#dante torres cpd | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

chicago-pd-is-weird · 7 months ago

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Reblogging for that A/N because you’re so, so right OP!! Dante is the first “replacement” character I’ve liked in Antonio’s place in a long time!

BURN — DANTE TORRES: [Summer Writings]

A/N: Don’t fall over, yes this is a part two to one of my previous works which can be found here + we only saw a sprinkle of Mr. Bambi eyes since the last time I wrote the first piece because we clearly know who the show is catered to but we won’t go too deep on that lol.

🏷️: @darqchilddaydreamz

WARNINGS: Dante taking his job seriously, slight crossover with other shows such as: Chicago fire (character mentioned at best) + Abbott Elementary, language, she/reader now has a name for story purposes, mentions of addiction, mental health and drugs, slight plot with references to the final episodes of this last season, and me bringing you nothing but angst!

ོ༘₊⁺☀︎₊⁺⋆.˚ ོ༘₊⁺☀︎₊⁺⋆.˚ ོ༘₊⁺☀︎₊⁺⋆.˚ ོ༘₊⁺☀︎₊⁺⋆.˚ ོ༘₊⁺☀︎₊⁺⋆.˚ ོ༘₊⁺☀︎₊⁺⋆.˚ ོ༘

June’s air is a great contrast to what March once was. She can smell the grilling of food in the warm breeze as her face is turned towards the open passenger window and…shes hesitant. Which is a foreign feeling but it demanded to be felt. She can hear the squeal of laughter from children as they patter down the sidewalks, simply being children and that makes her heart swell to see they that still had their innocence.

There’s a mixture of Reggaeton and 2000’s r&b playing on different sides of the block and she’s reminiscent to many summer days on this same street as a teen, no JLO. Her fingertips are resting on the door handle, staring at the brick home and she knows she’s always welcome but things have been different since that night. It’s not like Dante would ever be nonexistent in her life, there was no timeline where she could imagine that happening but life really happened since then.

Dante went off and dug deeper into his case so communication was a bit tougher until it was all over. The only way she knew that was mainly from Momma Catalina who had called to chat with her, wondering when she was going to stop by (since the older woman missed her son’s friend’s pretty face—her words) and have dinner with the both of them soon because she also liked hearing the praises on her go to dish: Jocón from the younger woman. She also knew Dante’s case was over because the texts weren’t just a simple sentence and he would incorporate voice notes like he used to do. Yet the friends made no plans to come around despite being on each other’s minds. However she kept busy, like she always did when Dante got caught up in a case and she was a working woman herself, so she also knew how to keep her head on what she strived to do in life.

They were still parallel even if they weren’t face to face.

Now she has a case of her own, being brought in and working with forensics to figure out this new fatal strand that’s been killing kids as young as being in their preteens and may or may not have a connection to a serial killer as well. She already guessed that it did before a certain someone got in contact with her. It was heavy work and not typically the field she worked close with in years—since triggers were a thing—yet it was also the reason why she wanted to be a chemist. To make a loooong story short, she was to “blame” for her severely depressed mother’s addiction (granted her mother was now thirteen years sober) bringing opioids, unknowingly laced at the time, into the house with the intent to sell and also to try at just fourteen was the start of a lengthy journey. The reason she felt like she was to blame was her father not letting her forget it even now in her thirties. Which brings us to life in the now, being a “know-it-all,” chemist who always felt like she had a lot to prove.

Normally she did the basic boring tasks working with businesses and ensuring that their products were deemed safe for consumers rather than another serious level of crimes like murder, however she initially started out as a forensics chemist until she switched paths after it became too much on her mental. Her father felt that was a terrible decision, only thinking of the income rather than how that screwed with his daughter’s brain but she always learned how to take his words with a shard of glass. That’s right, glass. In spite of that anyone would be lying if they said she wasn’t one of the most well known in the city, going above and beyond—just behind the scenes now—to solve many cases. She preferred it that way, to herself, some may even say safe, being out of the way and she still got her thrill from figuring out what most couldn’t. And here she was over the last two weeks working this slowly building case, finding a balance of catering to her own self care by leaving the work solely behind at the lab and even engaging in a few more dates—just not with the salt and pepper haired SWAT member anymore.

Which didn’t turn sour, there was no need for that and she respected that Deacon also wanted to keep his mind on his work and his kids. He was still a good man in her eyes. Ultimately she knew that she didn’t see it working in the long run and that she didn’t have to take dating so seriously…at least that’s what she tried to tell herself.

“You seem stressed,” a voice says to her left, reminding her that she was in fact sitting beside another male that wasn’t her best friend, “you gotta roll that tension away, smell the lilacs, and then realize that there shouldn’t be any nerves right? You talk so highly about the guy…unless you want me come with?”

Immediately her eyes widen and she’s shaking her head, although the brunette means well she tells him, “no…I appreciate it though, Manny. it’s just the caffeine wearing off I guess. I’ll only be five to ten minutes tops, I need to get back home anyway and into a eucalyptus bath.”

Manny raises his brows, “a bath you say? You do know that it’s eighty degrees out here right?”

It was the woman’s turn to raise her own brows, silently challenging the man who breathes out a laugh with his signature wicked grin.

“Alright, alright.” Manny’s hands are raised in surrender, “I’m sensing hot showers are a thing too all year around? Which I don’t get if summer is here but if that’s your thing then I’ll accept it.”

“As you should.”

“I do.” He places a large hand against his chest still grinning, “there’s no static on my end.”

“Oh you’re such an east coaster,” she playfully rolls her eyes, “but you’re kinda great.”

“That’s what they tell me.” He winks as he reaches over to give her shoulder a light squeeze, “you’ll be fine out there I don’t doubt it. Now go and celebrate your best friend’s birthday and don’t forget the two slices of cake.”

She leans against the outside of the door, frowning at the man who shakes his head, “yeah that would be too much, considering we haven’t even met, right?”

She gives him a small smile in response and a point before she spins on her heels, taking the short walk towards the Torres’ household. Dante didn’t have much family here in Chicago, most being spread all over the globe, leaving it to always be just Catalina and Dante. From as long as she’s known the mother and son, Momma Catalina was always on the phone having long distance calls with family members but they seemed to be missing in action when she was being beat on nearly every day.

Moving along the side of the house towards the music and charcoal, her hands are behind her back as she nervously makes her way to the backyard. She likes to say it’s the social anxiety rather than seeing Dante but perhaps it was a mixture of both. Most of the faces are probably neighbors but it’s a nice crowd as she instantly spots the buzzed man up ahead, dressed in a short sleeve white loose fitting button up v-neck, tattoos on his arms are on full display, along with the chain that sways from his neck as he dumps chunks of ice into a cooler that Upton is holding open for him.

“Whaaat? Who let you out the cage? I thought they kept experiments locked down, Coty.” The voice of Atwater pulls her gaze to the man who’s smirking down at her with a beer in one hand.

