Imagine Book 2

A Second Chance- Odafin Tutuola (Law and Order: Special Victims Unit)

Fem Y/N

Detective Odafin Tutuola sat at his desk in the squad room, reviewing files when his phone buzzed. A call from his precinct contact at the 14th District—a favour they owed him—came through with news that froze him mid-reach for his coffee.

"Fin, we've got Y/N in holding."

Y/N. His best friend's daughter. He immediately imagined her laughing as a kid, tugging on her father's sleeve at barbecues, her face lit up with innocent mischief. But now? She wasn't a kid anymore.

"What'd she do?" Fin asked, bracing himself.

"Got picked up for vandalism. A busted storefront. But there's more. Her name came up in a bigger case—gang-related homicide."

Fin's throat tightened. "I'm on my way."

__

Y/N sat at the cold, metal table in the dim interrogation room, arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her messy hair framed a face streaked with dried tears. The anger she'd displayed when she was hauled in had faded into a look of sheer terror. Her leg bounced anxiously under the table.

When the door opened, and Fin walked in, Y/N's head snapped up. Relief flooded her face, only to be replaced by a mix of guilt and fear. She avoided his sharp gaze.

"Hey, Y/N," Fin said, closing the door behind him softly. He stayed standing for a moment, his arms crossed. "We need to talk."

"I didn't do anything!" she blurted out. Her voice cracked, and her eyes darted around the room, not meeting his. "I swear, I wasn't part of that murder! I didn't even know what was gonna happen!"

Fin raised his hand to calm her. "Start from the beginning," he said gently, sitting across from her. His tone was calm, but his eyes were piercing, searching for the truth.

Y/N's lips trembled. "I didn't mean for any of this, Fin. I just—" Her words came out in a jumble, her breath hitching. "I just wanted some extra cash. Things at home... they weren't good. Dad said I was a burden. Mom just—she doesn't care anymore. I thought if I joined up with them, I could make some money, ya know?"

Fin's jaw tightened. He'd known her parents—his best friends—for years, but things had taken a turn in their home after her father lost his job and fell into heavy drinking. It had been hard for Y/N, but this? He never thought it'd come to this.

"They told me all I had to do was tag some buildings, deliver some stuff," she continued, tears welling up in her eyes. "But then one day, they were talking about this guy who 'disrespected them.' Next thing I know, someone's dead! And now they're saying I'm part of it!" Her voice rose in panic.

Fin leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. "Slow down, Y/N. Take a deep breath."

She nodded shakily and tried to steady her breathing. He let her take her time.

"Okay," Fin said, his voice low and firm. "First things first—you're not alone in this, okay? But I need you to be straight with me. You tell me everything. No holding back. Can you do that?"

She hesitated but nodded. Her fingers twisted together nervously. "I didn't kill anyone, Fin. I swear. But I was there... kind of." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I was supposed to distract the guy, so the others could talk to him. I didn't know it would get violent, I swear! I just... I needed the money."

Fin sat back, processing her words. It was a mess, but her fear was genuine. He'd seen plenty of kids tangled up in gang life before, and he knew how quickly things could spiral out of control. But Y/N wasn't a killer. She was a scared kid in over her head.

"Y/N, listen to me," he said, his voice steady but firm. "This gang—they don't care about you. They don't care what happens to you. You're just a tool to them, someone to do their dirty work."

Her eyes filled with tears. "I know that now! I didn't think it'd get this bad. I just wanted to leave, but they won't let me. And now... now I'm screwed, aren't I?"

Fin shook his head. "No. You're not. But you've got to trust me, okay? I'm gonna do everything I can to help you, but I need you to be straight with me and with the DA. We clear?"

Y/N nodded, sniffling.

"Good," Fin said, standing up. He gave her a reassuring look. "I'm gonna get you out of this. Just hang tight."

__

After hours of negotiations with the ADA, Fin managed to secure Y/N's release on bail. She had no prior record, and her cooperation in the murder investigation was a point in her favour. But Fin wasn't done yet.

When Y/N stepped out of the precinct, she was visibly shaken. The night air hit her like a wave, and she wrapped her arms around herself. Fin was waiting for her by his car.

"C'mon," he said, opening the passenger door. "You're staying with me tonight."

She hesitated. "I—I don't think my parents—"

"Your parents aren't calling you back, are they?" Fin asked bluntly.

Her silence was all the confirmation he needed. He softened his tone. "Look, I know things are rough at home. But you don't have to face this alone. Let's go."

She climbed into the car, silent but grateful.

Fin's apartment was modest but warm, a reflection of his straightforward personality. As Y/N stepped inside, she looked around, feeling both awkward and oddly comforted. She sat on the couch, her hands in her lap.

Fin brought her a glass of water and sat across from her. "We need to talk about what happens next."

Y/N looked at him, her eyes weary. "I don't even know where to start."

"Start by staying outta trouble," Fin said, his tone firm but not unkind. "I mean it, Y/N. No more tagging buildings, no more hanging out with those people. You're done with that life."

"I don't even want to go back," she said, her voice breaking. "But where am I supposed to go? My parents don't want me. I can't go back to school—people there know. What am I supposed to do, Fin?"

"You stay here," he said without hesitation.

Her eyes widened. "What?"

"You heard me. You need a place to stay, and I've got an extra room. But there are rules," he added, leaning forward. "You go back to school. You stay clean. And you stay honest with me. You can't fix this overnight, but you've got to start somewhere."

Tears spilt down her cheeks. "Why are you doing this for me?"

"Because you're family, Y/N," Fin said, his voice soft. "And because I've seen too many kids get swallowed up by this life. I'm not letting that happen to you."

She nodded, tears streaming silently.

"Good," Fin said, standing up. "Now, get some rest. We've got work to do tomorrow."

__

Over the next few weeks, Y/N started to rebuild her life under Fin's guidance. She returned to school, her confidence slowly returning as she distanced herself from the gang. Fin helped her work through her legal troubles, standing by her during every court appearance.

Through it all, Fin was a constant presence—a source of strength and stability in her life. He didn't let her wallow in self-pity, but he also never let her feel like she was alone.

One evening, as they sat in the living room watching a movie, Y/N turned to him. "Thank you, Fin. For everything."

He glanced at her and gave a small smile. "You don't gotta thank me. Just keep doing right."

She nodded, a small smile of her own forming. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she had a future.