You Found Me Broken

Chapter 3

After Myra talked to me, I calmed myself down and went back into the station. Kidman didn't ask why I left, in fact she didn't really talk to me unless it was work related. I didn't see Myra again, she was probably talking to Sebastian, and Sebastian... I didn't see him again, not all day.

I didn't go straight home, I didn't feel like I needed to. I just needed to stop for a minute. Stop thinking, stop worrying, stop loving. So I went out of town a bit and parked on the side of the road just to feel wind against my face.

I took my glasses off and took a deep breath. Closing my eyes, the wind was genuinely something I don't get to feel anymore. City wind is disturbing, but country wind is something beautiful. It shows that there's still life beyond cities of pollution. That wild animals are still around.

Birds chirped, not pigeons. And that was all you heard. Birds. You didn't hear cars rushing past you, or horns honking. You didn't hear sirens, or people yelling at each other.

This is what life should be like. Of course, I grew up in the city, and I never really got to appreciate this, but if I lived in the country, maybe I wouldn't be the way I am now. I'd be different.

I felt... At ease for once.

I don't remember how long I stayed there, but it got dark and I remember the sound of the crickets and frogs from far away. Once I got home though, I felt like I could actually get a good night sleep.

And you know what? I did.

I woke up in a fairly good mood, and I hoped the highest that it would last longer than it usually does, but I doubt it.

I got out of bed and got dressed before taking my keys and leaving. My usual schedule. Once I got to the station, it wasn't as busy as yesterday, which was good. I sat at my desk and, of course, Kidman came over.

"Joseph, are you sure your okay?" She asked. I sighed softly and looked at her with a nod.

"I'm sure~ I was just... having a few bad days... Everyone does." I stated. She looked at me worriedly, before nodding.

"Okay... I mean if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here~" I nodded to her as she sat at her desk. I took a soft breath and pulled out everything I needed for my day.

Working the usual hours, around noon, Sebastian took Kidman on a case instead of me. I wasn't very pleased with that, and... I let it ruin my mood. I am his partner. If he plans on changing it up, I'll leave. Not just being his partner, I'd leave the job. I'd quit. I know it's a lot, but maybe the realization from last night was enough to send me over.

Sebastian probably would be better off without me here, so why was I even staying? The two of them returned around 5, but I kept my head down, doing the "work" I was assigned.

Around the end of the day, I was going to stay late, but Kidman convinced me to go with her to go "drinking". Of course I wouldn't do any drinking, I'd probably have to be her drive home.

I started to pack up everything while she waited outside for me.

"Joseph." I looked up from my desk and saw Sebastian and sighed slightly.

"Yes?" I asked.

He sighed and leaned against my desk.

"You're irritated with me, aren't you?" He asked, careful of his words. I froze. I'm not irritated with him, no... that's not it at all.

I looked at him.

"I'm not irritated at you," I pushed my glasses up. "Why would you think that?" I asked slowly.