Coty scoffed although there’s a smile on her lips, “You always know how to give the most warmest welcomes, Kev.”

He laughs as he swoops in with a side hug, “Well I had to say something with you sneaking in here like you about to steal something and roll out.”

“Not my style.”

“Yeah, just like you not interacting with nobody.”

“I just got here!”

Kevin nods his head letting the woman have that one before adding, “and how long do you plan on staying?”

“I haven’t decided yet.”

His round eyes give her a look of disbelief while she shields her eyes from his stare. Laughing to himself he taps her arm, “well in that case, I won’t hold you any longer to go talk to your boy. Just as a fair warning to you, don’t touch that potato salad. Somebody made it and it got peas, carrots, and I think I even saw some apples all up in it.”

Tilting your head to the side you say, “…sounds like a Russian salad.”

“A what?” Kevin cups a hand over his ear although he’s sure he’s heard Coty correctly.

She just smiles at him, giving his arm a squeeze before she turns to make her way to Dante, who is not where she’s last seen him. Coty pauses, scanning the backyard again and sends a wave to Burgess and Ruzek who are sitting thigh to thigh on the picnic bench with a face full of smiles. They echo a wave back in Coty’s direction before some hands plop down on her forearms.

“Seraphina, mija! You made it.” Momma Catalina greets before sinking into Coty’s frame.

She was a tiny woman who still managed to have the kindest of hearts given what she’s been through. Coty grips the woman back in a sweet embrace before they’re eye to eye again.

“Of course! Had to see the best lady in town,” Coty tells the cedar brown haired woman with a blunt bob full of ringlets.

Her grin reaches her summer green eyes which mirrors her son’s as she almost bounced on her toes, “that’s right! Didn’t know it had to take you forever and a day to come see about me.”

“I’m sorry about that…”

She blows a raspberry, “no need to dwell on that because I already know and all is forgiven now that you’re here! Let’s get you something to eat so you can enjoy the party.”

“Oh no, Momma Cat. I can’t stay.”

Her usual soft stare darkens for a moment and it’s actually scary to witness when you irk this pocket full of sunshine’s nerves, “you will stay, eat, and dance. You are family. Then you and my son will fix whatever this bullshit is.”

“Dante and I are fine.” It sounded weak coming from Coty’s lips but she knew she couldn’t fool Catalina. Momma Cat was the first to see something special between her son and Seraphina (even before Séan) before they ever did so hearing this felt like a big insult.

That’s when the woman shifts in her slippers, fists digging into her hips as she peers up at the woman in front of her, “Seraphina! do not lie to me in my own home, mija. I will not have it and you will do as I say.” Catalina clapped her hands as if she was dusting off Coty’s worries, although this was only adding to it.

Coty felt like she was being scolded and her own mother wasn’t even here! Sure she was grown and didn’t have to take being yelled at but she would never disrespect Catalina, especially when she’s done so much for her growing up and when her own parents didn’t want to be bothered with her when she was up to no good.

“Ma…is everything okay?” Dante’s quiet tone could be heard over the music, along with his body heat from behind the pair.

Coty can feel the hairs on the back of her neck stand up just from Dante speaking and she’s been sweating since she got out of Manny’s car.

Catalina flashes a smile at her son, reaching to cup his face as Coty steps to the side for the two to have their moment, “Everything’s perfect! Your best gift is here so enjoy it.”

She whispers the last part to him with a wink while Dante just scoffs with a shake of his head as he watches his mother start to dance with a neighbor on her way by. He turns to face his old friend and let’s out a sigh, “see what you started? I was expecting the dancing to start the moment I woke up but you seem to always bring it out of her.”

Momma Catalina came from a background of dancers and it was a dream that became distant once she gave birth to Dante and knew that passion wouldn’t pay the bills. Dante’s birth father passed when he was around six so everything really fell onto Catalina’s shoulders and seemed to keep piling up.

She was never regretful over how her life played out but rather thankful that Dante chose her to show her how to truly love. There was never sadness in her words when she showed the stack of photos of herself in her younger years and her joy shined whenever she still broke out into a move. In the end, you do what you have to do for family.

“Me?” Coty points to herself innocently although she’s not really at fault this time, “Maybe you should check if the Aguardiente is still available.”

Dante nods in realization, “you’re right…that could be it. I’ve been running around since this thing started so who knows how much is left and it’s supposed to be my day.”

“I thought you loved birthday’s?” Coty’s response is sarcastic, knowing just how much Dante dreaded his birthday but was right with Catalina in honoring your special day around the sun.

The look Dante sends his friend makes her snort out some laughter, “We still have six more hours at least.”

Letting out a low whistle, she lightly grips his shoulder, “you still have six hours. I can disappear with ease.”

Dante groans, “you’ll take me with you, won’t you?”

His light green’s were pleading as Coty slipped an arm across his waist, leaning into his shoulder, “stop being a little turd, have some more drinks and you’ll get through it.”

Dante grumbles, “I’ll remember that when it’s your birthday.”

“Uh…i’m going to Vegas.”

“When did we decide that?”

Coty lifts her head from his shoulder, “You should have gone to France with all this we talk.”

“Nah, not my vibe.” He says before peering down at her, “…thanks for coming. I was beginning to lose my mind.”

“Why?” Coty questions as she looks around at all the faces in the backyard, “You had the team here with you at least.”

“Yeah…but that’s not the same and you know it.” He honestly says as his eyes begins to trace over Coty’s features.

She couldn’t stomach the way he was looking at her and it made her guess how many drinks he’s had himself this evening. The amount of tenderness and care in his green hues was the same reason why they were in a constant battle in the first place.

“How’s Gloria?” Flies out of her mouth before she can even comprehend it.

Dante sharply inhales at this, looking elsewhere in slight annoyance before shrugging, “gone.”

“Gone where?”

“Can’t discuss that with you, Nina.” The way he’s the only one that uses her name this way, is enough to let her know that he means business.

Mostly everyone calls her by her last name: Coty, which she preferred (he’s not everyone) but he’s firm in his stance—closing himself off to that part of him and that’s not like Dante. Sure he’s not this open book by any means but it’s not like he has a piece of him that she hasn’t seen. That particular piece was still there but reopened by someone like Gloria. Someone that could bring out his skeletons and glamorize it to match her own pain. Coty knew Gloria was not the answer to whatever it is Dante was looking for and now that Gloria was suddenly gone, it will hold a weight he was willing to carry on his back—that he shouldn’t have to—but Coty was not willing to help him with that.

She said that months ago and she still meant that shit. She never wanted to pay for someone else’s mistakes. Coty knew how to love Dante but he wouldn’t let her, not in that way.

Only Dante and Gloria know what they’ve been up to since they decided to fuck around.

And perhaps they found out.

“…who’s this?” Dante suddenly lifted his chin, stepping forward a bit as Coty stood to the side of him.

