OUTBREAK: ZERO is a semi post-apocalyptic pandemic roleplay set in the fictional city of Lethford, USA. Current season: Winter, 20/21.
March 2020. The world is in pandemonium as one month ago, GHNv-20 was confirmed, five months after the beginning of norovirus season. The number of the infected are in the higher hundred thousands, and the death toll is at an estimated 250,000, with about seventy percent of the rest of the population experiencing mild to moderate illnesses connected to the S. pyogenes bacteria.
The fear of the unknown has caused mass hysteria and panic.
In an attempt to provide a semblance of safety and control, military personnel patrol the streets, even here in Lethford City, and the police force is trying to keep up with the rising street violence, assault, and theft.
Welcome to OUTBREAK: zero. Will you survive?
HAYANA
SITE OWNER + HEAD ADMINISTRATOR
Hi! I'm Haya. I'm pretty much your girl for everything! If you have any questions regarding our plot, membergroups, etc. don't hesitate to ask me. I'm also in charge of coding, graphics, anything skin related, and advertising/affiliates.
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ADDI
ADMINISTRATOR
Hey! I'm Addi. Hit me up if you need help with anything. I'm always for plotting so don't be shy. I like coffee, booze, and working out. I'm back from a long hiatus the dead so if you need anything, best ask the others until I get back into the groove of things!
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FINNLEY
GLOBAL MODERATOR
Hi hello! My name is Finnley, or Finn, call whichever and I'll be there for you (yes like the FRIENDS theme song). I am in charge of the claims and helping with miscellaneous things. Let me know if you have any questions!
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outbreak
/ˈaʊtbreɪk/ zero /ˈzɪərəʊ/
a sudden occurrence of something unwelcome, such as war or disease. number, no quantity or number; nought; the figure 0.
Shadows, they hovered above her in the blinding light. One of them spoke, his voice muffled as if he were underwater. Her body jolted, moving as she struggled against something. The voices grew louder, and eventually, they were just above her. She could barely make out the words, but she heard one phrase: 'Send her out.' What did that mean? Send who out? Send who where? Were they talking about her?
Eventually, something grabbed at her jaw, causing her to struggle more. She clenched it, tasting blood the minute something got to close to her teeth - a finger perhaps? Did she bite someone? She didn't hear a sound of pain as if she had. However, she felt the pain. Had she just bit her lip as she snapped at the foreign object? Eventually, her mouth was pried open, and something was forced down her throat. Water followed shortly after, and she felt as if she were drowning. She gargled, her body trashed...'
The brunette woke up with a start, her body flying up into a sitting position. Sweat practically dripping down her body as she rubbed at her face, her eyes fluttering open and closed. Her mind felt clouded as if the dream had been something more. Her head felt heavy, her body ached, and yet...she felt light as a feather. Her eyes moved towards the alarm clock on the side of the bed, eyes widening as she took in the numbers that laid before her. "Shit," she hissed out, knowing full well that she was about to be late for work. She kicked the covers off, flipping her body and standing...except, she didn't stand. Her legs felt like jelly as she fell to the floor, grabbing onto the comforter. What the hell was wrong with her? Slowly she rose to her feet, her legs shaking as she made her way towards the bathroom.
The light switch flicked on, and her eyes widened at the sight of her in the medicine cabinet mirror. Her lip was split, her eyes were dark, and there were bruises. What the hell happened to her? She hadn't done anything after she got home from drinks with Demetri. Were these just bruises from the day that she hadn't realized she got? As she drew closer, her hands grabbed onto either side of the sink, her face drawing near the glass. What did she even do yesterday? She could barely remember what had happened; the only thing that was still fresh was the drinks. But what about their workday? She swallowed, turning on the faucet and threw some water into her face. The coldness of it sending a chill down her spine, her throat tightening as if remembering something. Was her body reacting to her nightmare?
