Even after just waking up Mason knew something was up, something was very wrong, he didn't know what...yet.

So he followed his usual morning routine and ate breakfast, ignoring the feeling in his gut. When you work as a detective and see crime scenes almost every day it's not unusual to feel this way.

Before leaving Mason checked that all windows and doors were locked - after the last investigation, it was his new habit to do so.

A woman was killed by a group that managed to get into her house through an open window so now Mason was taking no risks.

Mason put on his beige coat and clicked his gun into the holster on the inside of his jacket. Then he walked outside and locked the door before jogging down the stairs.

He left his car at the station yesterday so that meant walking all the way there but he was happily doing that, staying in good shape was essential for his job. He couldn't chase after a criminal if he couldn't even walk a few hundred meters to the station.
Besides, walking was way better for the air quality than driving.

Mason stood and waited until the traffic light turned green. While crossing the street the young man noticed another person that looked rather unusual. Completely dressed in black a figure stood leaning against the wall of the building right next to the station, seemingly watching everyone that passed by. Completely dressed in black was something you didn't see often in such a colorful town.

But what was he to play judge?
With his very messy hazel hair, mossy green eyes, and very mixed style of clothing.

People at work sometimes told him he looked like he grabbed things and never looked into the mirror to see if they went well together. Probably such a day would be today again.

Black shoes, a beige coat, a black shirt, and a red tie that wasn't even done correctly.

But as long as he felt comfortable that was all that mattered.

So he walked past the strange man and entered the station.

"Morning everyone!"

He greeted and got some replies while others were too busy working.

"Mason!"

Reya came running towards her partner, her face pale.

"Everything alright? Because you definitely do not look like it is"

Mason says and looks around to see if he can find anything that could cause such a reaction.

"The grey car parked in the back right next to the fence is yours, right?"

Mason nods confused by what is happening.

"Then you might want to see this... and I hope you didn't eat breakfast today, because this is bad"

Worried Mason looked at Reya but his partner didn't say anything she just walked towards the back door.

Mason mentally prepared himself for the worst he could imagine.
Did his car get stolen?
Did someone scratch it or throw a brick at it?

What was waiting for him behind that door?

The moment Reya pushed open the door all the thinking, stopped.

Everything paused, time stood still for a second and the next Mason actually regretted having breakfast and he felt like he was about to pass out.

He needed to take a few deep breaths holding himself up against the wall.

Reya immediately noticed and stood beside Mason lightly grabbing his shoulder in case she actually needed to catch him.

Mason swallowed the acid-like taste in his mouth so he wouldn't throw up right on the spot. His breath was shaking just like his whole body when he pressed the air out of his lungs.

"What the hell?"

The young man whispered looking at his car. The front was completely covered in blood, the window on the drivers' side smashed into pieces and one single bloody handprint on the license plate.

"You okay?"

Reya asked slowly letting go of her partner but keeping a close eye on him. Mason slowly nods even if he isn't sure that he is himself.

The next moment Mason's boss walks over to them with a cold look on his face.

"Mister Walker, I'm going to need you to put your weapon on the ground slowly and then face the wall. You are under arrest for suspected murder"

"What?"

Mason choked out the word.
Even Reya looked confused but took a step away from Mason.

But since he knew the procedure Mason was smart enough not to resist and slowly put the gun down.

The cold metal felt heavier than usual in his hand. His hands almost shaking. Mason took a step back from the gun and his boss immediately kicked it aside.

The wall scratched the skin on his hands when he placed them in front of himself to face the wall.

Forcefully - with way more force than needed - his boss brought Masons' hands behind the young mans back and handcuffed him.

Mason knew this was wrong, he didn't do anything, someone else was pulling the strings here. And what even happened to that car?

Now that he was the suspect he wouldn't get any kind of answer, but he wanted to know. No, he had to. It was still his car and his reputation they were talking about here.

Mason sat down in the interrogation room and stared at the mirror wall, he knew someone was standing there, probably his boss that was about to ask him some questions. But the Detective had the feeling he was watched from somewhere else as well. 

From where, that was a question Mason still needed to find the answer to. But he already knew who, the person that did that to his car. 

The metal of the handcuffs felt like hands holding him, preventing him from escaping from any of this. That was true, that's what handcuffs are made for. But this felt different, it felt like someone else had the keys that could release him - keys that were far out of Mason's reach for now.