[novel work in progress]

Chapter 1

Content Warning:  This chapter contains implied physical ab*se.  If you are sensitive to this kind of topic but still wish to read, please proceed with caution.

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Present Day

      Riley flipped through file after file, looking over a specific case they've been working on since 2014. Their coworkers have told them repeatedly that it's a lost cause and they're just wasting their time. Clearly these people don't know them as well as they all say, otherwise they would be aware that Riley is as stubborn as a mule. They're determined to solve this, no matter how long it takes. Although, even the best of us can get a little pessimistic from time to time and despite how persistent they are, Riley has often gotten discouraged and thought about closing the case. They never followed through with it, of course.

      A sudden knock on their office door caused Riley to jump. They weren't expecting any clients as it was nearly midnight.

      "Come in." They called. A teenage girl entered their office.

      "Hello, Mx.Carson. Sorry to bother you. I'm not sure if you remember me- I'm Jeremy's sister." She seemed nervous, her eyes looking everywhere but at Riley. They did remember this girl, she left quite the impression last time they met. She seemed almost glad that her brother went missing and it was nearly impossible to get any information out of her. She was rather bitter during questioning, always avoiding the topic. Riley thought that she had something to do with Jeremy's disappearance due to her odd behaviour, but they turned out to be incorrect.

      "Yes, I do remember you. Edith, was it?"

      "Yeah." She glanced down to the floor, fidgeting anxiously. "I know it's been a few years, but I think I have an idea of what happened to my brother. Or at least some people who may have been involved." Riley was immediately intrigued. They quickly sat down and gestured for Edith to do the same.

      "You do? Please, tell me." They grabbed a pen and turned to a new page in their notebook.

      "Jeremy didn't have that many friends, but there were a few people he hung out with a lot. Samuel, Victoria and Alexander." She paused to make sure Riley had everything written down. They gestured with their hand to let her know she could continue. "Samuel and Victoria seemed like nice people, although they were a pair of trouble makers. Alexander was his boyfriend at the time. He didn't appear to be the best person, though. Jeremy would often come home from visiting him with cuts and bruises, but he always avoided us whenever we asked about them."

      Riley knew Alexander, they're close friends with the North system's host. However, they never noticed any aggressive behaviour from him. Perhaps they didn't know him as well as they originally thought.

      "Alexander North?"

      "Yes." Edith confirmed.

      "I see.." Riley finished writing down their notes, snapping the notebook shut afterwards. There will be much to go through later. "Well, thank you for the information, Edith. I'll be sure to contact you if I need anything else." Edith was about to respond when Riley nudged her out of their office.

      "You can go now, it's about time I head home anyway. Goodbye."

      They picked up any stray papers and double checked around the office for anything they may have left behind before locking up for the night.

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      Riley arrived at their house around 2am. They opened the door carefully, trying not to make much noise as they thought their wife would be asleep. They were surprised to find Nimaye wide awake on the couch watching TV.

      "What are you doing up so late?" Riley asked, they were almost worried that something may be wrong. Nimaye peered over towards Riley, only just noticing their arrival.

      "I was waiting for you to come back so I could see you. For the past week you've been gone before I wake up and back after I've already fallen asleep. I missed you." Riley cringed slightly, they haven't thought about that much. They've been so focused on working that they haven't taken how Nimaye was feeling into consideration.

      "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I'll start taking later shifts and come back home when I'm supposed to. Would that be better?"

      "Of course." Their wife smiled, which, in turn, caused Riley to smile as well. She clapped her hands together. "Anyways, now that you're home we can head to bed!" She sprung up from the couch, still full of energy despite the late hour. She made her way over to her spouse to help them with hanging their coat in the closet. Nimaye took Riley's hand and led them to bed, there was a joyful bounce in her step that made Riley giggle. She was still so childish for her age but that's what Riley loved about her, she still knows how to have fun.

      The two got ready for bed, turning on the TV for background noise to aid their rest. Riley fell asleep the moment their head touched the pillow, exhausted from the eventful day. Tomorrow has much to offer.