The interrogation room was cold. Although vague sounds echoed from the bustle outside the room, the inside was silent. I had lost my sense of time. I didn't know how many minutes I had been waiting there. The room was so white and soulless that I felt my eyes glazing over. When the door suddenly opened, I flinched and pulled myself together.
The detective sat across from me with a weary expression on his face. He carelessly dropped the countless files in his hand onto the table. He took a sip of his coffee—dark as the circles under his eyes—and looked at me.
"Did you burn down the house?"
I frowned and crossed my arms.
"Why would I do something like that?"
He set his paper cup on the table and leaned back in his chair.
"Don't waste my time, kid. You were seen near the crime scene."
"Just because I was passing by at that moment, does that make me the culprit? Am I the scapegoat?"
The detective sighed. He didn't trust me at all. Deep down, he thought I was the culprit, but he still wanted to be sure.
"Do you realize how suspicious what you're saying sounds? Besides, what were you doing there at that hour? It was already very late, and you were still out without a reason."
"I can't discuss private matters regarding my personal needs with you."
The detective raised an eyebrow. My answer had made me even more suspicious.
"Personal needs? That's a very vague answer. You're making yourself look even more suspicious."
Ashamed, I averted my green eyes.
"I was going to meet my boyfriend to have sex."
Although the detective was surprised by my answer, he quickly composed himself.
"Is that what kids do these days? Sneaking out in the middle of the night to meet your boyfriend?"
"I'm over 18 so I'm an adult. My personal life is none of your concern."
He adjusted his posture in the chair and leaned slightly toward the table.
"So, where is this boyfriend you mentioned right now? If you were supposed to meet him, why weren't you with him when the fire started?"
"Because he was late! He's always late."
The detective narrowed his eyes; he didn't fully believe the story I told. He had a feeling there was more to it than I was letting on.
"And you expect me to believe that? You were just in the wrong place at the wrong time? Very convincing! Let's say I believe you, why didn't you call the police when you noticed the fire? Or try to help in any way?"
I looked at him in confusion for a moment and struggled to answer.
"I got lost in thought watching the fire."