Park

@Thaddeus Goldcrest It had been a long, hard, and incredibly annoying day for Amelia and things definitely didn't seem to be getting any better. From where she sat in the darkened corner of the dingy dive-bar she was able to see the goings on of all the patrons, much to her disgust. Why couldn't people just drink at home like she did? It certainly made her experiences with the booze better when there were significantly less people around to tell her to stop.

A happy couple near seated at the bar had had their tongues down each others' throats for most of the night and the ed old barfly seated in a booth ahead of her couldn't tear his lecherous gaze away from them. Occasionally he would his lips and there were a few times she thought he was probably rubbing one out under the table, an idea which made the bile in her stomach churn and rise uncomfortably. There were a few regulars sidled up to a pool table at the far end, laughing and joking loudly at whatever vaguely clever thing the other said but Amelia was less than impressed with their witticisms. Even the bartender would join in when he was near which only lessened her opinion of him as well. A heavily painted woman that reeked of and cheap perfume wandered lazily from male to male looking for companionship. It was hard to tell how old she was but Amelia guessed it was actually far younger than she appeared.

None of them were important though, not really, they were just potential obstacles and distractions that had to be accounted for. Her goal was the lonely businessman tucked away near the billiards players, head hanging over his fourth pint sullenly like he was trying to drink away his pain. That was something she could relate to but she made sure to keep her heart in check, he was the target. His wife was damn sure he was up to something and hired Amelia to tail him.

Hired, yeah right. More like begged and hounded for a week. Amelia's voicemail was filled with messages, all in the lady's shrill nasal voice pleading for help. The woman even showed up at her doorstep ungodly early a few days in a row just to try and talk Amelia into it. Eventually she gave in but, of course, it was mostly just to get the nuisance out of her hair. There was no way that Amelia could enjoy her own drunken stupor with that racket going on anyway.

So Amelia had followed him the whole day but he had done nothing out of the ordinary, not that she could tell. Everything about him was mundane, boring even, and worst of all he seemed like a decent guy but she had seen this kind of thing before. Usually when a woman hired her it was because she needed dirt on them for something, likely a divorce, because she had dirty laundry herself. Amelia guessed that was the case here but she wasn't about to get into that argument. It was best to keep that kind of thing to herself so that she could pay her bills.

The night seemed like it was going to be just as uneventful as she watched him walk out of the bar. Leaving a few bucks on the table to cover her soda she followed behind, shoving her hands into the pockets of her black leather jacket. Glancing up and down the street she caught sight of him again and started to follow, completely oblivious to the fact that she had somehow picked up a tail of her own.

The man, Mr. Michael Brooks, wasn't moving that fast along the sidewalk. It was an idle stroll, probably to avoid returning home even though he was heading in that general direction. Amelia was able to keep tabs on him rather easily, taking a quick picture with her phone to update her client on the progress of the case. As she slowed, letting a bit of distance grow between them she wondered just how long she would be stuck there going through people's lives. She didn't admit it out loud yet, but she missed the stars just a little bit and as she glanced up for a split second to gaze longingly at them she heard a horn blare behind her. Apparently someone hadn't been watching where they were going and she hoped deep down that Mr. Brooks wouldn't turn to investigate for himself so that she wouldn't run the risk of being exposed.

@Amelia Dawes .

Upon the arrival of November, Thaddeus has never been more desperate ever since his wife and daughter went missing. The head of the medical department has been thoughtful enough to grant a day off every November 18 after noticing Doctor Goldcrest's shaky performance on that date. He never revealed the real reason, but he never hid it from anyone.

Every November 18, Thaddeus would reserve a special table in a fancy restaurant and like any normal person, he would eat a special dinner all by himself. Afterwards, he would head over the bakery to buy a lemon sponge cake (because it was his wife's favorite) before heading to the park. In a special bench where he first met his wife, Thaddeus set up the cake and lit all 24 candles. "Happy Birthday, Eleanor." He would softly murmur in sadness.

When all candles had melted, Thaddeus would leave the cake alone in the bench as he strolls the park with a bottle of whiskey on one hand. Eventually, half of its contents were consumed, leaving a drunk doctor wobbling on his way to a children's playground. He would sit on the swing that barely carried his weight, while mumbling something unintelligent.

"I cursed the world when you vanished and no life seemed worthy of saving." He murmured, leaning on the steel chain that supported his swing. "I should quit this worthless job, darn it! Right now I should be looking for you, but I always recall the promise I made before you agreed to marry me. It haunts me, Eleanor."

"Do you remember that? You said to me, 'I will marry you if you agree to mock the devil and the gods by living your life well that those in the heavens will feel the jealousy of living.'" Thaddeus took another gulp before wiping the sweat on his face. "Right now, I'm struggling to mock the devil or the gods! I can't do that alone, Eleanor! I can't do it all by myself."

Thaddeus was about to take another gulp when a feminine figure walked passed him. Feeling all woozy, he began rubbing his eyes as if the figure he saw was painfully familiar. The drunk doctor stood up unsteadily, sending his seat in an inconsistent swinging motion. "Eleanor." He murmured, face stricken with pain and confusion. Thaddeus took a step. Breathless and panting, he attempted to follow the feminine figure.