Page 62 of Pushed Through The Dark

Staring out the window as the police car pulled out of Koa's driveway, I felt lost.

I wasn't even sure how long it took us to drive to the station, but we were there before I realized it. The officer was opening my door, grabbing me by the elbow and pulling me out of the car.

She guided me inside the building, taking me to a windowless room. Sitting me down, she cuffed my hands to the table in front of me.

"Is this necessary?" I asked, holding out my hands, straightening the chain tight.

"It might not be, but that's up to you." She arched a brow, keeping her gaze fixed on mine as she yanked open the door and walked out.

I was left alone. No clock. No idea how many minutes or hours had gone by. With my head on the table, I closed my eyes and sat in my own darkness.

All I could think about was Koa.Where did he go? Why wasn't he there? Why would he leave me alone? Why didn't he take me with him?

He'd never left me alone. In the month I'd been with him, not once had he left me by myself. And yet, today, he was nowhere to be found.

I wanted to cry. I could feel the tears. They were there, in the background, but I wasn't letting them out.

"Hello," a man said.

Lifting my head, it was the same man in the brown trench coat from Koa's house. Darting my eyes back to the table, I sank deeper into the chair. I didn't give him an answer. I didn't want to.

He took the seat across from me, setting down a small stack of folders and pressing a pen against his lips. "I'm Detective—"

"Thompson, yeah, I heard you before."

He smiled coyly and leans forward, twirling the pen between his fingers. "Your accent. . ." Pausing, he pressed the tip of the pen against his chin and scrunched his brows. "Where are you from?"

"Where's Koa? What's going on? Can anyone tell me anything at all?" Jerking my hands up, I clenched my fists. "What the hell are these for?" Growling through my teeth, I snarled at the man.

"How about this, I uncuff you, and then you answer some of my questions. What do you think? Does that sound fair?"

Through slit lids, I nodded once. He dug a key from his pocket, then unlocks my wrists.

Rubbing the tender skin, I said, "Thanks."

"No problem." Smiling at me, he tapped the stack of folders with his fingers. "Now, how about you give me your name."

"Aubrey."

"Good, that's a start. And where are you from, Aubrey?"

"Originally, I'm from Italy."

"See, this is good. I ask a question, you give me an answer. It's pretty simple."

"I have a question for you now." Tilting my head a hair, my lips drew back. "Why are you looking for Koa?"

His back went stiff, eyes steadying on mine. "How well do you know Koa Peleke?"

Dipping my head, I couldn't give him an answer. Setting my hands on the table, I fiddled with my fingers. I wasn't sure what to do or how to respond?

I didn't want to say something that would hurt Koa or get him arrested. He saved me. He gave me my life back. I wouldn't be the one who took his away.

"Alright, let me tell you a little about what I know. Because I know a lot of things, and I think it's a really good idea that we help each other." Flipping open one of the folders, he spun a photo in my direction. "Do you recognize this man?"

Alek.

Seeing his face again caused me to inhale a quick breath. Detective Thompson angled his head, eyeing me as if he caught the shallow movement of my chest.

---