A lost slumber

XII

On Thursday afternoon, I get stopped by the cops.

" Are you Ezme Fenerdaz's friend Celeste?" The officer says as he approaches me.

" Yes." I say calmly.

" Can you come with me for a second?" The officer says.

" I can't , I have an appointment. Officer...." I say, prolonging my statement.

"Officer Blight." Officer Blight says. " But are you sure you can't stop by? Just for a few questions?"

" I can't stop by , but there's a nearby mini mart that I can stop at." I say.

" I guess that'll do." Officer blight says.

I get in my car and I am followed by a cop car. I get out and head towards the mini mart I work at. I head towards a table and motion for officer Blight to come over.

"Do you want anything ?" I ask.

" No. I'm fine , thanks." He says.

" Then I'll get a medium tea." I say as I get up. I head towards the counter , greet my boss , and order a medium tea. Once my tea is ready , I head back to the table.

When I get back to the table , Officer Blight asks , " So where were you last Friday?"

" Well ," I say while reflecting on the events that took place last weekend. " I was at school for the majority of the day , but later went to the hospital. I spent the entire weekend there."

" Can I ask why?" Officer Blight asks , curiously.

" Long story short: stress." I say.

" Stressing about what?" Officer Blight asks , although he says it more like a suggestion than a question.

" I'm a high school student. It's the end of sophomore year and whether I like it or not life is bound to progress. I have to brace myself for the future and that's uncertain. Now you tell me that you weren't stressed about that at my age." I say , remorseful. Although that is true , it'd be a blessing to only deal with that.

" Well I suppose you do have a point ," Officer Blight says.

" I guess I do." I say.

" Were you aware of any events Ezme could have been involved in on Friday ?" Officer Blight asks.

" Well she was supposed to go to a party." I say.

" Is that all?" Officer Blight asks.

" She did text me saying she was going back to school." I say.

" Do you know why?" Officer Blight asks.

" She was meeting up with our first period teacher , Mr.Peterson." I say.

" Did she tell you why?" Officer Blight asks.

" No. That was the last thing she texted me." I say. I look at my phone and see that I have 10 minutes before my lovely session with Dr.Bolton. I'm screwed. I swore I'd be on time, but I guess I might have to break my word.

" If you don't have anymore information." Officer Blight says , as he looks into my eyes and raises an eyebrow. " I guess we are done here."

" Okay." I say. " I hope you find her."

" Yeah." Officer Blight says . He pauses for a second as if he was lingering in an isolated moment. " I do too."

I grab my things and leave. I head to my appointment and by the time I get there , I'm 40 minutes late.