So I know I really shouldn't start this…but oh well. I am trying to review some other stories, since I was away yesterday all day for church, and there are a whole bunch of new stories up now O.o Also, a couple people did ask me to do an epilogue for Don't Forget. I am planning on doing that, I'll probably put it up tomorrow, so thanks to everyone who requested it! Also, before anyone asks me this, no this is not an Osctara story. I would never do that. So there will be some Maltara in later chapters, just not right away.

It's raining, pouring really, as I lean against the wall in the main entrance of my apartment building. Mal should be here by now, but he's not. If he doesn't come soon we'll both be late. I impatiently peer out the foggy windows, hoping to catch a glimpse of the framilar car that's usually my ride to work, but the parking lot is empty. It's not surprising, since most people are at work, like I'm suposed to be.

My phone vibrates in my pocket and I pull it out, hoping it's Mal letting me know he's on his way. But while it is a text from him, it's not what I expected.

'I'm supposed to let you know; there was a mix-up. You have today off today now.

-Mal'

I read over those two sentences a dozen times. Something's not right. This text doesn't even sound like like it came from Mal. And a 'mix-up'? How could there be a mix-up? We're still stuck with Anders as captain, and someone as meticulous as him would never get something as simple as a work schedule mixed up. There has to be something going on; and I'm not just going to sit by and let them keep me in the dark. Last time that happened…things didn't end well. I can't let something like that happen again.

I run up to my apartment and grab an umbrella, intending to walk there. I could easily take a bus, but being shoved into a tiny space with soaking wet strangers this early in the morning doesn't really appeal to me. So I walk through the rain, my trainers already soaked by the time I get there. Leaving my umbrella just outside the door, I walk in, but to my surprise Mal isn't at his desk. Or anywhere. Figuring he's down at the crime lab, I head down the hall, my shoes squeaking all the way down.

But before I can even walk in the door someone steps in front of me, blocking my way. I look up and see that it's Mal, but before I can even speak he says "Go home".

"Mal? What is your problem?" I ask, pushing past him. It's clear he's trying to hide something, that there's something he doesn't want me to see. But he reaches around and grabs my arm, stopping me from going any further.

"Natara…" I know from his tone, and also from the use of my full name, that something isn't right. Something bad has happened. "…Oscar is gone".

"What do you mean?". My heart skips a beat.

"He went missing late last night. There were signs of a struggle, and his neighbor was killed also".

No…No, this can't be happening. This can't be happening! Why me? Why him? And most importantly, why did I only find out now? "And you were going to keep this from me?" I try and ask angrily, but my voice is a little weak from shock and come out in a whisper.

"It wasn't my choice…" he starts, but I grab his hand and shove it off my arm. I shove past him once more, stomping down the hall. I'm not so mad at him as I am everyone else. I'm angry at whoever it was, probably Anders, who tried to keep this information from me. I'm mad at the world for taking Oscar away. But I can fix it…I can get him back.

"Where do you think you're going?" Mal shouts at me when I'm about half-way up the stairs.

"Where do you think?" I shout back, my voice much louder than before.

"And how do you plan to get there?".

He walks down the hall after me, and I wait for him. I could easily get there myself, but better my pride be damaged than for me to show up the the crime scene dripping wet. As we make our way out to the bullpen I notice that he glances over to me every few seconds, his eyes apologetic. Maybe he really did want to tell me, and he was forced to keep me in the dark. It wouldn't be the first time, but I figured after all that resulted from The Kraken case he would never do that again. Still, orders are orders. And if I were in his position I would have had to do the exact same thing.

The door to Oscar's apartment is open, as is the door next to it. To my surprise Mal doesn't even give Oscar's apartment a second glance as we pass, and all I catch a glimpse of is a smashed lamp and overturned chair. But the room inside his neighbors apartment is completely normal, almost too much so. Bookshelves line the walls, each one neatly full. Everything is neat and tidy, much like a library. Except for the fact that a woman lies face-down on the carpet; her skin pale as winter and her hair very grey. I have to wonder what could have killed her. Other than her slight pallor, she looks perfectly fine.

"She was a Oscar's neighbor?".

"Yeah. According to her other neighbor she was a chemesty teacher at a school not far from here. No one even heard her scream or anything, the same goes with Oscar".

I scan the room, looking for anything out of place. But there's nothing here, and all I can think of is…Why? Why would someone do this? What motive could they possibly have?

Thanks for reading! Review and let me know what you think so far?