Tempus Fugit {Who Killed Markiplier}

~The Detective and the Reporter~

The library was closed on Sundays. Once again I had a whole day all to myself. The first Sunday I decided to take a day to go shopping. I hadn't made an effort, to go out to the town, so it was high time I updated my wardrobe.

I walked down to my favorite clothing shop; a small brick building covered in peeling drywall. It didn't look like much, but it was my most trusted place to buy my outfits.

The shop was run by a lanky old woman named Aniese, or Ani for short. She had inherited the shop from her mother, and her mother before that was the one who opened the store. Ani was a very kind and patient woman with a crinkled smile. Her snow white hair was always tucked in a sleek bun, with a few wisps of hair sticking out at her hairline. Her vision was not the best, but she refused to wear glasses. She had been a good friend of my mother, even through the fifteen year difference. Ani was the one who came to console Celine and I when our parents died. Needless to say, Ani held a very dear place in my heart.

As soon as I walked into the store, the old woman turned and squinted at the door, analyzing who I was. A smile spread over her wrinkled cheeks. "Iris! My favorite young lady! Oh how are you my dear? I've missed you!" She stepped out from behind the counter and greeted me with a warm embrace. "I've missed you too Ani! Have you been doing well?"

"Yes ma'am! Finally got around to starting that garden I told you about. I'd love for you to come and help me pick out some flowers to plant sometime."

"That would be wonderful. Have any new outfits for me?"

The old woman became very excited to this. "Yes! Yes! We received a wonderful periwinkle blouse that I believe would fit you wonderfully! Come come! Let me show you."

~*~*~

Half an hour passed by as Ani gave me different blouses and dresses to try and chatted with me about politics and her retirement plans. Soon I said goodbye, promising her I would visit soon. Then I decided to head to the park, as I hadn't been in quite some time.

Hardly anyone was there due to the cold. But since that was the case, I instantly noticed Abe sitting on a bench near a barren, snow covered tree. I smiled and walked up to him, but paused. Upon further notice, I realised he was looking at notes of some kind, so I quickly turned to walk away so I wouldn't disturb him.

"You don't have to go."

I looked back. Abe gave me a half smile as he closed his notebook. "A break would be more than welcome, especially one from a pretty girl such as yourself." he added with a cheeky wink. I giggled as I sat down next to him. "You're too much Abe."

He chuckled. "Better than being too little, hm?"

"That.. that's very true."

"It is, isn't it? So, what brings you here on this cold winter's morning?"

"I have Sundays off of work and I realised I haven't been to the park since I came back home from University. What about you?"

"I love how quiet it is here. Makes for a good place to clear my head and review cases."

"Is that the notes you were looking over when I got here?"

"Mmmhm."

"You looked stressed."

"It's been a tough case. Besides, it's not often that murder happens here."

"You're working a murder case?"

"Unfortunately."

"How many have you worked on?"

"Not many. Five, at most. None of them have proved too difficult.. But this one.. This one is different. This is the most gruesome scene I've ever witnessed. I can't get the image of that man's body out of my mind."

"God.. I'm so sorry Abe. It must be awful."

"I'll be alright. How have you been? It's been so long since you've come by city hall."

"I've been.. Quite a bit confused, actually."

"Oh?"

"I fell in love, I got my heart broken, isolated myself, and yet now I'm in love with the man who caused all this again, but this time maybe the feelings are reciprocated? Not to mention my sister got caught having an affair and-"

"Whoa whoa! Slow down! All this happened in a month?"

I half smiled. "Unfortunately."

"Are.. Are you doing okay? I mean, do you need anything?" he asked worriedly. I let out a singular laugh. "No no, I'm alright. Things have gotten better. But, thank you for your concern Abe." He smiled sweetly. "Any-"

Suddenly two men, both in baby blue button down shirts and brown slacks, came sauntering up to us. One held a microphone of some kind, and the other held a large news camera. "Oh God.." Abe growled next to me.

"This is Jim from Jim News! I'm here with my assistant, Jim, and we have spotted the allusive detective and a possible lady-love." the strange reporter said. His voice was low, almost as if he thought we couldn't see him.

I looked at Abe, both of us clearly baffled by these strange men. Jim- er, Jim with the microphone, strode up to the intrepid detective in a very odd manner. His movements were almost bird like. "Tell us Detective, are you still working on the McLoughlin case? Is this a love interest of yours?"

Abe sighed, his frozen breath hanging over him momentarily as he turned to me. "I'm sorry Iris, I'm going to have to cut our little chat short. I'll talk to you again soon." I smiled as he stood up. "See you around, Detective." He quickly tipped his hat to me, shoved his hands into his pockets, and walked towards the town, the strange Jims following close behind.

a/n: hi. i suck. excuses excuses.

also, our dear detective is working the.. mcloughlin case?? whatever could that mean ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)?

anyhoo, i love you all! see you in the next chapter

-🦋