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Someone once told me that if there was something I ever wanted to become when I was just a child, I should pursue it. But I didn't know exactly what path I wanted to take, and I'm sure many, many people were the same as I was—unsure about where to go and what decisions were good or bad.

But in the end, after all the searching and years passing by, I figured out just exactly where I want to be. It may not all be flowers and sunshine here, but I chose this path.

As I sit here looking at the name badge on my new uniform, I close my eyes and relax my shoulders, thinking about when I was just a lost kid with no hope in life, no one to lead me,  and lost directions. As I slowly open my eyes back up— "Detective Ella Hawks!" —I'm brought back to reality by the sound of chief Marco's voice. That's right, I'm Ella, and I've become a homicide and violent crimes detective. My job may not be what's expected from me, but this was one of my dream jobs as a kid.

"Yes chief!" I say, saluting proudly as he towers above me,  his cerulean blue eyes locking me with a piercing gaze. "What do you think you're doing standing around while crimes are happening everywhere at this very moment? Get your ass moving!" he says strictly, slamming a bunch of case files on my desk. "Take a good Look at these autopsy reports. I'm putting you under these cases. Understood, Ella?" "Yes chief! " I say again, quickly sitting down at my desk and opening the case files.

I flip through each page, feeling a heavy sigh escape my lips.

Name: Madison Green

Age: 23 years old

Sex: Female

Probable cause of death: Strangulation.

Name: Chloe Winters.

Age: 18 years old

Sex: Female

Probable cause of death: Fell from a building.

Name: Jacob Smith.

Age: 21 years old

Sex: Male

Probable cause of death: Suicide.

Name: Mark Davis.

Age: 30 years old

Sex: Male

Probable cause of death: Gun shot.

I look through each of the different profiles, but it's Jacob Smith's case that catches my attention. The reports say his cause of death was suicide, but something feels off about it. No matter how much I try to wrap my head around it, it doesn't sit right with me. I lean back in my chair, crossing my feet and examining Jacob's profile closely. I scan through the photos of the crime scene. Looking at the rope attached to the ceiling and the slightly tipped-over chair on the ground, Jacob's lifeless body hangs in the dimly lit room.

My eyebrows arch as I scrutinize the photo. It doesn't look like he hung himself. Something about the scene feels staged. "Is this...new?" I ask, looking at the chief, holding up the paper. He nods slightly. I close my eyes for a moment and shake my head. "I'll figure this out in no time, chief. Leave it to me." I say, standing up and placing the paper back on my desk.

I leave the building, rushing to my car and getting in. I pull out of the lot, heading straight to the crime scene where Jacob's body was found.

There has to be something more. The picture didn't give me much, even though I examined  it closely. Something didn't seem right. Maybe it's just my instinct, or maybe I'm right this time. This crime was definitely not just a simple suicide.

The person behind this is far more dangerous and much smarter than I thought.