In the darkness of the cliff, a little girl clung to the rocky edge, her tiny hands digging deep into the crevices as she screamed for help. Her face was covered in a mixture of fear and desperation, her eyes wide with tears that streamed down her cheeks like a relentless waterfall.
Her beauty was undeniable, even in distress, with her flowing golden locks cascading down her back like a river of sunset hues, tangled and knotted from the force of the wind. Her dress, a short, flowing gown, acted freely in the wind, its delicate fabric fluttering like a bird in flight, threatening to rip free from her grasp at any moment.
The gown was a soft, ethereal blue, like the first gentle light of dawn, and it seemed to glow in the fading light of day, as if infused with an otherworldly radiance.
Isla opened her eyes, her face covered with sweat, her heart still racing from the vivid dream. She looked around the room, disoriented, her gaze lingering on the unfamiliar surroundings before she finally came to her senses. Her expression was one of relief mixed with fear, her brow furrowed in concern as she tried to shake off the remnants of the dream. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, but her hands still trembled slightly as she brushed her hair back from her face.
After she calmed down, she looked sideways and didn't see Julian, and a sudden sense of panic washed over her. She raised up the blanket, her hands moving frantically as if she were searching for a needle in a haystack. She tossed the blanket aside, her eyes scanning the bed, the floor, and the surrounding area, her face scrunched up in concentration.
"What am I even doing?" She questioned herself, not expecting an answer, her voice barely above a whisper as she realized the futility of her search.
She saw a piece of paper nearly folded under the pillow, and her heart skipped a beat as she adjusted her sitting position and slowly brought it out. The paper was folded neatly, with a small crease in the middle, and it felt smooth to the touch. As she unfolded it, her hands trembled slightly, her eyes scanning the words written in Julian's familiar handwriting.
"My dear love," the letter began, "I know you love me so much, and so do I. I received a call this early morning, and I needed to travel as soon as possible. I didn't want to wake you up, so I'm forced to write to you. I'll call you when I land. I love you always."
The words danced on the page, filled with emotion and sincerity, and Isla's heart swelled with love as she read them. She felt a lump form in her throat as she realized that Julian had left without waking her up, and a pang of sadness washed over her.
Isla dropped the paper, lying down on the bed, and then she picked it up again, laying it on her chest. She closed her eyes, feeling the weight of the paper against her skin, and let out a deep sigh. The words on the paper seemed to seep into her skin, filling her with a sense of longing and love. She felt Julian's absence deeply, but the letter reminded her of his love and commitment, and she knew that he would be back soon. As she lay there, she felt a sense of peace wash over her, and she knew that everything would be okay.
Isla stepped into the warm water, feeling it envelop her tired muscles. She had been looking forward to a relaxing bath all day, but now her mind was preoccupied with the meeting she was about to have with Andrew from the forensic department. She hoped he had some news about the case.
As she soaked in the tub, she thought about Julian's note and how he had left without waking her up. She smiled, feeling a sense of love and appreciation for him. After her bath, she got dressed in a simple yet elegant outfit, her mind still focused on the meeting ahead.
She grabbed her keys and headed out the door, driving to the hospital where Andrew worked. The traffic was moderate, but she navigated through it with ease, her thoughts drifting between the case and Julian.
Upon arrival, she was greeted by the hospital's imposing structure and the hum of activity within. She made her way to the forensic department, her heart beating slightly faster with anticipation.
Andrew, a seasoned forensic scientist with 18 years of experience, welcomed her warmly. His credentials impressed her... a Latent Print Examiner and Senior Crime Scene Responder with expertise in Latent Print Examination, Crime Scene Response, and Forensic Photography.
"Good morning, Isla," Andrew said, his voice professional and friendly. "I've been reviewing the case, and I think we might have a lead."
Isla's eyes widened with interest as Andrew began to explain. "We've found some interesting evidence at the crime scene, including a partial fingerprint that matches a suspect in our database."
"That's great news," Isla replied, her excitement growing. "What's the next step?"
"We'll need to run some more tests to confirm the match, but if it pans out, we might have our guy," Andrew explained. "I'll keep you updated on any developments."
Isla left the hospital feeling hopeful, knowing that the forensic team was working diligently to crack the case