He's Gone.

Third person's point of view.

Daniel Anderson stood in a dark corner, hidden from the chaos unfolding in Nike's house.

The dimly lit room was filled with the sound of police officers scurrying about, their footsteps echoing off the walls. Their flashlights cut through the darkness, illuminating the space in sporadic bursts.

Daniel's eyes darted around, observing their every move, as they meticulously searched for clues relating to Nike's mysterious death.

A small crowd was starting to form as people couldn't help being curious about what's going on in Nike's apartment.

In the midst of the commotion, a petite lady suddenly collided with him, causing him to release an offended growl. She stumbled back, her eyes wide with surprise, and fear.

He glared at her as he contemplated whether to get rid of her or not, but his heart softens when he locked eyes with her big, round blue, teary eyes.

His eyes traced the direction she came from, then he realized she must be Nike's girlfriend. He clenched his jaw and balled his fists as guilt suddenly ate him up.

“Scram!” he growled again.

“Sorry” she muttered again, and quickly scurried away, disappearing into the shadows.

Daniel's piercing gaze followed her retreating figure, his mind racing with thoughts of the potential consequences of letting her go.

“Why did you let her go, boss?” Nathan, his loyal accomplice, questioned with a hint of worry in his voice. He glanced anxiously at the departing lady, concern etched across his face.

Daniel's brows furrowed, his lips forming a thin line as he averted his gaze from Nike's apartment and focused on Nathan. The dim light cast eerie shadows on his face, accentuating his intense expression.

“Did you leave any clues behind that would trace the murder case back to us?” Daniel's voice was low and commanding, each word laced with a hint of danger.

Nathan shook his head vigorously, his eyes widening. “No, boss, but…"

Daniel cut him off, raising his right hand to silence him. The atmosphere fell into an uneasy silence as his piercing gaze bore into Nathan's eyes.

“There's no reason to fear,” he stated firmly, his voice laced with conviction. “Even if she gets suspicious, it's nighttime, and she didn't see my face properly.”

Nathan opened his mouth to speak once more, but Daniel's stern expression silenced him. The air grew heavy with tension as Daniel's mind raced with thoughts of the consequences that could unfold if their involvement in Nike's death was discovered.

“There's no need to hurt the innocent,” Daniel declared, his voice filled with a sense of finality as he referred to Nike's girlfriend.

With one last glance at the chaotic scene before him, he turned on his heel and swiftly made his way out of the dark corner, disappearing into the night.

*****

>Ashley's Apartment<<

“Is that you, Ashley?” Monique asked from the kitchen immediately she heard their front door open.

She quickly took off her apron, and excitedly rushed to the living room, with her phone in her hand… playing a birthday song.

“Monique” Ashley called in a broken voice.

Monique stopped abruptly when she saw Ashley's sorry state, but soon rushed to her and pulled her into a hug, and Ashley broken down, crying.

“What the hell happened? Where is Nike? Did you two have a fight?” she asked frantically, yet in a composed manner.

“My life… my life is over, Monique”

Monique's brows furrowed, she couldn't help but wonder why Ashley would say something like that. She led Ashley to the nearest sofa and helped her sit down, but they still didn't break their hug because Ashley was weeping bitterly.

“It's all over…" she coughed. “... my life is completely over, Monique”

“What in the bloody hell happened?” she asked again.

Ashley couldn't respond, she simply continued weeping. Then a thought crossed Monique's mind, and she gasped and sprang up in a flash.

“Don't tell me that bastard cheated on you with some girl”

Ashley looked up at her.

“Cheated?” she hiccuped. “That would have been better, Monique, cheating would have been better”

Monique's brows furrowed, she doesn't seem to understand her best friend anymore.

“What do you mean? Why would you say Nike cheating on you would have been better?”

“Nike is gone, Monique, he's gone…"

“What?!” Monique exclaimed. “He left the country?”

Ashley's frowned. “He… HE'S DEAD!” she screamed.

Monique's heart broke as she heard Ashley's words, and she slowly sat back on the sofa. The room suddenly felt colder, and an eerie silence settled over them. The weight of Ashley's pain hung heavily in the air, suffocating Monique's own breath.

“No, no, Ashley, you must be mistaken,” Monique whispered, her voice barely audible.

She couldn't fathom the thought of Nike, Ashley's loving and caring boyfriend, being gone. They were supposed to celebrate his birthday together, to make it a day filled with joy and love.

Ashley's tear-stained face looked up at Monique, her eyes filled with an unbearable sadness.

“I wish I were mistaken, Monique. I wish it was just a cruel joke, but it's not. Nike… Nike was stabbed in his apartment. He didn't make it,” she choked out, her voice trembling with grief.

Monique's heart shattered into a million pieces. The room spun around her, blurring her vision as she struggled to comprehend the devastating news. How could someone so full of life, so full of love, be taken away so suddenly?

The weight of the tragedy pressed down on her, threatening to crush her spirit.

If I could feel so much hurt, so much pain, then Ashley would be going through hell right now – she thought.

She tightened her grip around Ashley, offering what little comfort she could.

“I'm so sorry, Ashley. I can't even begin to imagine what you're going through right now. But please let me be here for you. Let me help you through this unbearable pain.”

Ashley clung to Monique, her body trembling with grief.

“I don't know how to go on without him, Monique. He was my everything, my rock, my reason for living. How can I face a world without him?”

Monique's heart ached as she witnessed her friend's anguish. She knew that no words could ever heal the wounds that had been inflicted upon Ashley's soul. But she also knew that she had to be there for her, to offer support and love in this darkest of times.

“You don't have to face it alone, Ashley. We will face it together. Lean on me, cry on my shoulder, scream, and let it all out. I'll be right here, holding your hand every step of the way,” Monique whispered, her voice filled with determination.

Ashley nodded weakly, her tears continuing to flow as the birthday song continued to play softly in the background.