• The Beginning Of The End

• Chapter I •

- I can't say no to your food. See you at 4pm. – He hangs up the phone.

I look at the clock. 10 am. I need to pick up my sister from work at 1 pm, because her car broke down recently. That gives me some time to go through my new case. I take out a stack of papers from my bag. Yes, I'm a homicide investigator. Pretty gory job for a woman with a little daughter, but I just couldn't stop myself. This work gives me adrenaline, I love to solve crimes. Putting pieces of the puzzle together and then putting the bad guy in prison. There's literally nothing that brings more satisfaction. I drink my coffee as I dive in the case file...

...

I hear ringing of my cell phone. I look around and I notice it's on kitchen's desk. I go quickly to pick it up before it goes off.

- Yes? – I ask without even knowing who was calling, I didn't look at caller's name.

- Care! What the heck? Where are you? I'm waiting for you for over 10 minutes. – I hear my sister's voice and I snap out of melancholy. Shit. I must have been too focused on case file to notice it's already after 1 pm.

- Oh, give me a break, Anne. I'm on my way. – I say as I'm reaching for car keys. I pick up my bag from desk and run out of our apartment quickly.

I drive through the city and after 5 minutes I get stuck in a traffic jam. It wouldn't be so unusual if it wasn't for the size of it. I look ahead on the road to see hundreds of cars stuck in line.

- Shit! – I curse loudly. – She will kill me... - I take my cell phone out of the bag and call my sister. – Anne, do you know what the hell is happening in the city? I'm stuck in traffic jam, there's hundred of cars. This is crazy! – I yell annoyed and look at the hour. Just great! I still have dinner to make, if situation in the city won't change fast, I won't manage on time. This day just can't go my way, huh?

- What? Are you serious? No, I have no idea what's going on. – She says confused. – There's always some traffic at this hour, but not so big as you say. – I nod my head. She's right. It's not normal. There must have been some car crash or other accident. I turn the car around and drive different way.

- Go two streets furhter and I will pick you up from there. Also we need to stop to go grocery shopping. I invited Luke for dinner. – I say quickly and look on the road. This way isn't any better, still a big traffic, but it will surely take less time to get there. I pass all the cars that I can and in the next 20 minutes I see my sister standing on the sidewalk. I open the door for her and she gets inside.

- What is wrong with this city today? An hour of waiting! – I hear my sister complain, but I agree with her. I got tired of that traffic myself, I still had so much to do today.

- I have no idea. – I whisper under my breath and point my finger at random store nearby. – Let's go to this store, I don't have time to drive to another one.

...

After we finish grocery shopping I notice a police car standing next to a store. It wouldn't be anything weird but the policeman was filling a car with huge amount of water bottles and can food. I pat Anne on the shoulder and point at the man. She looks at him with concerned face expression. – What is he preparing for? The end of the world? – I say in jokingly way, but I realize this whole situation isn't funny at all.

- Looks like it. – I hear my sister reply as I approach police officer. I serach for my detective badge in my bag. I welcome the officer and show him my badge in a way of gaining trust. Maybe I will get some honest answer from him.