This is life.

37 ➤ Insanity

A/N- forgive me for even writing this chapter, it's shitty af, this is an updated A/N in case you can't tell lol dw I'll try to change it for future readers when I have the time x

"I don't think she would leave her clutch with all of her belongings in the alley; it's filled with too many valuable things." Eric said, I heard excitement in his voice. I fight the urge to roll my eyes. Of course it's filled with valuable things. Just because we weren't together doesn't mean I could help myself from continuing to spoil her.

"Of course not, your point being?" I feel myself grow bored of the situation.

"My point being I actually got something off this," My stare hardens in confusion. "It was hard, actually, extremely and incredibly hard as a matter of fact," He exaggerated. "And that's because it's been exposed to so much bacteria and dirt on the street, but I got my boys to stay up all night." He set the item down on his desk. "And?" I pressed on.

"We found some DNA."

"What? DNA? Whose? How?"

"Calm down. I understand that you may have the worst assumption in mind, I know you want to find your girl, but we don't know the full story and for us to try and take a second step into this I need you to help us, and calm down, please."

I sigh and nod my head. He gives me a crooked smile before opening his draw and pulling out a file quickly before closing it.

"Let's go pay him a visit." "Now?" I ask in confusion. He's in the building?

"Yeah why not? We have him here for questioning and I want to move this case as fast as I can. Don't you?" I nod with a slight frown. He opens the door and motions for me to leave the room, he does the same and walks me down a familiar hallway of the building. "His name is Jack Sprouse."

I run his name through my mind once, clarifying that I don't recognise the name. "I don't know him." "You wouldn't, he's a nobody. Pretty lanky, Caucasian, early thirties I think. Not a threat, or at least I don't think so."

He walks beside me as he talks. I feel compelled to let him know how terribly anxious I actually feel about the situation. Soon we reach the last interrogation room of the building, like two weeks earlier I see Steven standing in front of the window, looking at it with a small frown.

"Mills!" Eric yells, catching his attention. As soon as he sees me his expression turns solid. "Great to see you again, Cosmos." He greets.

I don't reply, instead just give him a weak shrug of my shoulders. I feel too tired for words. "Okay so here's what is happening, you'll go in," Eric notices my panicked expression at his words. "With me," He continues. I lean forward in relief. "And I'll ask the questions, if I need you to talk for any reason I'll let you know, but try to keep your temper and remain calm, okay?"

I sigh again and nod before he opens the door. Immediately my mood changes due to the atmosphere, I haven't yet brought my head up and I feel weak. I still try my best to remain calm as he asks. I do not feel my heart beat faster but with every beat it becomes more audible. Each thump it makes heavily against my chest it heard clearly, giving me a sick, twisted feeling in my stomach. After a few seconds I come to a conclusion that I can't keep my head down forever, and so I bring it up. I see a man that matches Eric's description. Short brown hair, looks to be middle aged, nothing of a threat. I stay silent.

"Jack Sprouse," Eric greets loudly. His tone is mocking and firm, I have the impression that he is the lead detective of his unit for a reason. He drops the file in his hand onto the table.

"Please, humour me. Start talking."

"I don't even know why I'm here,"

Eric opens the file and I see paperwork with Britney's photo attached to it. The photo appears to be one taken on the night she went missing. I avoid looking at it, not wanting to get emotional. Now was not the time for that.