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"Mari!" Chance, the owner of the coffee shop, called me with enthusiasm as he entered. I smiled back and waited for him to reach the counter.

Mari. Yes, the name I've been using for the past two weeks. I have no recollection of who I am and where I live. I have no idea if I'm from this town or if I have a business here. Either way, it seems no one is looking for me.

"Mari? You okay?" Chance asked and looked at me with concern. He found me unconscious in the alleyway near his house. He took me in and let me stay in his guestroom.

"Y-yes. I'm fine." I gave him a customer service smile and continued polishing the counter.

"I went to the police station," he said as he sat on the stool in front of me.

"O-oh... what did they say?" I asked politely. It's not that I don't want someone to find me, but thinking about my past somehow scares me. It's like an unknown void for me.

He shook his head in disappointment.

I sighed and just smiled at him. "Well. I'll have to remember something someday, maybe? Maybe I'll drop by the station after work."

"Are you sure?" he asked me and reached for my hand.

"Yep! I mean, if no one's looking for me. Maybe I'll file myself missing?" I blurted out.

"And what name will you put there? You said you don't even remember your name and just picked Mari because it sounds right." Chance said and squeezed my hand.

"Well, I can't just keep crashing in your guestroom. I have to do something." I replied and pulled my hand from his.

"You can stay as long as you want," he whispered like he's shy, a slight tinge of pink forming on his cheek.

"I still feel bad. I mean, somewhere out there, someone might be looking for me. I can't just sit here and wait for a miracle to happen." I replied and looked straight into his eyes. He looked concerned but at the same time disappointed with my answer.

"Well, if that's what you want, I'll support you. But for the time being, please don't feel bad using my guestroom." He looked at me and gave a wry smile. I smiled back and continued doing my task while he busied himself in the back office. I'm grateful that Chance gave me a job and a room to stay. But behind my mind, I'm thinking, what happened to me?

Later that night, Chance stayed to lock up while I made my way to the station. The weather was cold, and I pulled my coat closer to my body. As I made my way to the alleyway, I stopped and looked at the alleyway.

I'm standing where Chance found me. I looked around like I was looking for a clue. Something. Anything. But there's nothing that I remember. As much as I try to look back at that night, there's nothing.

When I reached the station, I felt nervous. What if they don't take me seriously?

"Hi! I want to file myself as a missing person." I told the officer at the front desk. He looked at me, puzzled and dazed.

"Hmmm, you're the girl Chance said. Am I right?" the officer said. I nodded and looked at him. "Well, missy. Here's the thing. This police station has a lot of priority cases. And your case is, say, not the top of our list?"

I was taken aback by his rather rude behavior, but I didn't want to be bullied by an imprudent man! I squared my shoulders and looked at him directly. Other officers were also present, and we're looking at the show unfolding in front of them.

"Well, I'm sorry for your incompetence to solve a simple missing person report. I guess this police station needs a sharper tool than you?" I replied, and the people looked at me, shocked! I shoot him an eyebrow. The police officer's mouth agape with surprise before he snapped back at me.

"You bitch!" He shouted. The other police officers were surprised at how things quickly escalated.

"What's happening here?" A tall, handsome, young guy suddenly appeared from the backside of the reception desk and looked at the officer, then at me. The other officers looked at him nervously. I'm guessing he's the captain.

"This lady wants to file a missing person report." the other police officer said and pointed at me.

"And? Why was there a commotion then?" he asked. I tried my best not to roll my eyes.

"She wants to file herself as missing." the officer in the reception finally said and looked at me angrily.

"You're the memory loss girl?" the guy responded, and I shoot him an eyebrow.

"Yes, that's me," I responded, still in my serious tone.

"Follow me then," he called me, and I followed quietly.

When I got into his office, he locked the door and closed the blinds.

"I heard what you said to my officer. That was quite rude," he said and plopped down on the swivel chair. I looked around his office, then to his table until my eyes landed on his svelte build.

Kevin Evans.

"Well, he wasn't exactly accommodating," I replied crossed my arms to make a point.

He looked at me with an amused expression.

"You don't have to pretend amused at my rude behavior, Mr. Evans. I'm pretty sure you heard the conversation. And if this station can't help me, then I'd better start investigating on my own. Thank you for your time." I quickly said and turned my back into him. As I opened the door, he slammed it shut and pulled me to face him. His face merely inches from mine.

