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.
GENERAL INQUIRIES
CODING
GRAPHICS
ADVERTISING
CHARACTERS
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!
GENERAL INQUIRIES
APPLICATIONS
THREAD MODERATION
MEDIATOR
CHARACTERS
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!
GENERAL INQUIRIES
CLAIMS
DIRECTORY
CHARACTERS
STAFF NAME
OPEN MODERATOR POSITION
outbreak
/ˈaʊtbreɪk/ zero /ˈzɪərəʊ/
a sudden occurrence of something unwelcome, such as war or disease. number, no quantity or number; nought; the figure 0.
[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"]
A little disappointed the detective lowered his arms, taking one last look at the alleyway before tucking in his notepad and pen back into a pocket. Bummer, he thought to himself. For some reason, no matter where his investigations and tips led him they always ended up being not useful. In this case, a potential witness ended up being useless. He wasted his time, and the guy’s time most likely. “Sure, the tapes… both cameras and all the footage you have if you don’t mind.”
Demetri gave him a small shrug at Adrien’s answer to his question. It might be just a kid to some but a potential suspect was a potential suspect. Criminals didn’t always look like one would imagine them. No, they came in all sorts of appearances and variations. Some might look rough, tough, and be the size of a bear. Others might look like a nerd returning from their weekly game card match.
Unless proven otherwise Demetri wasn’t going to let go of any possibilities. “You seem like you’re not a big fan of the police, hm?” he wondered quietly, shaking his head softly. “Look, this is a very serious matter. I don’t care about your thoughts on it but I do appreciate the help.” And just because the kid just started working there didn't mean he wasn’t up to no good prior to this job.
He returned the carpenter’s hard look at the following remark, lips forming a thin line as he bit back a harsh answer forming on the tip of his tongue. Of course, he couldn’t forget he was ‘on duty’, and since his last suspension he couldn’t afford even just a brawl with a citizen. Hell, especially not with a citizen who seemed to be out for law enforcement officials these days anyway.
Without hesitation, he followed the guy inside. “Do you mind if I stay here while you get those tapes?” he asked, although it wasn’t really meant to be a question. Hence, he didn’t bother to wait for an answer as he made his way over to the front desk where the kid was. He said something to him, glancing over his shoulder towards Adrien, and said something else before sliding over his card with his police department information and phone number, leaning against the counter while he waited for the tapes. He thought about bugging the kid some more but he doubted he would be able to tell him much.
[attr="class","CONTENT"] Demetri looked over at the mug she just mentioned, having completely forgotten about it. He was sure he had used it a couple of times even after she left because he probably wouldn’t even have noticed that it wasn’t one of his own. To him, your ordinary male, a mug was a mug. If it was able to hold his coffee he would use it. And then… it was just a mug, a small object made out of porcelain. It was something easily replaced. He didn’t fully understand why she was so excited to see it. Maybe if he was put in her shoes, having lost all personal belongings, he might be able to understand. He gave her a small, empathetic twitch with his lips. “Right,” he let out, nodding towards the cupboard above the sink. “You brought two if I’m not mistaken. Should be in there. I forgot those weren’t mine.”
Shaking his head at her assumption, his fingers tapping the edge of the pizza box in front of him. “Even if everyone assumes no one would use it it’s the first thing you try. I assumed a doctor would be smarter than that.” he said, “Clearly we both were wrong in our assumptions.” He finished speaking, the jab was unintentional, just something he could be found doing every once in a while. “Hm.” was all that left his lips at her comment about Netflix. Good for her because he wasn’t the type to watch TV or make use of streaming services anyway. There were more important things to attend to and binge-watching some soap operas wasn’t on that list.
The moment she said it out loud he realized how absurd it sounded in the first place. Her reaction was understandable, predictable even. The majority of cops would probably think of the worst-case scenarios whenever something happened just because it was part of the job, they were used to it and sometimes it was easier to prepare that way. The disappointment if things didn’t work out the way they wanted or expected it to was less if there was no hope, to begin with. He listened to her with his back turned to her as he picked up the box. His face contorted slightly, fortunately, it was hidden from her view at that exact moment. “Murder would be the worst-case but not something I would investigate.” he told her, wondering if that would make it better.