Her eyes follow his line of sight to see Manny, searching around the backyard for her. Once he found her, he smiles, waving a bit before he starts making his way over. She deeply sighs as Dante sends a look her way, silently questioning her before the brunette gets closer.

“Hey, Having fun?”

Coty molds her lips together while Manny looks back and forth between the two, either oblivious to the tension or trying this best to ignore it.

“Phina-Mena, you left something—

Manny starts but Dante cuts him off, “sorry man, who are you?”

“Oh! How rude of me.” He frees one of his hands, “I’m Manny, friend of Seraphina’s. And you must be Dante! I’ve heard good things about you so it’s nice to finally meet you, bro.”

‘Finally?’ He cautiously puts his hand out to shake Manny’s but his eyes are hot on Seraphina’s who shifts on her feet, lightly swaying from one foot to the other.

“Can’t say the same…Nina hasn’t mentioned you at all.”

“Oh well…don’t worry about it, y’all been busy.” Manny shrugs it off, not the least bit phased.

Dante nods his head and folds his arms, “right but…I’ve got time now. So you said you’re Manny. What do you do Manny?”

“I proudly work for the Philadelphia school district and I’m just here for a conference but it also doesn’t hurt that I get to hang out with Phina-Mena!” He boasts as he sends finger-guns at Seraphina while Dante finds his personality to be a lot.

And that was saying enough since Seraphina was mostly introverted and easily got exhausted around people…except for him.

Dante rounds off another inquiry, “where did you two meet?”

She huffs but Dante ignores her, awaiting all the information he can get.

Manny talks with his hands, “Down at that bar with the sticky floors along with one of the floorboards being this naturally strange color of purple that takes up a good portion of the place? My apologies, I forgot the name.”

That gets Dante frowning as he casts a glance over at Seraphina who’s chewing on her bottom lip now, “A bar? You’re not really a bar kinda woman.”

Manny shrugs his shoulders, “eh…people can surprise you.”

“Did you go alone…were you alone?” The second half of that question is directed at Seraphina and now she was getting agitated, this Dante could tell as she side eyed him.

Manny also gazed at the woman, picking up on the tension now. “You know my dad was an officer too so this is feelin’ a little too familiar for me.”

“Really, what precinct?”

“Dante, cut the shit.” Coty bites but the buzzed haired man just blinks not missing a beat.

“It’s only right I get to know your new friend since he already seems to know so much about me.”

“Well not everything…” Manny laughs, trying to ease the heaviness in the air but Dante’s not backing off.

Dante was suspicious and his guard had to be up so he redirects the conversation back, “so you said you two met at the bar…I’m assuming the Violet Branch?”

“Yeah,” Manny snaps with amazement crossing his bearded face, “that’s right! You know the place?”

Dante hardened his stare as he turns his head to Seraphina, “uh huh. That’s Sarge’s spot.”

Manny turns his eyes into slits, “sarge? As in sergeant. Oh was that the guy you were—

“Manny!” Coty interjects, “I think this interrogation is over. Why don’t you go mingle with the rest for a little, while I finish talking to the birthday boy.”

“No, No.” Dante shakes his head, “Let him finish, Nina.”

Manny’s eyes are moving back and forth between the two who are holding each other’s stare, “oh…I see what’s happening here. I’m doing that thing where I’m talking too much. I’m just gonna leave this…on that lovely gift table over there.”

And with that Manny swiftly points and drags himself to the left where most of the party goers are eating or dancing.

“He’s…interesting.” Dante’s stare lingers on the man who quickly strikes up a conversation with one of his nosy neighbors.

Coty scoffs, “the hell is your problem?”

“I don’t have one.”

“So you think it’s cool that you just grilled into my friend like that?”

“Is that really all he is? Because you didn’t tell me about him at all.” Dante’s jaw is tight, almost like he’s irritated with the woman for leaving this out over a few phone calls and then also bringing him here to his house with no type of heads up.

She attempts to reason with him, “We just started being somewhat normal again, Tay.”

“That didn’t stop you from telling me about things ending with Deacon.”

“You asked. I didn’t just bring him up.”

“I see so that was your way of what? Being fair by bringing up Gloria? Why bring her up if you know that topic bothers you so much?” Dante searched Coty’s eyes, trying to understand what she was doing and up to although his gut was telling him everything he needed to know.

Coty furrows her brows, “Because I’m being a good friend and checking in on you since you know? I can’t exactly do that when you’re undercover.”

Dante rubs at his jaw, “I can’t say I fully believe that. I feel like this was a tactic to get me riled up because I developed a relationship with Gloria—as if I don’t already know who you’ve been around since you’re that important to me. First it was Deacon, then it was that firefighter Jake Gibson, and now this Manny guy? It’s a game for you and I don’t want to play.”

Coty laughs in shock as Dante walks away from her, “are you fucking serious? And then you’re gonna walk away from me after that?”

“Yup.” Dante says over his shoulder as he makes his way back to the cooler.

Coty isn’t having that as she charges after him, watching as he squats and begins searching through the ice. She desperately tries to keep her voice leveled but she can feel her skin getting hot and her eyes beginning to burn out of frustration.

“I don’t even want to know how you know about Jake ghosting me—

Dante looks up at her, “he didn’t ghost you, he checked himself into rehab. Stop selling yourself short.”

Her mouth can’t help but to drop open at that.

“Dante.”

“Yes?”

“You can’t go searching up every guy that I might want to give a chance…I shouldn’t even have to tell you that,” her frown is so deep that it should be permanent for the rest of this conversation, “and I wouldn’t just bring a random stranger to your house. I told him to wait in the car but I left your gift.”

Dante snickers and drops his head with a shake of his head, “that’s no better, Nina! You don’t know him and I don’t know him.”

“Well I’m getting to because that’s my choice! He doesn’t even live here and you’re acting like this. And you don’t have the right to get upset with who I spend time with while you do whatever the hell you want anyway, clearly.” Coty crosses her arms while Dante is upright now.

His heat is radiating again as he stands in front of Coty, “I know.”

“You know?”

“Yes and I wish I could say I’m sorry, as if that’ll ever be enough when I know it’ll never be especially when you’re the one who said you’re not over me.”

“That was how many weeks ago? I didn’t think you’d still be worrying about what was said when who knows what you’ve been up to with Gloria. You say a relationship but judging by the fresh burn mark on your neck, tells me it’s been anything but loving.”

Dante exhales, “stop.”

“Stop what? Caring?”

“No, stop trying to tell me you told me so.”

“I wouldn’t gloat yet I’m not sure what it is exactly you want from me, as your friend?” Coty quizzed him, “To stay by your side and just continue accepting everything for what it is? I did that before and now look where we are.”

Dante blinks, trying to get his thoughts together.

“She was wrong from the start and you knew that. And that burn is enough to remind you of that forever.”

“And what about me huh? What about what I’ve done to you all these years, those scars I gave to you and you still stayed while she had to leave. You don’t think I’m not dealing with all that?”