Knowing she didn't have time for a shower, she threw her hair up into a bun. Brushing her teeth quickly, she returned to her bedroom and started to dress for the day. Her body was slowly regaining its muscle capacity, and eventually, she no longer felt like she had gotten off a plane a few minutes prior. The last time she had felt like this was her graduation week from university when she had gone to Hawaii with some friends to celebrate. She had serious jet-lag for a few hours. She grabbed her phone, tucking it away as she grabbed her keys and wallet from the glass bowl by the front door, as well as her bag from the chair before heading out. And walking straight into someone. Everything fell to the floor between them, and she almost lost her footing herself.
"Fuck, I am so sorry..." she breathed out, slowly crouching down as she gathered her own things. The male was quick to follow suit, pushing his glasses up the rim of his nose as he grabbed something. Once everything was returned to its rightful place, she slowly stood, him following a few seconds later. She realized then that she didn't recognize him, and he seemed to see that unasked question shinning in her eyes. He smiled, holding out his hand as he introduced himself, mentioning that he moved in place next to her. She nodded her head, smiling as she shook his hand. Was that a prick? She questioned seconds after a small pinching was felt as their hands touched. "Lara, it's nice to meet you. I didn't realize that Mr. Collins was moving out," she said, shrugging her back further up her shoulder. "Sorry...I have to go; it was nice meeting you, though," she said before she turned to walk for the elevator. However, her name sounding from his lips stopped her, sending a shiver down his spine. In the back of her mind, he sounded familiar. She slowly turned around, raising an eyebrow at him before noticing he was holding something out to her.
"What's that?" she questioned, causing him to laugh as he said he didn't know that it had her name on it. She drew closer, plucking it from his hand as she looked down at it. Lara Shaw. Take every five hours when the mind feels cloudy. She frowned down at it, allergy medicine? It was then that she couldn't remember anything about taking this before, but it seemed right. What was wrong with her mind? She frowned, shaking her head before clenching the bottle tighter in her fist. "Thanks," she breathed, turning around and heading for the elevator. She hit the button, turned around and watched as the doors closed, the man still watching her. She felt creeped out, a sinking feeling in her gut made her sick. She shook her head, looking down at the bottle once more before sliding it into her bag.
The drive from her apartment to the station wasn't that bad; it was almost as if it were a ghost town. And eventually, she was parked and heading into the building. The receptionist looked at her weirdly as she said her greeting and headed further into the building. It was then that a bunch of familiar faces came into view, and silence fell through the room. One even said her name in questioning. "Morning," she said in greeting, it was then that a friend grabbed her arm and looked at her. She frowned, not realizing anything was wrong before she was pulled into a hug.
They said they had been worried about her, that she had been a missing person for a while. They thought she had gotten infected, or worse, killed. She frowned, "Infected? What the hell are you talking about?" she questioned, but the person shook their head, the mentioned calling Demetri. She frowned, "Call him? Shouldn't he be here by now?" she asked, the friend guiding her towards the interrogation room and putting her in there. Except, it wasn't the side she usually stood on, but instead, the one where the perp sat in. She turned towards the door, about to ask what they thought they were doing before the door was shut. Without even a thought, she sunk down into the seat, placing her bag on the table and grabbing her phone out. It was then that she realized the thing was dead, and she groaned.
[attr="class","dilyrics3"]Your lips feel warm to the touch You can bring me back to life On the outside you're ablaze and alive But
[attr="class","dilyric3"]you're dead inside
[attr="class","dibody3"]
“Lara... is here.”
Lara. His heart dropped when he heard her name being mentioned. He swallowed hard - or tried to at least - his mouth suddenly feeling as dry as a desert, his throat burning - as if he just swallowed a handful of sand. His hazel eyes darted back and forth as he tried to let the news sink in but it was more difficult than anything has ever been. For some reason hearing someone say she’s alive was far worse than hearing someone say she’s dead. God, he couldn’t even bear to think about it. Demetri was sure the sentence would end with ‘... her body was found.’ Alive, alive, alive… the words repeated inside his mind over and over again. Alive.
