Ghost Luna

4. Strange Occurances

Due to the strange hours her job involved, Lane often felt in tail spin when she first woke up, usually greater with a retreating sun. She didn't think she'd ever really get used to it. It was 5am when she finally reached home and it took only minuets yo pass out from exhaustion. She hadn't even made it to her bed. Her room mates had respectfully left her with a blanket with a note:

Rough night? Hope it wasn't what was on the news? Won't be back in till 7pm. Might see you on your day off? Park? Coffee? Club? Your choice! x

Tia and Theon.

Groggily, Lane rubbed her eyes and reached for the communication pad. It was old school but it was hard to message each other at the right time. She rarely got to see them but they were fun and kind. They had been a couple for a while and in many ways her awkward schedule made her feel less of a third wheel. However, with New York prices she couldn't afford a place on her own and neither could Theon and Tia yet. Yet being the important word. The thing about being able to wake up last was you got to see the aftermath of the previous occupants. She had seen a suspicious small box recently, left in the fruit bowl, a place Tia rarely frequented, as if hidden in a hurry. Lane had looked and it was a lovely, modest band. He loved her. Lane appreciated the simplicity. Their goal was security and stability so why waste it on a ring. He was thinking about the long term and desperately wanted her sooner rather than later. Why wait if you have found your one? Lane felt expensive rings was an overcompensation of a lack of personality. Lane had hidden it further behind the peaches- Tias least favourite fruit due to its furry qualities and had kept silent.

But it had made her alert. The time was coming to look for a new place. She had a sneaking suspicion that that note was written by Theon. An in person meet was required. Tia always left three kisses. He was going to break the news in two days. Pretty good as she had found that ring a month ago. She knew he'd been doing well at work.

Lane sighed a long sigh of defeat before penning back:

Nightclub!

x L

She thought he may as well be drunk when she gets kicked out.

She padded to the kitchen and made breakfast. She was a state but food was calling. As she spooned in her cereal she looked out the window at the striking blue sky and felt a jolt run through her body as the eyes of the man from last night resurfaced. They had ignited something in her for a brief second before she pushed it away. He seemed...hurt? Goodness knows why. She had remained silent the whole way back in the car thankful for no questions.

"Right, Lane, you got this. Let's make ourselves human again and enjoy the hours before I get called in. Hopefully not at all after last night." Talking to herself aloud had become second nature to strike off the silence.

Forty minutes later she was ready to greet the remainder of the day. She text in her work group messages if anyone wanted to go for a stroll. Beautiful day for it. The group was a life saver as those who worked weird shifts rarely saw each other really, you can be two passing ships in the night, so hanging out afterwork wasn't more work. Talking about work was off limits. Plus usually someone was free and feeling social.

I usually took a while. Lane placed her phone down and jumped when an instant response came through. Even weirder it was in private chat.

Hey, Lane. I need sunshine. Pick you up in 10. I'll bring a friend?

Who on earth? Lane had to double check the number and realised to her suprise it was Toby.

What Friend? She typed back.

Does it matter?

Okay...Normal Toby bluntness. He wasn't going to tell her.

Okay. Lane responded. What was there to loose really? They all worked for the police. Even so...

Hey everyone, too slow! Out with...TOBY!

Lane smirked. That would teach him for being an insufferable ass hat. But he didn't respond as he'd hoped. And no one else was up so the aftermath of that was something to look forward to. Toby NEVER accepted invites. It had made her wondered why he'd joined and when...

When Toby said ten he meant ten. The buzzer startled Lane. She didn't know why she was so skittish. Probably the after effects of last night. She needed to be around breathing people even if it was Toby.

She unlocked the front door and was faced with a tired looking Toby, a very eager woman and in the car she spotted Damien. Her breath hitched for a few seconds and then she pushed it away and smiled at Toby.

"Wow, you look like crap. Why are you even up?" Lane jested.

" I have been asking myself the same question. This is Chloe. My...girlfriend."

" Oh I am so happy to meet you!" She gushed. "Toby never let's me meet his work colleagues and you are stunning, that is probably why!" She hits his arm playfully and Toby grimaces, "How do you put up with his sour face all the time?" Lane liked this girl. She was direct. She was also stunning.