“What kind of diagnosis? Because if it’s cancer then thanks, Google got that covered already.” he called out, and even though it was meant to be a joke he didn’t laugh, not even at himself. Demetri wasn’t sure if that was helping at all. Either way, wouldn’t sound very pleasing to hear. His eyes scanned the content of the box, the top flapping slightly as he moved it. “I investigate missing people cases unless you want to hear that the other possibility would have been to assume you’re a drug addict or a dealer.” he said, his voice aloof as he shrugged at her with the box in his hands.
The mention of his old unit sent soft chills down his spine but he resisted the urge to shudder. Unlike Adelaide, his old partner didn’t suddenly reappear. He had yet to get rid of the guilt that plagued him every day. Every attempt at stopping himself from blaming himself went down the drain and even though no one pointed fingers at him he couldn’t shake off the feeling there was something he might not know. Taking a breath through his nose he turned towards her. “So no, I didn’t think you were murdered. I thought you might have gotten abducted.”
Once he brought her the box he moved back to the other side of the counter, opening the second pizza box and casually slapping two slices on top of each other before taking a bite. He leaned back against the counter, one hand resting against the rim. His gaze had dropped to stare blankly at the pizza as he chewed his food but found their way back to her when she asked him about how much she would owe him. He honestly didn’t know. Thus, he shook his head at her. “I don’t know. Surely didn’t cost me a fortune. Don’t worry about it.” the brunette said, studying her face as she looked through the contents.
“Thanks, I suppose, but I don’t cook.” I can’t cook would have been the more honest answer. However, after all the accusations he had made when she set the fire in her apartment because she was distracted by him, a stranger back then, it probably wouldn’t have been the best idea. While he was usually the one to add fuel to the fire right now he was just a man who wanted to enjoy his pizza. With a growl of his stomach, he took another bite of his double-decker slice.
He continued watching her go through the contents in silence, eyebrows raised at her question about her dad’s pistol. “You can file a police report, although it should usually be done within 48 hours of discovery. Chances to find it is low unless of course, someone commits a crime and gets arrested with it so officers can trace the serial number.” he explained, dusting off his hands after finishing the double slice. He reached for his beer, frowning as he tried to think back to the day he visited the guy across the corridor or if he had seen it being sold online. He didn’t remember. “Maybe he still has it. Maybe he brought it to the basement with all the other stuff he couldn’t get rid of. I can give you my keys to access the basement.”
As he brought the bottle up to his lips he turned his gaze back to her leaning over the counter. Dark eyebrows furrowed, drawing together once more. There was a hint of confusion in his eyes at her question when he glanced over at the photo then back to her. “What do you mean?” he asked, head tilting softly to the side. He put down the drink and stepped forward to the counter, fingers reaching for the picture and picking it up to hold it in front of her. “Poisoned?” Not a lot of bodies were found and the picture was just one out of too many missing people in the city. They weren’t even sure if it was connected to the other cases because a body was such a rarity, an exception. They ran everything through the lab and forensics did mention a strange substance found but it was nothing anyone knew about. It was simply shrugged off as some kind of drug.
[attr="class","CONTENT"] It definitely was weird to purchase a stranger's belongings, ones that may hold memories for them but had no meaning for yourself. Demetri also felt like he was buying evidence from a non-existent crime scene. It was just a weird situation altogether but here he was, telling her he had some of her things. Truth to be told he did consider her a case at some point… one of the endless Jane and John Does that seemed to disappear without a trace since March. So in the end he might have really bought some of her things considering them possible evidence. Would he tell her? Probably not.
The smell of pizza filled his apartment, nothing he would ever complain about. If there was a scented candle that smelt like pepperoni and cheese? Heck yeah. Burnt bacon? Not so much. Sparkling eyes, like a child's, looked down at the pizza boxes as he opened them, hitting him with the exact, greasy smell he anticipated during his way home. For a brief moment, he forgot about his neighbor asking him questions as he inhaled the greatness, the gift of God, the cheesy goodness that was soon going to be part of him.
