Dark Pursuits

Ember opened her eyes she was sure that she could have not slept for more than four hours from how heavy her head was when she attempted to turn it. The phone rang again, piercing her eardrums sharply. When it first rang, she thought she had slept with her TV on. It vibrated again, like a child throwing tantrums. Despite the sun slowly rising, piercing the sheer fabric of her curtains, she squinted her eyes at the bright screen; the name that appears on the screen would determine whether it was worth answering or not. She threw her head back to her pillows before answering. ‘Mia, you spiked our drinks last night didn’t you? I swear if that’s what you meant when you said I should loosen up then I must have underestimated your level of immorality’. She mumbled, her sore muscles not allowing her to elicit a smile. ‘Ember’ a throaty male voice replied.’ Its Cole’ ‘Cole. Cole? Where is Mia. Wait! Oh my God did you two...’ She grinned. ‘No, trust me not in a million years’ Cole interjected. ‘You need to come to the police station now’ His voice was strained. She quickly sat up, realising she was still draped in the tight fitting dress and high-heels from last night. ‘What happened?’ her voice quivered.’ Cole? Where’s Mia? Are you in trouble?” Cole spoke with as much calmness as he could muster. ’I don’t have time to explain, we’ll talk when you get here’. He said before dropping the call. Ember reversed her car down her drive way and the wheels screeched as she joined the road down the quiet suburbs, catching the attention of some early morning joggers. She blew her breath on her palms, realizing how the mouthwash did nothing to curb the spirituous odour that her breath carried. Repercussions of a wild night. She could not help but feel that something was not right. The only thing she could remember was when they went entered the elite Black Spade club. How she hesitated when Mia forced her to down a second round of that blue drink with a name she could not pronounce. Then hazy memories of her pulling them to the dance floor. How the lights flashed in the dark room. The smell of sweat, alcohol and the loud music. Then nothing… She was convinced her mind would eventually pick up the pieces, she was not the kind to forget. It was her sharp memory that landed her in one of the top accounting firms in Cape Town. She checked her reflection on the rear view mirror for the last time before she hopped off the car. No matter how damaged her body felt, she was not willing to let it show on her face. What if she bumped to someone she knew? When she entered the small police station, she immediately spotted Cole sitting on a bench his palm on his face. When he ran his hand through his dirty blond shoulder length curls like he usually did when nervous, Ember saw the heavy lines on his face and her gut feeling told her she would not like what was coming next. ‘Cole?’ She walked up to him hesitantly. Her voice forced him out of his daze, he stood and walked towards her as well catching her off guard when he pulled her into a tight hug. His voice was strained. 'I am glad you are ok, I thought something had happened to you too’ ‘Cole what happened, where is Mia did? something happen to her? Why is her phone with you?’ He did not let go. Ember scanned around hoping to catch a glimpse of her friend. She could feel her heart hammering in her chest. ‘Wait ‘She pulled away from Him’ What do you mean when you say you thought something happened to me too’. When she looked at him, it was only then that she noticed his red eyes. ‘Cole?’ Her voice quivered, so did her body. ‘I am sorry Ember…Mia’s dead’.