Exhausted Nettie closed the door to her shop sliding the key out of the lock. It had taken her far more time than she anticipated to unwrap and re wrap all the packages before the post office closed. Once she had everything repackaged the then had to start on her actual work which was creating a new batch of candles and filming a haphazard 'making of' video. Smoothing her hands over her jeans Nettie then glanced at her phone the screen illuminating. 'Shit sorry Doug.' She swore to herself quickly setting off down the road.

The sun was just starting to set as Nettie stomped into the front yard of her home. The grass crunched under her, the summer heat having burnt the earth and any imported grass that tried to spring from it. The home was a single story three-bedroom home, which was far too large for her however, her cousin had managed to get her an unbeatable deal on the price which allowed her to keep her apartment in the city to rent out. The apartment simply served as another tether to her old life and even after a year Nettie didn't know she was ready to cut that connection. She still even had a job to return to if she wanted to.

Forcing the thoughts out of her mind Nettie opened the front door. The sound of frantic nails on wood skittered down the hallway and in a matter of seconds there sat Doug at her feet. 'Heya bub I'm so sorry you must be so hungry.' She shuffled herself in the door scooting the large dog back.

Doug was a 9-year-old German Shepard, once a trained police dog he was now enjoying his retirement with Nettie. Despite being categorised as a senior Doug was still full of life and energy. Doug's tail excitedly swatted from side to side. 'Okay okay you know the deal...you're not getting that senile yet.' She gave him a quick pet behind the ear before gesturing with her arm down the hall. Watching her gesture Doug shot off back down the hall towards the kitchen. Nettie followed lazily behind him the weight of the day shedding from her shoulders with every step.

'Still can't get used to not working huh?' Nettie mused walking into the kitchen flicking on the light. The sun outside was now quickly setting and the home would soon be dipped into an inky cool darkness. Walking to the fridge she eyed the note left by her sitter Nathan, he remarked how well-behaved Doug was and how he went for an extended run and that Nathan had now set a new personal best. The last remark made joy smile.

Retrieving Doug's dinner from the fridge Nettie remarked that the dog always ate better than her. Closing the fridge door with her foot Nettie turned to face Doug. She commanded him to sit which he did so in an instant. His eyes locked onto the bowl in her hand his mouth working to lick up any drool. Placing the bowl down she waved for him to eat, and he was soon chowing down on a mix of fresh meet, qual eggs and various nutrients mixed in whilst she herself grabbed some left-over lasagne. She always made too much and would end up finishing the large serving over the coming week. This serve however, was her last of the lasagne and Nettie was looking forward to not eating it again for some time.

Nettie plopped herself onto her couch. Although she got it for free from the old owners it was by far the most comfortable if not God damn ugly couch she had ever had. Despite looking as if it belonged in the 80's with its floral print it was still plush and hugged her body when she sunk into it. Doug trotted up next to her his front paws dramatically slapping the space next to her. He shuffled a few times struggling to pull his back legs onto the couch.

'You're so pathetic sometimes,' she lent down and grabbed his hind legs heaving him onto the couch. 'You're also getting fat.' Doug glanced at her, then settled himself curled up at her feet letting out a dramatic huff.

Laughing to herself Nettie flicked on the TV, she didn't want to watch anything, but she needed the sound. The TV flickered to life. Doug shifted himself plopping his head on her ankle as she reached for her tablet. Unlocking the device, she headed straight to her emails.

Her eyes glanced over the obvious spam before landing on one which made her heart sink. Her eyes scanned the subject line several times before she tentatively clicked on the email. She could feel the warmth leave her fingertips.

From: Samantha.Neal

To: LochNettie87

Subject: Please Save Me From Smithie

Hi Net

Please don't be mad but James gave me your email. You should know before you do get mad (because I know you totally will) that I did bribe him with a whole case of lager.

Since you left Smithie has taken it upon himself to designate himself as boss of shit mountain and I am about two seconds away from throttling the little shit with my bare hands. I know what you're thinking "Sam Smittthie was not promoted when I left"

And to that I wouldd say "YEAH NET I KNOW FUCKING SHIT FOR BRAINS'S STICK UP HIS FUCKING ARSE COLE DID."

I have no idea how Cole got the promotionbut I think it has something to do with him brown nosing.