He walked around the counter, taking off his jacket in the process, tossing it on the couch. Running a hand through his hair he looked at her, the most serious look on his face. "You really need to come up with a better password." he replied simply, shrugging it off as if it wasn’t a big deal. He did open her laptop and log in but that was about it. The detective inside of him wanted to browse through her things but the guilt he felt as soon as he opened it just nagged him too much. He wasn’t sure if she just ran away or if anything happened. He didn’t have a reason to look through it.
"But don’t worry. I didn’t look at anything. As soon as I managed to log in I turned it off again." Demetri told her, walking back to his dinner. Taking a slice he bit off a big piece, thinking about her questions as he chewed. One hand rested against the counter while the other one held the pizza. What made you buy some of my stuff?"Work." he said, taking another bite. Hazel eyes looked at the open pizza box and back at her before he gave it a push and twisted it around so the open side was in her direction. “You want some?” he asked, trying to be polite and maybe a little human. Demetri wasn’t the type to share his food but after all these months maybe it wasn’t that bad to become a little nicer than he was.
Swallowing, the detective turned to his fridge, opening it and grabbing a beer bottle. He flipped the lid off and took a sip to wash down the food. "I thought you might become a case of mine." he said, although as soon as the words left his lips he felt like he needed to take them back. Thinking it was one thing. Saying it out loud to the person who did in fact not become a case was bizarre, odd, weird. It was almost like telling someone Oh, I thought you were dead but guess you are not."But you didn’t. So everything is useless and you can have it back. Let me get it real quick." he continued, setting the bottle on the counter next to the food.
He quickly stuffed half a slice in his mouth before washing his hands and moving over to the living room area. It didn’t really change since the last time she was there. There were case files, pictures, single papers, documents strewn all over the place… everything one could possibly imagine to be at a Police Department but instead it was at his apartment. Out of the mess, he made a box the size of a moving box appear, carrying it over to her. "It’s not a lot. Mostly pictures, your laptop, a few books that looked interesting enough to check out." he told her, placing the box on one of the bar stools on her side. "I'm sure the guy couldn't really sell everything. His prices were too high for anyone to be interested in it. There might be some things stored in the basement." he said as he walked back to the other side of the counter.
[attr="class","CONTENT"] "Apparently my apartment was sold, without my consent, to this guy. Along with all of my things that he conveniently doesn't have any idea about."
Yeah, he heard about it. He ran into their landlord twice and there was gossip going around the entire building. Not that it mattered because those people always had something to say about someone. When she didn’t return home after a while they called the police to check, their landlord afraid she might be dead in there, even though he knew a distinct smell would warn them if that really was the case.
Demetri looked at the guy, only glancing over at the blonde every now and then. If it wasn't his job to stick his nose into other people’s business and if he didn't recognize her he probably would have ignored their argument and just walked past them. He listened to his explanation and unfortunately, the guy did have a point even if it wasn't to her liking. There wasn't really much he could have done at that moment. The few times he parted his lips to say something she already continued her rant.
When the neighbor shut his door he simultaneously turned with her, facing her. Peering down at his food, the smell of pepperoni and cheese filling his nose, he shrugged softly. "I haven't dug in yet so you’re all good." he replied, shifting the boxes in his hands to get his apartment keys out of a pocket. He wouldn't admit that if it came to pizza the whole world could burn and he wouldn't care. The brunette turned around and stepped towards his door, sliding in the keys he finally managed to fish out.
Demetri watched her walk away, his fingers curled around his apartment keys inside the lock. "I bought some of the things he sold." he said out loud, turning the keys to the side to unlock the door before pulling them out. He slipped them over one finger, the set of keys dangling down now as he balanced the pizza boxes on the other. "You can have them." Those were hers after all. But he did have to pay for them and legally seen it would be his now, however, he didn't really have any use for it.
He just did it because it seemed like the right thing to do. And even though he wasn't able to acquire all of it he got a couple of things that looked important. Of course, he didn't have the money to buy all of it and he wasn’t even sure what had driven him to make this decision. What would he have done if she didn’t reappear?
