Beneath the polaroid [BXB]

BENEATH THE POLAROID - 47 | Something else entirely

JAMES PUSHED OPEN THE front door, the familiar creak echoing through the house as he slipped inside, careful not to make too much noise. His mother had always been a light sleeper, and since the murders had rattled Elmwood Heights, her nerves had been even more frayed. She stayed up late these days, watching the news in the dark, clutching a mug of tea like it could ward off the evil outside.

But tonight, as he stepped into the house, something felt off. The low murmur of voices from the living room caught his attention. His heart tightened, instinctively on guard. He paused for a second, listening.

It wasn't just his mother. There was someone else—someone male, deep-voiced, and unsettlingly calm.

James adjusted his posture, slipping on his mask of indifference, the one that had gotten him this far. He walked into the room, feigning nonchalance, but his body stiffened when he saw the stranger sitting across from his mother.

The officer was young—early thirties, maybe, with sharp features and an air of quiet confidence. His dark hair was cropped short, his jawline strong, and his eyes, a piercing blue, followed James' movement as soon as he entered. A slow smile tugged at the corner of his lips, and James couldn't help but notice how attractive the officer was—unexpectedly, annoyingly attractive.

"Jamie," his mother greeted, her voice a little too bright, a little too forced. "This is Officer Kellan Blackwood. He's been going around the neighborhood, asking people if they know anything about Trent's death."

James' gut twisted for a brief moment, but he quickly smoothed his expression into polite curiosity. The officer—Kellan—stood up, extending a hand in greeting. James took it, his grip firm but casual.

"Nice to meet you, James," Kellan said, his voice holding just the faintest hint of something playful, something that grated on James' nerves but also intrigued him.

"Same to you, Officer." James offered a small smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. His mother looked between them, oblivious to the current of tension that ran beneath their exchange.

"Officer Blackwood was just telling me about how they're trying to get some more information," his mother said, clearly eager to fill the silence. "Since... you know, everything that's been happening at school."

James shot his mother a quick glance, forcing down the irritation rising in his chest. "Yeah, it's been rough."

Kellan tilted his head, watching James closely, his gaze lingering longer than it should. "It's been quite a mess, hasn't it? A lot of fear going around."

"Yeah," James muttered, shoving his hands into his pockets. "It's been... something."

Kellan's eyes narrowed, amusement flickering in them, like he was toying with something. "Mind if I ask you a few questions, James? I know it's late, but I'm sure you'll understand. Part of the job, you know?"

James' pulse quickened. Declining would be suspicious, and he knew it. "Sure, I guess." He shrugged, doing his best to sound indifferent. "Ask away."

Kellan gestured for James to sit, and he did, perching on the edge of the armchair, careful to keep his movements lazy, controlled. His mother hovered nearby, nervously clutching her mug.

"You were at the party, weren't you?" Kellan asked casually, taking a seat across from James, his legs stretched out in front of him like he had all the time in the world. "The one where Trent was last seen?"

James nodded slowly. "Yeah, I was there. Didn't really stay long though. I'm not really into that kind of scene."

Kellan raised an eyebrow. "Not into parties?"