That alone leaves Coty stunned.

To know Dante from his late preteen years all throughout many phases of their lives to this point now, was so much at times that Dante knew just how much it stung. He couldn’t give Coty what she wanted and not in the way she wanted because of his own issues. If it stung for him, he had to know that it burned for his dear friend Seraphina Coty. He tried to be alone, almost begged Coty to get out of his life by the time they were eighteen but there was a constant need for their souls to be intertwined.

It felt like bleeding internally when they were apart but somehow they were still functioning. It’s been a minute since that damp spring day but the earth never stopped spinning. When the good was present, it felt like a summer sunrise compared to a fire tornado the two of them could unleash.

“I—

Coty starts but stomps against the grass, catches both of the two’s attention, revealing Kevin who’s appears to be getting off his phone, “My fault for breaking this up but Voight needs us.”

“Now?” Dante asks, practically forcing his eye contact to his team member.

“Pronto.”

Dante dips his head, his hand going out to gently touch Coty’s elbow, “Looks like I have to go.”

Kevin glances between the two before adding, “Uh, he needs all of us. Including Coty.”

Dante’s widens his eyes at this news and this confirms what his gut was saying all along when Manny dropped the crumbs. Coty was about to get wrapped up in the same danger she warned him about. He couldn’t say what he felt in that moment since time was always of the essence but he’s aware that Coty saw the eruption in his eyes just then.

She sparked the flame that Dante didn’t want to spread.

He wasn’t sure how he could protect her after this. His blood was boiling in the passenger side of Kevin’s car and he wanted nothing more than to tell Kevin to pull the car over and to leave Coty on the side of the road, sending a ride to bring her back home and away from it all like she conditioned herself to be.

Dante knew Seraphina like the ink on his back and with her stare burning into the back of his neck, eyes probably focused on his new mark, he peered over his shoulder at her, meeting her view and was aware that she always finished what she started, whether he liked it or not.

“Happy birthday,” she mouths to him with a small smile but it’s anything but comforting.

The glare on Dante’s face is evident as he turns back to face the front with a roll of his eyes, rubbing at the tightness in his jaw once more while slouching down in the passenger seat.

June’s air is a great contrast to what March once was.

ོ༘₊⁺☀︎₊⁺⋆.˚ ོ༘₊⁺☀︎₊⁺⋆.˚ ོ༘₊⁺☀︎₊⁺⋆.˚ ོ༘₊⁺☀︎₊⁺⋆.˚ ོ༘₊⁺☀︎₊⁺⋆.˚ ོ༘₊⁺☀︎₊⁺⋆.˚ ོ༘

#chicago pd #dante torres #chicago pd fic #benjamin levy aguilar #antonio dawson #chicagopd #cpd

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cloveroctobers · 3 months ago

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FEEL LIKE HOME — Dante Torres [October Prompts] 🧡

A/N: The new season just started and I’m already happy seeing my man again. Also??? Kev getting a new love interest? Will it be permanent this time around?? Anyways it’s cozy (also spooky ofc) season so why wouldn’t I write for my man?

PROMPT IS FROM HERE & I’m using: MURDER HOUSE: we just moved into a new home and foolishly staked all of our savings into it. surprise! it's haunted beyond belief. how are we going to turn this house into a home? alternatively one of our muses inherited the house from some distant relative. they just didn't know they'd inherit the ghost living within it too. + GENERAL VIBES: if it’s dark, don’t shine your flashlight into the trees.

WARNINGS: some language, some fluff + spooks! Small talks of religion and practices but I’m not religious or go too deep on it if you’re the same & a somewhat lengthy read!

<- read my previous October anthology prompt here.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆

HANK VOIGHT

Dante’s sergeant of CPD’s Intelligence Unit

“People don’t just disappear, you understand me?” Hank Voight exasperates to the producer behind the camera, “I don’t believe in ghost stories and there’s always a explanation for everything.”

The producer questions as the camera crew zooms in on the older man’s face, “If that’s the case…don’t you think you would have found them already?”

Voight tightens his stare and it’s as cold as frostbite from him, for at least a minute before he states, “Who says I won’t?”

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

You’re sitting on the set of stairs, knuckles tucked underneath your chin as your eyes zone out on the odd claw? markings on the wall in front of you. You’ve already envisioned placing an old wall clock that you’ve bought from a tag sale there but it definitely wouldn’t be long enough to hide the markings.

“Hey.” A gentle tone, you pick up on gets your head turning but it takes more effort to get your eyes to focus on Dante.

A small smile appears on your lips as you respond, “Hey.”

“Adam and Kevin are grabbing the last of the boxes,” he informs as he stands on the steps that lead right to the entryway and living room, “you okay? Kev thinks you’ve finally crashed out.”

You roll your eyes with a snort of laughter, “I’m fine. Just taking in how real this is…and why i didn’t see any boxes of your own in your car?”

Dante raises his brows, resting his elbow on the side banister, “I…didn’t think you were serious? Just assumed that was tipsy talk.”

Which was fair, you said a lot of things when you had drinks in you. It wasn’t something you did a lot since you were a lightweight but being in a social setting you sometimes engaged and definitely got emotional and touchy.

Pushing off the steps and moving to your right, you hold your hand out as you walk down the few steps that kept you two apart. Dante doesn’t hesitate to grab your hand, holding onto you until your face to face.

“I was—no—am dead serious,” you tell resting your hands on his hips while you stare into his green hues, “You’re the only person I want to make this feel like a home with.”

Dante reaches for your face, pads of his thumbs caressed your skin as his heart began to hammer in his chest, “yeah?”

“No bullshit,” you answer with a shake of your head and a grin, “Even talked it over with Mama Torres.”

There’s a hint of worry that passes over Dante’s eyes and you almost want to laugh in his face as he exhaled, “huh?”

“What?” You head tilts to the side, “You think you’re the only one that gets to be her bestie?”

It’s Dante’s turn to shake his head, “now that kind of makes me nervous.”

You laugh, “Would it make you feel better if we were beefing?”

“Hell no.” Is Dante’s immediate response, “…I do wish I was part of that conversation though.”

“It wasn’t me being sneaky, I promise! I mentioned bringing it up at dinner before as you know…yet a few of your cases took longer some days. So I ended up blurting it out since Mama Torres brought up a certain topic.”

Dante closed his eyes only imagining what his dear mother said to you, “oh no.”

“Relax courage.” You tease, “It’s a valid topic.”

“Which is?” He pressed, peering at you from underneath his eyelashes.

“Our future.”

He’s goes quiet, rubbing at the back of his neck now, feeling some pressure about that. Dante’s always been a go with the flow kind of guy and you’ve been together for about two years now. He would be a foolish man if he said he never thought about what a future with you would look like. You were both in your thirties and although you had a somewhat traditional way when it came to marriage, you weren’t asking for a ring yet…just another level to your relationship is all.