"I'll take your case," he said and looked at me very seriously.

"You don't have to. I'll handle it. Excuse me." I pulled back and made my way out of the station.

I walked until I reached the local park. I decided to walk some more to clear my head. The streetlamps were well lit, and the moon and stars were shining brightly. It's a peaceful night.

"Out for a walk?" A familiar voice suddenly spoke behind me, making me almost jump out of my skin.

"Officer! You startled me." I said and looked at him, surprised.

"Sorry. I just wanted to apologize for what happened at the station. What happened at the station was inappropriate." He replied, and I nodded.

"It's okay. Your officer is undergoing life changes. It might have put him on edge." I replied and started walking.

"Life change? He's just worked up with all the cases we receive," he said while matching my pace. His tone was surprised and confused.

"So, he's not going through a divorce right now?" I asked casually.

"What?" he asked. from the corner of my eye, I can see him looking at me.

"There's a slight skin discoloration around his ring finger. I didn't see him wearing a ring, but I assumed he wore one." I casually replied.

"That's a good deduction, miss. But don't you think you're jumping the gun here?" he responded. His tone was a little lower like, he's trying to put the idea together.

I stopped in my tracks and looked at him. His eyes were looking for answers. "Officer Clark has a family picture on his desk. When I arrived, he was deep in thought and was looking at the photo longingly. He got mad when I pointed out his flaw. I most likely hit a nerve there. Oh! And I saw on his table some custody papers. I'm sure it wasn't about a case. He doesn't have the field-work-feeling type of officer."

"I'm impressed, for a woman who lost a memory, you have sharp skills." he mused while caressing his chin.

"I'm serious. I'll take your case." He said and sat down at the bench nearby.

"As I said, you don't have to," I replied and stood a few feet apart from Kevin.

"Look, Chance is a good friend of mine, and he's persistent in finding your family. So, whether you like it or not, I'm still taking your case." Kevin said. I sighed and nodded in agreement.

"So, what do you remember?" Kevin asked and looked at me like I'm a specimen under a microscope.

"Nothing. Every time I try to remember, there's nothing." I replied and looked afar, "Chance found me in an alleyway near his house. He brought me to the hospital. I stayed there for a week because of my bruises. Then the hospital tried looking if I have any records or something, but there's none. Things got worse when I woke up, and I can't remember a damn thing. Heck, I don't even know my real name."

"So not an inkling?" he tried to hide his shocked expression with a poker face, but his voice betrayed him.

"Retrograde amnesia, but they're leaning more on dissociative since I can't remember even my childhood. The doctors said I hurt my head pretty bad. So, I don't remember anything about my identity and all." Just saying it out loud makes it seem so surreal.

"Sorry. Didn't know," Kevin responded and looked away.

"That's okay. The doctors said it would come back soon. I have to stay away from stress and all." I replied and walked a little.

"But if that's the case. Shouldn't that be just temporary? It's been two weeks."

"I thought about that too. But like I said, the brain injury was too much." I started to walk, and he caught up.

"So, miss--" Kevin stopped in front of me.

"Mari," I replied.

"Mari, I will help you then. Chance filed a report already. I'll send your file to nearby towns. Hopefully, they can identify you." Kevin said and looked at me sincerely.

"Thank you, Mr. Evans," I replied and gave a smile.

"You can call me Kevin. Can I walk you home?" He offered.

"Nah. It's okay. It's late, and I don't want to keep you from your appointment."

He looked at me, confused.

"You keep looking at your watch. I'm guessing you have an appointment, or you have to go somewhere." I smiled. He scratched the back of his neck. Is he embarrassed?

He was reluctant but finally waved goodbye to me as we parted ways.

I got home and saw Chance sleeping on the couch. I tried to wake him up, but he's sleeping like a baby. Feeling guilty about staying out so late, I got a blanket and put it on top of him.

"Good night, Chance," I whispered and went to my room.

As I lay in bed, my phone beeped. Strange though, only Chance has my number since he was the one who gave it to me. Why would it be ringing?

When I opened my phone, I felt my hands tremble in fear and shock.

It's a photo of me in the alleyway bleeding to death!