The police station is cold. They really keep the air-conditioning all the way down.The air in this interrogation room is even colder and crisp. I guess it's not an actual interrogation room. It's comfortable. An antique wooden table with matching chairs to sit on. A fluffy auburn carpet to cover the wooden floor. Warm orange tinted lights in the ceiling. It looks like someone's living room

  Honestly, I'm exasperated with myself for not leaving the scene earlier. Detective Genfi sits in front of me, taking down notes of everything I say, but not believing any of it. I have been here for hours, and we're still going in circles. “So, you’re telling me that you just so happened to pass by the dilapidated building, saw a strange man, thought he was suspicious, followed him in, single-handedly disarmed and restrained him? And you did all this on a whim? By yourself?” Well, when he said it like that, it did sound stupid… I nod and stare down at the tabletop.

  “Okay, ma’am, why were you walking around a private developmental area at 2 A.M?”

  “Please don’t call me ma’am. And to answer your question, I was having a late-night stroll. Clearing my mind. I already wrote this down in my witness statement. And this is the thrid time I'm saying it.”

  “Okay, Miss Ghali. A late-night stroll? So far from your residence? We received the call from the neighbouring building's security guard. He states that you and the perpetrator, Mr. Waters, were running. You were chasing him. Could you explain that?” Damn it. This man is asking too many questions, and I needed to start with my next case.

  “Miss Ghali makes me sound old. Just call me Kahira. Listen, you can charge me for trespassing or whatever, but I am the one who caught the criminal. If I had not been there, who knows what would have happened to the victim? You’re focusing on the wrong details. This is an open and shut case. And the perpetrator landed straight in your laps thanks to me. So, you're welcome.”

  The detective stares at me blankly. “I commend you for your efforts, but I need the full story. Why were you in that area? And why were you chasing him? Waters told us that you are involved with the collapse of his inner-city trafficking ring? Do you have something to do with the perpetrator’s trafficking business?” The last time I told the truth to a cop, I got arrested and sent to a psych ward. I'm not going to make that mistake again.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  “Detective Genfi, I am not affiliated with that man in any way. I have never met him before, and I would never involve myself in such horrid activities. Yes, I was far from home. For personal reasons. I chased him because he was acting very suspicious amd I was worried he would hurt someone. He was carrying dangerous and illegal items. I've written everything in detail! This case is really taking so much from me, even though I'm not the bad guy here!" What's the use of giving a witness statement multiple times in writing and verbally if he's just going to dismiss it? It's frustrating.

  "Detective, I’ve been up all night and I’m exhausted. May I leave… please?” He sighs and hands me his card. “If you have any more information, please contact me. We will definitely be asking for you to return for follow up statements, and you will likely be summoned for a court appearance.”

  Finally! I stuff his card in my backpack and quickly make my way out of the station. They always say stuff about appearing for court and follow ups. But it hardly ever happens. I make sure of it. Cause I need to keep moving.

  The next case on my list is a fraudulent businessman and his son, an infamous gang leader. These cases are always interesting. Less intense than the usual. Less room for error. As I skip down the stairs of the police station in jubilance, I hear my name being called. “Kahira! Wait a second!” I turn and see the detective frantically trying to get my attention. He jogs to meet me at the bottom of the stairs. “Kahira, some of the perpetrator’s friends and crime partners are still active on the streets. Since you’re quite closely involved in the case, I don’t think it would be safe to let you walk alone. Should I call one of the officers to drive you home? Oh, and you have a deep cut on your cheek… I could help you clean it and patch it up. I'm so sorry I didn't bring this all up before, I was… focused on the case.”

  In this less congested and warmer environment, he is very handsome. As he keeps rambling on about his incompetence, I take in his features. Sparkling dark eyes, and a youthful face. He has a very pure and innocent soul. But, that doesn't change the fact that he dared to question my legitimacy. “Detective Genfi, I will be more than okay on my own. And it’s 4 A.M now. The sun will be out soon. I’ll hurry home and clean my wound. You don’t need to worry.” He furrowed his brow. “Alright, but if you ever feel afraid just come down to the station or call me. The Witness Protection Programme is also available if you-“

  “I’ll be fine. Really. Thank you for worrying though. And... keep up the good work." Yeah, it wasn't nice to cut him off. But I didn't feel like wasting anymore time.

  As I slow my pace, I begin to take in the beauty of this place. I stroll down the street and embrace the cool morning air on my face. The sun is not up yet, and the street is covered in a blue haze. There’s some mist, and the air is clean. It reminds me of the day I died.