Monster

My eyes slowly droop open. The sound of my phone ringing fills my ears. I sigh, grabbing my phone from my bedside table. I put the phone to my ear, and try to hold a sigh.

"Hello?" I croak.

"Frank? It's Commander Berkhart here, just wanted to make sure you were on your way to work," Jonas Berkhart starts.

My eyes dart to my clock. 8:35. I have to be at the police station in 15 minutes. I jump out of bed, keeping the phone to my ear as I quickly grab my clothes.

"Uh, yeah, I'm just having car trouble, Chief" I say, putting some jeans on.

"Aw, no, again?" Jonas sighs, and I can feel him pursing his lips. "You ought to get a new car, Frank. I'm not going to get anyone involved yet, but this really can't go on."

More like a new alarm clock I think.

"I don't have the money, Chief" I try to sound as friendly as possible, but I doubt that I succeeded. "I'll take it down the garage soon."

"... Look, Frank. I know Jamia's death really got to you, but-" I cut him off.

"I'm fine." I have to try and stop myself from shouting at him. That won't do anyone any good.

"That's a lie, and you know it, Iero." Jonas pauses again, and I find myself glaring at my reflection in the mirror by my bed. "Just get to work. And take care of yourself, okay?"

I pause myself for a minute, and I let out a quiet whimper. "Okay."

I hang up, and stuff my phone into my jean's pocket. Tears well up in my eyes, but I wipe them away with my hoodie's sleeve. I can't cry now. I need to get to work.

Notes