"I’ll give you a 50% discount." he told her just as he pushed the door open with his foot. "Your laptop was a bit overpriced." Leaving the door open he walked inside, dropping his bag on the floor before moving over to his kitchen counter to put the pizzas down.
[attr="class","CONTENT"] Jane Doe. John Doe. Those were the only names that adorned his case files - with one exception. Lara‘s. Her name was the first one on the document he held in his hands, her statement was their only lead but nothing really came out of it yet. Demetri still had his hopes up that maybe, maybe there would be one clue she could give them.
Moving between his desk and the break room for unlimited coffee refills, Demetri spent all afternoon staring at papers and his computer. He felt like he was running against a wall and just wasn‘t able to break through it. It was a puzzle with too many missing pieces. And unlike puzzles, you couldn’t simply order the missing pieces from the manufacturer to finish it.
Time passed and he didn’t even notice until someone tapped his shoulder, ripping him out of the train of thoughts he chased after as he stared at the computer screen. "Are you not going home?" the voice said, and Demetri tilted his neck to stretch it, a cracking sound emerging from it as the stiffness was released. "Yeah in a bit. I’m still working on something." Demetri responded, rubbing his dry eyes. The other detective shrugged, giving him a pat on the shoulder. "You always work on something. What you need to do is rest. Take a break." he said before leaving the office.
Take a break. Demetri scoffed at his words. Easier said than done when there was someone kidnapping innocent people off the streets, leaving no bodies, no witnesses, nothing. He wasn’t planning to take a break until this all ended. But maybe he was right. Maybe he needed to rest for a brief moment, even if it was just for the rest of the day. The brunette glanced at his watch, a sigh escaping his lips as he realized how late it actually was. He turned off his computer, gathered the files to take them home, and put them into his backpack. He pulled the zipper and closed it before swinging it over his shoulder.
The commute home was an easy one. As time passed the city grew quieter with each month. The regulations became stricter and patrols were dispatched more frequently. What once was a buzzing lively place was now dead as a graveyard. And even though most places were closed, Demetri was glad that his all-time favorite pizza place was still open for takeaway and pickup. He had called earlier to place an order and once he arrived it was already on the counter, waiting for him.
The place was just around the corner of his apartment building. Five more minutes and he arrived, walking through the entry and straight for the stairs. Whenever he could avoid elevators he would, and it wasn’t like he was living on the 100th floor. He took two steps at a time, eager to feast upon his two large pizzas.
Before he even opened the door to his floor he could already hear the muffled voices sifting through… arguing? Demanding something? He shrugged it off, slipping through the emergency staircase door, only to be greeted by the sight of a too familiar-looking blonde. And although it had been quite a while since they last saw each other he immediately recognized that glare from the other end of the corridor.
He walked down towards their direction - since his apartment was just right across - narrowing his eyes at the scene. Demetri was aware that someone else had moved in, though, he wasn’t sure what had happened to Adelaide during that time. As he balanced the pizza in one hand, he approached them. "Is there a problem here?" he asked, looking at her and then over at the guy standing in the doorway, moving his jacket to reveal the badge hanging around his neck just in case.
[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"]
‘So my suggestions are pretty much falling on deaf ears.’
That made two of them. Although, it wasn’t because Demetri was new. He wasn’t. And he wasn’t just a nobody in his former unit but still… due to the lack of evidence and victims his superior subsequently decided against opening a new case for it. It wasn’t much of a big deal at the beginning when everything seemed to have just started. But as months passed even them slowly came to realize it could be more than just some strange coincidences and even though, they haven’t discovered a body and there still was no sign of clear victimology or modus operandi, the Missing Persons Unit took that case and made it a top priority. He was hoping they could find some clues soon.
Demetri narrowed his eyes at Adrien, eyebrows softly drawn together in a questioning look. "A delivery truck?" he repeated, and even though his tone was raised as if he had asked a question he was more talking to himself than to the guy at the door. Scribbling down the two words on the paper he thought about the possibilities.