Continuing on you ask, “Yup…so you’ll think about it? Mama Torres gave her stamp of approval and already said for you not to worry about her but knowing you, you’ll need more reassurance from the source.”

Dante breathed out a smile, “Guilty. You know me so well.”

“I do.”

Dante hums, reaching out for you again. He lightly grips your chin, “Getting to share a whole house with you…is a big step. I wouldn’t mind that and it wouldn’t be much to think about, honestly.”

“Yeah?”

He presses a tender kiss to your lips, almost savoring the taste of you, like he commonly did. “Yeah,” he repeats, “No bullshit.”

You both laugh into each other’s faces before some clearing of throats are heard behind Dante. The buzzed haired man turns as if he’s just been caught red handed while you keep one hand rested behind his neck, finger tempted to trace one of his many tattoos.

“Now that you’re done eating each other’s faces,” Adam starts while Dante rolls his eyes, “We came to let the Missus know, our services are done for the day—

Kevin knocks his knuckles against Adam’s shoulders, “uh uh you’re not supposed to say for the day man, you gotta really sell it so she don’t ask for nothing else.”

“Oh yeah, you’re right, my bad.”

“You two ain’t shit, you know?” You joke, moving to get off the steps, “whatever happened to, ‘whoever Dante loves, we gotta love and consider them family too?’”

Adam frowns looking over at the brown skinned man, “I don’t recall ever saying that, your ass must have said that.”

Kevin pushes his lips out in thought and then admits, “I may have said that once.”

“Ah, so this is your fault?” Adam points with a laugh.

Kevin places his hand on his own chest, “there ain’t nothing wrong with spreadin’ the love, something Dante here isn’t afraid to do clearly.”

Dante scoffs, “alright, you two need to get off our backs.”

“You should really start a hugging and kissing business.” Adam instigates, “Seems like you really know what you’re doing.”

Dante smirks, although his cheeks are burning, “yeah, I think I could teach you a thing or two. You are the one that’s getting married and I’m sure you want to stay married, right?”

“Got ‘em!” Kev laughed into his balled up fist while Adam sends Dante a playful middle finger.

Adam scoffed while Dante held out his hand for them to embrace each other by the chest, “Kim don’t got any complaints, trust me.”

“Ew alright, we’ve both heard enough! Thank you.” Kevin cringes as he refers and glanced at you, “we just wanted to let you know you’re all clear, good luck with all those damn boxes you got over this place. Whatchu thinking about doing? Opening an outlet mall here instead of a home?” He pokes fun at you while you mock him talking with your hands, “Anyway! We got to get down to the station and I’ll be sending you my medical bills within the next two to three business days.”

Sucking your teeth at the man, you allowed him to embrace you, thanking him for his help while he’s the first to exit your house.

“No seriously? Why do you need so much shit?” Adam questions, holding you by the shoulders, “Maybe it’s time for a tag sale?”

You fire back at the brunette, “Are you going to help with that?”

The bearded man pretends to think about it, “how much profit we talking?”

He grins at you as you give him a blank expression before you hug him goodbye as well.

Letting out a sigh, you twirl around on one leg to face the living room. The couch and the sofa were all arranged the way you wanted them— after the first three arrangements. You had a tv stand that had barn doors that you really loved but started to think about what the tv would look like mounted on the wall and the floors? You wanted new floors as soon as possible, thankfully the man next door, who actually helped Dante a few days ago getting most of your items in while you had to work was a flooring and carpet installer. He gave Dante his business card so you figured you’d give him a call sometime this week if you didn’t run into him.

There were so many possibilities to this place. You never owned a home before and to have a distant relative that you met maybe once or twice at a family reunion years ago, really surprised you when you received a call that changed your life.

Hands tightly wrapped around you waist, caught you off guard before you felt familar lips kiss on your neck. “What’re you thinking about, pretty girl?”

Your hands go to rest along Dante’s, “that we have so much to do and I need to make a list like Kim suggested. She already helped me pick out paint swatches for a few of these rooms.”

“Course she did,” Dante comments with a laugh, his lips pressed against your temple, “you know we don’t have to have it all figured out today right? Things take time.”

“Well my great-great aunt Gladys didn’t have the time.”

“Wasn’t she almost one hundred and five?”

“That’s not—the point is time is an illusion.”

Dante frowns, “who said that again?”

“Albert Einstein.”

Dante nods, “okay my little theorist. I can sense that you’re about to stress yourself out and I think I can help with that?”

You whip around to face him, “you’ll start ripping up these floors for me?”

The buzzed haired man quickly shifts his attention to the floor, “that would be a negative on my part. I got a better idea and it starts with this.”

His hands rest low on your hips, fingertips touching your tailbone before he leans forward to kiss the corner of your lips and then over to your mouth.

“Oh…now I see where you’re going with this.” You laugh against his mouth, hands locking around the back of his neck before kissing him back. It’s truly magnetic, how you both knew how to set the pace and how it felt like your lips were made just for one another.

Dante hums as he pulls away to bury his face against your neck again. “I knew you would,” his soft voice is a bit huskier now that he set the mood, “Since I’m here and don’t have to be to the station until the evening…would you let me help you christen the place?”

You shudder feeling his tongue against your skin, hoping to it feel it much more anywhere else on your body as you say, “I thought you would never ask.”

He pulls back to grin at you, slight gap in between his front teeth gleam at you as he scoops you up bridal style, leading you upstairs to where only your bed and tons of boxes remained.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

ADAM RUZEK

Dante’s friend/co-worker at CPD’s Intelligence Unit

“Did you think there was ever any sense of regret from Dante taking on this big step?” The producer asks the man who’s seated with his elbow resting on the arm of the chair, fingers caressing his facial hair in thought.

Adam feels his brows trying to meet, “Regrets? No. He loves that girl. Worshipped the ground she walked on and she looked at him like he put the damn stars in the sky. Were there nerves on Dante’s part? Definitely since this is probably his second most serious relationship. He wanted to be there and loved that he had someone to get home to.”

“Is there a chance that it all got too much way too soon?”

“Meaning what?” Adam quizzed, “I hope you’re not implying what I think you’re implying.”

The set goes quiet before the producer expresses, “It’s just a thought and I would hope as law enforcement you all would consider the worst case scenarios…even if you don’t want to.”

Adam bites down on the inside of the back of his bottom lip, feeling the frustration in his veins, “As law enforcement, you should be lucky that any of us are even bothering to give you the time of day to discuss this on going investigation.”

They’re scrambling now, “We do appreciate you being here Officer Ruzek but is it truly ongoing if it’s been months? Shouldn’t you start considering that either they’re dead or Dante is behind—

“Okay, if you’re going to continue to disrespect everything I say, without knowing the first thing about Dante’s character, then I’m not going to do any more interviews. You can take these wires and shove em—

No signal is shown.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Crossing your arms, you lightly twisted your body back and forth as you awaited for the inspector to get upright from the ground. Dante is squeezing your shoulders, running his hands down your arms trying to get the tension out.

