As I turned my head, I found a man wearing khaki and a gold epaulette on his sleeve. Just like that, the night didn't belong to Justin and me anymore. We were busted. I knew these things about the Hills; they either handed their trespassers over to the police, or swallowed them whole, leaving but a name for another missing person's report. I suppose I should have been glad to be getting arrested.

I put my hands out in submission, not saying a word, because I had the right to remain silent - or something - and then a realisation struck me like lightening.

I know that face.

"Miss, are you aware that this area is restricted?" Christofer Michaels sighed like I was a regular ne'er-do-well, like it tired him out just to look at me, and yet he called me 'Miss' in the most perplexingly respectful manner. I nodded meekly before he mumbled something about teenagers like me and informed me that he had to take me to the station.

"Wait, what about my... uhm, boyfriend?"

"You sound just like him," he said. "I'm here to get you, on his behalf. He is with the rest of my patrol." He eyed my wrists, which were still pressed together, "So, will you come quietly?"

There was something about his question that gave me the worst case of goosebumps. I didn't know whether or not to trust him, but my feet moved regardless. After all, who was I to defy a police officer - and Deputy Michaels no less?

I was forced to leave the waterfall behind, to abandon the notorious Hills that had been so welcoming to me. In exchange, I got the cold shell of a thing he called his police car. He must have felt the cold, too, because he turned his heater on as we drove - not that it made much difference, it was unwavering. By the time we arrived at the station it was 10:16 and my stomach twisted with trepidation as I prayed, "Please don't call my mom."

Michaels gave me this look of hopelessness as he spoke, "We'll try not to get her involved."

Not even half an hour later, I was sitting in a waiting room, watching my mom and Dept. Michaels converse through a glass pane. I couldn't tell if she was mad or excited to be speaking to the town's best (and best-looking) officer, but her face was a shade of red I had yet to see. I got a little carried away watching them, imagining that they knew each other, and had some long, entangled history. Like maybe he was Mom's high school crush that she never quite got over - I had to find some justification for her fascination with the man, one that didn't disturb me. I will admit though, the man had this aura of sophistication that one simply didn't find in Raven Hills folk, and it was definitely attractive.

Mom was still hot in the face when she walked out of the room and up to me. She laid her hands on her hips and gestured me to the exit.

"Come on, young lady," she said.

I stood up and started my walk, but stopped a few steps in. I then looked over at Christofer Michaels, only to find that he had been looking at me through his contemplative, chocolate eyes. "Wait. Did he say anything about Justin?"

"He's already home. I'd be more worried about you," my mom talked in this manner that wasn't as threatening as one would expect, given the circumstances and her choice of words. Still, I quickened my pace, coerced myself to heed her.

We drove away from the police station, which was no more than a silhouette in the dark mask of night, but I couldn't help but feel like it was staring, unhindered, back at me.

Author's Note:
Hi, all! Here's my little chapter for you guys - though I hope it's not toooo little. We've met Dept. Michaels!!! What do you think of him; is he honest, or shady??? Do you think Justin really went home, do you think Leslie makes it home??? (Okay, that one's a bit too deep, but) let me know what you think in the comments below! Catch you in the next chapter ;) Thanx again to you all for the 502 Reads and ranking #826 (21 Nov 2017) that's so insane!!! <3

Sincerely,
Ziyanda