Just a story idea that popped into my head. I've put it in spoiler tags, since it's kind of long :P It's about a tragedy, and a life lesson that a girl learned at the end. The base is: Never go to bed angry.
WARNING! This story contains some violence and strong language. Reader discretion is advised.
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"You have to think about the family!"
"I am thinking about the family, that's why I'm doing this!"
"Putting yourself in this kind of danger is not thinking about the family, Michael!"
-SLAM-
"Why can't she understand…"
Michael pressed his back against the front entrance door to his home. Inside, he could hear his fiancé still shouting how worthless he was. Michael closed his eyes, lifting his face to the sky. A light drizzle of rain coated the flesh of his cheeks and neck. The night air was chilling, and he found himself tugging the long, leather dress coat tighter around his chest and abdomen. Better bundle up anyway, he needed to let Jessica calm down.
Leather dress shoes hugged the pavement as he walked down the front steps and into the street. There was no one else, as far as he could see. Alone, that's what he felt. All the lights in the houses were off, save the ones of his own home. This was nothing new. He often fought with her right before bed, when he told her of the day's events. But this time, it was more. At least, more that he knew and little that she did. A secret assignment, hidden from the public at all costs. Michael himself knew little about the case, but he knew that he was assigned to it and when his cell phone rang, he was to repot in. Needless to say, Jessica was not very fond of the idea. They were supposed to start a family. Hell, they even had a room next to their own devoted to future children.
Head bowed, Michael shoved his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. The cool air was getting to him already, maybe he should find pub that would keep him warm for a couple hours; until Jessica called and invited him home to make up their argument. He had learned to wait for that call, or he'd be out on the streets all night.
So involved in his thoughts of pattering children' feet and baby talk, he almost didn't notice the ring of his cell phone in his jacket pocket. "Already?" he questioned, digging into his pocket to withdraw the phone. Was she calling him home already? No, couldn't be. Michael's eyes narrowed as he looked at the display. A single word, "Boss." He clicked the green "Send" button and brought it to his right ear.
"Michael," he answered, knowing what it was, but hoping that maybe it wouldn't be. "Go to the dock, right now. The cartel is there and we need to stop them before they make the deal." The man he knew as "Boss" hung up the phone.
Michael sighed, closing his eyes and looking to the sky once more. Damn it. The source of their argument, calling him into duty. God fucking damn it. But he had to. If he accomplished this, there would be fifty thousand dollars to his name. The cartel deal, the money…it would be split amongst the detectives who helped bring it down. That fifty thousand…it would be more than enough to help them get their family started. If only he could have told her…
No, he couldn't think about Jessica right now. He had to set his mind to the task. Get to the dock, stop the deal. That's what he needed to do now. Michael put his phone back into his pocket, but his hand lingered there. Underneath the jacket he wore a holster, and in the holster, was a standard issue pistol. There were six bullets in the chamber. But he wouldn't need it, right? He was told the cartel was drug heavy, not gun heavy. But the precautions were necessary. Just in case.
Michael opened his eyes and looked down the street. Luckily, the dock wasn't far. He couldn't drive though, that would alert the cartel. He would need to walk. Michael paused, looking over his shoulder at his house several blocks down. Here we go.
Rapid footsteps sounded through the street as Michael ran toward the dock, a mile and a half away. As he neared, he began to slow to a walk. Closer and closer he got, the faster and faster his blood pumped and his heart beat. There had to be other detectives in the area, but none that he could see. Which was good, it meant they were doing their jobs. Michael could see many vans and trucks inside the compound dock, and several people as well. He pressed his back to the wall and turned his face to the entrance. They hadn't noticed his nearing, and were simply talking so it seemed. But he couldn't make out what they were saying; he was too far away. Michael withdrew his weapon and turned the safety off, holding it firmly in his right hand.
"Hey, you! What are you doing here?!"
Michael's eyes snapped in front of him. There stood a man much taller and wider than himself, and directly between his eyes was the barrel of a gun. "Shit," he cursed under his breath, dropping his gun. It made a loud –kerthunk- as it hit the pavement. "That's right."
The loudest bang he had ever heard in his life erupted in his ears, deafening. "Jessica!" he screamed as loud as he could, though it was only a whisper on his blood covered lips. Then everything went black.