It had been a month and a few weeks since he’s moved into the home and you couldn’t be more in bliss with Dante being here. Although you got to enjoy the house more so since you had a hybrid schedule, there was still a warmth inside whenever you got to see his face around the home. Majority of the time you tried to wait up for him but when you couldn’t, he always made sure to embrace you before eventually climbing into bed.

Him being here with you now as the fall foliage settled in, almost made you collapse backwards (into his arms instead of the leaves) once the man wrote down the estimate of the damage and held it up for you two to see.

“Three grand for that?” Dante inquired, keeping one arm around your waist and taking the yellow paper with his other hand.

The inspector with the backwards cap and who loudly chomped on his gum scoffs, “You two must be new home owners. This house shit? Is never no walk in the park. This is an older home and they should have used concrete for the foundation instead of this crap. Then you’re going to need an exterminator to get rid of the termites in the cracks and crannies…so yeah three grand and that’s just for my part not including the service fee.”

“I’m going to be sick.” You pull away from Dante, moving to head up the stairs and through one of the doors to enter the home, leaving Dante to deal with the smart ass inspector.

You’re seated at the dining table, cheek resting in the palm of your hand and a mason jar full of water.

“Hey,” Dante greets sitting across from you, “it’s going to be fine.”

You shake your head in incredulity, “digging into my savings and yours isn’t fine to me. We’re remodeling and trying to make this feel like home but every time we try to do something new, it’s mostly a problem and it’s making my stomach cramp like crazy.”

Dante reaches for your hand to hold, “You know it doesn’t take doing all of this work to make a home right? It’s the people inside of it who know how to love and fill it up with love that make it a home.”

A crooked smile appears on your mouth then, “You’re not making my stomach feel any better with the cheese you just served me, Torres.”

“Maybe you should finally try those probiotics Violet and Lizzie left here then.” Dante suggests, which actually wipes the smile from your face while a sob rips through your lips instead.

They were your paramedic friends that wanted to throw you a house warming party but you kept telling them that the house wasn’t ready.

Bewildered Dante gets to his feet, pulling your head against his torso, “that was a stupid joke, I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for! It’s not your fault this house is as old as my great-great aunt.” You bunched up his white t-shirt, which you shouldn’t have been able to do if he had his jacket zipped up!

The temperatures been dropping nearly every other day and this man thought it was cool to just be outside in a shirt and jeans but you weren’t having it, you threw a puffer jacket over his face earlier just as the doorbell rung signaling that the inspector was here.

Dante frowns, “I thought this was built in 1952?”

You wail, which only makes Dante’s concern increase and he knows in this moment he can only shut up and hold you, hoping that at some point you’ll be able to laugh about this.

And that laughter would turn into fear, which beat sorrow any day.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆

A week passed when Dante got a call one late night when he and Kevin stayed back to work on a case. He wouldn’t lie and say he and Kevin weren’t goofing off, for about ten minutes until that light hearted moment changed into something unexpected. It was after ten pm, twenty minutes until eleven when your face popped up on his phone.

“Hey baby, what’re you still doing up?” Dante asked, resting his elbows on his desk.

Kevin leaves to use the restroom, squeezing Dante’s shoulders on his way by as he calls out your name in greeting before carrying on.

“Dante…” there’s shuffling on your end and he figures you must have him on speaker phone, “you didn’t rearrange the recreation room did you?”

He shakes his head then remembers you can’t see him, “No…why?”

“I heard something when I was in the living room, coming from downstairs. I turned into you and investigated. Everything downstairs was rearranged: gym equipment and mini fridge.”

“…Are you pranking me?”

“No. Why would I do that?”

“Because you want me to stop working late hours to watch those scary movies with you…wait…that’s probably what this is. Your mind playing tricks on you and everything’s fine—

His phone pings and he has to look away to see that it’s a text from you. He sighs, putting his phone on speaker as well to check out the message you sent him. It was a photo of the lower level of the home and everything was in fact rearranged. There was a possibility that you could have done it, you had strength in you no doubt but a few of the more heavier equipment pieces were questionable.

“…I’d really like it if you stop telling me things are fine when it’s feeling like it won’t be.”

Dante pinched at the bridge of his nose, “okay…I hear you. Where are you now?”

“I locked myself in the room. I’m not going downstairs for anything else.”

He exhales, “okay good. Don’t. I’ll be home by eleven-fifteen.”

“Um Dante…there’s something else.”

“What is it?”

You’re staring at the living chair you pushed underneath the door knob, “it also sounds like there’s someone pacing the floor.”

Dante feels as if he stops breathing and his pausing didn’t ease the anxiety in you, “It’s an older home, you know the floors creak right? Even with the new hardwood floors. That’s probably just what that is. Stay inside until I get there though alright?”

“Yeah.”

“I love you.” Dante says in an attempt to lighten things up.

You swallow, keeping your eyes locked on the door as you sat up against the headboard of your shared bed, “I love you more.”

“Bullshit.” He teases.

A small smile graces your chapped lips, “No bullshit.”

“A little?”

“No but I love you right back.”

“That’s the answer I was looking for.”

“You’re annoying.”

“Sometimes. I’ll see you soon, don’t move.”

“Believe me, I won’t.” You say, eyes focused on the shadow that’s moving back and forth underneath the door frame.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

KIM BURGESS

Officer at CPD Intelligence Unit/Co-worker of Dante

“Did you ever witness what she was talking about when you visited the home?”

Kim sits up straight in the chair, “Did I ever see anything moving on its own? No. Did the house make weird noises? Yes. It’s an older home, something Dante also tried to justify. She never wanted Adam and I visiting when it got dark out. Especially with Makayla. I mean it’s Chicago so you can never be too sure but something else was going on with her. Whatever was going on in that house was draining her first and I hated that I couldn’t do more as a friend…for both of them.”

“What do you think happened to them?”

“I…don’t know but I know they wanted to reflect the home they found in each other in that house. It just didn’t work out that way.”

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

“Everything good with y’all?” Kevin said in a hushed tone as he sat on the couch with Dante.

Dante hums, looking away from what he was writing down on the paperwork. Kevin stopped by to collect some of the files to bring into the station and Dante forgot to fill out the last section so he was trying to finish it up so it would all be good to go. “What do you mean?”

“You know…since the whole seeing feet underneath the door thing happened, however long ago?” The taller man peeks towards the kitchen, spying Mama Torres setting the table and you were nowhere in sight.

Dante looks up from the paper and says, “she…prefers to work at the office now.”

“Damn.”

“It works for her,” Dante shrugs, “But she’s also hanging out more with those paramedics, Violet and Lyla—Lizzie. Who like to have fun.”

Kevin nods, “alright…what’s wrong with that? Anything that gets her mind off whatever’s going on is good isn’t it?”

Dante looks off towards the dining area where his mom just moved from, “Yeah, I’m not mad at that. It’s just that when I am here, she’s not around and I don’t like that it feels like there’s distance between us when there shouldn’t be.”

