“Death must exist for life to have meaning”- Neal Shusterman

Skye’s POV…

A few days after Death’s improv visit I’ve been trying to find a way to get the detective to stop looking into whatever case he was working on. I started to wonder if it had anything to do with the ghost that I’ve seen around town, but haven’t managed to speak to yet. I let my thoughts wonder as I walked to the garage to work on the jeep before taking Balto for a walk around town. I decided to grab dinner from a little diner at the corner of town before walking home with it. I got to the edge of town before a familiar black truck pulled up beside me and slowed down to match my pace.

“Would you and Balto like a ride?” The window rolled down revealing none other than the devil himself, Morgan, the person I was thinking of ways to tell him to back off whatever case he's working on without being suspicious about it. Spoiler alert: I haven't thought of anything yet.

“No thanks. We like the walk” I said, trying not to pay him any mind, but I could tell that it wouldn’t work. I really needed to think of something quick.

“Really? Because Balto looks like he could use the lift” he said, stopping the truck. I looked down and sure enough he was right, Balto’s tongue was hanging out and he looked exhausted and against my better judgment I turned to the truck and gave in.

“Fine. Thank you” I said, opening the back door and helping Balto into the truck before getting in myself.

“You picked a great place for dinner,” he said, driving to my house.

“Yeah that’s what I heard when I ordered.” I said, holding the bags in my lap.

“Is this your first time eating from Daybreak Diner?” he asked, looking at me then back at the road.

“Yes. I’ve been trying to save money to fix up my old jeep and house so I buy fast food type things that are easy to make if I’ve been out late to get pictures.” I said, looking at his side profile. He was really handsome and he’s the type that I’m normally drawn to, but I’m trying to find ways to keep him from digging into the case he’s currently working on.

"Skye, don't take this the wrong way, but why do you keep sinking money into that old jeep of yours? Don't you make enough to buy new?" he asked, looking at me before looking back at the road.  I wasn’t going to answer at first, but I decided that I should because I wasn’t trying to be rude to him.

“It’s the last car that I ever got to work on with my dad and grandpa” I said, trying not to let the tears that were building up fall.

“I’m sorry, Skye” he said, I could see his fingers itching to reach over, but they didn’t.

“It might be older, but it still runs and that’s all I can ask for. I know I have to keep sinking money into it, but it’s worth it” I said, as we pulled up to my house.

“Thank you for the ride.” I said, opening the door to let Balto out.

“You’re welcome, Skye. If you ever want a dinner companion I’ll gladly join you.” he said, looking away from me.

“Do you mean like a date?” I asked, standing there with my dinner looking at him confused.

“Uh, no, just a friend thing” he said, sheepishly.

“Oh, uh, thanks for the offer, Morgan, but I’ll have to pass for now” I said, hating the look on his face.

“No, it’s okay, I understand. Have a great night, Skye” he said, pulling out of my driveway.

“You too, Morgan” I said, watching his truck recede down the driveway. I let out a sigh and walked inside the house with Balto. Later that night as I was editing the pictures I took later in the week, I got a call from Elena.

“Hello”

“Hey, bitch. How are you?”

“I’m doing good, really good. Miss me yet?” I said, laughing.

“I always miss you, but I know this opportunity is good for you.”

“You could say that again.”

“I’m loving these pictures you’re sending me and so are the higher ups.”

“Great.”

“Keep it up, girl. I do miss you though.”

“I miss you, too. So, I should also tell you that I met someone.”

“Bitch you did what? I need all the details” I tried not to smile as I told her about Morgan because I didn’t have the heart to tell her about Death’s visit and he told me to tell Morgan to stop looking, but I couldn’t because I don’t need her to worry more about me than she already does. I’m more surprised than ever that she hasn’t hopped on a plane to come and see me, like I know she would if she could.

“Why can’t I tell her about this stuff?” I said, mostly to myself as I got up to get ready for bed. I tripled checked everything was locked and went upstairs, Balto following me like always. After getting ready for bed I finally found a sweet spot starting to doze off when my phone began to ring.

“This better be good.” I said not checking the caller ID before picking it up. Have I learned nothing from horror movies?

“Sorry, did I interrupt your beauty sleep?” I heard Morgan’s voice on the other end.

“I would ask how you got my number, but you work for the police so the question is already answered.”

“You’re touchy when you don’t get to bed on time.”

