Crimewave

Prologue

Life truly is a repetitive process. Even once you finish the normal schedule that comes with your typical education, you're immediately thrust into adulthood and follow the same pattern. The burden of life had been easier to withstand with companions, but now that Everlock is mostly empty, Detective Matthew Patrick found himself struggling with it alone. 

It's a reality he faces every day. One he faces right now, as he wakes up in his now messy bed sheets; skin riddled with goosebumps after he kicked the blanket off of him sometime last night. Mat shivers, his skin still not used to the typical chill weather after decades of living here, and he is quick to pull himself out of his bed to start the day. His body weighs with his exhaustion, but somehow he manages to stumble to his closet; organized since he really has nothing better to do with his time. 

Feeling nostalgic for whatever reason, he pulls out an outfit he hasn't worn for a while. The smile he gives the oddly colored trenchcoat is strained, maybe because of the memories that cling to this outfit, but he still feels fond of it nonetheless. Matthew begins peeling off his shirt and thin pants, deciding he couldn't be bothered to drag himself into the shower. Last he checked, the plumber still hasn't fixed his hot water- and a cold shower wouldn't do anything to help his aching limbs. Once nude, he's quick to put on his outfit. For a moment he feels as though it's the 70s again, and this thought gets a genuine smile from him. It's strange to realize how long ago that time really was. Being in the 80s isn't like what Mat had imagined at all. 

Probably because he had imagined nothing changing. A hopeless daydream he had back then. Even as a realist, he loved entertaining bizarre ideas and the idea of nothing changing had been a fun one for him. Back then, Mat busied himself with actual detective work. Making time to hang out with friends. Snarking off at rude people who liked the darker corners of Everlock. Clinging onto said friends for dear life because he's never known closeness like that. He was a terrible realist for really thinking his theory of everyone staying with him had been right. 

His friends were gone and so were most of the people he grew up with. But Matthew is fine, really. It's an old wound he got over, in a mature manner, ages ago. Ten years had left him plenty of healing time. Now that he's settled in his old clothes, trenchcoat and ugly green pants with his badge, he feels nothing sentimental about it. That's how well he's healed. Now these clothes were just what they always have been; clothes. The past was something Mat left behind willingly, and now he was facing the future with acceptance.

He's fine. Everlock's only detective is fine. 

Even as he lets out a sigh, a sound that fills the silent air with something depressing, he's truly okay. He has good health and he isn't being bullied or anything of the sort. Matthew is still in his safe place, Everlock, and that means he's comfortable, safe, and fine. His eyes clench shut when he accidentally catches his own pained, watering gaze in the mirror - causing him to shake his head turning away from the mirror so he doesn't have to see himself again. Not self loathing, he reasons, Mat just doesn't like his physical features. And he's never been fond of mirrors. That's it. 

Another sigh escapes him too easily as he grabs his keys and exits the barren apartment. The detective tries to keep as active as possible because he doesn't like being home. Today, he has the same game plan of doing paperwork for hours and reading up on old cases to see if he finds anything new. Do that for about twelve hours and head home to pass out. Get up and repeat his process. 

Fresh air relieves his senses, and despite his attitude, everyday he takes a moment at his doorstep to admire Everlock. If he allows himself to admit it, he might not be happy, but he still loves it here in the small town. The excitement he feels every time the carnival shows up never dimmers, always as sharp and as breathtaking as he remembers it. And even without the carnival, the town is still beautiful and mysterious in its own way. Still drawing him in with ease. 
Mat feels himself lighten up as he walks down the path that takes him to the main buildings. Green fog floats about, causing the town to look ghastly; his favorite part being the lights that are now dim, yet still bright at the same time, due to being covered by the fog. The buildings he passes are old and haven't been fixed despite the clear wear in the wood and bricks.