Signing off as your loyal peasant Neal (the eel).

Samantha Neal

Complex Crimes

Nettie read the email was amusement. The warmth soon came back to her body, she couldn't help but laugh. The laughter spurted out loud startling Doug who sat up looking at her with his head tilted. Nettie continued to laugh. Sam must have been shit faced. Nettie always had a soft sport for Samantha. Samantha like herself joined the force when she was a fresh faced 18-year-old straight out of school. Both her parents were against her joining, they were scared for her. Nettie could understand their fear but at the time Nettie took Sam under her wing. Sam's parents had protested their daughter joining. Although Sam never knew why Nettie knew from her numerous conversations that they were worried about her being targeted for her race the family having emigrated to Australia. Sam had made it clear that this was the career she wanted. Nettie wished she never encouraged Sam, she wished she was as wise as she was now to know what a bad idea it was. In the end her parents lost the fight.

Pausing to catch her breath Nettie wiped a tear from her eye.

From: LochNettie87

To: Samantha.Neal

Subject: RE: Please Save Me From Smithie

Samantha, did you also happen to keep a few of those lagers for yourself?

As much as I would love to see the smile wiped off Smith's face maybe kept the threats to a private forum and not your work account.

Please let Smith know that I have not permanently left, and I might be back... any second, I could appear like the boogie man. If that does not work, please remind him that I know about his secret (what it is does not matter but I am sure he will remember and straighten up really quick).

Signing off

Nettie Lachman

Owner – Complex Candles

As soon as Nettie hit send, she was greeted by another message.

From: Samantha.Neal

To: LochNettie87

Subject: RE: RE: Please Save Me From Smithie

Thank you for your email. I am currently out of the office and will return at a future date. If your matter is urgent, please contact Damien Smith.

Samantha Neal

Nettie raised her brow marking the email as read, hopefully she is getting some much-needed rest after that last drunken email. Nettie couldn't help but feel like she lied to Sam. It was true, she could come back in fact she had ignored two emails last month from their boss asking when she was going to return however, he did preface it was the usual nonsense of 'take as long as you need.' God Nettie was so sick of hearing that phrase. 

Take as long as you need. 

We are sorry for what happened. 

There was nothing you could do. 

There was nothing any of us could do.

We are sorry... 

Nettie hissed in pain; she didn't realise that she had been clenching her fist this entire time. Her nails firmly stabbed into her palm from her clenched hands. Pushing her unhelpful thoughts away Nettie clicked on the internet browser. Pausing for a second Nettie could hear Hannah in her head repeating in a sing song voice...the Sinclair Leo Sinclair.

Surely one quickly search couldn't hurt? She just wanted to see what he was up to. Did he ever achieve his dreams? Did he come running back to Cronana with his tail between his legs much like she had? I wonder what he looks like now, she mused to herself.

Lost in thought Nettie idly tapped at her screen, scrolling the first few pages, her brow increasingly furrowing as no results came up. odd. although maybe not too odd, the same thing would happen if you searched my name... at least James promised that's what would happen, but I have not been game enough to try it just yet. At the thought of James she felt a prickle of Irritation James that was not supposed to giver her information to anyone for any reason.

Worry began to creep into her mind, its dark tendrils wrapping around her blood vessels causing them to swell in size. Closing her eyes for a moment Nettie sighed and as if on command Doug poked her thigh with his nose. One hand fell from her temple her fingers untwining from her hair before gently plopping onto Doug's head. She found his favourite spot behind his ear and began to work her fingers in massaging circles. The action always calmed her down and Doug didn't seem to mind.

Using her free hand, she flailed her aim to the small table beside the couch connecting with a medication packet. She popped a few pills out from the foil and quickly tossed them into her mouth swallowing before the acrid taste could coat her tongue.

Doug perked his head up, 'I know, it will cause stomach ulcers and I will regret it one day.'

With another huff Doug lazily put his head back down and closed his eyes now content that his job to calm Nettie was complete. Picking back up her tablet Nettie continued her search until her eyes began to close on their own. She fought them as much as she could but the pressure grew behind her eyes before her muscles relaxed a calm sleep finally letting her tired mind rest.