"It is one night at a time? I'm joking, he is a good boss actually. To the point. Not very talkative only if I'm late..." Lanne smiled at Tobys suprise and shrugged. It was the truth.

" Shall we get going? Where to?" Lane asked.

"I know a place, Cafe neat by. Nice walk." Toby responded. " Hop in, I'll drive."

Lane approached the car and almost shouted shot gun to sit up with Toby but she didn't want to piss off his girlfriend. She needed to shake off this feeling and just get in the back with Damien. She smiled politely at Damien, "Hey, Damien. Nice to see you again."

"You too, Lane. You look lovely."

"Umm...thanks." Lane fidgeted with her fingers not comfortable with the complement and the way his eyes were boring into her.

"Pfft...lovely is the best you got? Try gorgeous. You police men do not know nothing about real compliments."

"What do you do?"

" I run my own bakery, darling. It's actually where we are headed. I hope you love it." Chloe was infectious and seemed to balence out Tobys serious nature.

Small talk began about hobbies and plans for the next few days. Lane listened to their exchanges now really chipping.

When the reached the bakery it was close to central park. Lane recognised the area. This eould be pricey to be here. Chloe had brains and beauty. The three chatted like they were family. Lane just enjoyed being in their company. They were lively and bickers over the small stuff.

"You been awfully quite there Lane and that's no fun. What you doing this Friday?" She noticed Damien take particular interest.

"Oh to a club. I fully intend to get wasted. Wish me luck." Lane winked.

Damien spat out his drink and Toby looked like he was about to chock on his muffin.

"You serious Lane? After what we saw?" Toby coughed out.

"Hey, no work, remember? And yeah. But with my house mates. I'm going alone and probably not that drunk. Well it depends on the notice."

" What notice?"

"My house mates are probably getting engaged on Thursday and telling me Friday then going yo ask me to move put or they are leaving to start their new life together. I'll need the drink if it is super short to find a new place. I've already started looking but it is slim picking on my wage. I'm going to have to live with strangers again."

"You live with a guy?"

Toby punched Damiens arm, "From all that...that is your question? Ignore him. I might be able to help." Toby looked at Damien and they seemed to be having a silent conversation for a moment.

"What is your budget?"

"1..... a week."

Toby grimaced, "Well, what if I told you I had a spare room? I do share with, like, eight other people and we chip in for a maid. It's amazing what you can get if enough of you combine forces. It's in a safe neighbourhood not far from here actually. It's a mix of guys snd gals and...what else do you need to know....oh we are all night owls so people go talk to a weird times." Toby smiled. It looked...genuine.

"Erm...like...wouldn't it be weird for you?"

"No darling, I live there too. I think this is an excellent idea. I mean, you will gave the box room but you won't find cheaper elsewhere. We'lleven do you for less than your budget since you get the crappie room."

"Can I see it?"

"Yes. We can go now." Toby said efficiently.

Damien had just silently watched the exchange as if to breath would break this deal.

They were not kidding. They took a stroll to the nearest block and it was an almost gated community. Lane was lead to the largest building and stunned with the insides.

"New York can be so pokey," Chlow grunted as they entered a foyer larger than Lanes current apartment. She was beginning to question what they thought a box room was. Apparently it has its own bathroom and walk in closet. The living room and kitchen were communal along with the wreck room. Lanes head almost exploded.

" So, interested? You haven't said a word."

" What is the catch? Are you crooked or something?"

All three burst out laughing.

" No Lane, you see, my cousin owns that big Law Firm, you may have heard of it...Silverton?"

Lanes jaw dropped. That was serious wealth. Like BILLIONAIRE.

"This is his building and we are family so family rates apply. I'm not in the same league as him, obviously." Toby grimaced.

Slightly stunned Lane whispered "I'd be delighted. Please send me a tenancy agreement to read over first though...to check. Plus I need to wait till Friday."

" Why wait? They are moving on. You should too." Damien finally spoke in a husky tone.

"Yeah...you're right."

"This calls for celebration drinks...I know...a work day...but only one? Please?" Chloe pleaded.

"Fine."