Playing With Fire

Chapter1

A YEAR AGO

"Sergeant Smith is a piece of s**t!" Rosalia snarled as she stomped her right foot angrily on the floor.

"What did he do now?" I heaved a sigh and asked my roommate. She always talked about her problems whether you chose to listen or not. I might as well listen to her rant.

"Fifty f*****g push-ups!" She exclaimed angrily as she removed her jacket aggressively. I snickered softly as I watched her angry cute face get red.

"Did you complete it?" I asked her while watching her move around the small room for training. "Of course I did, I wouldn't be here if I didn't. Don't you think?"

"Harsh," I remarked with a slight frown. She sighed deeply and approached me, "I am sorry. But, God I feel like smashing him." Rosalia admitted as she punched her open palm.

"Smashing him or smashing him?" I teased as she groaned out loud.

"Please don't join those who tease me about that."

"But everyone sees it, he likes you." I whispered as she looked at me incredulously and scoffed." Yeah, no s**t. He likes me and he told me to do fifty pushups?"

"Yeah, you did come late though." I reminded her as she rolled her eyes at me and said defensively, "It wasn't even up to thirty minutes."

I shrugged and added, "True. Anthony came five minutes late and was told to do thirty laps and fifty pushups."

"Oh."

"You are right maybe he doesn't like you…he likes Anthony." I teased her again as she picked up her pillow and flung it towards me. I dodge just in time, before the arrival of our supervisor–Sergeant Therese. I jumped out of bed and saluted her with Rosalia doing the same. She returned the salute and nodded.

"How are you girls?" Sergeant Therese asked us as she pushed the arms of her glasses closer to the bridge of her nose.

"All is well, Sergeant Therese," Rosalia answered confidently. She nodded and continued, "I am glad..Joanna Johnson."

"Yes, Sergeant," I answered while stepping forward.

"You are needed in the conference room." She told me as a frown etched on my face. Every single person called to the conference room, always ended up discharged from the academy.

"Now? My exam starts soon." I asked her. She looked at me and replied sternly, "Yes. Now."

I followed behind her quietly as I tried to recall if I had broken any rules while Rosalia stopped me for a moment and asked, "What did you do?"

I shrugged and continued behind our supervisor as my anxiety increased.

We arrived at the conference room and she permitted me to step in. I opened the huge wooden door and expected to mess with the board of directors, but I came face-to-face with the head captain. Surprise was evident on my face as I saluted him.

"How are you, Joanna?" He asked me casually, making me frown. No one in high authority had spoken to me in such a casual tone.

"I am fine sir, preparing for my last paper," I answered confidently as he nodded while I tried to hide my expression.

"I'll get straight to the point. We received a report." He explained as he approached me with composure.

"Do you know a Jania Livingstone?" He asked me while his old blue eyes monitored my body language.

"Jania King?" I asked him. He looked at the file once more and tilted his head at me.

"It says here she was divorced from a Mr. King." He replied as I nodded in understanding.

"Jania is my sister, sir," I answered as his lips tightened.

Was that a wrong answer?

Maybe I should have lied?

Is this a test?

"I wasn't aware you had any family left." The captain commented. I gave a polite smile and said, "We found each other only recently."

"I am glad you did so in time." He remarked as emotion clouded his eyes briefly.

My mind wandered as he walked back to his desk and retrieved a package.

"This is for you." He told me as he gave me the small box. "Thank you, sir."

"Open it after your exam." He instructed as I nodded. The box did not feel heavy, but somehow a part of me knew it was important.

"Your sister…she passed away a few days ago." He told me. My heart sank to my stomach as my ears rang loudly.

He was lying!

He had to be lying.

I spoke to Jania on the phone two months ago, and I promised to visit after my graduation.

"Joanna–"He began as I shook my head aggressively and stepped backwards.

"We received the report yesterday. We didn't want to inform you late." He continued. The box, all of a sudden felt heavy as I realized that this was Jania's important basic items. I was probably the one on her file after her ex-husband. The tears choked me as my mind went blank.

"Excuse me, sir, it's time for my exam," I told him, unable to comprehend all he had been saying.

"I am truly sorry for your loss." He said softly as I nodded and saluted.

My steps felt heavy as I walked back to my room.

I had never seen Jania since we got separated when we were little. We only reconnected two years ago and now…now she was gone. I felt cheated.

I dropped the box at the foot of my bed and took my exam materials. I had to pass my last paper and graduate. That's all that mattered now. I sniffled and stepped into the exam hall. Rosalia was already seated and I rushed to my seat as the head supervisor spoke. "This is your last paper for the year and you have come so far."

I should have taken a few weeks' leave to see her…why did I want to wait till after graduation?

"Your performance will determine where you end up after the academy, know that no matter where you go, you can still make a difference." I heard him conclude as the others clapped.

"Do not do anything that will cause regret. Remember, it is better to fail with integrity and try again, than to cheat." The exam invigilator advised as the head supervisor left.

"Good luck, Jo…are you okay?" Rosalia turned to me and whispered as the excitement fell from her face. I understood why. My face looked red and my lips quivered as I tried so hard to stop myself from breaking down.

"I am fine." My throat felt tight as I tried to force a smile with tears pooling in my eyes. It seemed like Rosalia wanted to say something but the commanding voice of the invigilator stopped her.

"No talking. Your time starts now!"

I took deep breaths and opened my exam booklet. I read this topic and relief rose in me as I understood what to answer. My hands trembled as I wrote down my answers.

What was the need for all this?

I wanted her to see that I did something with my life…to see that her sister was part of the good in the world.

My sister is a police officer…that's what I wanted to hear her say.

And she couldn't. She couldn't speak to me…or see me.

I had no one left.

My vision blurred as the tears rolled down seamlessly and I let the tears flow. The sobs racked through my body as my chest heaved with sadness. I could hear the invigilator near me, trying to understand what the issue was, but I couldn't say anything, I couldn't think and all I felt was pain as I rushed out of the hall.

The sadness hurt.

It hurt so much and I didn't know how to stop it.

PRESENT DAY

I sat in my office while I stared at the slip in my hand. After how many months of investigating the murder of my sister, my supervisor finally agreed to officially lead it.

I finally had permission to pursue her killer and bring him to justice.

A lone tear rolled down my cheek as I felt closer to getting revenge for J

ania.

I was ready…Lucas f*****g King wouldn't know what hit him.