Thread: The Point of No Return (The_PG&Malicious Lullaby)

Carefully, she dabbed the corners of her eyes so she didnt rub it or let her eyeliner run. She sniffled and the officer seemed to be momentarily placated enough to have stopped his badgering. But when she had seemed calmed down enough, he asked again and she looked up at him and gave out a small huff. Goodness, if looks could kill, this officer would have ten daggers stabbed in his face. But if answering his questions and giving him her official statement would make him go away and leave her alone, shed do it. Even if everything inside of her felt like she wanted to die as well. She wanted to join her mother and Abby because then the pain would go away. The void would leave and maybe, just maybe, she wouldnt feel so lonely anymore. With how many hours a day she worked between the firm and the bar, she didnt have time for a social life. She had only been able to hang out with Abby so frequently because she pushed her and demanded her time whether she was exhausted or not. Abby was determined to not let Esther be alone because she understood her burden. School loans to pay off, her mothers medical bills and rent. Her paycheck from the firm covered it all, at least the monthly payments, her paycheck from the bar covered rent and what tips she did have covered either TV dinners or booze. Lately, she preferred to spend it on booze since she could get free food at the bar. And booze was a way to cope, a way to unwind after a stressful day and partially because she just might have turned into a bit of an alcoholic after her mother died. The cravings would come more often, similar to when a person got the hankering for a cigarette, although she did that too when she was stressed. Like right now. Her hand felt like it was twitching, itching to hold a cigarette, to flick the ash and to taste and feel the burn in her throat as she inhaled a deep drag. Miss? He snapped her out of her own mental reverie and she looked up at him again. Your statement. Oh, for crying out loud. She stood up now, Rumple nearly falling off of her lap but Esther held him. I walked inside to meet my friend. We were going to wasted out of our minds, most likely take some of our clothes off and get into bed together. She hissed. Instead, I found her cat and I found her the way she was, dead, bloodied and looking like bleeding tomato! She snapped. I found my best friend, Mr. Incredibly Obtrusive Policeman. So excuse me if I am not very much in the mood to give you a statement when I found my best friend mauled to death! Is that good enough for you? Would you mind if I went to get my wine bottles, take them home and go wallow? She was mad, really mad. She didnt appreciate being pushed and hounded. She had a temper. She was her mothers daughter, she most definitely had a temper and considering the fates hadnt exactly been kind to her over the years, it hardened her. Before, Esther wasnt the kind who could easily stick up for herself. She never would have even snapped at the officer. Shed always been quiet, meek and okay, she still didnt really stand up for herself at the firm with Bree Larkin but that was because she could determined whether or not she had a job. Sure, she had to go through the HR but its not like HR knew who the little ones were. It was of no consequence. She knew when to stay quiet. She knew when to lash out. Right now, she should have simply complied with the officer instead of going a little bit crazy on him but he pushed her. She wasnt in her right frame of mind, her best was just murdered and those two bottles of cheap wine she brought seemed really good right now with half a pack of her emergency stash of cigarettes. The officer walked away after her rather colorful statement and she lowered herself back down onto the steps. Her fingers absently stroked the back of Rumples head and she sighed softly. Its just you and me buddy. Ill take good care of you. I promise. She whispered, kissing the side of his head, which only earned half a purr, half a meow from the little guy. Oh great, that meant she had to set aside extra funds for a litter box, cat food and all the stuff a cat needed. Well, hopefully she could take what Abby had for him so he wasnt completely thrown for a whirl with a different setting and new stuff. Just a different setting and his old stuff. Just as she stood to maybe evade the police caution tape in front of Abbys apartment door and get her wine and Rumples kitty stuff, she heard a voice but the name it called wasnt hers. She looked back and saw a hand touch her shoulder and as her eyes traveled up the length of his hand and arm to his face, she recognized him as the senior partner that she and Mallory always liked to gossip about. She wondered if he knew. She wondered if he knew right this moment. Her cheeks seemed to resonate some color back into their pale depths and she wrapped her arms around Rumple tighter a little bit, holding his head just sort of underneath her chin, still