Infamy

A Fated Encounter

"Ryan," a voice echoed from a seemingly far distance, "Ryan!"

Ryan was shaken awake, he opened his eyes to see his concerned wife.

"Are you alright?" Carrie asked with concern. Ryan looked around him, he was in his living room, he rubbed his eyes.

"Was it all a dream?" Ryan said groggily, but then he felt something folded in his pocket, he pulled it out and found the picture of Cole Braxton, given to him by the Plastic Surgeon.

"Oh...no..." Ryan slurred with fear, Carrie grabbed Ryan's arm before he crawled backwards.

"Ryan, what happened," Carrie spoke, it sounded more like a command than a question.

"Carrie..." Ryan started, shaking uncontrollably, "Cole Braxton is still alive..."

Carrie's eyes widened, "how do you know this?"

"Sam Wells got plastic surgery...to look like Cole," Ryan stated with fear, "...he faked his death...he is still out there..."

Carrie sat frozen, then she whispered with shock, "how could someone do that to their friend..."

Ryan gulped in anxiety.

"He has to get caught," Carrie said with fear, "Cole is dangerous..."

"You're right," Ryan stated, calming down, "I have to stop him.."

"You aren't alone," Carrie responded, "you have me and you have the other detectives, you have help...do not desert us..."

Ryan recalled his experience with his friend Pete, who was kidnapped, Ryan neglected help in order to find him. By the time he found he found Pete, his recklessness got Pete killed, leaving Ryan guilty of not only failing to save him, but also of hurting everyone around him in the process.

Ryan gulped and then looked at Carrie with seriousness, "I won't let that happen again.."

Carrie nodded as Ryan stood up, "Well, you have work, Carrie, you don't need to worry about me."

Ryan helped Carrie stand up, she looked at Ryan intensely, "I am trusting you, don't get out of hand."

Ryan nodded in agreement, he kissed her on the lips and then walked into their room.

"I am going to take a shower," Ryan bellowed, "Have a good day!"

Carrie sighed as she smiled, "That guy..."

The cold water against the neck brought a peaceful, thought provoking wash as Ryan took his shower.

What is the next step...Ryan thought as he washed his hair.

I can't tell the agency what I learned until I am reinstated

He began rinsing his hair of the shampoo.

But where do I go?

Ryan mulled over all the info he had, he leaned his head against one of the walls.

I'm not sure...I wish I wasn't suspended...

Ryan ran his hand across the wall.

I kind of want to visit Sam's grave...

The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to go, if he does not know where to go, why not start there?

After his shower, Ryan got dressed up appropriately and left the house for the cemetery. Once he arrived, he got out of his car and began looking for Sam's grave; in the distance, he saw one grave adorned with many flowers. A recent death, Ryan noted, he also noticed someone sitting by that same grave. He walked over, by the time he got close, he noticed the person was a girl who looked to be in her early twenties. She was staring blankly at the grave, Ryan looked at the grave; it was the one he was looking for, the grave etched with the name, "Cole Braxton."