DemiDemonDarla

Chapter 1: The Streets of Celestia

>>>>> The streets of Celestia buzzed with life, a city always moving, always breathing, filled with towering buildings and narrow alleyways where stories unfolded in every shadow. And in the midst of it all was Darla Arcania, a 25-year-old police officer who had earned herself the reputation of being the precinct's resident rogue. She walked with purpose, her short black hair framing her sharp, piercing dark brown eyes, a gaze that could cut through the thickest of lies. At only five feet tall, she wasn't an imposing figure, but her presence was something you felt in your gut—a mixture of street smarts and raw, unapologetic energy that made her someone you didn't mess with.

Darla had seen enough of Celestia's underbelly to know that everything, no matter how polished it appeared on the surface, had rot hidden underneath. And today, she was about to peel back the layers on one of the city's most curious mysteries—the death of Congressman Aldous Richards.

Richards had been an anomaly in politics, a young, up-and-coming figure who had captured the hearts of Celestia's people with his promises of reform and his charitable actions. He wasn't just a politician; he was a philanthropist, a voice for the downtrodden, and someone who actually delivered on his promises. His sudden, unexplained death had left the city in shock.

Darla arrived at the precinct, her mind already working on the details of the case. She had read everything she could find on Richards' death—no visible signs of foul play, no suspects, no clear cause. It had all the trappings of a natural death. But Darla had never been one to take things at face value.

As she walked into the precinct, her boots scuffed against the cold tile floor, and her badge glinted under the fluorescent lights. The precinct was loud, with officers moving in and out, phones ringing, and paperwork being shuffled, but all Darla could focus on was the nagging feeling in her gut.

She passed by a group of detectives clustered around a table, their discussion hushed but intense. Among them was Lionel Remory, a tall, dashing figure with sharp features and an easy smile that seemed to come as naturally as his quick wit. Lionel had always been a good friend to Darla, one of the few people who didn't mind her blunt, callous exterior. Despite their differences, they shared a mutual respect for each other's abilities.

Lionel spotted Darla out of the corner of his eye and waved her over, a grin playing on his lips.

"Well, if it isn't the precinct's most infamous rogue. What's got you walking in here with that storm cloud hanging over your head?" Darla shot him a look.

"You know damn well what it is, Lionel. Richards. I can't shake the feeling there's something everyone's missing." Lionel raised an eyebrow, his grin fading into something more serious.

"Darla, we've been over it a hundred times. No evidence, no signs of foul play, and the medical examiner's report was clean. Natural causes. Heart failure. End of story." Darla crossed her arms, her expression stubborn.

"Bullshit. The man was in his prime, healthy, with no history of heart problems. You're telling me he just drops dead in his office one night with nothing to show for it?" Lionel sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, clearly torn.

"Look, I know you've got good instincts, but the captain's already called it. We've closed the case. The detectives, forensics, and everyone else signed off on it. You know how this goes. Sometimes people just... die."

"Not like this, they don't," Darla shot back, her eyes narrowing. She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "You know as well as I do, something's off. I've been doing this long enough to know when things don't add up."

Lionel hesitated, his brow furrowing. Darla knew that look. It was the look he got when he was torn between following protocol and trusting his gut—something that had made them a good team in the past. Finally, he spoke. "I'll take another look," he said slowly, almost reluctantly. "But I'm telling you, Darla, we've already combed that place over twice. You're chasing ghosts here."