4

It's a Saturday, the perfect day for Erika to be hanging out with Isabella in her pool.

But Erika was sitting at her desk staring at her laptop screen, surrounded by papers and empty cans of energy drinks. She rubbed her face and groaned.

The officer she'd stolen the ID from was a man in his early thirties. His name was Micol Whitney, and he lived with his wife and two children.

One down thirty more to go.

Erika's head was throwing and she looked up at her ceiling where the glowing stars were starting to peel off, hanging by a tip.

The room door opened and her mom entered carrying a plate. Eggs and sausages wafted through the air making her mouth water, and she turned.

"Munch, what are you doing?" her mom flicked the light on and stared at the mess that Erika was surrounded with. "Don't tell me you're researching that officer again."

Erikia frowned. "I just want answers, mum."

"I know you do baby. But let the professionals do all the work." her mom handed her the plate and sat on the edge of her bed.

Erika inwardly rolled her eyes, she was neither mentally nor physically prepared for a 'talk'. She stuffed some eggs in her mouth so she wouldn't have to say anything.

"I understand that Apis's death has been hard on you. It's been hard for everyone, but Apis wouldn't want this." she licked her lips tracing the design on Erika's blankets. "You should be focusing more on your schoolwork and getting better."

Erika slammed the plate on the desk. "Apis didn't ask to get murdered! This is the last thing anyone wants, but it happened. And if no one's going to be providing answers I'll find them myself!" she purses her lips. "My schoolwork is fine. I'm fine."

"Are you though?" her mom's brown eyes flicked around the room, landing on the closed curtains that were blocking out the sun. "You've been cooped up in here since his-" she broke off and bit her lip. "The point is, Apis wouldn't want you to be worried about him. He's safe now."

Erika didn't answer as she finished her breakfast.

"Once you finish I want you to go out. Isabella's been stalking our porch for close to an hour now." her mom stood, kissing her forehead. "She misses you."

Erika nods in agreement and then her mom slipped out, closing the door shut. She gathered up all the trash and dumped everything in the trash bin, then she slipped into an oversized jacket and air Jordans.

She grabbed her plate and left her room.

The first face was her dad and Erika wished that she hadn't. He looked worse than he felt like a semi-truck had run him over.

There was a stubble on his chin and there were dark circles under his eyes. Cupped in both of his hands was a coffee mug, but he was making no move to drink it.

His eyes slid toward her and he blinked fast like she did when she was trying to hold back tears.

"Munch." he rasped. "How're holding up?"

"I'm alright pops. I should be asking you that question."

His shoulders shook and he covered his mouth with one hand. He started sobbing and Erika moved toward him and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"It's alright, dad. I'm here."

"Apis isn't." he cried. "I want my son back!"

Erika hated seeing him like this, all the more reason for her to continue searching for answers. Her mom entered the room wearing scrubs, she waving Erika away.

"Let me talk to him." she snaps toward the door. "Isabella."

Erika dumped her plate in the sink and stepped outside where Isabella was pacing on the porch staring down at her screen.

"Erika!" she shoved the screen in her face and Erika stumbled back.

"Woah! Girl, what are you going on about?"

Isabella pocketed her phone and took a deep breath. "You remember that kid from a couple of days ago? You know, the one that Queen and her gang were beating on?"

Erika nods. "Ok."

"So I did some research on his dad, right? And it turns out that he's a retired detective!! Cool, no?" Isabella started waving her hands around. "If you're still going to talk to him you could get him to help us figure things out."

She stopped pacing to tap her chin. "Maybe he'll have more information on Mr. Whitney since I doubt some information is public for all to see."

Erika pulled Isabella in a hug and did a little dance on the porch. "Isabella you genius!"

"I mean, that's my middle name!" Isabella beamed, pulling away. "How would you ever manage without me?"

Erika rolls her eyes. "Funny, Izzy."