A delivery truck. Did it make sense? Maybe. It would be fairly easy to disguise a truck or any vehicle as some sort of company car. Add a uniform with self-made prints ironed on it, a name tag from the dollar store, and some empty boxes posing as packages. But it would also be too flashy, people would surely remember - just like Adrien did. However, even if the company was fake and not trackable there could be enough witnesses and CCTV footages to find them, and run their faces through the system.
He got up from the squat, turning around to look into the direction the brunette had pointed at earlier. "Do you know if there are any homeless or junkies frequenting this area? Did that truck driver mention who was blocking the alley?" he asked, glancing over his shoulder for a moment. His eyes moved from the ground to each side of the alley and last but not least the far end of it. There wasn’t much to see. It wasn’t big, quite narrow, he wondered what size that delivery truck was.
There were multiple trash cans and containers along the sides of it, some of them thrown over with their contents spilling out. He saw pieces of old food around them, looking as if something dragged it away and gnawed on it. Strays. There really wasn’t anything uncommon to see.
His pen touched the paper again, sketching a quick outline of the alley and marking viable exit spots. Letting out a soft sigh the detective turned his attention back to the carpenter. "That guy working at the front desk earlier…" he started, hazel eyes fixing on Adrien, "He seemed a little nervous when I arrived." Demetri commented, clicking his pen before putting it as well as his note pad back inside the pocket those came from. "Is he always like this?"
Meet ____! A detective working for the Missing Persons Unit which is the one Demetri recently transferred to, to work on the abundances of cases that occurred shortly after the virus hit the city. She'll be - sort of - his new partner in that specific unit since his usual partner is Lara. But I figured they wouldn't work together as closely for the moment.[break][break]
I'm totally open to whether or not she's a rookie detective or has been working for her unit for a while... or maybe she just transferred too. I have a couple of possible plots in mind depending on what you decide to make her! This character is pretty open and there is no set relationship between these two.[break][break]
PERSONALITY
[break]
Her personality is very much open. Although, I always imagine a character played by Bridget Satterlee as arrogant, a little evil, the bitch that everyone hates. BUT it's really up to the player.[break][break]
FACE CLAIM
[break] I picked Bridget Satterlee for the images and it's kind of set.
[break]
[attr="class","alibipanel"]HEART OF STONE honey you're a shipwreck among the flames
[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 let out a frustrated sigh. Of course, it was either that or the cameras were broken. They were most of the time presented with an excuse that the cameras weren’t working. He kind of expected it already but he kept a tiny bit of hope in case they did function. "Thirty days." he repeated after Adrian, tapping the pen against his notebook. "That’s fine. I’ll take a copy of it anyway." Better than nothing, he thought, even though he would have preferred more months. At least it was a start. Perhaps he was lucky enough to find something on it anyway.
The detective nodded and proceeded to follow the guy towards the back of the store, his gaze moving up to the exit sign. He glanced over his shoulder towards the entrance, which was blocked just like the emergency exit was earlier, taking notes or rather scribbling a quick outline of the store, marking the entrance and the exit as well as the front counter. He made sure to take mental notes of the interior as he walked to the back but nothing really stood out to him. The store itself didn’t spark much interest in him either way. It was the outside that was important.
He pushed past the brunette, stepping outside into the alley. Looking left and right first to take in the alley itself he stepped further out before turning around to look up at the camera he mentioned. "I'll take a copy of this one too. Do you know how much of the backdoor it captures? Or how much of the area around it?" he questioned, writing down some more notes before he put the notebook back to where it came from, keeping the pen in his hand.
His attention went back to the alley as he moved towards a duo of trash cans, opening the lid. He grimaced ever so slightly at the smell coming from the trash, scrunching his nose before putting the lid back on. Demetri dropped down into a crouch, poking something on the ground with his pen to roll it over. "Did you see any suspicious activity around here? Anything that could have possibly stood out? A fight between someone? A vehicle?" he asked, twisting his upper body so he could look 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 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."
