"Tyne!"<br/><br/>A slight mental jump later, and her eyes were sliding up with a casual sort of retort, moving to lock with the source of her mental interruption. Being her partner, despite the comments that came to mind, she remained silent, gaze turning a bit more cynical.<br/><br/>"If you're through zoning out, could we get back to work? We've a lot of files to go through and not a lot of time to do it," the man sneered, dropping yet another pile of papers onto her desk before leaving the room.<br/><br/>Following him as he left, Ephyra shut the door behind him, locking it with a heavy sigh, her small frame slumping against the cool surface. And, for a long while, she didn’t move from her place, eyeing the new pile of papers on her desk with a growing sense of dread. Even when she finally did manage to drag herself away from her only escape route, her steps, instead, moved about the entirety of her office, heels dragging on the floor all the while. This sense of dread only grew more pressing with each rise of her chest, with each breath inhaled, with each heart’s beat, at the prospect of new criminals to analyze.<br/><br/>It wasn’t even that she disliked her job. In fact, it was quite the opposite; She loved her job. Figuring out another’s inner motivations and predicting their next targets, it was fulfilling. It gave her a sense of purpose and life, accomplishment when her hunches and profiles proved correct.<br/><br/>Once more, she slouched, this time against the wall as a hand covered her eyes.<span style="font-style: italic">How can I be losing my grip over something as simple as paperwork?</span>Ephyra wondered, a groan loosing as her inner turmoil went unvoiced.<span style="font-style: italic">It’s only paperwork. It’s what you need to find the clues that others have overlooked. What is so different this time around?</span>That question, unfortunately, had no answer while she remained there, slowly sinking to the floor in her sudden bout of unease and hopelessness.<br/><br/>It was as she fought with herself to get a grip that a thought reverberated with her.<br/><br/>A thought she couldn't ignore.<br/><br/>Pushing away from the wall, there was a sort of harried rush for her desk, shoving file after file away until her fingers clutched piece she sought after. Scanning it again, memories filled her mind, memories of a (suddenly) monotonous time. …A time where she was happy.<br/><br/>She could almost see them, the group of friends she'd known so long ago, but lost contact with. Granted, she'd kept them in her thoughts, kept tabs on them far more than she probably should of…But the feeling of guilt wouldn't allow her to leave them be.<span style="font-style: italic">Will they be there?</span>the anxious woman wondered, staring hard at the letter held tightly in her grasp, debating.<span style="font-style: italic">Will it be like old times? Will this feeling I have shake?</span>There was no doubt she was going, no way she could avoid it. It was all a question of when.<br/><br/>Grabbing her purse and scooping up the pile of papers, Ephy marched down to Matthew's office, dropping them unceremoniously on his desk, a friendly smile on her face though her eyes remained cold. "If you're through slacking and not pulling your weight, these files won't read themselves. Thanks." With that, she walked back out, letting out a sigh, this time of relief. Even when her boss came to try and accost her, she shook her head, giving the standard excuse any criminal psychologist gives when they need a day off:<br/><br/>"If I don't get time off I require, you'll be profiling<span style="font-style: italic">me</span>. I only ask for a few days, you’ve ample staff, and I’ll be of clearer mind when I come back."<br/><br/>With little ado, she slid into her car, dropping her purse next to her on the seat, realizing the letter was still in hand. Pulling out her phone, she tapped in the address, turning her radio off so she could hear the spoken directions and started off. It was a peaceful ride, despite the length in almost complete silence, as it afforded her time to think. It didn't matter how long it took her, not really. In the grand scheme of things, it wouldn't have mattered if she had to walk there.<br/><br/>As long as she got there, she’d be content.<br/><br/>In what felt like no time, her car was parked in otherwise empty lot, stepping out onto the dirt road, a sound of frustration slipping free beneath her breath. Being that she'd come directly from work, she was still wearing work attire, something not really suited for a literal trek down memory lane. All she could really be thankful for was the small miracle that she'd not opted for higher heels. "I'll get it out of my system," she told herself. "I'll go in, hopefully see a few familiar faces, and leave. Simple." Smoothing a hand over her pencil skirt, she walked, the need propelling her forward. "It's something I need to do..."<span style="font-style: italic">Something I need to do…</span><br/><br/>Whilst walking, she started growing hotter, so her jacket came off, slinging it over her shoulder just as the sign came into view. A small smile pulling at her lips, she nodded as if affirming to herself that she were really there. Sure, she was alone for the time being, but she was there for herself, no one else. It would only be an added bonus if she got to see the old crew again. Deciding to take a look around, a few stray hairs pulling free of her bun in the breeze, she wandered away from the first set of cabins she’d happened across, looking for any sign of life, anyone that could have actually called them.<br/><br/>"Hello?" Ephyra called, her melodic tones curious and tired. "Anyone else here?"<span style="font-style: italic">Yes, because people often just materialize without any other means of transport to explain their existence,</span>she chastised herself with a roll of her eyes as she pressed on.<br/><br/>She saw no one on the docks, no one in the fields, no one…anywhere.<span style="font-style: italic">Perhaps I’m merely early…</span>came another thought. Wandering back toward the front, Ephyra made for the benches, settling on one and waiting for more to show.<span style="font-style: italic">If no one else shows, I’ll take one more look around and head home,</span>she assured herself.<span style="font-style: italic">They’ve got time yet.</span>