[IC] Nightland

[Prosaic]

---

He had a bad feeling about the vagrant.
It wasn't just his usual misgivings about unfamiliar people but rather something... worse than that. He had made to push his way over to the man before realizing he was a breath too late and they wanted him to come along to the police station. Well-- "wanted" was generous terminology. He was pretty sure he'd hear about it later if he didn't attend, at the very least, it would look suspicious since Linda had kindly turned the light onto him. If the crime had been arson then maybe he would have been more forgiving.

He was grateful for Mia, at least. She had almost immediately stepped in to back him up and they weren't even-- did that mean they were friends? Weird.

His gaze trailed over the other attendees, at least he wasn't alone. He wasn't sure where Valerian and Emily had wandered off to but he figured that anyone with any sense would have probably gone home and slept this off. Reluctantly but without much fuss, he made to follow the group outside, keeping his head down and his shoulders drawn. He didn't speak as they walked but he couldn't help but wonder about the vagrant, about the two patients who weren't here now and about-- everything. Stanton was dead and the whole circumstance was wrong.

Eventually they had left the building and he could not turn off his mind. Whatever terrible thing had occurred with Stanton, it was following him like a wave of black.

It was an odd feeling, to be in the back of a police vehicle.
It gave him too much time to mull over what he'd already tried to unpack. He could see that the worst of the snow had ceased falling and the city was lost beneath a blanket of white. Spectators had gathered around the building, eager to catch a glimpse of the carnage and something about it made him feel worse somehow.

"It's fucking freezing, isn't it?" He murmured, maybe in general, maybe to the others.

[dreamingflowers]

Mia stared through the window of the police car, a blank expression on her face, her thoughts a million miles away. So much had happened, in such a short amount of time. She completely understood why Emily and Valerian went back home. That would have been her first instinct too, but she wanted to help in any way she could. Doctor Stanton deserved to leave this world with dignity and respect. She imagined the sooner the police business was taken care of the quicker funeral arrangements could be made. It was all so surreal. There was so much she didn't understand. Who was the strange man, asking to speak to Serena and Russel? How did he know who they were? He showed up right after the tragedy happened, almost as if he knew to be there. It frightened her, that's why she didn't want Keandre to go near him. There was something about him, sinister and dark. It wasn't the typical anxiety and slight hint of fear she felt around every stranger, before knowing them. This was the kind of disturbed soul she would imagine housed itself in a killer, or rapist. A darkness that didn't belong in normal people.

The memory of him made her shiver uncomfortably. It wasn't particularly warm inside the vehicle either. Taken out of her thoughts she became aware of the way her body was pushed up against Cole, who was sitting next to her. She attempted to create some more distance, crossing her legs and inching closer to the door, despite there being barely any space to move. If she could melt into the door she would have. On the outside however it didn't look like much was happening. The same neutral expression stayed on her face. It was too cold to open a window, but it might have helped with the slight feeling of nausea in her stomach.

She took out her phone from her bag to check the time. Mia had no idea how long they would be at the station, if it took longer than the therapy session which was possible, she needed a new cover story. She decided to text one of her closest friends, Deva wouldn't ask a whole string of questions. Long as she knew Mia wasn't in any danger she was fine with it.

"Hey Dev, I'm not at therapy tonight, something happened to Doctor Stanton and I have to go tot he police station with the group. I don't know when I'll be done. You know what to say to my mom and dad if they call. xxx Mia"

[Theyra]

Cole Taalen

Cole was sitting in the middle of the police car, just beside Mia. Occasionally looking out the window to the dark night. What a day, this is Cole thought as he stared slowly looked around the car. Trying to pass the time before they reached the police station. Fricking late to a murder and someone that he knows is now no longer among the living. A soul was taken by some lowlife scum, and now it is up to the police to find Stanton's killer.

Cole is not sure when Emily and Valerian decided to go home. But, he can not say he blamed them for that. After what happened with the doctor and what was done to him. Seriously, why did this happen, and why poor Stanton? He is just a doctor, not a profession that would warrant something like this. Eyes were taken and leaving a message like that. Even if Cole did not have the skills needed to investigate this and find the killer, he still could not stop thinking about it. Why, why, why did the killer leave Stanton's body like that. Is this a message to someone but who? Who the frack would warrant this could of message. Cole did not understand, and it is likely up to the police to find that out.

He once again looked out the window. Who knows when they will reach the police station. With what little information he has to offer. Before tonight he never thought he would be in the back of a police car. It did not feel right like he is in trouble despite having not done anything. But, at least he is not in cuffs. That would certainly make the night even worse. Still, the night is not over yet, and Cole just hopes that this is the only surprise he gets tonight.

[Heretic]

It had been a long day, an extremely long damn day. Kenley was exhausted as a result, that, and she wasn’t getting her quality sleep as of late. But, well, it had been years since she’s had some proper sleep. The young woman entered through the front door of her apartment, noticing something was slightly off. Nothing too strange, really. Every piece of furniture was in its place, as well as her decor and whatever else adorned her living room space. However, for some unknown reason, it took her a split second to realize that it wasn’t something she could see, but rather, something she could smell.

Kenley locked the door behind her and put her bag and keys down on top of the entryway table. Yes, she was what a select few would label as “irresponsible”. Nothing serious, honestly, but her long days meant she more often than not used her slow cooker so that by the time she arrived home, her dinner was done. She had weighed the odds before, and she was 99% sure she wasn’t coming home to a burned down apartment any time soon, so she would go on to continue to save time. Kenley walked over to the kitchen, and everything else there appeared to be in place as well. So what was that smell? She unplugged the slow cooker and looked inside through the clear top. Her food appeared normal, not burnt or anything.

