Misogynistic freak

By the time three of us reached the crime scenes, the other officers had already collected the sample.

The abandoned subway was filled with the smell of blood and gunpowder indicating that the murder didn't happened long before.

"How did you discover the body, Officer Neol?" I asked the officer in charge and squatted on the ground to survey the dead body.

"They heard a gunshot," It was Gale who replied instead of Neol. "Our patrolling team came rushing and witnessed the scene of the murderer trying to hide the body."

"And you failed to catch him?" Jake commented.

"My subordinates have gone to chase after him, maybe we can catch up to him." He said confidently.

I diverted my eyes from the dead body to look at him and said, "Cat never catches the rat in one run, Sergeant"

That was his favourite dialogue to me when we were kids.

I looked around in the hope of finding some clue to the crime. It was strange for a young girl to come to Roseground at this time unless she was meeting a lover or a secret agent.

Secret Agent? Roseground was abandoned after a genocide incident, it was a sealed place where the general public was not allowed. Hence making it a perfect place to pass messages.

A lover? The other end of Roseground led to a small bridge, it was a beautiful place to enjoy the view of the sunset.

It was dark by now, maybe they were returning after their lovely moment?

"Detective Venesa, come with me," Gale commanded me and I immediately complied.

He led me inside the tunnel and we entered the darkness. Our footsteps echoed in the empty shell and no lamps were lit. The only thing we could see was darkness.

"Do you find anything strange?" I asked Gale.

"What?"

"There's no spider web," I said. "I suspect this place is the hub of those Ghost City morons."

"I don't think they will do such activities in an obvious manner." He replied in an uncaring manner. "I don't understand, why you are so obsessed with them?"

I pretended not to hear his question and paced my steps, but silence between the wall of darkness was eerie. Hence I continued, "They have violated public law more than hundreds of times, from murder to genocide to robbery and etcetera. So you tell me, why shouldn't I be concerned or obsessed with them?"

"Do you think you can stop them, alone? I don't believe anybody would like to get themselves into trouble. I think it's wise to stand by your father's word." It seems he knew about the meeting's gossip even though he was not present.

"I will never stand with the wrong, even if the world stands against me," I replied with goddamn confidence. 

"As you wish, I promise to help you in every possible way."

"You are bound to help me, I am your little sister after all." In the darkness, I elbowed his arm playfully. 

"But the terms are, I will never go against Commander."

Well, okay. Okay! At the end of the day I knew, I was the only one who would help myself.

___

After five minutes of walking, we came out of the tunnel and reached the bridge. A fresh air blew through my hair and I seeped its beautiful aroma after the distinct smell in the subway tunnel.

I went near the railing facing the west side. Below the flowing water danced with the current movement.

I closed my eyes and listened to the music, but one thought bothered me.

What could let one shoot their beautiful girlfriend on a date?

An argument, or revenge, or betrayal. Certainties were even more but there was none I could conclude with.

Now I withdrew from my place and walked along the railing, letting my fingers slide over its surface.

What could be the rea...

What was that?

I stopped my pacing and looked over the cold metal that touched my skin. There were many protruding nails wood over the bridge but this was definitely not a nail.

"Gale..." I called him while touching the suspected thing.

"You found out something?"

"I think so." It was a ring.

Gale rushed over to me and handed me a pair of gloves and a plastic bag. I picked up the ring and kept it in the bag. 

Afterwards, I started looking for any other object but in the darkness, my optic nerve resigned its job.

"Could you find something?" I asked.

"I can't even see anything. There's no way I can find anything." He said. "At least, you could have bought a torch."

"I forgot," I smiled shamelessly and made sure that my white teeth brighten his face.

"Shameless and you wish to work Ghost City case." He said the last three words mimicking my voice.

"Shut up."

___

All the officers returned to the office after I and Gale reached.

Eventually, as per my guess, Gale's subordinates failed to catch up to the criminal.

"Hair colour?" I inquired to one of them.

"In the dark, it was all black."

"Height estimation?"

"Around 6'3"

"Dress?"

"Black"

...

After noting all the details in the diary, I went to Jake to hand him the ring and the notebook.

"I found it on the bridge," I said.

"Thank you for your service, Detective Bright. Your shift ends here," he said dismissing me.

"Yes Sir" I saluted and returned to my office to gather my things.

___

"I can drop you," Gale said as he retrieved his bicycle from the garage. 

"Aren't you supposed to be in charge of this case?" I said but still hopped in the back seat of his cycle.

After a stressful day of walking back and forth, I didn't think I could walk anymore.

Gale smiled with satisfaction and the bicycle accelerated as he paddled it slowly.

"Yeah, but the officer who has the night shift will handle it." He said while the bicycle thrived on the moonlit night.

The environment was peaceful with most of the people inside their house and watching daily soaps. But out of nowhere, Gale asked, "Why does it seem for you Jake is becoming more priority than me?"

"He is my supervisor, of course, he will be my priority," I replied as the matter didn't concern me.

"I don't like him, just be away from him as much as you can." He told. 

"Well, that isn't my concern and that shouldn't be your concern too," I said as my mood was taking a dive in a negative direction.

"That's my advice as your brother," It was okay until he dared to say the next line, "My utmost advice would be to quit your job, you know as a girl this type of job doesn't suit you."

"You fucking misogynistic freak, stop the bicycle!" I almost burst to the point of screaming and letting the colony know what was going on between us.

He didn't and I jumped from his cycle. Such a mood fucker!

I showed him a middle finger and said, "Go to hell," 

The scene would have looked funny with me in a half-squatted position, hair in a mess, face with oil, face red and distorted with anger and hand extended to show middle finger. But at that moment, I didn't mind anything.

Satisfied with cursing him, I walked towards my home completely ignoring him.

"Hey, Viny," Gale shouted and came running with his cycle. "Sorry."

I stopped between my pace but instead of acknowledging him, I crouched and tied my shoelace.

"Viny..."

"You don't have to apologise, I am not forgiving you." I proceeded to walk but held my hand and stated.

"Viny, I don't mean it, you seriously know, I..."

"Accept this condition and you are forgiven." Although I didn't want to forgive him, unfortunately, this was my only chance of taking advantage of him.

"State, I will definitely oblige."

"For this whole year, you are my slave."

"As if I was ever your friend..." He said comically.

"What I mean is that you will help me in every moment and time I need you without complaining or lecturing me."

"Why don't you directly tell me that... you want my help to find...." he didn't complete the sentence but still I nodded. The decoded words were obvious, it was Ghost City. 

It took a lot a moment of silence before he agreed. I was surprised how he easily agreed with me but anyway, the work has been done so, no problem.

Since I didn't want to walk, I forgave him nonetheless and we conversed about the case on our whole ride to my home.

But suddenly I felt a shiver on my back. I knew this feeling. I instantly turned my head to search for any stalker but didn't find anyone.

We successfully reached my home and I bid farewell to Gale. I took out the second key, unlocked the door and got inside.

As soon as I locked my door, the eerie feeling was back, someone was watching me. But now, my whole body shuddered with goosebump as I see the stalker sitting on my couch and looking at me with a beautiful smile.