Chapter One- Modern times

Mitch was exhausted and was just about to go home but he thought he would get some food as he knows as soon as he gets home, he's gonna lie on his sofa and not be able to get up until he's had at least 7 hours sleep.

He'd just finished his part concerning a case of serial killings over the last few months. He concluded that the man in question suffered with schizophrenia. Poor guy. He was a firefighter and suffered with most likely PTSD, he mentioned visions and hallucinations which told him that people were laughing at him and he just wanted it all to stop. He can only hope that which ever institution he's sent to he gets proper help.

"Woahwoah"

For fucks sake. That idiot Lucas.

"What do you want?" Mitch said with clear annoyance. Lucas only grinned and chuckled

"Easy tiger. I just wanted to know if you wanted to get some dinner tonight. You me an-" Mitch cut him off

"And Justin?"

"Me and Justin are over I swear on my life"

"Woowww" he sarcased

"Honest. Come on. I'll make it up to you."

Mitch hated him. Lucas was one on those people that thought he was the finest thing on the planet and that he could get anything he wanted. Mitch isn't stupid, he knows what he's up to. He'll bet anything that both him and Justin aren't talking to him so he's sweet talking both of them. Mitch just hopes that this Justin fella can see right through him.

"Lucas..can I tell you a secret?"

"I'm listening"

"Come closer" Mitch gestured for him to lean in which he did. Mitch leaned up to whisper in Lucas' ear.

"You suffer with narcissistic personality disorder"

"Pft no I dont" Mitch knew he would become defensive. He's noticed that if he says something along those lines to Lucas causing him to get defensive, if he says absolutely nothing afterwards then Lucas with try his hardest to convince himself otherwise and it'll be on his mind all day about how he's so nice and he's not a narcissist. Awe well. Mitch only shrugged and left him to rack his brain.

Mitch and Lucas were an item for around 3 maybe 4 years but Mitch doesn't even care. Lucas would forget their anniversary, forget Mitchs birthday, wouldn't even talk to him some days or even look at him and to top it all off he cheats on him with a guy called Justin. Fantastic. The absolute pinnacle of relationships. The only things Mitch misses about Lucas are his mom and his dogs. Mitch remembers when Lucas' mom invited Mitch to Thanksgiving dinner and not Lucas. That should say it all really. Lucas' mom is so keen to keep Mitch in her family that shes asked him if he would prefer her other sons. Like shit. Although Mitch loves her he politely declined as he's not looking for a relationship right now. It's so exhausting. To be quiet honest Mitch was happy to be single at the moment. It's so annoying going home and having someone in your house, eating your food, drinking your drinks. He was really looking forward to some alone time.

Mitch left the police building and went to his car and as soon as his car door shut, without barely a second for him to even place his hands on the steering wheel, his phone began to ring. Mitch groaned and hit his head on the seat behind him. He fished his phone out of his pocket to see that it was Gia. Gia worked in the armed police unit and she was Mitchs definition of 'if I had to pick a woman'. He answered the phone

"Hello"

"Mitch I really need you down here. We've got a hostage situation and I don't think he's stable" Mitch held the phone away so he could sigh without her hearing.

"Where?"

"Park Brook bridge"

"Ok I'm on my way. Try to keep him relaxed" Mitch hung up and made his way over to the bridge and saw all the police cars and armed vans. Yeah. That'll keep him relaxed.

He made his way out of his car and showed his badge to the officers controlling the scene so he could pass. He saw Gia there, in her tactical uniform and she made her way over. Mitch put his hands in his pockets.

"Enlighten me"

"Male. 34 years old. We were able to identify him as Carl Robins. He has a history of mental illness and amnesia"

"Any family?"

"A 5 year old daughter in care and a 64 year old mother in a home"

"Ok. Can you ask some of the officers to back off please?"

"Anything you need" Gia walked away and Mitch vaguely heard her giving orders to the officers as he made his way over to Carl.

Carl looked awful. He was sweating with red eyes and looked very pale. He was a pretty bulky man and he was standing there with a woman in his grasp and a pistol pointed at her skull. She also looked in terrible shape.

"Hi Carl. Can I call you Carl?"

Carl didn't say anything. He just stood there and stared back.

"My name is DI Mitch Grassi. I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to talk to you"

"That's what they all say"

"Carl I want you to look at me" Mitch held his hands up in clear view "I don't have anything that's going to harm you. Please talk to me. What is it you want?"

"I want to go home"

Carl look at the woman in your arms. Do you think that maybe she wants to go home too?" Carl looked at the woman and he began to get upset. "Carl I'll give you deal ok? Please carefully let the lady go and I will personally make sure that you go home ok?"

"They're gonna hurt me"

"Who?"

"The shadows"

"I promise you nothings going to hurt you. Look at her Carl. She's terrified. I can see that you're not an evil man." Mitch saw Carl begin to soften his grip on her. "Really carefully ok?". Carl nodded and very slowly let the lady go and she ran towards some near by police officers crying her eyes out. "Its ok Carl. It's ok" Mitch very slow steps towards Carl.

Mitch saw Carl blink with force. He must be hallucinating. "Carl? Carl listen to me. Whatever you're seeing is not real. Carl look at me" Carl lifted his head to look to Mitch. Fear filled his eyes. He looked like a zombie. He lifted his arm holding the gun. "Carl"

"Dont hurt me"

"I'm not going to hurt you Carl. I'm DI Mitch Grassi. I'm nothing that you're seeing"

"You cant haunt me anymore"

"Carl. No. Carl please"

The sound of the gunshot cut through the air as it did Mitchs skin and flesh. He fell backwards and thudded on the floor. He saw how beautiful the sky was. The clouds began to blend together and all he saw was white as his ears started to ring. He couldnt differentiate the ringing from what sounded like sirens. The mixture of sirens, ringing and his own racing heart beats, he was sure was one of the most awful sounds he'd ever heard. He felt like he was drowning.