening at his fatigue and he's simply craving the comfort of his home now.

He turns of his computer, chucks his possessions which are messily strewn across the desk, into his bag and locks up his office. He waves bye to some colleagues on the way out and begins the walk home. It's not too long, maybe 10 or 15 minutes. Waiting and navigating the Underground would take longer than that, plus he convinces himself that walking is probably healthier.

Recently his journey home has changed slightly because he's been taking the longer path so he could walk through the neighborhood with the stalker victims. He's not sure what he expected, a golden goose to fall in his tracks and solve the case for him?

Out of habit, he takes the turn towards the neighborhood and doesn't notice he's done it until he's almost at the end of the street. He jerks himself up and considers turning around, which would allow him to get home sooner. He ponders for a moment before dragging himself in the same direction, away from the quicker route. George tells himself this will be the last time he takes this path, before the case is officially closed tomorrow.

He retraces the familiar path and knows after the next turn, the sign for the neighborhood will appear. He navigates around the corner shop to the sign, which is illuminated under the streetlight which droops over it. However, the sign doesn't grasp his attention for once. In front of George's vision, immediately on the first wall of the street, is a mural.

He stops in his track in surprise. He's memorised each crevice of this street and observed each flake of mud on the pavement, he knows this was painted today.

George takes a step away from the pavement and onto the patch of grass in front of the apartment wall. The graffiti has a blurred background, difficult to make out the location. There are faint lights and a swirly wallpaper to be observed, but that's all that can be made out. In the centre of the painting, clear and un-blurred is a waiter tray, being held loosely by a calloused hand. The tray holds four pints of beer, or some sort of alcohol. Under the tray and along the arm of the waiter, the mural says 'Next round's on me.'

George knows from the style of the art who's hand painted it, yet his eyes still drag to the corner and catch the messy 'Dream' scribbled lightly. He smirks, swinging his bag down from his shoulder to grab his phone and take a picture for his parents.

Before he swipes to take the picture, his eyes catch a message waiting for him from his group chat with his friends. One of his oldest friends, Cole, has messaged, 'I'm thirsty for a pint and a meal from George's wallet; are we all free Saturday?'

George shakes his head with a smile, hating that Cole remembers the lost bet. He snaps a picture of the graffiti, making sure to catch the 'Next round's on me.'

He sends the photo to the group chat and captions it, 'I guess this will be me then.'

He smiles at the coincidence of Dream painting his current situation and continues on his walk down the neighborhood, looking closely at the houses of the victims, wishing he could've helped ease their minds.

But he failed, so he just continues walking home on what he thought would be the last time he'd wander down this street.