Amelia Ridgeway (witchyguardian) wrote in light_of_may, @ 2011-01-11 23:13:00 |
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Entry tags: | #solo, 2009-08-07 |
A Visit to the Big House
Who: Amelia and Random Detective NPC Person
When: Mid-Morning
Where: SOPD
EEH-EEH-EEH. The sound pushed itself into her head. No, not pushed. It was more like a sledgehammer to the brain. EEH-EEH-EHH! It called again, demanding she rouse from her restless slumber. She flung her hand out and slammed it down against the alarm clock, knocking what she now called “the dream destroyer” from the bedside table to the plush carpet below.
“Fuck.” Amelia muttered to herself. Expletives didn’t pass her lips often but she would be the first to admit that “fuck” was sometimes the only word appropriate to express one’s feelings. This was one of those times.
Amelia slid to the side of the bed so that she could slither an arm out and pick the alarm clock from the floor. She deftly disabled the alarm, refusing to go through another round of the snooze cycle, and put it back on the table in its rightful place. She was sick and tired of battling the damned alarm clock. It was as if she had been going rounds with it all night, though she knew it had really only been the past 37 minutes. In reality she had spent the night waking from sleep before she could even dream. Every hour or so she’d startle awake to find herself alone in her bedroom. The shadows cast from the light streaming through her bedroom seemed to mock her. She’d shudder, refusing to give in to her fear and leave the room, and force herself to go back to sleep. Over and over this happened. Logically she knew she should be happy it was morning but instead she wanted to hide under her blankets. Reality was too harsh today.
Today Amelia had to face what happened the night before. She had to admit her inadequacies to her worst critic: herself. Of course she wasn’t going to admit to the police that she was a witch. That would only make her look more suspicious in their eyes. She didn’t have to own up to them that she was unable to save Gracie’s life. Instead she would have to live with her own failure. She almost wished she could say “Look Police! I failed. Put me in jail.” And she’d repent for her wrong doing and move on with life. Of course, life couldn’t possibly be that easy. Instead she had to somehow convince the police that something otherworldly was involved in Gracie’s death and that she was not that otherworldly thing. Amelia didn’t think she’d be happy for all the strange deaths and goings on around Scarlet Oak, but right now she knew that it would help her case. After all, what are ghosts when you have vampires, demons and baby eaters lurking about?
“Fine. World. Lets wrestle.” She grunted and pushed herself up and out of the bed. Her first few steps were staggering, which nearly caused her to step on Cerri who had come to the room to investigate if she was actually going to get up or simply continue to do battle with the alarm clock. “Oh! I’m sorry, Cerri.” Her voice nearly cracked at the guilt of almost stepping on her familiar. First Gracie, next Cerri? That wouldn’t do at all.
How are you? Cerri asked, his tone dry as always.
Great. Amelia responded around a yawn. Just great.
Cerri’s head bobbed up and down a moment before he spoke. I think we went over this last night, but I’ll remind you: lying to yourself is stupid. Now quit being emotional and get dressed. You have things to do.
Amelia stared down at the box turtle a moment and considered kicking him across the room. She loved Cerri, she really did, but sometimes he pissed her off. Then again, he was always there to keep an eye out for her. Who would have thought she’d ever let herself get pushed around by a turtle of all things?
Cerri, hearing her thoughts and emotions, snorted as only a turtle can. You say turtle like I’m somehow inferior. I think we know who wears the proverbial pants in this relationship. It’s 9: 15 am, you know.
With a spin of her head Amelia found that it was indeed 9:15 am. How she had managed to turn it off, drop it to the ground and then pick it up again without noting the exact time, Amelia wasn’t certain. All she did know was that if she didn’t get to the police station soon the police were likely to come get her and that was not going to happen. Amelia Ridgeway was not going “downtown” in a police car. Ever.
The police station seemed to loom over her. Amelia stared up at the building for a long minute before forcing herself to take a step forward and enter. As a school principal and educated woman she understood the importance of complying with the law. Hell, Amelia respected police. They protected people just as she did, and they seemed to be doing a pretty damn good job considering the chaos all around them. But, she didn’t want to go in there. She told her story about what happened to Gracie the night before and they looked at her like she was crazy. They would expect her to tell the story again and it was something Amelia just didn’t want to relive. Did she really need to describe the sound of the rock hitting the back of Gracie’s head or how she slid to the ground with her blood flowing freely, dying? She didn’t think she needed to but she knew it would get re-hashed more times than she’d like.
“Let’s do this.” Amelia said to herself and walked into the building.
It took no time for her to be taken out of the station lobby and back to a detective’s desk where she, big surprise, was asked to tell her story again. She told the detective everything. The only thing she held back was her attempt to use her power to heal Gracie. The detective didn’t react the way the others had the night before. She wondered if that meant he was simply unsurprised because he was briefed about what she said before or if he had seen worse. She hoped it was the latter.
“Anyway,” She finished with a shrug. “That’s about it. Are we done here?”
“I understand how difficult this is, Ms. Ridgeway.” The detective said with a surprisingly sympathetic smile. “We just needed to get all the details, to clear you of any suspicion.”
“I understand completely.” Amelia said, her smile weak. “I know this situation is… odd, to say the least. I am willing to cooperate in any way you need. But,” She looked him firmly in the eyes and tried to keep the pushy principal tone from her voice, “can we please call in an expert here?”
“An expert?” He raised an eyebrow in question.
“Yes. A medium.”
“A medium?” The dubious tone was not missed by Amelia.
“Yes, a medium. That’s who one typically calls when dealing with ghosts.” She kept her tone matter fact. “I think we all know that life has changed recently, what with all these new additions to humanity. This includes ghosts. Why not find someone who can help us figure out what really happened to Gracie? I hate to think that she hurt herself in any way and you didn’t see the way that glass was flying.” She sighed and looked away wishing she hadn’t seen it. “I’ve heard stories lately, stories from reliable people. I don’t believe it’s a far-fetched idea.”
The detective seemed to consider her request for some time. “ I don’t want to think a teenager did this to herself. More, I don’t like to think our high school principal is a murderer either.”
Thought it seemed inappropriate Amelia could only smile at his comment. “That makes two of us, detective.”
“We’ll see what we can find out.” He stood from his desk gesturing for Amelia to rise with him.
“Do us a favor and keep your phone on you. I don’t know when we’ll be able to find someone but we’ll need you to come down here when this pans out. I know I don’t have to say it, but don’t leave town.”
“I thought I wasn’t a suspect.” Amelia protested. “Not that I plan on leaving or anything.”
“Well you are the only lead we have.” The detective’s tone was almost apologetic. “Just stay in contact. I’m sure you’re as eager to resolve this murder as we are.”
“Yes. I am.” Amelia confirmed with a stern expression and left the station, her heart heavy. She was certain they would get to the bottom of this. Somehow.