Loving Ash

After my death, my soul didn't dissipate like it should have.

Instead, I lingered and watched as my remains were slowly discovered from dumpsters and riverbanks, which sent the city spiraling into panic.

The case drew so much attention that those in charge brought in my brother, Nathan Slade, a detective, to lead the investigation.

I felt a pang of guilt, realizing that I'd once again caused Nathan trouble, even in death. A shiver ran through my spine as I watched him examine my reconstructed corpse with a frown.

"Any details on the body? Has the time of death been confirmed?" he asked.

Harlan Graves from the support team rubbed his temples in exhaustion. "Preliminary findings suggest the victim was a female in her early 20s, dead for at least 48 hours.

"The body is in bad shape, so we can't extract any useful information for now. DNA results will take at least two days.

"The victim suffered unimaginable torture before death. The killer chopped off her limbs to stop her from fighting back while she was alive."

A stunned, horrified silence fell over the scene. No one could believe what they'd just heard, as such brutal means were too much to process.

"Monster," someone muttered.

"Poor child, god knows what she must've gone through," another murmured in pity.

Nathan slammed on the table furiously and said, "I'll find out who did this and make sure they pay!"

Lawrence Finch, his mentor and Dad's old friend, gave him a sympathetic pat. There was a slight regret in his voice as he quietly said, "You've got your hands full, so you'll probably have to miss Rosie's graduation."

After Mom and Dad died, Lawrence had taken care of us like family and taught Nathan everything from tracking clues to catching a killer.

At the mention of my name, Nathan's expression hardened with a frown. "Don't bring her up. She's nothing but bad luck.

"There's no way I'm going to her graduation. I'm going to Gemma's."

His words cut deep.

After our parents died, Nathan loathed me to the core and blamed me. He said I was the reason they were gone. Then, he threw me out and refused to acknowledge me as his family.

Later, he saved a young lady during a field case. After learning that she was an orphan, he took her in and called her his sister.

And just like that, I became an "orphan" too.

Even right up until my last breath, Nathan was still upset that I'd make him miss Gemma Carter's graduation and that, because of me, her reputation got dragged through the mud.

If he knew that I was the body laying on the ground, he probably wouldn't hesitate to walk away. After all, no one wished I was dead more than he did.

Well, now that I was gone, he was probably thrilled.

Lawrence suddenly punched him in the chest and chided, "How could you say that? Rosie's a thoughtful kid. She's worried you wouldn't like her, so she's been bringing you lunch every day, without a word.

"Open your eyes, you ungrateful brat."

Nathan just scoffed. "Like I care. Anyway, let's stop talking about her, Lawrence. We've got real work to discuss.

"Any missing persons reports?"

His assistant, Orson Marsh, shook his head and said, "No, nothing in the last two days from this neighborhood."

"Seriously? This lady has gone missing for days, so how could no one in the family have noticed? What kind of irresponsible family is that?" Nathan grumbled.

Later, he headed out with the others for lunch.

A thought seemed to hit Lawrence, and he asked, "Why hasn't Rosie brought you lunch these days?"

"She probably couldn't keep up the act anymore. Figures," Nathan said as he laughed in disdain.

Lawrence got mad after seeing his reaction. "No way. She's come rain or shine and never missed a day in years.

"Something must've happened. You should call and check on her."

Nathan annoyedly replied, "Don't bother, Lawrence. This is just another one of her games.

"She called me the other day, probably for some nonsense. I told her to come to Gemma's graduation, and she refused. Guess she's just sulking now."

Lawrence was about to argue when Nathan's phone rang.

With a glance at the caller ID, the latter's frown disappeared, and his voice softened instantly as he answered.