[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 eyes wandered around the store while he waited for the clerk at the front desk to finish his ramblings about not knowing how to get the footage for him. Trying to suppress a sigh his gaze flickered back to the boy. He didn’t seem like he could be much help being as helpless himself as he was. "Is there anyone else I can speak to?" he asked, but before the boy could answer someone else appeared behind the desk.
"You are with Lethford police? What do you need the tapes for?”
He watched the man put out a hand, narrowing his eyes ever so slightly at the usually common gesture. He wasn’t going to say anything about it, comment on it, or make a remark… instead he just kept silent and offered him a small head nod as greeting rather than shaking a stranger’s hand. "Detective Hawtrey. We are currently investigating a couple of cases. I can’t really disclose any information to you but we are collecting the CCTV footage of all stores and cars for evidence." he stated, giving the other employee a quick once over before brushing his jacket aside to show his badge. He nodded at the camera pointing at the entrance door and windows.
His hand moved up to the small pocket at the top of his shirt, taking out a small note book and a pen. "How long do you safe your footage? I would need anything dating back to the beginning of the year." Demetri asked, clicking the pen to start scribbling down any notes.
Leaning slightly back he looked over to the other side of the store. His view was blocked by several shelves but nothing out of the ordinary. He turned back to the two guys in front of him, dark eyebrows raised in mere curiosity. Tracking down suspects, victims, anyone, through video footage was a lot of work and he was already not feeling too eager to watch hundreds of hours of civilians walking up and down the street. Perhaps he could save time if there was another possibility. "Do you have a backdoor?"
[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.”
[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"]
After months and the reappearance of Lara Demetri’s suspension had been lifted and he collected his badge and duty weapon at the station earlier today. It was a strange feeling to be back. It was even more strange to walk into a different units’ office. He had been with the narcotics unit since passing the detective’s exam. They were more like family than anything else. Transferring was like starting over again but at least it would help him to those cases approved for investigation, something his old unit wouldn’t have been able to do without evidence to anything drug-related.
His first official day back would be tomorrow so today he would opt for a solitary investigation just like he had done the past few months. The number of victims was growing and they still haven’t found any connections or traces. The victimology was still too random and the last known one he found out about was another student. Considering the job issue these days he could imagine someone offering them money for something which a lot of people would be desperate enough now to take for anything. It would explain the number of ordinary people.
Students who used to work in the service industry which was affected the most by both the curfew and the power cut but also housewives who want to support their husbands who lost their jobs or whose hours have been cut by doing home office. The homeless were just regular easy targets but having the need for a mixed pool of victims they needed other options. However, all of it was just theories Demetri had come up with during his time suspended and from the little clues he was able to collect.
There was no evidence, no clear modus operandi, nothing even slightly suspicious. The places the victims were last seen mostly had CCTV recording but they always moved towards a blind spot the cameras didn’t catch. It seemed carefully planned and executed despite the lack of everything - but then again, it showed how professional they worked. It wasn’t just any organized crime-related case.
Hazel eyes scanned the list of addresses and shop names on his phone, a list of CCTVs he needed to check. Now that he was officially put back to his position with the police force it made work much easier though. Having to convince store owners and car owners to show him or make a copy of their records was difficult. Almost none believed him when he told them he was a detective without a badge. Most of the time a bit of money was solving the issue but sometimes even that would get declined and he needed the help of an officer friend.
He walked down the street, his gaze moving towards the numbers on the buildings until he spotted the one he was looking for - a carpenter store. Without hesitation he pushed open the door and entered the store, taking out his badge to flash at whoever was working there. "LCPD. I need to look at your CCTV you have on the door." he said, pointing at the camera in the corner seemingly recording everything happening outside of the storefront.
Adelaide Scott - temporary roommates, future romantic interest?
