Who, Me?

Chapter 1: A Normal Day Gone Wrong

Alex Montgomery was not the kind of person who sought out drama. In fact, she avoided it at all costs. Her life was as ordinary as they come—predictable, safe, and surprisingly comfortable. She lived in a modest apartment on the edge of the city, where the hum of traffic outside was a gentle background noise, and the sounds of her own footsteps echoed in the quiet halls. Her job was simple—working as a barista at a small, independent coffee shop that served more regulars than tourists. Most days, she found herself in a comfortable rhythm, whipping up drinks, chatting with familiar faces, and occasionally retreating into her vivid daydreams about places far beyond the walls of her café.

Her apartment was a reflection of the life she had carefully built for herself—cluttered, but in a way that felt lived-in. A worn-out couch, a collection of books stacked too high beside her bed, and a half-finished sketch of a new character for a comic she'd been working on for months. There was nothing in her world that screamed "adventure" or "mystery."

But for all her routine, Alex had an imagination that was anything but ordinary. She spent her free hours solving puzzles, writing in her journal, or sketching out ideas for stories that would never see the light of day. Her mind was constantly whirring with possibilities—what ifs and maybes that danced around her like the wind. But nothing in her wildest imaginings could have prepared her for the day everything would change.It all started with a sip of coffee.

It was a slow Tuesday morning, the kind where the café seemed half-empty, the chatter of customers a dull background hum. Alex was stirring a latte, lost in her thoughts, when the door jingled open with a sharp cling. She looked up to see two police officers walking through the door. They weren't dressed in the usual uniform—no, these officers were in suits, their faces as serious as their step. Alex's stomach twisted at the sight of them, a strange sense of unease unfurling in her chest. She didn't know why, but something about the way they walked into the shop made her feel as though she were about to be caught in some kind of trap.

One officer—a tall man with short-cropped hair and a stern face—approached her with the kind of purposeful stride that made Alex's heart beat a little faster. The other, a woman in her thirties with sharp eyes, remained by the door, watching the room. The man flashed a badge.

"Miss Alexandra Montgomery?" he asked, his voice low but unmistakably firm.

Alex blinked. "Yes?" she said, her voice sounding much smaller than she meant it to. She glanced around the café, wondering if this was some kind of mistake. Did they have the right person?

"I'm Detective Harris Caldwell," he continued, glancing at his partner before turning back to her. "We need to speak with you about a serious matter. It's regarding a recent incident."

Alex's pulse quickened, and she could feel her mind starting to race. "What kind of incident?" she asked, her voice betraying her nerves.

Harris hesitated, as if weighing how much to say in public. "We'll explain everything in a moment. First, we need you to come with us."

Alex's mind spun in a thousand directions. What could this be about? Had she done something? Said something? The café was quiet, the other customers blissfully unaware of the tension mounting between her and the two officers. She couldn't think of anything she had done wrong, but the urgency in the officer's tone made her stomach churn.