The Cold Case: Boy Amber

C H A P T E R 1

F E A R

Jonah:
A loud booming laugh cut straight through the somewhat uncomfortable silence. It startled the hell out of me to realize that I was actually the one laughing while the others stood quite awkwardly. We all stood around- even though the room held enough chairs and couches for all of us- I didn't invite them to sit. I actually really don't want them here.

"You can't be serious." I couldn't help but let another chuckle slip out of my mouth.

The amusement in my voice dropped a bit at the intensely serious expression hanging on Cole's face. He was young- late twenties- but had an old soul that showed through in these kinds of situations.

"This is a joke... right?" I glanced at the familiar faces standing behind him, watching them closely, expecting one of them to break a smile or cough out a small laugh. They didn't. My gut twisted with anxiety and frustration as i realised this was serious. Looking at everyone felt like looking at an old photo album. Like a distant memory, filling my system with nostalgia and anger.

"Are you shitting me right now?! How many times did I refuse your offer? I bet you don't even know because that's just how many times I refused. I'm just a cop! I can't up and go like I don't have responsibilities and-" I was shouting, I know I shouldn't but I couldn't help it.

"We need you. You and I both know you are way more than just a cop. You're the damned sheriff! You graduated as the top of your class and you weren't even trying. This case, the amber case, it's a tough cookie to break-" Cole wasn't giving up on this, he's as stubborn as an ass.

"Don't you dare! Don't you mention that case in my office in my department. Ever. I will have no part of this wild chase, this case is dead, it was closed years ago. I don't even know who in their right mind would reopen this nightmare." My voice held authority and bitterness and an underlining of a threat.

I closed this case a long time ago.

"Jonah." My eyes flickered up towards the door that was now being shut closed by a hesitant Jordan. He racked a hand through his wavy black hair and sucked in a deep breath as he took a step closer.

I nod my head in his direction, a shadow of a smile playing at my lips. Best friend to the rescue like always. Everything is easier when Jordan's around, he's like a brother to me.

He came to help me. Thank God.

"There's something you need to know."

Or not..?

I raised an eyebrow and sat behind my desk, pointing at the seat in front of it and looking at Jordan expectantly. He took a seat and cleared his throat, eyes wandering around nervously. His face held that look he got whenever he really wanted to say something but just didn't know how to, making that feeling in my gut grow wilder.

"Spill. I don't care just say it. Whatever it is has got you hesitant and I don't like it." I lean forward in my chair eyebrows scrunched up and my head tilted a bit, an old habit.

"He's alive." The words rushed right out of him, his hazel eyes held worry in them.

Definitely not.

That gut feeling exploded, spreading everywhere within me. I stood up slowly, keeping my eyes on Jordan the whole time. The sickening silence that followed what he had said was what had me on edge.

No... that's impossible. He's dead. I killed him in that fire. He's dead he has to be dead.

"Sit. All of you sit right now." My voice cut through the heavy silence.