As soon as the call ended, and he ended it rather quickly to get going, he shoved his phone into the front pocket of his pants, grabbed his jacket and rushed out of the door. The news itself sounded fake… he wasn’t even sure if this wasn’t some sort of dark prank. He had checked the calendar just to make sure it wasn’t April Fools day.
It wasn’t.
So he ran, and ran, and ran. At this moment he couldn’t care less if his throat was burning, if he was feeling dizzy because he hadn’t ran this hard in a long time but he willed his legs to keep going as far as he needed them to go - and that was the police department. His apartment wasn’t too far away from work but it took a while. He skipped taking the subway because the next one was going to arrive in an hour and he just couldn’t wait that long. There were no cabs available nearby either so all he could do was run as fast as he could.
By the time he arrived at the building his legs almost gave up on him but he continued on. There was a small crowd of officers pooling around the reception desk, looking at him and whispering, but he shut them out and just jogged to his former unit’s office. “Where?” was the only word he asked and needed. The other detective nodded towards the interrogation room. Drawing his eyebrows together in confusion he walked over to door but was stopped right in front of it. “You can’t go in there yet.” he was told and lead into the other part of the room where he was able to see her through the window. He could see her… but he didn’t want to believe his eyes. She looked just the same. There was nothing off about here. No injuries, no marks, no sign of going through a traumatic experience. No sign of being kidnapped or disappearing. She looked just like Lara. The Lara he knew, his partner Lara, Detective Lara Shaw.
He pinched himself in the arm, just to make sure this wasn’t just another dream - one he had dreamed too often and always woke up disappointed, sad and angry. Angry at her, angry at him, angry at everyone. “Why? And why the hell is she in there?” he demanded to know, a little furious about it. “She’s not a criminal you need to interrogate or keep locked up. She doesn’t deserve this treatment.” he said, watching her through the window. “I know but we just want to be careful. We don’t know what happened. We are simply waiting for orders.”
“To hell with orders. She’s part of our team. She is…” he swallowed before correcting himself, “was a missing person case not a fugitive.” he growled, turned around and was about to open the door when the detective said “Don’t… get too excited about her return.” Ignoring that advise or whatever it was he left the room and moved over to the entrance door of the interrogation room. The room where she was - alive and breathing. His hand hovered over the door handle. Suddenly he wasn’t so sure if he really wanted to open it, to see what’s behind… if it was indeed reality or just another nightmare. With a heavy sigh he gripped the door handle hard, pushing it down and swinging the door open. He kept his eyes lowered on the floor before mustering up the courage to lift them slowly, so slowly, until he was looking at her. Alive.
Demetri didn’t dare to blink as he mustered her, afraid she might vanish again if he did - but there she was, sitting in that chair. How high were the chances of someone who was believed gone to return? Almost zero. Her case got put to the cold case files after two weeks - more than other people were granted. 72 hours. The worst 72 hours of his entire life. He didn’t sleep, couldn’t sleep, couldn’t eat, couldn’t think, couldn’t do anything properly. He was allowed to help with the investigation but after they failed he was suspended immediately. But there she was… right in front of him - just a few steps away.
“Lara?” he said, almost a whisper.
[attr="class","ditags3"]Lara Shaw - hmmmm I am so bad at writing emotions! :c :c
Time seemed to move by slowly, her fingers tapping against the table that she sat at. However, as she waited for whatever was going to happen, she found herself pacing the place. It was a small room, and as she moved around, she looked through the mirror to see who was on the other side and felt like she was being arrested. Is this what the perps felt like while they waited for whatever or whoever was going through that door. She brushed her hand through her hair, fingers touching the tie that held her hair in the bun.
She sighed, spinning around before sitting down once more. She placed her head against the cold metal table, waiting. She knew someone had to be on the other side of the glass, from all of their reactions when she arrived this morning, why wouldn't there be? What had they meant by missing? Infected? What the bloody hell was going on?
She wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but the sound of shouting could be heard. Her eyes snapped up, taking in the mirror that stood before her. From the sounds of it, they likely were on the other side. The voice sounded familiar...but muffled. She was sure one of them was her unit officer, why wouldn't it be? He was always in that room, always watching whenever they interrogated someone. It was likely protocol. But was the other Demetri?
She sucked in a breath, rubbing at her lip that had been split. Luckily it wasn't as visible. She probably looked like shit to whoever was in there, like she hadn't slept in centuries. And then, the sound of footfall headed towards the door. Seconds later, they stopped, the knob was twisted, and the door creaked open. Her attention slowly moved towards the sound, and then there he stood. Demetri. Her partner was standing right there, and a part of her felt relieved. But there was another part that was unsure why she felt that way. Maybe it was because he would likely make sense of everything. But her brain hurt as if something were missing, withheld from her mind.
'Lara?' She rose to her feet, crossed her arms over her chest. "Why the hell do you look like you've seen a ghost? Someone better tell me what the fuck is going on..."
[attr="class","dilyrics3"]Your lips feel warm to the touch You can bring me back to life On the outside you're ablaze and alive But
[attr="class","dilyric3"]you're dead inside
[attr="class","dibody3"]
Demetri couldn’t do much else than stare at her and he could have looked at her for an eternity. The person he trusted the most, perhaps the only one he trusted, was sitting right there just five feet away from him but his feet wouldn’t budge. It was only when a knock from the other side of the mirrored window ripped him out of his daze.
Taking a deep, deep breath, long strides finally carried him involuntarily to the chair on the opposite of the table. He tried looking at her but the absurdness of this whole scenario was too overwhelming and he averted his gaze almost immediately. His eyes now glued to the black surface of the table he pursed his lips and started thinking… thinking about what to tell her… thinking about how to tell her. He wasn’t even sure if he was going to tell her. There was barely time to prepare for a day no one - including Demetri - thought was actually going to happen. He wasn’t even sure the department ever had to deal with a case like hers - or like theirs. The probability of a missing person returning was just too damn low.
He tried lifting the corners of his lips just ever so slightly into a faint shadow of a smirk. It was there. It was definitely there. But it was overpowered by the look of concern he couldn't seem to rid off his face. However, he had to try at least for her. And for her he would decide not to tell her the entire truth - for now. He would, at some point, tell her or be forced to tell her but as long as he could choose not to he would. It wasn't the best decision he made but until they figured it all out it would be the best for all of them.
Deep down everything wanted to riot against keeping the truth to himself, leaving her in the dark, lying to her.
"We thought you went missing.” he began, his mouth a little dry as he tried forcing out the words one by one. “But… here you are.” Demetri continued, dark eyebrows furrowed as he tried to make sense of this whole situation. He couldn't specify the time period she was gone just yet… whatever answer she would give him that's when he would decide.
“How are you?” The question was so trivial but in this moment it was all he wanted to know. The first time this question didn't feel like it was pressured out of his mouth by society. For once he truly wanted to know how someone was feeling - how Lara was feeling.
[attr="class","ditags3"]Lara Shaw - asdfghjkl it feels so cheesy I'm cringing
A headache was forming, one that pounded beneath her forehead as if it had a mind of its own. It was like being hungover, but worse - it was hard to explain. But everything that was happening, all the words of those that she had worked with, swirled around her brain. They threatened her, confused her - and worse of all, she wanted to get to the point. This wasn't some mystery that she had to solve, this was her life - and if supposedly she had been missing, she wanted to get to the bottom of it. But she didn't remember missing, that was the problem. She remembered last night, drinking with Demetri. She needed answers, and he was the person to get them from.
He looked the same; nothing about him had changed as the faint of a smirk appeared on his lips. However, his eyes had changed. Not the color or the shape, but the way that they looked at her. Usually, they were filled with humor, determination - but now they shined brightly with something else. Worry? Maybe even something more emotional? A vulnerability in the great Demetri Hawtrey? She swallowed, her demanding words having just left her lips, her eyes trained on him.