"Putting yourself in this kind of danger is not thinking about the family, Michael!"
The slam from the front door made her jump, and groan in frustration. Jessica threw her hands up in the air and shouted further at him, even though she knew he wasn't paying attention anymore. With a final sigh, Jessica lowered her hands and turned her back to the door. "Why doesn't he understand?"
He was being selfish. He wanted to be the hero, but he just didn't understand that she wanted to start a family. Putting himself in a secret, dangerous mission, out of the blue? Jessica looked down to her stomach, placing a petite left hand over her abdomen. If only he knew…
Jessica walked upstairs to their bedroom, and undressed. She then redressed in sweat pants and a grey tank top, then looked out the window. The cool night air was somehow comforting from the small gap between the windowsill and the window itself. Jessica closed her eyes and looked toward the ceiling, thinking of when she met Michael and how romantic he had been. Always the knight in shining armor, close to her side and protecting her. Where was he now, when all she wanted was to be in his arms? Gallivanting on the streets, probably bad-mouthing her to his buddies. Oh well, that was his release of anger. She understood that much at least.
Jessica sat on the corner of their bed, a small teddy bear on her lap. He had given it to her several years ago, for Valentine's Day. Along with the heart necklace that she wore at all times. She sighed again, closing her eyes and hugging the teddy bear tightly. If only he was here, to hug instead.
An hour and a half passed as she sat there, completely still. Finally she rose, holding onto the bear still but making her way downstairs. It was time to call him back home. This lonely feeling…she couldn't stand it any longer.
Jessica picked up the house phone and dialed his number. It rang, and it rang, and it rang. Her brows knotted in confusion. Why wasn't he answering? Michael always answered when she called after a fight. Maybe he didn't hear it. She hung up, and dialed again. And again, it only rang and rang until his voicemail answered. Jessica bit her lower lip, now worried. "Michael, it's me. Why didn't you answer? Where are you? Come home."
Just as she was about to hang up, there was a knock on the front door. "Michael?" she called, pressing the End button and placing the phone on the stand. Jessica hurried to the door, yanking it open. But it wasn't Michael. He was dressed like Michael though, in a long coat and pressed shirt and pants. "Jessica?" the man asked, taking his hat off and holding it against his chest. Jessica blinked in surprise, peering past the man. There was a car in front of her house, and two men on either side. "Yes, can I help you?" she inquired, feeling rather naked at the moment considering she was only wearing sweat pants and a tank top.
The next hour seemed like it was days. Jessica sat on the middle seat cushion of her couch. It was her couch now, wasn't it? Not theirs. But hers. Nothing was his anymore. The three men had come into the house. Two stood by the window, and the third, who had knocked, sat beside her.
"This was found in his pocket," he said, removing a small envelope from his own jacket. Jessica took the envelope in one hand, while the other wiped away her tears. She tore it open and pulled out a large heart shaped locket. "What is it?" she asked him, but he only shrugged. Jessica opened the locket, and gasped.
A small slip of paper inside. She pulled it out and unfolded it. It was in his handwriting.
"Jessica. If you found this, then it's too late. That mission…it was to stop the cartel from bringing drugs into the city. I couldn't tell you, it would put you in danger. I'm sorry. I love you so much, my Jessica, my girl. You mean everything to me. And I know about the baby. I found the pregnancy test in the trash. If it's a boy, name him after me? I always wanted a junior. If it's a girl, you can pick the name. But I was always fond of Samantha. Anyway, I'll love you forever. I know it's sad now, but you'll move on and you'll find someone else. And you won't need to worry about money either. I was going to be paid fifty thousand for this job. But since I'm dead (it's weird writing that) they'll help you pay for the baby and everything he or she needs. I love you. –Michael."
Jessica gripped the note as tightly as she could, fingernails digging into her palm. The locket fell to the floor. She looked up at the ceiling, and closed her eyes.
Michael's death seems a little abrupt. He's been trained for this moment, so why does he simply drop his gun and die? It seems a little anti-climatic. That said, I think the characters are engaging and real, and well-fleshed out for such a short story.
I was going to research some police activity, watch SVU maybe so I knew more about police work. But since I know very little, I just kept it short for now xD But I do plan to expand that scene at a later date.