The Art Of Death

Chapter 1: The Dream

Scene 1: A Young Boy's Dream

Setting: Ethan, a ten-year-old boy, is playing in his backyard. It's a sunny afternoon, and his father, Detective Robert Ford, is home after a long shift at the police department.

Ethan was running around in the backyard, pretending to chase imaginary bad guys. His arms flailed like pistons as he shouted, "Freeze! Police!" He ducked behind a tree, peeking out, and saw his father leaning against the porch railing, watching with a smile on his face.

"You'll make a fine detective one day, kiddo," his father called out, arms crossed over his chest. He was still in his uniform, his badge catching the light as it glinted in the afternoon sun.

Ethan stopped, panting, and grinned wide. "Just like you, Dad!"

Robert chuckled and walked down the steps toward him. He crouched to Ethan's level, ruffling his hair. "It's not all fun and games, you know. Being a detective takes a sharp mind. Gotta see things others can't."

Ethan's eyes gleamed. "Like what?"

"Like..." His father pointed to the dirt by the tree. "See that footprint? Small but heavy. Someone stood there for a long time, watching, waiting."

Ethan stared, wide-eyed, at the impression in the dirt. "Wow. How'd you know that?"

"Because I've been doing this for a long time. You'll get there someday." Robert smiled and then added more seriously, "Just remember, son, this job—being a detective—it's about more than catching bad guys. It's about protecting people. Sometimes...sometimes that means making tough decisions."

Ethan nodded, not entirely understanding but wanting to absorb every word. He looked up at his father, the man he idolized, and said with determination, "I'll be just like you."

Robert stood, eyes softening. "I know you will. But promise me one thing, Ethan."

"What?"

"No matter what happens, you never lose yourself. Don't let the job consume you."

Ethan furrowed his brow. "Why would it?"

His father gave a small, sad smile. "Just promise me."

Scene 2: The Tragedy

Setting: Flash forward several years. Ethan is 21, fresh out of the police academy. A proud day for him and his father. But that pride is short-lived as tragedy strikes.

The day Ethan graduated from the academy, Robert Ford had never looked prouder. Ethan stood tall in his crisp uniform, the badge on his chest gleaming as his father pinned it. It was a symbol of their bond, of the dream that had carried Ethan through his childhood.

"You did it, son," Robert said, clapping him on the shoulder. "Welcome to the force."

Ethan smiled, his heart soaring. "Thanks, Dad. I couldn't have done it without you."

The two stood there for a moment, basking in the pride of the moment. Ethan had made it—he was finally following in his father's footsteps.

But life has a way of turning moments of joy into memories of pain.

Two years later, Ethan stood in the rain, the dark sky heavy with grief. His father's funeral was a blur of black suits, somber faces, and the weight of loss that pressed on his chest. Detective Robert Ford had been gunned down during a bank robbery—his final case.

Ethan clutched the folded flag they had handed him, the symbol of his father's service, but it felt cold and hollow. His father's words echoed in his mind: Don't let the job consume you.

But how could he not, when the job had taken everything?

Ethan didn't cry. He couldn't. His grief was too deep, too raw. It settled into him like a dark cloud, and for two years, he couldn't shake it.

He stopped living. Stopped eating. Stopped being anything more than a shadow of the man he once was.

Until today. Today, he was promoted to detective. Just like his father.

Scene 3: New Beginning

Setting: Ethan's first day as a detective. It's been four years since his father's death, and while he's still haunted by the loss, he's ready to prove himself in the role he's dreamed of his whole life.

Ethan stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his new badge. Detective Ford, it read. The title had weight to it, a significance that Ethan couldn't ignore.

Four years. It had been four long years since his father's death. And yet, the pain hadn't dulled. If anything, it had grown sharper, digging into him like a knife.

"First day on the job," he muttered to his reflection. "Let's see if you're ready."

He grabbed his jacket and headed out the door, the cool morning air hitting him as he made his way to the precinct.

Marcus Reed, his mentor and partner, greeted him with a smile as he walked in.

"Look at you, Detective Ford," Marcus said, clapping him on the back. "You made it."

Ethan nodded, trying to keep the emotion from his voice. "Thanks, Marcus. I couldn't have done it without you."

Marcus raised an eyebrow. "You know it's not all about the title, right? This job...it can get ugly. Make sure you're ready for what's coming."

Ethan shrugged, though the warning didn't go unnoticed. "I've been ready for this my whole life."

Marcus's face softened. "Your father would be proud of you, Ethan."

Ethan stiffened slightly at the mention of his father but managed a small smile. "I hope so."

As they walked out of the precinct, ready for their first case, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that his father's shadow would follow him wherever he went. But he was determined to step out from under it.

Today was the beginning of his new life as a detective.