Detective Zach Wolf

It's a gentle autumn day, a calm breeze carries the fall leaves through the streets.

There are fewer voices to be heard outside today, but that doesn't mean it isn't still a pleasant day for those who are out and about.

In fact, I'm sure everyone else is having the time of their lives today.

Then there's me, sitting with my head down at the bar scratching hopeless notes on a napkin like a madman.

Drunk of course.

Probably doesn't help that this is where all the cops in town hang out. I don't need eyes in the back of my head to know I'm getting funny looks from them.

You see, not too long ago I was actually pretty happy myself. Just like these carefree idiots running about out there. I had finally gotten into the gig I had wanted for as long as I can remember.

Being a detective that is, detective Zach Wolfe. That's me.

I was proud to have finally achieved something great, awesome job, pretty decent pay too, considering.

It took a bit of hard work and a few years to start gaining respect from my other colleges. But after I played a major part in solving my first big case the community had finally gained some peace of mind.

I was finally warming up to the other cops in my department.

I had grown so much closer to my beautiful girlfriend that I was basically a love sick puppy. I even got up the courage to propose, after everything in our relationship I knew in my heart that she was the one.

We moved into a decent apartment saving up to get a house out in the rural side of town. Things were going almost too well.

For a short period of time I felt like I was on top of the world even. Unfortunately, the law of gravity is absolute…

It was a morning just like any other not too long ago. I had just stepped out of the coffee shop, as I recall some brat had run into me. The impact caused the burning hot liquids to splash all over my hand and completely devastating my suit and tie.

It was some girl, she'd fallen to the ground and probably gotten burned as well. Shit, watch where you're going kid.

Come to think of it, haven't I seen her somewhere before? I can't quite place it but I can distinctly recognize her face from somewhere.

"I-I'm sorry sir!"

"Its okay did you get burn-eh?"

Before I knew it the girl just got up and started running again. Kids are way too careless these days.

Oh well.

Anyways, I was so pissed I would have to go all the way back home to change. I was just about to pull my phone out to let the boss know I'd be running a bit late when it had already started ringing in my pocket.

It was the worst call I ever received in my entire life…

"Yeah boss I'm on my way in now, I might be a bit late sorry-"

"Hey Wolfe, This isn't gonna be easy to hear but I need you to listen to me."

"Um- okayy? Whatsup?"

"You better sit down for this…"

"Sit down?"

His voice was very dark, more serious than I'd ever heard him speak before.

"Yeah, seriously you better take a seat for a minute…so we got the call at the station about a suicide."

"Suicide?"

"Yeah…so we came to the location, which is the Yamamura foster home…"

"Yamamura? That's the one my fiancée Teresa works at."

"Yeah…"

"Its sad those kids are so desperate for a family…did one of them ? I'm surprised Teresa hasn't called me about it yet…"

"Well…that's what I'm trying to tell you…when we got on the scene the kids were all in their rooms and we found a woman hanging in the hall…"

"…Go on…"

"The woman we found was confirmed to be identified as…your fiancée…I'm sorry for your loss Zach, you can take as much time off as you need…"

My eyes widened. I refused to believe what I heard him just say, I knew for an absolute fact that it was a lie.

I don't even remember hanging up, I had just started driving directly to the Yamamura home to see for myself.

Teresa is the happiest most warm hearted person I know, she loved caring for those kids. She would NEVER commit suicide, and most certainly not in the same home as those children.

This entire thing has to be a mistake, some kind of sick joke. She never came home last night, she had been staying nights over at the home for some troubled kid who was too afraid to sleep.

This whole thing is not even believable, they're just trying to rile me up. Just wait until I find out who set this elaborate prank up. Even going so far as to getting my boss in on it.

Before I knew it my blood had started to boil, I was ready to kill whoever decided to play this joke.

Once I arrived on the scene I showed my badge and lifted the police tape. I had seen several of the kids out on the corner with trembling faces while giving their statements.

My boots were beginning to feel as though they were getting heavier with each step. I took a deep breath through my nose as I saw the body bag rolling out. I had to see for myself.

The pulled the zipper slowly, opening the front. I was fully expecting someone to jump at me at any moment.

I felt the blood drain from my face.

As I lifted the flap my eyes were blinded by her pale skin. She looked like she could just have been sleep, except the bruises from the rope on her neck.

My mind went white.

I don't know if I had been standing there for minutes or hours before I came to the realization that Teresa is dead.