Nettie's eyes flew open, her back ached and her chest heaved for air. Cold sweat trailed down her clammy back her body frantically trying to force oxygen into her lungs. Her hands were wrapped around her throat as if attempting to protect it. It took her a moment to realise she could hear Doug barking. Not his normal bark but a deep threatening bark punctuated by fierce growls.

Suddenly the adrenalin pumped into her body as realisation dawned and she sprang into action. Clambering off the couch she called out 'Doug! Doug!' Her voice was hoarse, she must have been screaming before she woke up, her throat ached.

The fog in her mind made it hard to orientate herself. She stumbled down the hallway towards her bedroom, making a b-line for her bed side table. Shoving open the drawer she wrapped her hand around a heavy metal object, the cold was comforting in her heightened state. The gun settled into the palm of her hand. She forced herself to close her eyes and draw in a breath following the same process as earlier in the day. It was as if she were channelling the adrenalin as opposed to trying to shove it deep down inside her.

Doug's barks continued to pierce the air; she could hear them bouncing off the tiles in the kitchen. With a renewed composure Nettie held the handgun by her side, her finger far from the trigger. It had felt like years since she had held it in her hand, yet it settled into her almost hugging her palm. Keeping her gaze attentive she slowly entered the kitchen where she could see Doug with his front paws on the counter his nose pressed against the kitchen window his snarling barks causing spittle to shoot from his mouth and his breath fogged up the glass.

'Down,' Nettie commanded, and Doug popped his front paws off the counter. Whilst still barking he shuffled backwards, 'Sit.' Nettie tried to keep her voice loud yet calm, she did not want Doug to feel her voice warble. It was clear that Doug was in work mode right now and the worst thing she could do was show Doug she was scared or not in control.

It was hard to think with the ear-piercing barks, but Nettie didn't command him to stop. She needed those barks to deter what ever the hell he had seen. Inching her way cautiously to her kitchen draws she pulled out a torch, it was only once she had the light that she loosened her shoulders. She knew her stance was far too stiff she could hear her old boss booming in her ear 'watch those elbows!'

Taking a second to reposition her stance Nettie walked forward with both hands steading her aim in the light. Doug sat where he was told to heel still barking away. Opening the back door Doug started to growl even louder between his barks.

'Search.' She once again commanded her voice starting to sound more confident, her mind and body working automatically. Doug shot out of the kitchen his tail tall as he sniffed the air, barked then headed towards the back fence. Doug had a scent, and he was heading straight for it. Following close behind Nettie followed her eyes wide, gaze darting from side to side.

Doug bounded up to the back fence. Nettie approached her eyes coming to rest on the mangled fluffy corpse in front of her. From her first glance she couldn't even tell what type of animal I has once been, all she knew was that it's entrails were now sloppily spilling onto the ground. The beam of her flashlight faltered slightly as she sucked in a gasp. It took everything inside her to calm her shaking hands.

'Back.' Nettie's voice shook, Doug did not respond to her. She cleared her throat and boomed. 'Back!' Hearing the second command Doug backed away from his find and followed Nettie as she retreated into the kitchen. She flicked the lights on immediately regretting it as her eyes burned. It would now take her longer to adjust to the darkness outside.

It wasn't until she closed the kitchen door that she realised the rookie mistake she made. She had left the house to go to a distraction and left the kitchen door wide open. Nettie felt her stomach churn, without much warning she placed the gun on the bench besides the sink and up came the left-over lasagne. The acidic tomato stung her throat and caused her to heave again and again until her stomach cramped, and each heave produced nothing but feted bile.

Doug had left his spot; he was currently trotting up and down the length of the house his tail in the upright position. He was still on high alert. Turning the sink on Nettie let the lukewarm water run into her mouth. Swishing it around her mouth, she spat it back out.

Righting herself she pressed a sweaty palm to her forehead, 'Doug, search.' Nettie knew she didn't need to command him to stay on alert, but it was better to be safe than sorry. Nettie stood in her kitchen almost frozen to the spot, her heart thudding in her ears. After what felt like an eternity Doug returned to the kitchen, he had finally calmed down which means that he had searched the house.

'My brave boy,' she mused petting him on the top of his head. In return he tilted his head back and licked the same hand she pet him with. Now that she knew the house was clear she swiftly kicked herself back into action. She collected the firearm and returned it to her bedside table before clambering back to the lounge to grab her phone. The screen illuminated as she punched in a number and waited for the line to connect.