“Kay…so why don’t you plan something? A weekend getaway, you don’t gotta leave the city or anything if finances are trash right now. Stay at a nice hotel or Airbnb and get that quality time back if you’re feelin’ some type of way.” Kevin encourages while Dante scratches at his head.

Kevin’s aware that something’s been on Dante’s mind. It’s been obvious although he’s good at hiding it but they were a team and each member always knew when something was up. Even if it was something minor, it was there.

“You might be right,” Dante rubs at his mouth in thought, “it could be just what we need.”

“Yup,” Kevin smirks as he holds his hand out for Dante to give him dap, “and you can thank me later.”

“Whatever man,” Dante chuckles before grinning but that is short lived as the sound of yelling and breaking glass is heard.

Both men jump to their feet, rushing into the dinning room and turning to their right. Mama Torres is on her knees in front of you, as you’re holding onto the back of your head crying. The side window in the kitchen is broken, some glass decorating the dark hardwood floor, which invited the crisp autumn air into the toasty home, the garbage can was knocked over on its side, and there appeared to be a strand of hair by your thighs.

“What the hell?” Kevin mutters before Dante springs into action.

Dante crouches beside the two women, glancing between both of them and his own mother appears to be shook herself. One hand touches his mother’s shoulder, while the other touches your knee.

“What’s going on? What happened?” He cross-examined both women but your eyes are clenched as more tears flood down your cheeks.

He turns to his mother, “Ma! What happened?!”

Her same hues meet Dante’s as she whispers from quivered lips, now holding onto the rosary around her neck, “Malvado.”

Which makes him glance back at Kevin who’s highly confused before Dante yanks you into his arms, tucking you underneath his chin, trying to ease your shaking.

Eventually Dante manages to get you up and through the dining room to the bathroom across from it. He gently closes the door behind him, getting you to sit on the toilet while leaving Kevin to talk to his mom.

“Let’s get you cleaned up, okay baby?” He kisses your cheek, rubbing soothing circles along your opposite jaw, “I’ll take care of you.”

He raised his hands to dig through your hair, to examine your scalp but you latch onto his wrist. Fearing that he’s hurt you, he stops his movements to peer down at your watery eyes.

“This isn’t home anymore, Dante.” You swallow the lump in your throat, “It never was.”

Dante didn’t want to believe that.

He knew you were first reluctant to take on this home, since you didn’t know much about this aunt in the first place. It was a huge question mark trying to figure out why she would leave it in your hands but everyone of your family members either told you to not question it and be thankful or that there were other family members that deserved it more. They could have it at this point! You’ve lived in apartments, condos, townhomes, and two-family homes before so to have a single family home underneath your belt was inspiring.

It was not written in stone that you had to keep it for forever but it was something to invest in. Little did you know that it would come at the biggest price.

Losing your sanity.

However there was so much that Dante couldn’t explain and he wished he could.

Dante wished he could make it better for you…no one can say he never tried.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

KEVIN ATWATER

co-worker at CPD’s intelligence unit/friend of Dante

“Can you tell us what you saw that Sunday you stopped by?”

Kevin deeply sighs, “I know that girl was hurt and everybody was freaked out. I know that Mama Torres told me what she saw since Dante and I were in the living room when it went down. Mama Torres said, y/n just came up from the lower level of the home where their gym and laundry room is at and was talking to her. Mama Torres was sideways facing the counter while y/n had her back to the side window.”

While he’s explaining, there’s pictures shown of the kitchen and a reenactment appears as Kevin gives details of the spooky occurrence that happened that day, “Mama Torres said it was something you would see out of those horror films. They were chatting and when she lifted her head to the right, the next thing she knows, y/n is being pulled back so hard that she was yanked off her feet. Her back hit the window but it wasn’t just her body that broke that window. It was some unseen force.”

PICTURES FROM DANTE’S PHONE ARE SHOWN NEXT: images of the broken window, specs of the glass are seen inside the kitchen and outside of the home in the backyard, along with the broken frame, the garbage can was turned on its side, a piece of y/n’s hair sat along the wall underneath the damaged window pointed outwards facing the kitchen, and a few drops of blood were also shown on the hardwood.

“A unseen force?” The producer asks, “How can that be? Are you sure Mrs. Torres wasnt also seeing things?”

Kevin lifts his shoulders, “see…we can keep saying that all we want but after a while that also stops making sense.”

ANOTHER SET OF PHOTOS UPLOADED FROM: Dante’s phone, shows photos of y/n after what took place in the kitchen that day. She’s seated on the toilet, the photo is shot from above showing the bald spot in her scalp along with the bleeding gash. The back of her neck and down towards her shoulder blade shows scrapes in her skin from the glass.

“Did Dante ever see anything?”

“Besides something hurting his girl? I’m sure he did but he never spoke on it. That’s something you’d probably have to ask his ma. All I know is that if they had to get away from that hell that was supposed to be their home? I wouldn’t blame them, not one bit. I just hope they’re alright and they’re far from North Ozanam Ave.”

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

After what happened that afternoon, there were no objections about leaving the house behind for a while. If that happened during the day time, then you can only imagine what could have been going on at night. Dante was more in disbelief that he ignored the signs and although he still didn’t see many the actions take place, it was enough to just see the aftermath. The last thing he stared at long and hard (his arms full of duffle bags) was the mark on the wall at the end of the stairs.

His childhood home didn’t necessarily feel any safer, thanks to all the trauma his step-father played a part in but having both of his women under one household gave him some sort of peace. Dante was raised catholic and once he managed to get you to get some rest, he’s in the kitchen talking to his ma who’s got so much incense and sage burning that he feels a tickle in his throat.

“Ma!” Dante flinches once she whacks him for putting out her incense, “it’s getting to me.”

“Good.” She sasses, “whatever that was, I don’t want it latching onto you too.”

“What?” Dante turns his eyes into slits.

“You heard me. It’s connected, preying on her and I don’t want it leeching anymore. We go to church tonight and father will fix this.” The older woman decides.

Dante blinks, not knowing the last time he’s been to church. He had his faith, it’s been on his skin to guide him yet a part of him wonders if it’s all too late. “You don’t need to be out there with us so late.”

“Do you think I’m staying here by myself? No!” She dusted off her hands with a clap so loud it sounded like thunder, “you should have came to me sooner, we could have got a hold of this malvado. It will be work I’m sure but the most high has us all.” She pats his face before stepping back to grab the kettle to pour him some tea.

Being prayed over was not something you were used to but accepted. Your energy was low even with the lavender chamomile tea Mama Torres gave to you. The sleep in Dante’s room had you tossing and turning, covered in sweats but before you knew it, his kind face was a gift to see over these past weeks and you couldn’t help but to hold him and never let go.

