CHAPTER 1: THE BLACK ROSE

She walked into the room tired as she gave her guns to a girl nearby .

Settling onto the leather sofa , she took a sip of water from her bottle .

Anika had just returned from her latest case and it was tiring to say the least . Closing her eyes she leaned back onto the sofa , a sigh leaving her mouth .

Being a senior isn't the best thing as everyone else thinks , well except for the pay .

When you are a junior , you don't get a lot as pay , but you will always be able to experience the luxury of sleep . Something that she was struggling to afford .

Sitting straight , she looked around for a familiar face . ' She should have been here by now ' , she thought .

Not seeing a trace of her close friend , she got up and walked towards the girls sitting infront of the mirrors getting their makeup done .

" Know where Ava is ? " She asked the girls .

" No . Sorry . " One of them spoke , as the rest followed with similar answers .

Anika walked back to the sofa and took a seat .The room was filled with girls , all getting ready for the grand party tonight . Today happens to be one of the Delta Force's owner's fiftieth birthday .

Almost all cases were called off for today , leaving a lot of seniors and juniors free .

" AVA IN THE BUILDING ." Came the voice she was anticipating. Seeing the black haired girl walking into the room , Anika walked up to her and went for a hug .

Ava was dressed fully in black , her lips painted a bright shade of red .

" It's been a month since I last saw you." She spoke as she loosened the hug and Anika nodded in agreement .

" How was the case " , Anika questioned , considering the fact that each time she had made a call during her time away , Ava would randomly add in details about her case just to hook in her bestfriend, aka her , just so that she could change the topic as fast as she delivered it .

" We will talk about that on another day . Today we are not talking about any cases . " Ava spoke , her slim fingers resting on Anika's shoulder .

" Did you get them atleast ? " Anika asked whispering . A hint of curiosity lingering in her eyes as she eyed the huge bag that hung on Ava's shoulders .

" I did ." Ava spoke , grinning as she opened her black leather bag , showing what hid inside to her friend , who couldn't help but gasp .

There there was , the godly ' ankle boots ' , and that too the limited edition . They are so costly around here and to add a cherry to the top , they are ' always ' out of stock .

" We are going to look powerful tonight . I can already feel the power . " She squealed !!

"We are gonna look matching - matching tonight." Anika spoke taking a pair carefully .

" I'll pay you later ."

"You can keep it for free ." Ava spoke .

" Really." She exclaimed .

" Of course not . That shit's costly . "

~

[ Anika's p.o.v ]

Standing on the stairs , I could see the fully lit up hall.

The grand hall was magnificent to say the least .

I observed the hall from afar , ignoring my aching legs .

The seniors were told to wait at the stairs , until we were called . So here I was , standing at the stairs with my bestfriend and a few others , waiting for a call .

Shifting my gaze , I looked at Ava who was standing beside me . She was busy admiring her new boots .

Who could blame her , they were beautiful .

" When do you reckon they will call us ? " I asked .

" I don't know , but I hope they do that within the next ten minutes ." She spoke holding my hand , our fingers interwined as she stared at the guests that walked past us and into the hall .

As far as I knew , thay were planning to introduce the senior officers to everyone at the party .

And no sooner started the introduction, with one of the owner's , the birthday man , Mr. Hayes , thanking everyone for accepting his invite and then the seniors were started to be called one by one .

His breathy voice echoing throughout the building as he continued calling out names .

Soon Ava was told to walk forward as her

name was announced and next was me .

Looking at Ava's frame that walked farther away , I got ready for my turn .

I walked into the grand hall , my eyes scanning everyone present as my name was announced , Anika Hansley .

A round of applause was heard as I walked more into the hall .

As a token of appreciation for all the work we have been doing , all of us were going to be gifted badges .

I walked onto the carpeted stage , immediately noticing the badge that sat in Mr . Hayes's palm

Pride filling me I smiled , as I muttered to myself . ' Tonight's definitely my night '.

~

The party had started a while ago and needless to say both the ladies were at their own way of having fun .

As soon as the badge delivery program finished , Anika had walked up straight to the buffet table . From puddings to meat rolls , everything was there and Anika was ready to have all of them. After all she was indeed a sucker for food .

Canteen food was not always enough for her tastebuds .

Unlike Anika , her bestfriend's definition of having fun was drinking vodka , and not even thirty minutes into the party she was already drunk , but just the right amount to perceive everything that happened around her .

Food always tasted better when the consumer was not the one paying and Anika knew it very well .

She walked around the hall , a plate of nuggets and sauce in her hand . It was nothing fancy .

She didn't want others to think that this was the first time she saw food .

She planned to make her way back to the table , when the people who already standing there left and and then continue the cycle until her stomach's full .

She was not shying away today .

Seeing an empty seat , she settled there , observing everyone , who was walking past her as she took a bite of her nugget .

The party was filled with women in gowns and men in suits , all busy chatting with people , mainly other officers , among a few she knew .

Anika briefly glanced around the hall . Ava was nowhere to be seen .

Dispensing the empty plate , she washed her hands , her eyes trained onto the lonely corridor outside .

~

Anika walked through one of the corridors of the building , humming a tune to herself .

The corridor was almost empty except for a few couples . The slow music from the party was heard only faintly now .

Anika couldn't help but observe the paintings that were hung , moonlight falling on them as she walked more .

Most of them were pictures of landscapes .

At the almost end of the corridor hung a painting of two men standing .

Peculiarly , a clawmark adorned the painting and a black rose was kept inside , it's petals peeking outside as she walked closer .

Slowly taking the flower outside , she took notice of the small cardboard note tied to the stem . The note written in ink ,

DING DONG BELL .

HAYES IS IN THE WELL .

WHO PUT HIM IN ?

HIS WORST NIGHTMARE .

From ,

your bestfriend.