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"Let me be with her," Sheila begged, her voice broken and pleading. "Just for a minute, please."
"Trust me, you don't want to see her like this," Finn said softly, his eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and understanding. "It's better to remember her as she was."
Sheila stifled a sob and allowed Finn to guide her away, her eyes never leaving Natalie's lifeless form. As they loaded her sister into the ambulance, Sheila felt time itself slow to a crawl. Each agonizing moment seemed to stretch into eternity, trapping her in the visceral pain of loss and regret.
"Why did this happen?" she whispered, her hands trembling as Finn held her close. "How am I supposed to live without her?"
"One day at a time," Finn said. "And sometimes, one moment at a time."
As the ambulance drove away, sirens wailing mournfully into the cold night air, the image of Natalie's lifeless body seared itself into Sheila's memory—an indelible reminder of the sister she couldn't save.
And the guilt that would forever weigh upon her soul.
CHAPTER TWO
As Sheila stepped into the main room of the Coldwater County Sheriff's Department, she was struck by how quiet the place was, even though it was seven in the morning. The lights were off, too, as if nobody had come in to turn them on.
Sheila's heart quickened as a sense of unease settled over her. "Hello?" she called tentatively. "Anybody here?"
Strange, she thought, scanning the deserted room. Desks were cluttered with stacks of papers and half-empty coffee mugs, while the cork bulletin board on the wall overflowed with crime reports and witness statements. The atmosphere felt eerie and foreboding, like something was amiss.
Suddenly, the overhead lights flickered to life, momentarily blinding her. As her eyes adjusted, Sheila caught sight of familiar faces emerging from behind desks and doorways. A chorus of "Surprise!" rang through the room as grinning police officers, friends, and family surrounded her.
Her breath caught in her throat as she took in the scene: a banner reading "WELCOME TO THE TEAM" (visible now beneath the fluorescent lights) hung across the room, flanked by blue and white balloons. A table adorned with a beautifully frosted cake stood at the center, accompanied by punch and an assortment of finger foods. The office had been transformed into a makeshift party venue, complete with streamers and confetti scattered on the floor.
"Couldn't let your first day go by without a proper welcome, now could we?" Officer Martinez said, clapping her on the back.
"Thanks," Sheila said, still a bit taken aback. She hadn't expected the department to make such a big deal of the start of her career.
A month had passed since Natalie's tragic suicide, and since then Sheila had immersed herself in the intensive police training program, trying to outrun her grief by focusing on the rigors of law enforcement. She'd spent countless hours learning defensive tactics, practicing high-speed driving maneuvers, and studying criminal law. Physical fitness was her sanctuary, and she pushed her body to its limits with grueling runs and intense weightlifting sessions.
She recalled how, just a few days ago, she'd received the news that she had passed her exams. She was at the range, the sun beating down on her as she stood, gun in hand, sweat dripping from her brow. Her eyes narrowed, fixated on the target, and she fired again and again. Each shot found its mark with deadly precision, leaving no doubt about her abilities.
"Nice shooting," a voice called out behind her. The range instructor, a tall man with a chiseled jaw and close-cropped hair, approached her with an impressed expression. "You've become quite a deadeye."
"Thanks." She waited, doubting he'd come over just to compliment her shooting.
"I've got your test results," he said.
"Really?" Sheila asked, her heart pounding in anticipation. "How did I do?"
"Outstanding," he replied, a smile creasing his face. "You aced everything. It's official—you're joining the force."
"Thank you, sir," Sheila murmured, feeling a surge of pride mixed with trepidation. This was the path that Natalie had paved for her, and she was determined to honor her sister's memory by excelling in her new career.
Now, standing in the Coldwater County Sheriff's Department surrounded by friends, family, and coworkers, Sheila held onto the memory of her sister even more tightly, knowing that it was Natalie who had put her on this fast track. She felt a wave of gratitude for the opportunity, but also a pang of sadness, wishing her sister could have been there to see her succeed.
Sheila's father, a tall man with salt-and-pepper hair and a warm smile, stepped forward to embrace her. "I'm so proud of you, sweetheart," he said, his voice thick with emotion.
"Thanks, Dad," Sheila replied, returning the hug and feeling a swell of gratitude for her father's unwavering support.
Beside them, her younger brother Jason shifted uncomfortably in his hoodie and jeans. He ran a hand through his shaggy brown hair before offering a tentative grin. "Yeah, sis, congrats."
"Thank you, Jason," Sheila said, reaching out to squeeze her brother's arm affectionately.
As the warmth of familial connection filled Sheila's heart, Hank Dawson, who was filling in as interim sheriff while the department found an official replacement for Natalie, strode to the center of the room with an air of authority. The stout, middle-aged man with a neatly trimmed mustache commanded attention as he raised a hand for silence.
"Alright, everyone, gather 'round," he boomed, his voice resonating through the room. The gathered officers and friends turned their attention to him as he began his speech. "Today, we're here to celebrate not just the addition of a new member to our team but also the embodiment of dedication and resilience that defines us as law enforcement officers."
