𝑀𝓎 𝑀𝒶𝓃#1~When Love Lasts

Later that night, I'm sitting in the police station. Cedric and Lucas called it in, and soon I had law enforcement cars filling up my driveway. They had roped off my kitchen. Which is a shame because when I'm stressed, I like to bake, and I'm extremely stressed, and I would like nothing more than to be in my kitchen right now baking up a storm.

Sadly, I'm not in my kitchen. I'm sitting in a cold room. Infront of a mirror that i know is a two way mirror. Grey bricks surrounding the room. Cedric had another officer named Williams drive me here. He said it would be safe for me. Safe while he looked around my home. Before I left, I had seen forensic guys combing over my little kitchen. Hopefully, they clean up my counter, I couldn't help but think.

I'll need about three containers of bleach before it will satisfy me that my kitchen is once again baking worthy. I use my counter to roll my dough. So, I require it to be cleaned. Before I got into the police station, Cedric had grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the other officers.

“Don't tell Anna. I don't want her to worry or for her to stick her nose in something that is dangerous. You tell her she will want to go snooping around.” He whispered while looking around my face. Probably checking my reaction to this mess.

I'm in a much better headspace than I was eailer, he didn't need to bother. Not right now, at least. I won't promise and say I won't freak out if I get another package, but I'm working on it. I don't want to allow whoever this person is to scare me away from my new home.

“Don't worry. I won't tell her.” I mumbled to him as I looked around my yard.

My neighbors had all come outside to see the show. Some were holding on to their kids, while others, the women, were huddled together talking while looking over at me.

They are judging me, I know that. I can feel that. If they were concerned about what happened, they would come over and check instead of just standing back and coming up with whatever scenarios that pop up. They probably watch too much TV.

Like that TV show, Desperate Housewives. That's exactly how I'm describing this situation.

He said nothing after that, just walked me back over toward the police car and bent over to speak something to Officer William as I climbed into the backward seat.

I have never been in a police car before and I didn't like it. Knowing that I couldn't open the door made my anxiety grow. What if we wrecked, and I couldn't get myself free? That type of shit filled my head the entire way to the station.

Once I arrived, some lady at the front desk, not the one that worked here last time. I forgot her name, but that doesn't matter, all she did was fawn over Cedric like he was a piece of man meat.

This one, though, the new one was nice. Her name was Callie. She had short brown hair, styled and cut just above her shoulders. Her black glasses kept falling down her nose as she typed my name and information into the system.

“It is true?” She whispered, eyes wide as she looked up from her computer at me.

“What's true?” I asked, confused about what she was talking about. A lot of things right now are true.

One, maybe I shouldn't have moved here.

Two, I have someone sending me bloody hair.

Three, I think feelings are growing for Cedric.

The last two things are not safe. Not safe at all. I don't want to be sent bloody hair, and I definitely don't want to have feelings for that man.

“What they said over the radio?” She said, lowering her voice.

“Um. What did they say?” I asked.

“Someone sent you bloody hair.” She gasped at her words before adding. “That must have been so scary. I would have lost it.”

Her and me both.

I freaked out. I was ready to pack up all my shit again and hit the road.

“Yes. It's true-” I said. I would not lie about it. Clearly, the town had some nutcase running around. I promise Cedric I wouldn't tell Anna, but I will tell any other woman I can. That way they know to be on the lookout.

I don't agree with Cedric. I think Anna should know so that she is aware of her surroundings. I agree, though, not to tell her it happened to me. I'll need to discuss this with Cedric. She is his sister, but she is also being a very good friend to me. The only friend I have here.

Once Callie got over the shock of a bloody hair, she showed me the room I was now sitting in and brought me a mug of coffee. It tasted like crap and was cold, but I was happily sipping it up. I don't think I will get much sleep together, and a cup of coffee will help me.

It felt like hours that I have been waiting when Lucas walked into the room and shut the door.

“I have a few questions for you, Miss. Avery.” He said while pulling the chair across me out and took a seat. “You just moved here, correct?”

I can't help but stare at him. Obviously, he already knows this. When he and Cedric came to my house when I heard someone inside, he brought up that I was just scared because I was new.

“Um, you already know-” I started, but he shook his head and held up his left hand.

“It's for the record. This conversation is being recorded. Do not worry, you are not in any kind of trouble, we just have some questions-”

Trouble?

Why would I be in trouble?

I am the one who got shipped hair that belonged to someone. Bloody hair, for fuck's sake. What? Does he expect I sent that to myself?

Come on!

“Trouble?” I demanded, shock ringing clear as I narrow my eyes on him. “Why would I even think I'm in trouble? I did nothing. I am the victim here. I was delivered hair that had blood on it!” I ended on a screech.

“Did you experience problems like this back in your old town?” He urged, pulling out a little notepad.

“No.” I said.

“None of at? House wasn't broken into?" He sought, disbelief in his tone.

“No” I repeated.

“Avery. Look. I'm going to level with you. Things like this don't happen in our town. Are you confident that nobody followed you here?” He asked.

“I'm fucking certain. I'm not in contact with anybody from my old life. No one. I changed my number. I deleted all my social media. I have nothing that anyone could have used to track me down.” I huffed, pushed my chair back, and stood up. “This town isn't as perfect as you think, Officer."

“Help us out then. Since you moved here, have you noticed anyone watching you? Someone you have seen more than a few times? Someone that even gives you goosebumps. Anybody come to mind?” He asked, laying his notepad down, looking frustrated.

I reflect back. I close my eyes and think about my first few days here. I met my neighbor, Vickie. I met Anna. I met my co-workers. They all seem to like me, but none of them give me weird vibes. I mean, I get goosebumps around a certain man, but I doubt that's the type of goosebumps Lucas is asking about.

“No. Nothing comes to mind. I have not seen anyone more than once like that. My coworkers, but only at work. Cedric and Anna and well, you.” I shrugged before leaning back against the cold brick wall.

“Our forensic team is going to go over the package. Look for DNA on the box and the um-” He stopped for a moment, looking uncomfortable, and coughed before continuing” hair and the blood. Hopefully, we can find out who that belonged to.”

“I hope you find out, and I hope whoever it is, is okay.” I whispered, but I didn't have any real hope. Someone cut hair off of someone. I know that woman is missing, and then hair that matched her hair color pops up. Yeah, that doesn't look good.

A sudden knock comes from the wall at the front of the room, making the glass shake. Two-way mirrors. I used to think those things were awesome when I watched movies, but right now, I'm thinking the opposite. Someone has been watching.

“Cedric will drive you home. He will be in shortly” Lucas said before standing up and heading out the room.

“I can get a cab-” I called quickly, but he was already out the door.

Fuck.

After all the shit that happened tonight, getting into a car alone with Cedric was definitely not on my to-do list at the moment.