'We thought you went missing. But...here you are.' She titled her head, confusion appearing on her lips. She shook her head, "How could you have thought I went missing. You saw me last night. Remember, we went drinking...like we usually do on Friday nights." And then he asked how she was, and she sort of laughed, "Confused...I am so confused. Is this another one of your jokes? Did you get everyone in the office to pretend that I've been missing? You know, it isn't exactly funny. And what's this about being infected? Infected with what?"
The headache grew like a tumor, and eventually, she sunk back into the seat that she had previously risen from. Rubbing at her temple, she blinked her eyes rapidly, fingers rubbing at them as well. "God, my head," she breathed out, closing her eyes when a light blinded her, one that unbeknownst to her, was simply a memory. She quickly grabbed her bag, pulled it close to her, and reached for something to calm the headache. Her hand grasped onto a bottle, and when she pulled it out, it revealed that it was the pills that the guy had handed her this morning. The ones with her name on it. The ones that said to take when her brain became fuzzy, something that surely was happening now, beneath the pounding of her brain.
"Got any water?" she questioned, quickly removing the cap and hitting it against her hand, letting one huge white horse pill fall into her palm.
[attr="class","dilyrics3"]Your lips feel warm to the touch You can bring me back to life On the outside you're ablaze and alive But
[attr="class","dilyric3"]you're dead inside
[attr="class","dibody3"]
Last night.
Those two words were burning like acid in his mind and his mouth as he tried to repeat them after her. She went missing for almost three months but here she sat, thinking they were still hanging out together one night ago. "Lara, you went missing for almost 3-" Demetri paused, "-days." he lied and it stung. He had never lied to her before. He never planned on doing it but yet here he was... dishing her one lie after another. "We went drinking and you told me you were getting a cab. I tried calling you the next morning because you didn't come to work but you never answered my calls. We were looking for you... I was looking for you for 3... days."
Is this another one of your jokes?
Demetri leaned back into his seat, both hands grabbing the edge of the table. He frowned at her, holding his breath. His heart was pumping a little faster inside his chest but he wasn’t sure if it was because of the excitement, the adrenaline of the run, anger or frustration. Releasing a breath before glancing over his shoulder towards the mirrored window he scooted forward, hazel eyes looking at her. “Do you really think I would make jokes like this? Of course it’s not funny. It’s not supposed to be funny. It’s not supposed to be a joke Lara-” he said, running a hand through his messy hair.
When she asked for water he rose from his seat, walking over to the door and turning his head to take a look at her. His eyes wandered to the bottle of pills on the table but he didn't question it further, shrugging them off as regular painkillers. He opened the door where someone was already waiting with a bottle of water and a paper cup. "Thanks." he mumbled, taking the things and moving back to the table. He put the glass down in front of her first, unscrewed the bottle and poured in half a glass of water for her before placing down the open bottle on the table.
"Look..." he started, burying his lower face in his hand. "About being infected-" This wasn't going to make sense. He mentally slapped himself before sitting up straight. "What else do you remember other than friday night?" he asked, observing her carefully as she took the pills. Perhaps this was going to turn into an involuntary interrogation - an unofficial one considering the fact he was still suspended and didn't hold any rights to do so. But he wanted answers, no, he needed answers - and Lara was the one holding the key to those answers.
'Lara, you went missing for almost 3—days. We went drinking and you told me you were getting a cab. I tried calling you the next morning because you didn't come to work but you never answered my calls. We were looking for you...I was looking for you for 3...days.' Dark eyes slowly widened as she looked at him, her mouth slightly agape. Three days? No. That was impossible. How could she have been missing for three days? With no memory of it? She shook her head, swallowing deeply, trying to find the words that she wanted to speak.
