In the misty and cold street, a voice called out.
"Bryan!"
"Mom?"
"Bryan, my child."
"Mom, take my hand!"
He screamed as the scene transformed into a breaking bridge. His hand inched away slowly as the other part of the bridge which the woman stood kept leaning towards the ground, slowly.
The voice became fainter and fainter and had a pitch which penetrated into his body and soul, rupturing his very life force. So much pain and anguish...
"Mom!"
"Bryan...."
"Bryan..."
"Mr Derrick!" Bryan jolted awake to someone slightly tapping his shoulder. It was Bernadette.
He rubbed his red eyes and took a deep breath.
"Hey. What's up?" He asked in a dry and hoarse voice.
"The chief wants to see you." Bernadette said passively. She noticed how haggard Bryan looked and his clothes were all crunched up.
"I've been away for a day and you're this broken, seriously what did you guys do yesterday? Even Collins is looking like a bowl of soup." She pointed out jokingly.
"Ha-ha," Bryan said dryly before adding, "I was tired."
Bernadette nodded and watched as he staggered up to his feet, his shirt drenched in sweat. His shirt wasn't properly tucked in which made him look like a madman.
Bernadette exhaled deeply. She had heard him call out to his mother while sleeping. She couldn't help but remember when he said that he was having an inner struggle every day. She felt bad for him. After all, she somehow was in the same predicament, just that hers was a deliberate choice to stay back and take the beating.
She had thought of suing Tracy for abuse every time she hit her, but that would also spell trouble as she might not get to be with Walter anymore.
....
After a while, Bryan came over to the coffee area. At some point he had tucked in his shirt and smoothed it a bit. His hair still looked rough.
He had been going through so many criminal records in Haston city yesterday and had even slept in the office for short while. He was tired out and was on the brink of mental collapse before he fell asleep and had that terrifying dream.
He made himself a cup of hot tea and found a seat that was close to the window and sat down.
"Feeling better?" Bryan almost spewed his tea when he heard the sudden question. He didn't notice anyone there before he sat down.
"Oh. Bernadette! Can you not scare me like that?" He complained and resumed his drinking.
"I always like appearing mysterious." She answered succinctly.
"Okay, does that include your love for ghosts?" Bryan asked indifferently, his mind was occupied with something else.
"I don't love ghost stories but I don't find them terrifying too. I always dream of going to a real haunted house!" Her eyes were shining as she spoke.
Bryan sighed and said almost silently, "you truly are the bold type."
"What did you say?" She asked when she heard him muttering something.
"Nothing. Maybe you should try going to some of the Halloween haunted houses here in Haston city." Bryan suggested and drank more tea.
"It's even worse! The last time I visited, I ended up grabbing a guy when I was hunting the ghosts. Turns out they pay people to stay inside and do all scary stuff."
Poor guy!
Bryan sympathised.
How can someone go to a haunted house and starts hunting ghosts?
"You know this character doesn't suit girls, right?
"I read most books where the girls are weak and in danger, and the heroes come to save them." Bryan joked.
"That's so funny! I read those where the men are weak and girls are the knights in shining armour."
Bernadette noticed that he had brightened up a bit. She always found opportunities to talk to him whenever she noticed that he was sad. It also helped her relieve her own stress.
"How about I take you out tonight?" Bernadette asked after a while of chatting.
"Where to?" Bryan asked. He didn't reject the idea of going out since it would help him clear his head.
"I was thinking bike racing. There's a place just down the street where people race for fun." This sounded good. Bryan, however, didn't feel comfortable with the idea.
"Most people get off work in the evening, so they can't race in the day." Bernadette explained further.
"And you often go there?" Bryan asked.
"I haven't raced before. Which is why I'm hoping you'll take me." Her smile blossomed again.
"I'm in! I think I need something fun for a change." Bryan agreed.
"Great. We take your sport bike."
Bryan felt his facial muscle twitch. So you don't want to take me out but my bike?
"You truly are a gentleman!" Bernadette left him after telling him to wait for her at the bus stop near the park around 7 p.m.
Bryan quickly finished his tea and continued with the case files and criminal records. He was filled with anticipation about tonight.