Ghost (First Edition)

Chapter Sixteen

Nathan

"I'd like to file a case," Nathan said to the lady at the counter.

It was nine in the morning and the police station had just opened, it was empty save for Nathan and the brown-haired receptionist.

It was cold in here, both the temperature and the appearance. Hard, white lino floors, clean white walls. For decorations, there were photos of wanted men and a poster or two to promote standing up against domestic violence.

Luis has been through more than just domestic violence, Nathan thought.

The receptionist picked up a back phone beside her desk, and, rolling her eyes, called in for someone.

The eye roll made Nathan furious. What did she think he was filing? That someone had stomped on his flower garden?

It had been a whole twenty-four hours since Luis had attempted suicide and been admitted to hospital, and he was still fighting. He had been being tube-fed when Nathan had left, but even before that, Luis had hardly opened his eyes.

"You can take a seat, an officer will be with you soon," the lady said, snapping Nathan from his thoughts.

"Thanks," Nathan said, heading to the other side of the room and taking a seat on one of the uncomfortable brown chairs.

It didn't take long for a policeman to emerge from one of the doors behind the desk. He looked to be a fairly fit man in his early thirties. His hair was a muddy brown, as were his eyes.

"Come in," he said to Nathan. His tone held almost no emotion, but it sounded formal.

Nathan stood and followed the man into a bleak office that had wood furnishings set from the 1900s. the window behind the large desk looked out towards the trees, almost looking in the direction of Nathan's home.

"Now, make this quick," the man said, sitting down at his paper-strewn desk. One paper caught Nathan's eye. In bold letters was the word 'missing', but he couldn't see who it was for. "I don't have time if you're complaining about some kids toilet papering a house, there's a missing boy we need to find," the officer continued.

"This is more important than a house being toilet papered," Nathan said, sitting down in the leather and metal chair in front of the desk, "my friend, Luis Lin had been—"

"Hold up! You know about Luis Lin? The missing boy? Why didn't you come in sooner? His mother filed him as missing last night!" the man picked up a pan and a notebook, "tell me what you know, she will be relieved!"

"Tell you what? That he attempted suicide yesterday because his mother beat, abused, neglected, and used him?" Nathan couldn't keep the anger out of his voice. How dare this man support that woman?! "She filed him as missing only because he cleans and cooks for her, not because she loves him! All she did for him was beat him and force him to eat stale bits of bread! He wasn't even allowed to use a toilet at night!" Nathan's knuckles were white as he gripped the armrests of his seat, fighting back his fury.

The policeman dropped his pen as he gaped at Nathan. "Wait, you're saying that Ms Lin abused her son?"

"And tried to kill him once or twice," Nathan seethed, "I'm here to report her for her crimes."

"I will have to talk to Mr Luis—"

"You can't! he's on life support right now!"

The man sighed. "How can I trust you are telling the truth?"

"Because Luis is my boyfriend and he told me everything," Nathan said, staring the man down.

The policeman looked at him for a long moment, his expression closed. He picked up his pen. "Tell me what you know."