Her head was throbbing, so much that she barely heard him speak, barely even heard him say that it wasn't supposed to be a joke. She rubbed, messed with the pills that she had. Slowly, she watched as he filled the cup with a freshwater bottle, placing it before her, which she quickly grabbed. Throwing the pills back into her mouth, she took a huge gulp. 'Look...About being infected-What else do you remember other than Friday night?'
She looked up at him, placing the cup back on the table. Already her head was clearing, and she blinked. She shook her head, "Why do I feel like I'm being interrogated?" she questioned, raising an eyebrow at him. She shook her head, "I...I vaguely remember people going missing. Homeless and students...you wanted to look into them. I remember trying to talk you out of it; I didn't want you to lose your job after we had been told that it wasn't worth looking into. I remember people getting sick..." she breathed out, shaking her head. She closed her eyes with a groan, flashes of bright lights, and needles filling her vision before she rapidly opened them once more.
"Is...is that what everyone was talking about? Everyone getting sick...has turned into people being infected?" she questioned, looking up at him.
[attr="class","dilyrics3"]Your lips feel warm to the touch You can bring me back to life On the outside you're ablaze and alive But
[attr="class","dilyric3"]you're dead inside
[attr="class","dibody3"]
Demetri’s head jerked up at the word interrogated. He felt a wave of guilt wash over him - perhaps even a little bit of shame. There was no way he wanted to make this an interrogation but him asking questions inside the interrogation room might just be the wrong place. “I’m not… I’m not interrogating you. I just want to know what happened to you. Besides, I’m here as a civilian and not as a detective so it’s definitely not an interrogation.” he responded almost immediately at her question, hating the feeling it left behind, the accusation of interrogating her - his own partner.
He gave her a hard stare at the mention of her not wanting him to lose his job. He made a sound, a mix of laughter, and a painful cry, balling his right hand into a fist. “I told you to let me deal with it. If anything were to happen it would be my responsibility, my fault, my job, my life. But no, you-” he paused after realizing he snapped lightly, gritting his teeth, his eyes solely on her. “Nevermind.” he finished, trying to shrug it off as if he never said anything.
This was not the time for that kind of conversation nor was it important anyway. He regretted and hated what happened but she was back, safe and sound as it seemed and that’s what mattered the most at this very moment. “Yes, that‘s what everyone is talking about. Within the shortest amount of time, a new virus spread through the city and turned into a pandemic. What we investigated… might be part of it but it doesn’t matter now. The chief suspended all possibilities of investigating the case further with your disappearance… as well as suspending me.” he chuckled ever so slightly, amused at the thought of his suspension. He never really made a big deal out of it or stop investigating on his own.
There was at least one pile of case reports on both Lara’s and the missing people back at his apartment. Copies he received from officers he knew and was perhaps close to, close enough to make them break the rules. Of course, he would take full responsibility if anything were to happen to them because of him, just as he took the full blame on Lara’s disappearance.
Kneading his hands nervously he pressed his lips together before speaking up again. “My suspension was supposed to last three months. Maybe with your return, it might get shortened but you should know that I requested a transfer. Once I’ll be back on duty I’ll leave the narcotics unit and join the missing persons' squad. The captain agreed on it last week.” he said, looking at her as he waited for a reaction. He felt a little sad about leaving what he could call his family, his home. He had been in the unit for most of his time as a detective so it wasn’t an easy decision to make but it would help him to push the investigations and hopefully grant him access to more information.
Demetri seemed stunned that she would use such a word by how his head jerked up to attention the minute it left her lips. But even though he said that he wasn't interrogating her, she wasn't backing down. Even if he was a civilian, she was still in the interrogation room here talking to her. "You may not be interrogating me...but I'd bet my life there is someone in that room," she started, nodding her head towards the glass mirror that she knew could be seen from the other side. She had stood on that other side loads of times, watching as someone was interrogated in the very seat that she sat in. "That is likely taking this as an interrogation, but using you to get the information they want. I'm comfortable with you; you're my friend...my partner. You're the perfect person to interrogate me while keeping me perfectly comfortable."
