Like a Moth to a Flame

Andrew 6

Andrew 6

I'm trying to distract myself from the anger that's welling up inside me at the sound of what this asshole has put her through and I don't even know either one of them personally. Hearing these words and seeing how badly its affected her makes me almost happy that he's dead, that way he can't hurt her or anyone else anymore. I'm careful not to stare so much but I almost want to reach over and console her. She looks so lost and confused sitting across from me, hugging herself. What hell has this asshole put her through? Would a judge side with the notion of self-defense?

I still can't wrap my mind around why she would let him treat her that way. What hold did he have on her? Did he threaten her life? Was he stalking her? I remember her saying she'd not met him yet so this is all over the phone and via texts. This guy had issues. Serious issues.

I continue to write down notes, words that remind me that we're dealing with someone dangerous. I need more information. I need to find out who else he's hurt because I'm more than sure she's not the only one. I shuffle papers around looking for his address because his apartment, the crime scene, is my next stop. I need to get into this sick bastard's mind for a bit.

I notice she's stopped talking and the sound of her sniffling draws my eyesback up to her. I close my eyes, shaking my head at how much I want to console her but I can't. I just can't. Even though she's not under arrest, she is a suspect in this murder case and there would definitely be a conflict of interest.

"We can take another break now if you want" I utter softly but it seems I've interrupted what she had to say.

"I let it continue." She says in whisper, and she's staring right at me, almost through me. She's ashamed, and embarrassed and I can't do this to her anymore so I force us to take another break. I can't stand to see her so broken so I offer to get her something to snack on, another drink but she's staring straight ahead, never flinching as she says no thank you. I have to force myself out of the room because suddenly I can't breathe.