“I’m touchy when people call me as I’m dozing off.”

“Same difference.”

“Whatever. I’m hanging up now. Some of us work normal hours.”

“Uh huh. Goodnight, Skye.”

“Good night, Detective Black.”

Morgan’s POV…

I was finishing up a routine questioning trying to get another lead in this damn case when I spotted Skye walking Balto with food. So, me being the gentleman I am, I offered her a ride home.

“Would you and Balto like a ride?” I asked, rolling the window down.

“No thanks. We like the walk.” she said, not paying me any mind.

“Really? Because Balto looks like he could use the lift.” I said, stopping the truck. She looked down and sure enough I was right, Balto’s tongue was hanging out and he looked exhausted.

“Fine. Thank you.” she said, opening the back door and helping Balto into the truck before getting in herself.

“You picked a great place for dinner.” I said, driving to her house.

“Yeah that’s what I heard when I ordered.” she said, holding the bags in her lap.

“Is this your first time eating from Daybreak Diner?” I asked, looking at her then back at the road.

“Yes. I’ve been trying to save money to fix up my old jeep and house so I buy fast food type things that are easy to make if I’ve been out late to get pictures.” she said, I could tell she was checking me out, but I didn’t say anything before asking her a question about that damn old jeep she drives.

“Skye, don’t take this the wrong way, but why do you keep sinking money into that old jeep of yours? Don’t you make enough to buy new?” I asked, looking at her before looking back at the road. I could tell she wasn’t going to answer, but I was shocked when she did and after I got the answer I wish I hadn’t asked.

“It’s the last car that I ever got to work on with my dad and grandpa” I said, trying not to let the tears that were building up fall.

“I’m sorry, Skye” I said, my fingers itching to reach over, but I didn’t.

“It might be older, but it still runs and that’s all I can ask for. I know I have to keep sinking money into it, but it’s worth it” she said, as I pulled up to her house. “Thank you for the ride.” she said, opening the door to let Balto out.

“You’re welcome, Skye. If you ever want a dinner companion I’ll gladly join you.” I said, looking away from her.

“Do you mean like a date?” she asked, standing there looking at him confused.

“Uh, no, just a friend thing” I said, sheepishly.

“Oh, uh, thanks for the offer, Morgan, but I’ll have to pass for now” she said, I could tell she didn’t like the look of my face as it fell at the rejection.

“No, it’s okay, I understand. Have a great night, Skye” I said, pulling out of her driveway. When I got home I looked around my apartment and let out a long sigh. It was a mess, but that seems like an understatement. I’ve been working such crazy hours because of this case and I haven’t had time to really clean it.

“I really need to get into a routine.” I said, picking up clothes I had strewn everywhere and actually put them in my laundry basket to wash later in the week. At least I was a single man who owned a vacuum and cleaning supplies. I spent the rest of my night cleaning before I got a call from work. I was definitely questioning why I decided to take this promotion.

“Morgan.” I said, answering the call.

“Morgan, it’s Carlson. We found the girl. She’s alive, but barely. She’s at the same hospital as her boyfriend.”

“Is she able to answer questions?”

“Not yet. She’ll be able to in the morning, they hope. I’ve got officers standing guard in case the offender comes back. There’s another thing you should know about Morgan. She’s pregnant, about three months or so and somehow the baby survived and is doing great.”

“She’s what?! Damn, that baby is a fighter like it’s momma that’s for sure. Thanks, Carlson. I’ll get over there first thing in the morning and talk to the doctors to see if she’s up for questioning.” I said, hanging up the phone. This case still has me puzzled. Other than Maddie and Aiden who seem to have no enemies I can’t see why anyone would want to hurt them. “God this case might be the death of me.” I said, sitting down on the clean couch looking around. I felt at ease with myself for actually cleaning my apartment. I couldn’t get to sleep quite yet so instead I called Skye.

“This better be good.” I heard as Skye answered the phone.

“Sorry, did I interrupt your beauty sleep?” I asked, sitting up against the headboard.

“I would ask how you got my number, but you work for the police so the question is already answered.”

“You’re touchy when you don’t get to bed on time.”

“I’m touchy when people call me as I’m dozing off.”

“Same difference.”

“Whatever. I’m hanging up now. Some of us work normal hours.”

“Uh huh. Goodnight, Skye.”

“Good night, Detective Black.”