It was then it hit her. Kenley was smelling the food she usually prepared for her ex-husband when the two lived together. The realization hit her hard, something akin to what others might experience while having a panic attack. Given her sudden erratic behavior, it could very well have been a panic attack. Kenley started to hyperventilate, her eyes nearly glazed over as she appeared to be reaching for something out of thin air. But in her own mind, she was back in her kitchen in Russia, doing her best to get to one of the knives in the top cabinet.

In the next few moments, Kenley felt a sharp pain on her side, and her world went black. An unknown amount of time as the young woman remained unconscious on her kitchen floor. Later in the evening, her phone rang once, then twice, then a third time. It was after the first ring that she woke up startled, staring up at the ceiling with some mild confusion before rushing to answer the call.

”H-hello?" She leaned against the wall to steady herself.

The brief conversation she had for the next minute or two left her speechless. She couldn’t believe Dr. Stanton was dead. Kenley had questions, quite a few of them, actually, but she was told to head down to the station in order to get some answers. When she hung up the phone, she lifted her shirt up just the slightest and saw a pale bruise on her side. It was tender to the touch, so she wasn’t going to mess with it.

Reality. Dreams. Hallucinations...Kenley wasn’t sure what was what anymore. After grabbing her belongings, she set out once more.

[DeadDrop]

Alex eventually woke up from her dream, she had apparently walked to the police cruiser SUV thingy and was sandwiched with all the people she was at the group sesh with. Well, most of the people since some had mysteriously went home, oh well. She woke up with an Alex-yawn, a funny sleeping nose-snot-bubble like you'd see in the cartoons. She'd rub her face knocking the sleep out of the pores of her body, she was alive again! Though in the back of a police cruiser, she didn't feel any safer then she did before because she was in a freaking police car! Though she remained silent for the rest of the ride.

What a bad dream...

[MST3K 4ever]

Nash has parked his car about two blocks from the Precinct and began walking towards "a hole in the wall" coffee shop called "Archie's." It was practically an institution in the area. At least two Starbucks had come and gone from the area but "Archie's" was still standing. The fact that they gave the cops the leftover food from the bakery and usually gave cops a "significant discount" also got them a lot of support from the cops. It was less than an hour from closing time as Nash opened the door and saw Archie working behind the counter. Archie Scardino was a heavy set man with a thick Italian accent who looked up at Nash for a moment. He studied Nash for a couple of seconds and then broke out into a huge smile. He said walking from behind the counter with his arms open, "Nash! How ya doin'? Been a while! You lookin' good! Real sharp!" Nash couldn't help himself. He usually tired to play things cool and calm, but Archie had a very disarming and charming presence about him. Nash threw his arms around Archie and replied, "Takin' it day by day my friend." The two men broke their embrace and Archie yelled to the back, "Emily get out here!" He looked to Nash and said, "You got to to see Emily! She changed so much!" From out of the kitchen waddled a young lady 7 months pregnant. Emily was Archie's granddaughter who was going to one day take over the business from Archie. The petite blonde with a short hair cut stood maybe 5'2" and weighed (soaking wet) 110. She smiled and said, "Hey there Nash!" Russell smiled at her and embraced her and said, "Hi Emily. You've made a change or two. You cut your hair." Archie laughed and Emily smiled as she replied, "Oh yeah that's it." Russell took a step back and noticed a wedding ring on her hand and that made him feel a sense of relief. He had known Emily for years and He wanted to know that she was taken care of. Archie looked to Emily and said, "Fix Nash his usual and one for Bill too." Emily waddled away as Archie turned back to Nash asked, "What brings you to this part of the world? You getting back into police work?" Nash shrugged his shoulders and replied, "We'll see about that. Right now I'm in a potential situation where I might be advising the police." Emily came back into the café with two to-go cups and said, "Here you go Nash." Nash replied, "Thanks Emily." He started to pull out his wallet and Archie said, "Your money no good here Nash." Nash gave a slight nod and dropped two one-hundred dollar bills in the tip jar. He gave a wink to Emily and said to Archie, "Thanks Archie. Take care." Archie smiled and replied, "Don't be a stranger here." Nash gave a nod and left.

As he walked towards the station Nash felt a spring in his step. He knew it wouldn't last the minute he hit the station, but for the moment he was enjoying seeing his old friends. Nash even felt a small smile creep across his face, but as he got closer to the station that smile began to turn into an almost scowl. Nash could tell he was getting back into his "game-on" mode. Where he was focused and devoid of a lot of emotions save for sarcasm if he needed a release. Nash entered the precinct and Henderson was at the front desk. He handed Bill his cup and Bill said, "Thank you. Nice to see you went to see Archie." Nash gave a nod and said, "Emily was a surprise." Bill replied, "Yeah that haircut threw me too." Nash gave a chuckle as Bill gave him a plastic card that stated, "Visitor." Nash clipped it on and said, "All right let's get to work." Bill asked, "Where's Serena?" Nash replied, "She got an urgent text and had to go."

The two men walked towards an elevator and Bill asked, "What did the vagrant tell you?" Nash told him everything and then paused. Bill asked, "What's up?" Nash shook his head and said, "Nightland? Why does that sound familiar? I got a Deja-Vu from vibe from it." He looked at Bill and asked, "Can we go to the Records for a few?" Bill replied, "Yeah sure." Bill pressed the down button as they prepared to head to the Records Room.