giving the side of his ear a little scratch. Martin. She said softly, looking up at him. My name is Esther Martin. Please do not get me confused with your many woman, okay? It was a low blow, considering who he was, but she didnt appreciate being called anything other than her name, especially by a man who went through women faster than maybe Hugh Hefner. Swallowing carefully, she looked down at Rumple who was purring contentedly in her arms, seemingly asleep before looking up at Mr. Pratt. She knew who he was. Everyone knew who he was. You didnt need to come. I told Mallory she didnt need to call you but I appreciate it. I just want to get my wine and Rumples cat stuff. I have a shift at the bar in two hours. Id very much like to not be late. It was nearly seven and her shift at the Spot started at nine. Nothing would stop her. No, the last thing she needed was to be at home alone with her thoughts, even if she wasnt going to be alone. She had Rumple now. Excuse me. Although just as she turned, that was when they brought out Abbys body on a stretcher, covered in white cloth. Her hand had slid out from the stretcher just over the edge, peeking a view underneath the cloth. Her hand was covered in rivulets of blood and it made the shakes rise up in her body. She turned quickly, once more facing Mr. Pratt and her eyes closed. A couple of drops of tears ran down her cheeks but she was quick to wipe them away. I-Ill go in just a minute. She laughed lightly. Id hate to get in the way. Nothing worse than colliding with a stretcher that held the bloodied remains of her best friend. That was one of her worst nightmares and she had several of them. Pour spiders and her being locked in a grave with Abbys on top of her, itd be like hitting the home run with nightmares. The shock alone would be enough to kill her. Esther! Turning, her eyes settled upon the sight of Mallory and she hurried to her. Oh my godoh my god! One arm wrapped around Mallorys neck and she held Esther in place, holding her close as a series of really intense sobs began to wrack through her. Mallory stroked the back of her hair and whispered calming and soothing words to her. She did well. Holding it all in until a familiar face she was comfortable around came through for her. Once she had calmed down enough, she looked up at Mallory and sniffled. I need to get my wine and Rumples kitty stuff. Okay, come on. Theyve removed her body. Im sure you can get your things now. She kept her arm around her and walked her back into the apartment after getting clearance, simply to remove her things and Rumples kitty stuff. Esther put Rumple in his little kitty carry-on and got the wine while Mallory helped to carry out his kitty stuff. They loaded up Esthers car and she looked at her friend. Are you sure youre okay to drive? Yeah, Ill be fine. I promise. Are you sure? I can follow you home. Or I can ask Mr. Pratt. Mallory, dont. You didnt even need to call him. She lowered her voice. I didnt need one of the best lawyers in this city here. It doesnt hurt since he has that much pull. Besides, in case the police tried to stake you as a suspect, he would have been here to deflect that. Well what more would I need him for now? I need to drop Rumple and all this stuff home and then go to the Spot. I dont think you should go alone. Well are you going to come then? I would if I could but Jensen is Then go Mallory. Im honestly fine. I dont need you or Mr. Pratt here. I swear. Mallory sighed. She knew Esther well enough over the years to know when she was being serious and adamant about something and not just saying it for the sake of it to be modest. The girl was good about keeping things to herself, it was honestly the first time that she saw her cry so much. But she pulled herself together well, quickly in fact than one would have expected considering what she witnessed. But Esther wouldnt say it. Mallory knew that in her character well enough that she wasnt going to push it. Okay. Please take it easy tonight? Promise. They hugged each other before Esther got into her car and she drove on, first heading home and then changing for her shift at the Spot. Mallory headed back towards the crime scene to find Mr. Pratt. Sir, I know Ive asked a lot from you already but Im really worried about her. She said softly. Ill work extra hours, even be more available on the weekends need be, if it would be possible to just look out for her? Just for tonight? I cant tonight otherwise I would. She said softly. She works at The Spot, just some blocks down from the firm. I just want to make sure shes okay and She cut herself off, knowing and feeling she had absolutely no right to ask. Sure, she was being selfish by refusing to cancel on her boyfriend who just came back from a study abroad program but that was because she hadnt seen him in six months and she was dying to be in his arms again. No its okay. Im sorry, I shouldnt be asking you for this. Ill just cancel something and then Ill go. Youve done enough Mr. Pratt.