Chapter 4

For the rest of the week, I just relaxed at home and it was the best feeling to have no worries and be free to do whatever I wanted. I didn't really go out unless it was to buy food or run errands. It was amazing to not have to go into work and work on multiple cases. When I was working on one case, I was always thinking of the others, what I needed to do for them and what avenues I could follow to progress. It was constant, my mind was always filled with cases. Now, my mind is clear to think about absolutely nothing but nothing is not what I thought about.

I thought about everything, my life, my job. I realised I wasn't happy with the way my life was. I wasn't happy with my job. My family life and social life was fine despite the long hours of working, I still had time for my parents and Susie. Susie came round a few times during the week. She was as stunned as me when I told her about my work situation but she hadn't seen me so happy and carefree in ages. It must be all the sleep I've been getting and having no stress of work. I haven't slept this well since before I started university. I wish it could always be like this, even though I've done absolutely nothing, I feel so great. I-

My phone ringing interrupted my thoughts. I groaned. Who could that be?

I reluctantly answered the call.

"Everleigh?" I heard Dad's voice ask on the other end of the phone.

"What do you want?" I snapped.

"I see you are still mad at me,"

"What did you expect?"

"I only did what is best for you Everleigh,"

"Sure you did," I rolled my eyes. He really did but why did he have to be right? He can never know the wonders this has given me. "You didn't answer my question, what do you want?

"I only wanted to ask how you were and wanted to see if you were ready to come back to work on Monday,"

"I'm not coming back to work Dad," I had already decided never to return.

"What do you mean, you aren't coming back? Do you need another week off? I knew this was what you needed, I was right all along,"

"Yes I need another week off but I'm never coming back," I clarified. "I'm resigning, I've already submitted my resignation letter to the station. Goodbye dad,"

I stunned Dad into silence and hung up.

Dad didn't call back. He must need more time to get over the shock. I'm surprised he didn't hear about this when nothing misses him usually. I'd already written my letter of resignation and submitted it to the station through email:

To whom it may concern,

This is my notice of resignation of the Detective Position at Queen City Station.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, I am unable to return to work. Therefore my last working day was Tuesday. We can further discuss how much pay I am owed.

Thank you for the amazing opportunity to work as a Detective at Queen City Station for the past 2 years and all the support I have received during my time here. Please let me know if there's anything else you need from me.

Your sincerely

Everleigh Ackhurst

There was a digital signature underneath my full name. I had felt a huge weight lift from my shoulders once I had clicked 'send' and the email went to my sent folder. I no longer had to worry about work but it created a new problem. Now, that I have resigned, what am I going to do? I can't do nothing, after a little while my wages will run out and I will need money to live on. I need time to think about what I am going to do. I should be covered financially for a couple of months which gives me plenty of time to find a new job. It will have to be something I am qualified to do or doesn't require any experience where I could just work my way up but for now as I don't want to train as something new or go back to university to study something different. I can just relax and take some much needed time out for myself to just be lazy.

I was just about to put my feet up but then my phone rang again. It's probably Dad again.

I answered the call and was instantly greeted by Dad's voice

"I just saw your resignation letter, are you sure about this?" Dad questioned. "This isn't because of what I said to you before is it? About you only getting into the profession because of me, I drove you out of it didn't I? I put you off, I shouldn't have said anything. I'm sorry-"

"This has got nothing to do with you Dad, it is what I want," I replied. Why do parents have to always make everything about them? They think the whole world revolves around them but in reality it doesn't. This is about me and my life, yeah I went into this profession because I wanted to be like Dad and I did enjoy it up until Jules death. Her death really threw me and made me see the reality of the job. I won't do well if every death effects me like Jules death did. Maybe I just wasn't cut out to be a detective, death is inevitable. People die everyday, well..... Humans die everyday. I've never heard of a Vampire dying. It's very rare, they'd only die if they were murdered by their own kind of other supernatural beings but that is rare or unheard of at least where I am living. I don't know about other parts of the world, anything could be happening there which I will never know of. "I've been thinking of leaving for a while now, I just pushed it to the back of my mind. You giving me time off gave me the push I needed to actually leave,"

"Oh Everleigh, you should have just told me," Dad sighed.

"I know but I didn't,"

"What will you do now?"

"I don't know Dad," I admitted. I really don't know. I wonder how long it will take for me to know. "I really don't know but it's my life, I will figure it out for myself,"

"Ok but if you need any help then your mother and I are here for you, you know that don't you?"

"Yes I know but I'll be fine,"

"Are you sure? If you ever need help with money then we'd be happy to help,"

"I know Dad but I will be fine, I promise. I just need a break and time to figure everything out,"

"Ok but if you change your mind and regret your decision to leave then let me know. I can easily get you back in, I am the chief as you know well,"

"How could I forget?" I rolled my eyes. Dad is so proud of being chief.

Dad chuckled.

"You must be busy," I commented when Dad stopped chuckling.

"Yeah, I'd better go,"

"Bye,"

"Bye, stay safe,"

"I will," I ended the call.

Later in the evening, I was in the middle of watching a movie, the lead was about to be stabbed and suddenly, I heard loud banging. It was the front door. I paused my marathon and groaned, I didn't want to answer the door, I was too comfy but the banging wouldn't stop so I reluctantly got off the couch and headed to the door. I looked through the peep hole, I couldn't see clearly but I could easily see it was a young man who was clutching his stomach. I wouldn't normally open the door at this time and especially not to anyone I didn't know but something was telling me to open the door. The little Vampire senses I had were pushing me to open the door like it was important that I did. I'm not sure but my senses have never failed me before, why would they start now.

I hesitantly opened the door and I was able to see more clearly. I was instantly met with the most handsome man I had ever seen. I was too stunned to speak, how can anyone be that good looking? He has the perfect brown hair with the perfect defined face with the perfect blue eyes and the perfect body. He seemed stunned for a moment too as he took in my appearance but then he shook his head and spoke.

"I'm sorry to bother you m uh miss but I've just been attacked. Can I please come in?" he asked in the sexiest voice I had ever heard. It was then that I saw the blood on his clothes.

"You've been attacked?" I finally spoke. "Are you ok?"

"I'll be fine once you let me in, they are on their way. Please," he pleaded. My senses were telling me to let him in so I did. He staggered inside, it looked painful with his injury. "Thank you,"

"You're welcome Mr?"

"Chance, you can call me Chance,"

"Nice to meet you Chance, I'm Everleigh," I began to walk away to get the first aid kit but when I returned to Chance with it, he was laying unconscious on the floor.