[attr="class","rl"]LOOKING FOR
informants nurse/doctor friend who often helps out with information police (officer) friend who copied case files during his suspension ex-girlfriend (just because) rival detective
fellow firefighters someone he befriended at the hospital who annoys him about his unhealthy habits someone he was/is friends with before the heart attack/bank robbery happened
a fling or a short-term relationship a rival a fellow gang member she hates/dislikes/doesn't trust an ex-gang member who causes trouble from time to time
[attr="class","rl"]WANTED THREADS
gets caught by someone while stealing stuff at the hospital
[attr="class","hd"]36 - pharmacist - drug trafficker - hetero - single
[attr="class","rl"]PLATONIC
[attr="class","rl"]ENEMIES
Demetri Hawtrey - former narcotics detective he tries to stay away from
[attr="class","rl"]ROMANTIC
[attr="class","rl"]LOOKING FOR
someone from the police department who's investigating him? someone from the police who's annoying him hospital staff both oblivious and aware of his doings fellow criminals to make deals with someone from Prism BioTech Corps to either use or have them help knowingly
[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"]
He placed the bacon aside, opening the cabinet next to the fridge, grabbing two plates. Glancing at the spot beside the toaster he made sure he had some toast left - he did. Placing the plates on the kitchen island countertop separating the living room and kitchen he looked at her belongings and nodded towards the entryway. “You can just leave it there for now.” he said, running a hand through his hair. He obviously didn’t think that far ahead after offering her to crash at his place. “I need to tidy up my bedroom and change the bedsheets but you can stay there. I don’t use it very often anyway.” he offered and shrugged as if it was something normal. He was so busy chasing down clues and possible witnesses he was barely at home, and if he was he would regularly fall asleep on the couch while reading case files.
Demetri turned back to get a container of eggs out of a grocery bag he never got around to organize. It was fresh, just two days ago he went out to do some necessary shopping, but it had been sitting there ever since he came back having to rush out again shortly after. He grabbed the carton box when his ears perked up at the mention of her cooking. He slowly raised his head to look at her, a semi terrified look on his face, eyebrows raised high. Sucking in air through his teeth he took a look around his kitchen, gesturing at it. “I kind of like my kitchen not burned.” he replied, his face expressing pure seriousness as he uttered those words, no hints of jokes or amusement to be found. “I think I’m good. Throwing some bacon in the oven and waiting for it to cook shouldn’t be too hard.” he said, unaware of what he actually just said and hinted at.
“Coffee. Of course.” he said, reaching for one of the mugs and taking a sip. “Good coffee.” Demetri added, moving the mug and gesturing a cheers with it. “Doesn’t taste anything like the crap at the department.” Placing it back on the counter he turned back around to the stove, opening the package of bacon and putting the separated slices on the baking sheet inside the oven before turning it on - on low heat. He proceeded to take a pan out of the lower cabinets, taking out a piece of butter with a knife and popping it into the pan. Once it melted he cracked four eggs into it, waiting for them to cook.
“So… are you from here?”
“No, I’m from Seattle.” he told her, dark eyebrows slightly knit together as he thought about his origins. “Moved here about five years ago. I guess it’s my new home now.” he continued, shaking off all thoughts of the past. Memories he didn’t want to think about now and perhaps never again. “How... about you?” he politely asked, though, he wasn’t sure if that was information he needed to know - or he could just run a background check anyway. He lowered the heat of the stove as the eggs slowly cooked, and threw in two slices of toast into the toaster, pushing the button down for it to start.
Turning back around he softly leaned against the counter next to the stove, eyes landing on the case files. “Right, sorry. Not so nice to look at. Let me move it real quick.” he uttered, moving forward to gather the files, making a pile of documents as he took each folder, each sheet of paper, and each picture that fell out of its map to build a pile. “If you could watch the eggs and the toast for a moment while I get these sorted.” he asked as he grabbed the pile of documents and walked to the living area where even more of them were scattered around. Dropping them on the couch he turned to the whiteboard and flipped it backward so a new, clean side was showing instead of the one with pictures, names, and mindmaps.
Looking over his shoulder at her he cleared his throat. “Just so you know. This is classified information. Don’t mention this to anyone. You never saw anything.” he spoke, rolling the whiteboard to the side. He opened a window as he was standing there anyway before returning to the kitchen space. “You want some orange juice?” he asked, opening the fridge to get the bottle. But as he took it he spotted the expiration date, marking it as expired three weeks ago. “Nevermind.”
