Hailey’s stomach groaned so loudly, she swore anyone within 30 feet probably heard it. She sat on the concrete wall outside the Newton Police Station, swinging her legs and staring at her phone. It was the first time she’d been here since onboarding, but instead of her uniform, she was in yoga pants and a Star Wars t-shirt. She’d glance at her phone, look away, and then check it again. Over and over.
Emily had texted her, inviting her to one of the pop-ups she’d mentioned the day they met. Hailey was trying not to let her excitement get the best of her... but she was failing miserably. She’d gotten here an hour early and was now anxiously waiting for Emily to show.
In her time since onboarding, Hailey had been working her assignment in Upper Fens. The area had charmed her, especially places like the Ink Pot. Working third shift, though, had been... interesting. The area had its share of teenage troublemakers. She constantly got calls about kids sneaking into Eden Cemetery after sundown. No matter how many times she responded, she always managed to get turned around in there. Then there were the trips to Mottershead Park, and worst of all, the old Mottershead Asylum. Twice she’d had to respond to kids running out of there, screaming. Thankfully, she hadn’t had to set foot inside—yet.
That was life lately—filing accident reports and chasing after teens to return them to their wealthy parents. It wasn’t exactly the work she’d envisioned when she joined the force, but it was a step in the right direction.
The door to the station opened, and there was Emily. Hailey jumped down from the wall but didn’t exactly stick the landing. She stumbled, and in an attempt to cover it up, bent down to tie her shoes... only to realize she was wearing slip-ons. She rolled her eyes at herself, muttering under her breath, “She didn’t see. It’s cool. It’s cool.”
Straightening up, she forced a smile and turned.
Emily had texted her, inviting her to one of the pop-ups she’d mentioned the day they met. Hailey was trying not to let her excitement get the best of her... but she was failing miserably. She’d gotten here an hour early and was now anxiously waiting for Emily to show.
In her time since onboarding, Hailey had been working her assignment in Upper Fens. The area had charmed her, especially places like the Ink Pot. Working third shift, though, had been... interesting. The area had its share of teenage troublemakers. She constantly got calls about kids sneaking into Eden Cemetery after sundown. No matter how many times she responded, she always managed to get turned around in there. Then there were the trips to Mottershead Park, and worst of all, the old Mottershead Asylum. Twice she’d had to respond to kids running out of there, screaming. Thankfully, she hadn’t had to set foot inside—yet.
That was life lately—filing accident reports and chasing after teens to return them to their wealthy parents. It wasn’t exactly the work she’d envisioned when she joined the force, but it was a step in the right direction.
The door to the station opened, and there was Emily. Hailey jumped down from the wall but didn’t exactly stick the landing. She stumbled, and in an attempt to cover it up, bent down to tie her shoes... only to realize she was wearing slip-ons. She rolled her eyes at herself, muttering under her breath, “She didn’t see. It’s cool. It’s cool.”
Straightening up, she forced a smile and turned.
