WINTER, PRESENT DAY....

As I lay in bed, unable to sleep because of the events of the day running through my mind, I couldn't help but let out a sigh. I had decided to take a walk  to try to clear my head, but just my luck, a sudden downpour ruined that plan. So here I was, back home, feeling a bit defeated as I made my way inside. And that's when I saw him - an FBI agent sitting on my couch, looking like he had been waiting for me. 

Finding my voice, I managed to stammer out, "How can I help you, Officer?" But he didn't seem interested in answering my question. Instead, he quickly moved to secure my hands behind my back with the handcuffs. I couldn't help but feel a mix of fear and confusion as he led me towards his squad car. What had I gotten myself into? And more importantly, how was I going to get myself out of it?

I was taken aback, confused as to why this was happening. I tried to say something to get any sort of answer out of him, but he just continued on with his recitation. It was then that I knew - why this was happening and I went cold.

As I settled into the uncomfortable back seat of the cop car, I couldn't help but feel a bit anxious about where this officer was taking me. The silence between us was thick and tense, making me shift uncomfortably in my seat.

I decided to break the awkwardness by finally speaking up, "Hey, Officer Richards, do you mind turning on the radio? Some music might help pass the time." The officer let out a huff of annoyance, but begrudgingly reached for the radio dial. To my dismay, he stopped at a Justin Bieber radio station. As "Peaches" blared through the speakers, I couldn't help but cringe. Justin Bieber's music was never really my cup of tea, and in that moment, it felt like the universe was playing a cruel joke on me. 

I couldn't believe my luck. Of all the cops I could have been stuck in a patrol car with, it had to be this one. The one who had an unhealthy obsession with Justin Bieber's new music. I turned to the cop, who was driving with a focused expression on his face, and mustered up the courage to speak again. "Can we listen to something else please?" I asked, trying to hide the annoyance in my voice. The cop turned the music down for a second, his eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror. His gaze was intense, his piercing blue eyes seemingly devoid of emotion. I gulped, feeling a chill run down my spine. Something about his stare unnerved me, making me wonder if I had made a mistake in speaking.

"Do you not like Justin Bieber?" His confusion was palpable as he turned to me, a look of disbelief on his face. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his reaction, sitting up a bit in my seat. I didn't hesitate to give him my honest opinion. "No, I really don't. I find him to be overrated and for girls with Daddy issues," I stated matter-of-factly. His expression shifted from confusion to offense, and I could see a hint of disappointment in his eyes. "I like Justin Bieber, just so you know," he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of defensiveness. He turned his gaze back to the road, his hands gripping the steering wheel a little tighter. Without saying another word, he reached over and turned off the radio.

It felt like forever before he actually spoke again. He finally broke the silence with a question that caught me off guard. "What do you wanna listen to then?" I couldn't believe it. A man with a towering ego was actually asking for my input. "Yeah um can we listen to Nickelback?" He stared at me and shrugged, and as he hooked up the AUX cord he asked me another question. "What song? Also, you have to explain why you like it." I let out a laugh at his seriousness. Was this guy for real? I mean, who doesn't love a good Nickelback song? Does he just not know any of their songs. I gave in and decided to answer his question, "How You Remind Me because it's the best Nickelback song ever." He got on his phone to play the song which I don't think he's supposed to do but it's whatever. He pushed play on the song and continued to drive down the highway.

As we arrived at the police station, I couldn't help but notice the hustle and bustle of people milling around outside. The sight of the building packed with individuals was both overwhelming, I feared for myself. Officer Richards got out of the front seat of the police car. He opened the back door and yanked me out quite harshly. "Be more aggressive, why don't you," I muttered under my breath. "Oh, well thanks." He said as he pushed me toward the police station as hard as he could. 

As we approached the looming building, I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that something was off. What could be so bad that it was making my stomach feel like it was boiling over? He then grabbed my hands and opened the door to the station. 

As the door to the interrogation room closed with a loud bang, I felt a surge of panic rising within me. The Officer standing in front of me had a stern expression on his face, his eyes cold and unyielding. "Sit down," he commanded, pointing to the metal chair in the center of the room. I obeyed, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me. I could sense the tension in the air as I sat across from the detective in his dimly lit office. He sat down as well and then he began to speak to me, "I have a few questions about Sam Olsen."

I felt a knot form in my stomach at the mention of her name. Sam Olsen was a sensitive topic for me, one that I preferred to keep buried deep within my memory. I fought the urge to groan out loud at the detective for even bringing up that situation. I took a deep breath and composed myself before responding, "What do you need to know about her?" 

The detective leaned back in his chair, studying me intently. "I understand that you were close to Sam. Is that correct?" I nodded, unable to meet his gaze. Memories flooded my mind - memories of laughter, late-night talks, and shared secrets. But those memories were tainted by the events that had unfolded, leaving a shadow of doubt and pain in their wake. The detective's voice brought me back to the present. "Can you tell me about the last time you saw Sam?"

I didn't know what to say to him about Sam, what could I possibly say? We just sat there in silence until he spoke up again. "Did you guys ever date?" I laughed and answered the absurd question that I had just been asked by Officer Richards. "Yes, she was the best person I had ever met." He nodded his head as he got up from his seat and made his way over to me. "Why are you talking about her like she's dead?" The moment he said that, I just zoned out.