Chapter 5

Making a step forward will make you know the future; stepping backward will bring you back to the past. That is the quote I made in my mind when I was young. I enjoyed watching documentaries and seeing people reach their goals for every puzzle they fixed. But as I grow, there will always be a missing piece in me. But I never bothered to ask, and I tried not to.

The night I saw what was inside the package sent to me. I felt numb like I could not even move a finger. I even sweat despite the mild and cozy temperature in my room. But after that strange moment, my mom arrived home from the market.

"Alice! I'm home!" she excitedly shouts as she enters the house. I prepared myself before letting her know that I was home already and before I went downstairs.

"Hello, mom! I will go down in a bit." I responded.

"So, how was your day? Have you also seen the package sent to you?" she asked.

"Uhm, I had a good day, mom. I had a meal with my colleagues, and they were all nice. The environment is good all in all."

"How about the package? What is it? Did you order something? Although it is not that heavy, I wonder what is inside of it." She followed up while taking out the fruits she brought from the market.

"Oh that, I ordered that online. Just an organizer and other essentials I need for my office. By the way, did you carry all those bags alone? They must be heavy. You should have called me to pick you up." I must say, that is the worse lie I ever made to my mom. I immediately changed the topic to divert her attention. I honestly do not want to talk about that package. I will find out on my own who sent that to me and the reason behind it.

The next day.

I went back to my office to study the files Chief Rylan handed to me at our last meeting. It took me hours and hours just by browsing it and searching for every person involved. I must say that there are still unsolved cases that have rested for more than two decades. I wonder why and how it happened.

While looking at the cases, I suddenly heard a voice. At first, I ignored it. Maybe I was just tired and too spooned on reading the papers.

"Alice! Wake up!" a voice from someone I do not know disrupted my focus. I started to look around the office to see if it came from somewhere. But the moment I move my eyes, I have a particular motion that I have to follow. I started to lose focus, and my head hurt so bad that I barely moved from my seat. But I still tried to stand, but I almost collapsed.

"Alice! Wake up!" I continuously hear those words. I did not even know where it came from until my body hit the ground.

After an hour of being unconscious, I finally woke up. I am at the clinic of the Verano Police Department. I cannot believe that I almost spend my day in the clinic and not in my office.

"Alice! Are you okay?" Detective Alex approached me, and I could see that he was concerned about me.

"We found you were lying on the floor. You collapsed. Are you okay?" Detective Sayer added.

"I feel better now. Thank you for assisting me here. I am also sorry for making you all worried. You must be busy doing something." I said. But as I speak, my head hurts badly.

"Detective Alice, right? You do not have any injuries. But you lack sleep. That is why I advise you to have enough rest once you reach home." The clinic doctor tested my blood to check if there were other implications.

"But doctor, I think I was having hallucinations earlier before I collapsed? I started hearing words like someone was waking me up. At first, I ignored it. But as time passed by, I started hearing them again. I felt numb, and I found it a hard time to move." I said. I have to be honest about what I feel when facing a professional. I have to know what is going on and what I need to do.

"I see. But we had a test on your blood, which shows that you have anemia. But do not worry because you just need to have enough rest. Maybe that is also the reason why you had a hallucination. But if it happens again next time, I will refer you to our psychiatrist for the best treatment and recommendations. For now, you have to rest." The doctor added. And just looking at me, being despondent and confused at the same time.

"Alice, I have talked to Chief Rylan, and I informed him about what happened. He advised you to go home early and have some rest." Detective Eric said.

"Understood. Thank you for your assistance." I am lucky enough to have a wonderful and thoughtful team with me.

"Do you want me to drive for you? I think it is safer to be that way." Detective Eric offered. And I agreed since given my situation.

While we were in the car, Detective Eric asked me what I heard when I had hallucinations. I told him the words that bustle in my head. It is like someone is trying to wake me up, and I am not sure why. I am not even sure whose voice is that.

"I hope you will have enough rest as you reach your home. We do not want to investigate an assigned case without you. I still have to witness what kind of detective you are." Detective Eric said while looking straight on the road to drop me home. Honestly, I appreciate what he just said. It feels like they are looking forward to working with me, which is the most precious thing to have.

"Yes. I will, and thank you for this. I owe you one." I responded in a gentle and friendly tone.

"Alice! Oh my goodness! What happened to you? I just received a call from your office earlier. I am sorry I was not able to visit you. Are you okay now?" My mom approached me with the state of being worried as soon as I got home.

"I am totally fine, mom. Do not worry. The doctor said I need to rest for a bit." I assured her.

"Thank God!" she was relieved.

"By the way, mom. This is Detective Eric. He is my colleague in the Verano Police Department."

"Nice meeting you, Mrs. Monroe."

"Thank you for helping my daughter. Have you eaten lunch? Or do you want some coffee, tea, or water? Anything you would like?" I can say that she is slightly panicking.

"Thank you, Mrs. Monroe. But I have to go back to the office. I just dropped Alice here. Maybe next time." Detective Eric responded before he left.