Her words were hard, but she was standing by him. He may not believe that he was interrogating her, but surely there was someone that wanted this. Wanted her questioned to make sure she was still sane. If Demetri had been the one to disappear for a supposed three days and appeared out of the blue, she would have likely been asked to do the same. They were comfortable with each other; they wouldn't exactly freak out on the other person. And if they did, she was sure that she could calm Demetri down...just like she knew he could calm her down. But she felt level headed, just annoyed.
'I told you to let me deal with it. If anything were to happen it would be my responsibility, my fault, my job, my life. But no, you-Nevermind.' She frowned deeply at his words, shaking her head, "What the fuck are you talking about? Deal with what?" she questioned, her mind buzzing. The way he said nevermind, shrugging like that, she knew he likely wouldn't answer her. Not here, anyway.
He slowly started to answer her questions, revealing things about a virus spread through the city and turned it into a pandemic. He mentioned that what they were investigating might have been part of it, but that it didn't matter, especially since the investigation was suspended upon her disappearance and suspending him. And then he mentioned that his suspension was to last three months, but he wondered if her return might be shortened. And then came the bombshell, he was transferred to another department, missing person. She shook her head, "You're abandoning me for the missing person's unit?" she questioned, surprise on her face. "You requested it before I disappeared...when were you going to tell me?" she questioned, betrayal now feeling her features. She couldn't blame her disappearance on him wanting to transfer; she had been here last week.
[attr="class","dilyrics3"]Your lips feel warm to the touch You can bring me back to life On the outside you're ablaze and alive But
[attr="class","dilyric3"]you're dead inside
[attr="class","dibody3"]
"That is likely taking this as an interrogation, but using you to get the information they want. I'm comfortable with you; you're my friend...my partner. You're the perfect person to interrogate me while keeping me perfectly comfortable."
She was right, he thought, trying not to look over his shoulder at the mirrored window. He was on the other side just a few minutes ago, watching her sit in that chair like a criminal. The thought of it made him uncomfortable just like the thought of interrogating her did. “Fine. Everyone is just curious. It’s not every day that a cop disappears, goes missing, and then suddenly appears again. Especially not a good cop like you. Everyone’s just worried. I am worried. We all thought you were… dead.” The last word tasted as bitter as poison on his tongue, leaving a prickly feeling like he just bit into a cactus.
Demetri looked at her. His eyes didn’t move and he didn’t blink. He just looked at her. It had only been a few minutes and the net of lies he had woven was already wrapping itself around him. How was he going to explain all the things that happened supposedly happened within the short amount of three days?
"You're abandoning me for the missing person's unit? You requested it before I disappeared...when were you going to tell me?"
“I… didn’t. I just requested it the day after you disappeared.” he uttered, unsure how to explain. Demetri realized he dug his own grave right there because none of it really made any sense. How much could have happened in just three, short, days? How much sense would it make for all of this to happen in just 72 hours? He shook his head, moving back along with his chair, creating space between him and the table.
Hazel eyes rested on the water bottle as he tried to think of what to say. “I thought about it for some time after the cases were dismissed for our unit. It just… I thought it would help to get them official if I switch units… the unit who takes care of missing people. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do it but then you were gone and I just made a… hasty choice. I didn’t expect it to be approved so fast either.” he lied, partly at least.
“I’m not abandoning you. I could never. It won’t be forever I swear. I will request a transfer back to narcotics as soon as this is solved.” he gestured at her and the room, just anything, in general, to get his point across or at least to make it seem like it. Even if he didn’t like it she was part of the case, especially now with her sudden return and everyone would most likely treat her that way. She might be a victim, a survivor but she was also his partner - and that’s what mattered.
Demetri rose from his chair and walked to the window, arms crossed over his chest as he stared at his own reflection. “Look… it was a hard time for all of us, especially for you. I’m sure you just want to rest some more but you might be an important part of this investigation. It’s not over yet… and we need you to get answers.”
