Kleptomania | Billie Eilish

Twenty Eight

(Play "Kiss Breakdown" by Micheal Brook at the said time for an audiovisual. HIGHLY recommend)

Billie

17 hours after the disappearance of Madison Peterson.

"Ms. O'Connell, is it okay if we ask you a few questions?"

Silence fills the interrogation room. Only the hum of the air conditioning is audible.

"I know that this is hard, but we need as much information we can get about Maddie," the voice continues.

"Take your time, please. We're ready when you are," a different voice says with patience. This voice sounds kind. The other only sounds like it wants my knowledge for their paycheck.

I feel a hand against my shoulder, "breath Billie," my Mom's voice is quiet and melancholy.

I exhale deeply trying not to let the tears sitting in my eyelids slip out. "I'm ready," I whisper.

"Okay, wonderful. We'll start easy then maybe get a full story later on," the woman across from me stares at some papers, "how long have you known Madison Peterson?"

I keep my gaze low, "uh, I think May of this year was when we met."

The man beside her scribbles down notes. "May of 2018?"

I nod.

"And how did you two meet?" she continues.

How did we meet? Yeah, it sounds like a great idea to tell the police we met in a fucking 7/11 bathroom. In the middle of one of Maddie's lifting sessions. I swallow hard, a tear finally escapes my eye and rolls down my cheek. My mom's hand meets my shoulder again, she rubs my arm reassuringly. I wipe my tear with my sleeve.

"Um. I'm sorry I think I need more explanation before you ask me questions," I look up at the woman, she's a detective for Los Angeles Police Department.

"Well, uh- we don't have much information ourselves Ms. O'Connell," her words are hesitant.

"I know you have information about Maddie," I spit at her. "I won't answer shit until you tell me what you know." My breathing escalates as more tears slip down my cheeks. I don't mean to come off rude but naturally, I'm angry and can't hold it back anymore.

The woman looks at the man beside her. He gives her a small shrug. "It is public information Maisha," he tells her. She looks back at me.

"I perhaps so," she exhales. "It might be a lot to take in, especially with what you've been through today."

I bite my lip, "hard to take in?" My voice is shaken.

"Yes, Maddie's case may be shocking."

Do they have an entire case with Maddie's name on it? I think to myself. I knew shit was bad, but not that bad.

(Play music)

How much did Maddie hide from me?

"But, I can tell you everything I know if you agree to give me some information as well."

I nod slowly, "okay. That's fine."

The woman sighs deeply. She shuffles through the stack of papers in front of her, then pulls out a file. She opens it revealing many papers with years worth of information. Two photos of Maddie are clipped to the file with a singular paperclip.

It feels like my insides are flipped upside down when I see her face.

Her deep, brown hair and hazel eyes. I can even see the few freckles spread across the bridge of her nose. And her small nose. And pink lips. That's the picture I posted for her birthday last month.