The Shadow Prospect {ONC}

2

This- this couldn't be happening.

If he'd been having a good day up till this point, and just happened to be any other person walking down the sidewalk, he'd probably go into some big, long rant about how the world was so unfair and he had no right to be going through this now-

But of course, his day had been complete and utter crap so far, and, in all honesty, he was too scared to speak in the quiet cruiser cab, so he opted to keep his mouth shut on the tense ride downtown.

This couldn't be happening.

It was a wonder what a badge and a few pieces of paper could get you in this world. Detective Methias had been able to clear him out of the building in less than an hour, the doctor insisting he at least go with a set of crutches (the cane couldn't be found in time, he just had to make do-) and now, here they were rocketing down to the local police station, Cato riding front and center of murder case he was accused of being behind when he couldn't even remember what had gone down that night.

Was no one going to understand that he lost his memory?!

Did anyone even believe him?

Well-

Despite the calm friendliness in Detective Methias's tone, it was clear he didn't believe him. He'd only given him the facts of the case with a forced smile before slapping on the metaphorical cuffs and driving him away.

The doctor probably didn't believe him, he'd been too focused on his knee to offer any real conformation his memory loss was indeed real and not just imaginary.

Did he even really believe himself?

Maybe he really was just forcing those memories down, his own head too scared to reveal the secrets of what happened that night.

And on that thought-

Was he going crazy?

Probably.

He didn't have the nerve to say otherwise.

It wasn't like he was anything super special in the first place: average green eyes, average brown/black-ish hair cut to an average length. Heck, he was an average college student just trying to survive like every other person in this city, why would something like this suddenly happen to him of all people?

It was the cruiser coming to a stop that drew his attention to the window. The city police department was now in looming view as Methias brought the car to a stop and got out.

The detective was quick, walking around to the other side to open the door without so much as a look in his direction, leaving Cato scrambling to pull the crutches out before sloppily pulling himself up on one foot. That small move alone made his knee throb sharply when his injured leg brushed the ground, and he forcefully ground his teeth to keep from making a sound.

The detective's stride was long and Cato fought to keep up with the man as they strode to the station's entrance, the guy at least kind enough to hold the door open long enough for him to get through before it closed off with a much louder sound than it probably was echoing in his ears.

He was in the lions' den now.

The place was louder than he'd imagine, officers and detectives dashing this way and that, some holding wads of papers, while others clutched steaming cups of coffee. He watched one pair of officers collide not far from where they stood, a flurry of papers flying up into the air, the two immediately bending down without missing a beat to recover them-

"Methias!"

The voice sounded sharply from his right, Cato turning his neck to catch sight of a woman quickly approaching them, a manila folder clutched in one hand, her fiery blue eyes locking hold on them in two seconds flat, and though she wasn't looking directly at him, Cato could feel himself freeze at the sight of her. There was no doubt this woman was a force to be reckoned with.