Echoes

48 Hours Left - Afternoon

I practically bolted out of the apartment when the clock hit one, it was a bit early, but I couldn't stand to pace aimlessly anymore. I had to move and get my hands on those files; it was becoming more and more apparent that I was running short on time. The watch on my wrist relentlessly ate away the numbers and I had absolutely nothing to show for my efforts, or lack thereof. At least nothing more than a theory I had yet to prove. If it ended up being a coincidence, I was back at square one with no wiggle room to create a new theory. I stalked down the sidewalk towards the police station, I was trying to focus on everything but the worst option. The thought that I am putting all this hope into a theory that ended up failing me. I shake my head, clearing the thought from my mind and trying instead to think of what it would mean if we were all connected because of that damn camp. A horrible memory that comes back to haunt us all over a decade later. The thought forces a bitter laugh out of me, it sounds like some horrible thriller movie plotline. I was a few blocks away from the police station when I turn the corner and run straight into a tall figure. Pain bursts through my nose as I slam into the stranger's upper arm, cursing under my breath I take a step back and look up at them. It was a tall man wearing a black hoodie, the hood pulled low so I could barely see his face. I scowl and lower my head, trying to look at his eyes, but I only got a glimpse before he shied away from me. He appeared young, probably early twenties and was conventionally attractive, but something about his gaze made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

"Sorry, I was in a rush." I tell him with a small nod.

"Its fine." He replied, his voice monotone and cold.

I nod again and move around him, picking up my pace as I walked away. A pressure on my back told me he was watching me leave and I fight the urge to look at him again. The strange interaction left me feeling a bit anxious, like I missed something important. I was trying to ignore the uncomfortable feeling that still lingered when I saw the police station in the distance. For the first time I was happy to see cop cars and officers milling about. I cut across the road and straight into the parking lot, passing up the general office for the homicide department building. I push open the door and was greeted by a rush of cold air, giving me a cold chill that shook my entire body. Trepidation kept me from moving and I stood stuck at the front. I had no idea where I was going, and the last thing I wanted to do was wander around the building like an idiot. Not only that but what if Matt had nothing for me and this was all wasted effort? I couldn't linger on the thought for long because I heard footsteps a second before someone called my name.

"Eko?" I hear Matts voice and look over to see him walking down one of the side hallways. Relief filled me when I see the files in his hands. "You're a bit early, but that's fine I got what you needed." He walks towards me. "Because this was your family members case file you can look through these, but please don't leave the building with them or make copies, alright?" He says, giving me a hard look.

I catch onto the ploy quickly. "Oh of course, thank you so much for finding my mothers case files, I thought I would never get my hands on them." I say in the most grateful tone I could muster.

I see him briefly roll his eyes as he walks past me. "Please, follow me, you can look at them in private over here." He leads the way into one of the few interrogation rooms and shuts the door behind us. "Next time, sound a bit more fake, I almost believed you." I laugh and reach for the files in his arms, but he pulls them away. "hey hey hey, a few ground rules first. I haven't looked at these yet, but if there is any form of connection you need to tell me immediately, and do not even think about sneaking one of these out of here. They're the main copies, so they would be missed." He pauses. "Understand?"

I grumble. "Yes yes I get it, just hand them over already."

He lets out a hard breath before reluctantly handing over the files. I yank them away from him and run to the table, spreading them out to go through them all.

"You have an hour."

I nod in response as I start identifying the files, I wanted to go through them in chronological order. Viewing them with a specific purpose so I wouldn't miss anything. I started with the oldest and largest file, the file that made my chest tighten and my palms get clammy. The file on Sunshine Acres, the one that I knew would inevitably open a can of worms that I firmly closed years ago. I grip the cover in my hand and run smack dab into a mental wall, I couldn't move, the anxiety kept me from going farther and I felt petrified.

"One thing I find funny about you humans is how fearlessly some of you stride into the unknown future, but the second you face your past you are frozen in fear. Unable to accept where you came from or what you've done." I look up and see the grim reaper sitting across the table from me. His arms folded across his chest as he watched me.

"it's not that I-" I start but he interrupts me.

"It is not a weakness to admit something scares you, or that you regret an action of the past. What does make you weak is hiding from it all, denying your actions because they make you look bad. The beauty of humanity is the ability to accept your mistakes and grow from them. You might not make up for what you did, but taking responsibility is a good start." He raises his eyebrow at me and nods towards the file in my hands.

I took strength from his words, from his presence and forced myself to open the folder. Except with maybe just a little too much force as the contents goes sliding across the table like a morbid collage. The photos were the first things to catch my eyes, the violent portraits of a blood-stained floor, the purple and black bruises marring the young girl's body. My stomach roiled at the sight, and I fought the urge to get sick, closing my eyes tightly against the sight. I took a calming breath, I could do this, I can face this, I tell myself before opening my eyes and carefully collecting the photos. I needed the camp attendee list first; the photos could come later.

My hour in the interrogation room disappeared in what seemed like seconds and before I realized it Matt was knocking on the door interrupting my research. My mind was drowning in information, my thoughts racing to keep track of everything I learned and what it means for me going forward. I couldn't bring myself to look at him as I silently gave the files back, keeping my gaze on the floor. Facing my past was one thing, facing Matt after doing so, was another.

"Did you find what you were looking for?" Matt asks, his voice somewhat hopeful. "Is this connection of yours valid?"

I didn't respond, instead just pushing past him and leaving the building. I needed to go home and get this on paper before I forgot even the tiniest of details. I kept my head down as I practically ran the distance back to my apartment. Only briefly did I notice the shadowed figure standing to the side of my apartment building, watching me.

Next part - Sept 15th