Echoes in the Dark: A Surgical Enigma

Chapter 5: Shadow of memories

A feeling of dread came over him as Graham felt something oddly familiar about his morning; maybe it was just a coincidence.

As Graham entered the precinct, the bustling sounds of a typical day greeted him warmly. Officers hurried about, a sight he had grown accustomed to.

"Detective Wilson," a familiar voice greeted him. "You missed the morning briefing; today is going to be a busy day."

Detective...? Something about that title felt wrong.

"Meet us in the lab. Dr. Kumar has an update on the case you were working on."

The mention of Dr. Kumar gave him a feeling unlike any other—it wasn't pain, nor was it happiness. He couldn't place his finger on what the feeling was, but it made him feel warm inside and made him forget everything.

Graham made his way to his desk to put his things down, and as he sat in his chair, he took a quick look at his desk until something caught his eye—a picture of him with two other people: a child no older than 8 and a beautiful woman with hazel brown eyes and an olive skin tone. Her youthful eyes gave the impression that she was happy. By the looks of her, she didn't look any older than 28.

He made his way to the lab where four people were waiting for him, one of whom he recognized immediately—it was the lady in the picture on his desk.

"Glad you could join us," the voice from earlier said. "Now, let's get down to business."

"Yes, Captain," Graham responded, while thinking to himself, "This man, I know him from somewhere, but not from work, someplace else."

"Her name was Amber Smith. She is or was a teacher for the 3rd grade at Forrest Primary," Dr. Kumar started explaining while unveiling the body.

"There were no signs of struggle, no bullet holes or anything of its kind that shows that this was a murder. But then I took a blood sample, and the results shocked me—I discovered traces of poison in the victim's bloodstream," a revelation that sent a chill down Graham's spine.

"Just like yesterday," Graham said. A silence fell upon the room.

"Yesterday?" the Captain asked.

"Yes, we dealt with a poisoning case yesterday where the victim was found in the nearby forest with traces of cyanide in his body," Graham explained.

"Yesterday we closed the Morrison Murder case, remember? It was the babysitter who killed him."

"The Morr... what?" Graham exclaimed. "No, we started the case of..." Graham stopped himself as he looked around and saw all the judgment on their faces. "Maybe it was just a very lucid dream."

"Love that song," said one of the other people in the room.

"What song?" Graham asked.

"Lucid dreams."

"Excuse me, who are you?"

"I'm Detective Jenkins; we've been partners for 5 years."

"And who is he..." Graham said, pointing behind himself.

"Who?" Detective Jenkins asked.

"Him!" Graham said impatiently, as he turned around to see no one standing there. "That's odd; I could swear that someone else was here."

"Are you okay, Graham?" the Captain asked.

"Never better."

The Captain then turned to Dr. Kumar. "Finish your analysis, Doctor. Jenkins and Graham, I want you back at the forest where the body was found. Let's see if we missed anything."

As Dr. Kumar continued her analysis, Graham's mind swirled with confusion and unease. The mention of the forest stirred up memories he couldn't quite grasp. It felt like trying to hold onto mist—elusive and intangible. He glanced around the room, searching for some semblance of clarity, but it only deepened his sense of disorientation.

As the details of the poisoning case unfolded, Graham couldn't shake the feeling that he was missing something crucial. The familiarity of the situation gnawed at him, like a puzzle with a missing piece. Each word uttered by Dr. Kumar echoed in his mind, triggering fragmented recollections that danced just out of reach.

When the Captain ordered Jenkins and Graham back to the forest, a shiver ran down Graham's spine. It was as if the forest held the key to unlocking the mysteries of his own mind. Despite his apprehension, a stubborn determination welled up within him. He needed answers, even if they led him down a dark and unsettling path.

As they made their way to the forest, Graham's senses were on high alert. Every rustle of leaves, every whisper of the wind, seemed to carry a hidden message, taunting him with glimpses of forgotten memories. Jenkins glanced at him, concern etched on his face, but Graham brushed it off with a forced smile.

As they reached the spot where the body had been found, Graham's heart hammered in his chest. The familiar surroundings stirred something deep within him, like the faint echo of a melody long forgotten. He scanned the area, searching for any clue that might trigger a breakthrough, but the forest remained silent, guarding its secrets with an impenetrable veil.

As they combed through the underbrush, Graham's mind raced with unanswered questions, Why did everything feel so hauntingly familiar? With each passing moment, the forest seemed to close in around him, suffocating him with its oppressive silence. But Graham refused to back down. He was determined to uncover the truth, no matter where it might lead.