Grey sat dully in a sturdy interrogation room.
After his parents died, the CP rushed to see him hugging their corpses. Everything after that was a blur in Grey's mind as they eventually brought him to a nearby station.
He didn't attempt to struggle with the officers throughout the trip, as his mind had locked him in a loop that gradually engraved the fact that he had been the one responsible for the events of last night.
After he saw the reflection in the mirror, all the dots connected.
The sickening feeling in the cab, his hair being lighter in the mirror, the sad look Denise gave him, and Ash's last words. The signs were already there, if only he had noticed earlier, if only he had raised an alarm earlier none of this would have happened.
However, an if would forever remain an if.
What happened had happened and there was nothing he could do to change that.
So Grey remained motionless trapped in a looping nightmare that always ended with him starting at those ghastly eyes, leaving a heavier feeling of regret with each cycle.
*click*
The metal slowly opened as a chubby officer with graying hair and dark skin stepped in. The officer slowly approached the interrogation table with a tablet.
Clearing his throat, he spoke.
" I'm sorry for your loss, kid."
The sound shook Grey out of the loop, as the officer slowly sat on the chair opposite Grey.
" I know but probably can't understand how you feel. So I won't disturb you too much." The officer said in a hoarse voice.
"We brought you in by around eleven yesterday, according to eight of the section of the new human laws, you're meant to be sent to the Academy today. But due to obvious reasons, we've been able to delay sending you back until tomorrow."
Passing the tablet to Grey, he continued.
"Fill out the form in it, it's the basic info the Academy needs before letting you in."
He scratched his throat.
"After filling it, you'll have the rest of the day to yourself. You can only stay in the guest area of the station and under no circumstances are you allowed to come in contact with anyone. According to what I've heard from the guys at forensics. Any living material that comes in contact with you is in danger."
"That's about everything. Any questions?"
Asked the officer.
It took some time for Grey's muddled mind to process all that information. In the end, there was still something he needed to know.
" W-what about my parents? what are you gonna do with them?" Grey asked in a weak voice.
The officer stopped.
"Their bodies are classified as hazardous materials. So they have to be cremated, their ashes will be carried with the next shipment to a toxic dump site. I can pull some strings to allow you to watch the cremation. Would you like that?"
Grey replied with a nod.
" Alright, I'll see what I can do. The guest rooms are on the top floor, you can pick any room when you get there. " The officer moved towards the door but suddenly paused before departing.
" I'll send info about the cremation to you if I'm successful, ...Stay strong kid." The officer finally left the room.
Grey slowly stood up, picking the tablet up, he dragged his tired body to the door of the room. He was afraid if he stayed there too long he would be sent into that terrifying loop again.
The mere thought of that sent shivers down his spine.
He left the room, leading him to an empty corridor. The cold artificial lights shone dimly on his now pale skin. Glancing to his side, he could see an elevator at the end of the corridor. There were about two more doors between him and the elevator. Using the wall for support, he eventually reached it.
Entering the elevator, he checked the number of floors in the building. There were more than 15 floors in the station, most buildings in the bastion were built high.
' He said the highest floor right.'
Grey just pressed the highest button on the elevator, he couldn't be bothered to check the numbers on them.
The wait wasn't too long, it seemed he was already pretty high in the building.
Upon reaching the top floor, he entered the first room he laid his eyes on. He was too exhausted to care about anything else.
Without removing anything, he threw himself on the bed, falling asleep the moment he touched the bed.
---
Grey groggily woke up due to the rays of light coming from the window. He blinked a few times, gradually adjusting to the bright light streaming in from the window. Slowly sitting up, he glanced at the unfamiliar room in front of him realizing that what happened last night wasn't a dream. Releasing a weak sigh, he checked the time on the alarm clock beside the bed.
'11:30 am'
He really didn't want to get up from the bed, but he knew he was going to have to move soon. They were moving him to the academy tomorrow.
He frustratedly moved to the edge of the mattress. Sitting on it, he saw a small flashing envelope at the bottom of his vision.
'Right, the officer should have finalized the cremation issue.'
Clicking on the icon, three columns representing messages appeared in his vision.
There was one from Ema, jake, and an unknown number. He read the unknown message first.
[From Xxxxx-xxxx]
[I have good news, they'll allow you to watch the cremation but you're going to have to cover yourself completely. The boys don't want to take any chances with you. Come to room 105 on the tenth floor by 1 pm.]
' I still have about an hour and 30 minutes left, I should probably start getting ready soon.'
He continued reading.
[Jake]
[ Where the hell are ya, man? We were meant to handle my sister together. Now I'm all alone with this witch....oh no she can see me. I'll get revenge ya hear me, I'll.....]
[Ema]
[ Don't mind whatever Jake sent you, he's quite the idiot =_=. Anyway, Ms. Smith asked about you today, you know how she gets with attendance, don't sweat it though l covered for you ( you owe me :-) ). Make sure you come tomorrow, don't know if I can keep this up.]
Grey's lips almost curved into a light smile, before crumpling in a pained grimace. He didn't know what to do about them.
'Should I tell them...but I can't just tell them that I...I...'
Grey shook his head, it was best not to think about that. Besides he wasn't the best at handling emotions, especially not with this muddled state of mind.
Grey looked around the room, there was a police-issued dark jumpsuit with white outlines on a desk to the side. It was right beside the entrance. Opposite the bed at the right corner of the room was a door that probably lead to a washroom, and finally, a window faced the entrance.
He stood up, entering the door opposite him. As expected, it was a bathroom. Stepping in he was brought face-to-face with a full-body mirror and from beyond the barrier of the mirror he saw...it again.
'Th-those eyes'
Those same green and ghastly eyes he saw last night were staring back at him again.
At that moment his vision blurred, he heard a crashing sound and then he blacked out.