Second Chances

The Hunter

I woke up with a huge lump in my stomach and a strained neck. After cursing at myself multiple times for falling asleep in the living room, I head to the bathroom to get myself ready.

I couldn't swallow the rock i had in my throat and i was uncharacteristically fidgety. It was not like me to get this nervous before a mission.

Maybe because this time the murderer looks really dangerous and i had to face him alone...

I shake my thoughts away before getting out of the shower and wrap a towel around me. I don't wear my uniform this time and tie my hair into a messy bun. I climb into my car and drive towards the station. I still need to have a team ready just incase things go south. Once there, i head straight to my office but on the way, i hear voices coming from Mr. Johnson's unusally open office.

"Do you realize what you're saying ?! How much times i will have to tell- ?"

"Look, Nick, I'm sure if I explain it to her, she'll understand." I gasp quietly recognizing indeed Nick's voice.

"I can't do this to her !"

"Can you at least close door, for god's sake ? i don't want anyone to hear us."

I rush to my office when i hear footsteps towards the door.

I wonder what they are talking about and also what the relationship is between Mr. Johnson and Nick. They looked close, at least enough for Nick to lash out on him like that.

No, I can't be thinking about that when I have to get ready for the appointment. I look at the time on my watch, nervous.

It's noon so I still got two hours to get ready. I call to ask for whatever free tactical unit at the moment to gather in a meeting room. I spend the rest of the hour explaining the situation and giving them their orders and to only intervene when i ask them to. It's crucial that Ted doesn't suspect anyone with me. When i get back to my office, Nick was still nowhere to be seen, his discussion with Mr. Johnson was strangely long.

II couldn't wait for him anymore, Greenwood was a long ride so it was time for me to leave. I took a gun out of my drawer and put it in my holster belt. It is on my way to the elevator that I meet Nick in the corridor.

"Ah, hi Nick. I was just about to leave..." I said when he looked at me with raised eyebrows.

"you weren't planning on leaving without me, were you ?"

"Well, you haven't shown up all day so, yeah, I thought about it." I said pettily, crossing my arms.

He sighed before saying :

"I was busy with something, alright. Let's go before we're late."

I just follow him wordlessly as we leave the station and get in the car.

"I heard that you got a unit ready, good."

"Yeah i ordered them to stay at close disrance but to intervene only when i ask them too."

Nick nodded, index tapping steadily the steering wheel.

Half an hour later, we are in front of Greenwood Forest at the same time I receive the call from Ted's masked number.

"Lieutenant Harper, I see that you have arrived and that you are accompanied. I hope your companion will stay in the car."

"Don't worry, he won't come with me." I say as i glance at Nick.

"Perfect. I will call you back when you are inside the forest."

When he hung up, I said to Nick :