What Lurks in the Dark

Chapter 2

I walked into work the next day with my bag in one hand and a large coffee in the other, I hadn't got much sleep the night before. The dark circles underneath my eyes and pasty skin only accentuated how tired and worn out I was from all the crying, my ex-partner's death plaguing my mind like crazy.

    Stepping through the main entrance, I passed the police station's waiting room, only to stop in my tracks when I spotted a familiar person sitting there with an irritated look on his face, handcuffs clasped around his wrists.

Carter's younger brother, Mason.

    Why is this kid always in trouble? I thought to myself and sighed in disbelief. I treaded towards him and sat down in a chair opposite of him, ignoring the dirty glare he greeted me with.

"Mason, what did you do this time?" I asked in a disappointed tone, pretty much prepared to hear something absurd.

    He used to be a very bright and cheerful kid, with many opportunities lined up for him, but he wasted them. Mason changed completely and started causing a lot of trouble after Carter died. I've tried to take care of him even though he's in his rebellious stage, but nonetheless, he's very hard to deal with, refusing to even civilly talk to me.

    "What's it to you?" He snapped and slouched further in his chair, it was only then that I took a proper look at his disheveled appearance. He stunk of alcohol and cigarettes and even though he was wearing a black hoodie, I could only bet his body was littered with bruises. Mason's lip was busted in the corner and his wrists were red raw from the handcuffs, it's no doubt he had been struggling against the police when he had gotten caught.

    "Did you get in another fight?" I questioned him sternly, but I got no response. "Mason, answer me!" I raised my voice unconsciously, I was getting a little impatient with his attitude.

    "Why should I?" He spat cockily, raising his eyebrows, as his black hair fell over his eyes. I gritted my teeth in annoyance and tried again.

    "I know you don't like me-"

    "I hate you." He corrected and cut me off, his voice seething with loathing. I sucked in a deep breath, trying to calm myself down - even if I was used to him being cold to me, it still hurt every time.

    "I know you hate me, but what happened with Carter two years ago can't change. How many times do I have to say sorry? I'm hurting as well, I loved him as well." Tears welled up in my eyes as I tried to fight the urge from crying again, Mason only scoffed at this and leaned over closer to me.

    "You don't deserve to say that you loved him, you're the reason he's dead." He hissed. "If you had done your job properly, he'd still be here."

    "I said I'm sorry!" I cried, startling everyone in the waiting room. Tears finally fell down my cheeks and my lips quivered, I didn't know how else I could get him to forgive me. All I could do was try and help him stay out of trouble. I got up from my seat and went over to the police officer at the receptionist's desk, wiping my face with the back of my hand.

    "How much for his bail?" I asked him and pointed towards Mason. He gave him a quick glance and typed his name up on the computer, not even needing to ask for his name. Has Mason really been here that many times?