Darkness

Gone

   Not a good start to the day. I've already argued with the barista at my local coffee shop about my coffee not being made correctly. It was their first day.

   Walking into the office, I seem to have let my frustration visible as I slammed the door.

"Ooh! Someone's having a bad morning."

"Shut up Drew."

   Drew is my partner. I have known him for almost my whole life. Through elementary, middle school, and above. Ironically, we ended up getting the same job for the same company and department.  Did I mention he's not my favorite person. Fun.

   Sitting down in my creaky chair I breathe in, and out. In. Out.

"Not to interrupt your Buddha thing, Zap, but we have a case."

"Great!" I exclaim bitterly. 

   Getting up he pounces on my keys, "I'm obviously driving, because if you drive, you're gonna drive us off a cliff."

   He said that a little too smugly for my liking. 

"Shut up, Drew." I say it as a last minute thought.

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Dark. It's dark.

Screams. Screams haunting my nightmares

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"What do you mean there's not much evidence?" I ask as I dumbly stare at the young cops' face.

   Let's just say we've been going back and forth like this for a while now.

"I'm just telling you what I've seen and have been told. No footprints, no fingerprints, and no witnesses. Just a large amount of blood and and a wrecked shop."

   I turn to stare at the destroyed flower shop. It was one of my favorite places. Xena, my best friend and roommate, started the small shop a couple of years ago. As she built it up from nothing, she had so much confidence, and was not afraid of anything happening. But now something has.

   Trying to keep it on a professional level I simply ask, "Has anyone contacted the shop owner?"

He shrugs, "Now that, I don't know."

   I nudge a little harder so he looks up, "Call her. You know she always answers when anyone calls."

   He gives a little nod and walks away. They've been in a relationship for a while now, so I know he must be as worried as I am.

   I tell the officer that I'm done with my questions and thank him. Then I zone out.

   In what I assume is a few minutes later, Drew comes back with a panic in his eyes.

"She didn't pick up. I called her five times and she didn't pick up!" He uses his hands to emphasize his words.

   I guess I have to be the calm one.

"Start the car. I'll be there in a minute." I try to say it with my most soothing voice.

   He gives a slight nod and walks away. I just have one more question... Just need to bother that police officer one more time.

"Hi. It's me again. Have they tested the blood on the scene yet?" I ask hopefully.

Giving me a slightly annoyed look he quickly says, "The blood has been reacting negatively to the chemicals they use it on. That's all I know. Bye now!" Then he turns around, obviously not wanting to talk to me anymore.

  Slowly I walk back to the car.  Sitting down I avoid looking at Drew, afraid at seeing him sad. 

Then I think. I think hard and hard about Xena's, and mine's last conversation. Then...

"Bye."

   Drew looks at me suddenly, "What?"

"Bye. It was the last thing Xena said to me this morning."

His eyebrows wrinkle together, "She never says bye."

"Exactly. She only says it when she knows she will never see someone again."

He starts the car in drive, "Let's find her."

"Just at the next gas station, I'm driving."