The brunette swallowed, her words flowing from her lips as she spoke them in quick succession. She watched Demetri's face, looking for any clue that she was correct in her suspicions. And when he looked over his shoulder, towards the two-way-glass, she knew that she was correct. This was an interrogation, whether he believed it or not. He was being used to find out what was going through her head, to find out what she knew and what she didn't. Lara found herself huffing, leaning back in her seat as he turned to address her. Why was she feeling so hostile? This wasn't like her...However, when he revealed that he thought she had been dead, and that they were all worried, her features seemed to soften. She swallowed, shaking her head, "I'll tell you whatever you want to know...but it isn't much."
Her words, however, died in her throat when he mentioned he was transferring divisions. Though, she was able to talk enough to question him about his timing, something that he seemed so confused about. His words were uttered as if he were looking for the correct thing to say. Something wasn't adding up, but her brain already hurt enough - at that moment, she felt like going home and sleeping. She swallowed again, her throat dry. What the fuck were those pills? She internally shook her head from the thought, the idea of doing it physically, already making her dizzy.
She swallowed once more, letting out a soft sigh. "It was the right call. I'm upset you decided now was the right time to tell me though," she said, looking up at him through dark lashes. She itched at her cheek, bringing her fingernails to her lips as if she were going to bite them off. The sound of Demetri standing to his full height didn't phase her, but she did listen as he spoke. She sighed, her fingers now moving to her forehead to rub at the flesh between her eyebrows.
"Here's everything I remember..." With those starting words, Lara started on with her monologue, telling Demetri everything she remembered, everything leading up to the last moment that was in her brain - the night at the bar. While it had only been last night to her, in reality, he had said it was a good seventy-two hours prior. There were so many holes in her story; she didn't even know what to believe anymore. "And that's it...nothing else besides weird dreams and hazy vision with bright lights here and there..."
Demetri Hawtrey ● i left her story blank so you can fill in the holes how you see fit! <3
[attr="class","dilyrics3"]Your lips feel warm to the touch You can bring me back to life On the outside you're ablaze and alive But
[attr="class","dilyric3"]you're dead inside
[attr="class","dibody3"]
Demetri just looked at her for some time after she finished telling him the few things she remembered while being away. He couldn’t help but feel disappointed at the lack of information. It wasn’t her fault, no, it could never be and he would never blame her for it. It was probably better she couldn’t remember more. He didn’t want to think about all the horrible things that could have possibly happened to her making assumptions of regular kidnappings and their victims.
He shut his eyes, his lips forming a thin line before he pressed both his hands against his face. He wanted to ask her if it really was everything but he also didn’t want to pressure her or make her feel bad. It was her first day back, his first day seeing her after all the months she was gone. "That’s a start." he finally said, breaking the more than uncomfortable silence between the two. Demetri stared hard at the mirrored glass, knocking against it once. "It’s a start." he repeated, speaking to the ones in the other room. "Stop it. Stop recording and just give us a minute." he added, turning back around to face Lara.
He wondered if it really was everything, feeling a little suspicious about her story. Of course, he trusted Lara more than anyone but he had his fair share of experience with interrogating victims. They usually hid something, weren’t able to talk about the trauma, or just didn’t want to. It bothered him slightly because he knew Lara was different, she was stronger. However, he couldn't blame her if she was keeping secret from him. He was doing exactly the same to her.
Sighing, Demetri walked back to the table, moving his chair aside. "Look, it’s okay. Everything’s going to be just fine. You will be fine. I know we can’t turn back time and undo what happened to you, what happened to me, to us, to everyone. But-" he paused, trying to read her facial expression before he continued, "-even if nothings going to be the way it was I’m sure at least we will be back to normal once this case is over. Even if I switch units you’re still my partner Lara." As he uttered the words his chest started feeling heavy, the weight of his lies slowly building up on top of him. He knew he would regret this at some point but that point had yet to come.
He offered her a small smile, holding out his hand to her. "You want to grab a cup of chamomile tea? I'm sure your favorite brand is still somewhere in the break room."