You stood outside from the church in the night, while Mama Torres chatted with the father inside and Dante went around the corner to grab the car as the rain started to pelt down over you. Up your hood went as the wind started to pick up, rustling the trees and bringing a chill over your body.

The sound of constant pinging from your phone was heard, from friends checking in on you but you were tired of talking. However you still found yourself pulling your phone out, eyes searching through the rain as you looked out towards the trees. It seemed as if the harder you stared, the more you saw a figure perched between the leaves. With a shaky hand, you mess around with your phone to turn your flashlight on, pointed right at the tree across the street.

And what you saw the longer you kept your flashlight across the street, made you want to scream but no sound came from your lips as the figure seemed to jump down from the tree and onto the ground. Quickly looking from left to right with the flash still on, it felt as if it was moving too fast in a blur of black.

When Dante’s coming around the corner, he sees a hooded you running towards the trees. He looks to his right, seeing his mother standing in the doorway underneath the umbrella that the father is holding, both appearing confused as Dante puts his car in park on the side of the street.

“What did you see?” He yells over the rain.

“It lives in the trees. That’s its home.” The father announces, which makes Dante pull his weapon from his waistband.

He’s not sure what that means but all he knows is that you’ve run off and now he’s running after you.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

CATALINA TORRES

Mother of Dante Torres

The salt and peppered haired woman is seen with her hands clasped, peering down into her lap.

“In your perspective, Mrs. Torres, What do you believe happened to your son and his girlfriend after the night they ran off into the trees? And why did you hold off on this information when officer Atwater knew they were staying at your house?”

The woman lets out a long exhale with her eyes closed before they open and are watery underneath the lights, “Zechariah 11:2. That’s a verse from the Bible. It reads: ‘Wail, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen, for the glorious trees are ruined! Wail, oaks of Bashan, for the thick forest has been felled! Which means no power on this earth can go against God. We are all made from him, each seed he has planted blossoms into a tree. We can all crumble at his command. In simplest terms, he has the last say and that’s what exactly happened. I have faith that he saved my children from the evil.”

“So that’s enough for you? That god has your son?”

“It should be, yes. As long as y/n is no longer hurting then neither is my son.”

“But why lie to those who are also close to Dante? They went back to that house, searched for any clues…when you and father Paul saw them go into the trees?”

She shrugs, “we do not know if they returned or not. Everything that goes up, down, or in between still has the chance to still lurk around this earth if they so wish. Which is what haunted y/n and that house. It gives me comfort, having that image of them at their happiest in that home, slow dancing not long after Dante settled in. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for my son and perhaps the cypress also gave him that.”

Those in the studio were still clueless about this entire episode they were filming for this documentary series but this was part of their job, to share the unexplainable stories.

“Has Dante ever mentioned any of his own personal experiences with that house? Outside of what was going on with y/n?”

Catalina looks almost offended, “Sure he did! The nights when he would be home there by himself, he always saw and heard it. He installed one of those doorbell camera things after the first weird thing she saw and called him about. Dante saw what I believed she saw in those trees that night she was prayed over on camera. He would not show me out of the sake of my heart but I believed him. He’s never given me any reason not to believe in or of him.”

A series of black and white video footage is shown next. It’s night time and the automatic lights flick on as a blur appears by and then on the steps. The tree leaves announce their strange happenings and it continues on with each footage that is shown but within each different date but similar time, the blur takes shape.

It has pointed skinny and many teeth that flashes the camera, almost as if it’s smiling as it shows itself right in front of the door. That image is put on pause, showing the viewers that whatever it is wasn’t human at all.

“My son’s always been a protector since he was young,” Catalina continues, “Always saw what was wrong or right pretty quickly and acted. That often led him into trouble but when he loves so immensely—which he does—he’ll do just about anything to make sure you’re safe.”

“Which is why he ran into the woods after her. Do you have any idea why she ran towards the woods instead of away? And again, why not mention any of this to the intelligence unit?” Another producer interrogates.

Catalina sniffs while pulling out some tissue, “They’re each other’s home and you don’t go knocking where you’re not welcomed. I understand that while many of you don’t and that’s okay. I did not tell the intelligence unit any of that because I know how it sounds. It’s easier just to make me out as a loony to make sense of my son’s whereabouts but the truth is: this is their story and they’re the only ones that know how it ends.”

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

“Don’t tell me you’re quitting on me!” Dante says, coming into the living room to see you balled up on the couch, ready to fall asleep, “The night is still young.”

You’ve been unpacking and arranging all day, so a nap was needed.

“Babe.” You stare at him blankly although you’re whining as he puts on some music and loudly too.

Dante mocks you, grabbing onto your hands to pull you from the couch but you hold your ground, which makes him raise his brows at you. “Baaaaabe,” he mocks as he pulls you up by the waist spinning you before setting you down on your feet, “just one dance and I’ll leave you alone.”

“Just like I leave you alone about having more color in your wardrobe?”

He rolls his eyes but can’t help but to laugh right afterwards, “exactly.”

You groan, pressing your chin against his chest as you stare at him with puppy dog eyes. All he does is press a kiss to your forehead, which brings a smile to your face.

“There’s that smile I love so much,” he whispers as you lean back to put your hand in his and rest the other against his bicep.

The dancing always starts off slow before picking up pace but the closeness of the slowness is Dante’s favorite part. He sways with you to the guitar, staring at you lovingly while Mama Torres leans in the archway of the dining room to watch in adoration.

His heartbeat is your favorite tune as you rest your tired head against his chest for a moment, staring out at the window behind the couch, “I hope those trees don’t get any bigger…might have to call someone to cut them down some especially when the bad weather kicks in.”

Dante follows your gaze but you can feel him shaking his head at you, “That mind of yours is always turning, huh? Just relax and look at all that we did already. That’s good enough for now, baby.”

“You’re right.” You sigh, pulling back as he twirls you underneath his arm, “Thanks for being here with me.”

Dante kisses your lips as soon as he brings you back into his chest, “No need to thank me. I love you and I want to be here.”

“I love you right back.” You wink just as the tempo of the music changes to upbeat.

You break out into some moves, chest bumping Dante who actually stumbles back in shock at what you were bringing out. You needed to dance any bad thought that tried to enter your mind and just live in the moment.

So you did as the both of you invited mama Torres onto the living room floor with you and the wide grin that spread over Dante’s face, let him know that his dance skills can never match up to you two but he tried anyway.

Across the street and through the trees, there’s glowing yellow eyes that awaken to watch the family of three in the brick house.

As soon as some headlights from a passing car shines towards the trees, a snarl can be heard from the creature in the night as they recoil into a blur back into the leaves.

HAVE YOU SEEN…?

DANTE TORRES

If you have any info contact: The Chicago Police Department — The Intelligence Unit.

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Continue with my October anthology prompts here.

#queued #chicago pd #chicago pd x reader #dante torres #Dante Torres x reader #hank voight #adam ruzek #kevin atwater #kim burgess #October prompts #spooky prompts #benjamin levy aguilar

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