Cozen

Chapter One

Chapter One

Wisteria Valance sat in one of the tough, tainted leather chairs in the police station. She had her long legs splayed across the couple waiting chairs, and she absentmindedly played with one of her lighters. She flicked it on, watching with a bored expression as the orangey glow flickered to life. Strangely, as she waited for her father, no one seemed to notice her holding a potentially hazardous threat.

She wouldn't fire up in here, though; she wasn't stupid. Luckily enough, she had left her marijuana at home, stashed away in one of her numerous hiding spots, though it wasn't like anyone snooped around her room. Therefore she wasn't charged with the possession of drugs.

She'd been held in the Juvenile Hall once for having alcohol. Just once for twenty-four hours, though. That had been one of the only times she was caught when her father was away on a business trip. Usually, he got her out of any situation she was in. Lately, though, he had been at his wits in with her, and she could tell.

"If you play with fire, you'll get burned," a deep voice piped up from her thoughts and she snapped the lighter closed, glancing up.

Carl was standing in the doorway to his office, looking at her with his eyebrows raised. He was a big, burly man. He was in his mid-forties. He stood almost six-foot with a clean cut demeanor. His blonde hair wasn't neat, but it really didn't matter to Wisty.

Officer Carl Glenn was always at the office or patrolling the run-down city, as far as Wisty knew. She knew because every single time her gang was caught painting, he was there. Honestly, she didn't really mind his presence nowadays, considering he was one of the few people who speak to her without disgust lacing every word.

"Yes, but like scars, once the burn is healed, the skin is tougher," she countered grimly, and Carl furrowed his eyebrows.

"You know what, girl?" Carl said, giving her a curious look, "I don't get you. You have so much potential, but you always end up back here."

Wisty shrugged, pulled gum out of her pocket and popping a piece in her mouth. Her taste buds burst with mint and she smiled a fake, sickly sweet smile at Carl.

"But, if I didn't keep doing this then you'd never see me again," she mentioned pointedly, raising her eyebrows.

Officer Carl chuckled lowly, "Whatever, kid. I came in here to tell you we could contact your dad, but he's away on a business trip. Did you know? Anyway, he'll be back tomorrow around late noon, but until then we're transporting you to Juvenile Hall."

"Oh," Wisty said more to herself, thinking about her father being gone. So that was what he'd been trying to tell me, she thought, recalling when her father had miraculously made an attempt to speak with her. Wisty, being her, had her music up on full blast. She hadn't heard him tell her he'd be going on a business trip.

Minutes later, the situation clicked into her mind. "Wait, what?" she asked, surprised. She wasn't scared of Juvenile Hall, she'd been there before. She was just shocked, that was all. "Carl-" she started.

Carl sighed, leaning deeper into his office door frame. "You know I can't, Wisteria. It's the law. You have to go to Juvenile Hall until your father gets back from his business trip. No if's, and's, or but's."

Wisty pinched the bridge of her nose, in need of a smoke. "Dammit," she muttered, leaning back in her seat. "When?"

Officer Carl checked his watch, "You have 'bout ten minutes 'till you leave."

"Alright," Wisty replied, running a hand through her curls.

And Carl slipped back into his office.