twilight · police chief · protective father · rugged · clumsy · dry humor · pacific northwest · law enforcement · widower · gentle giant
The winter sun hangs low and pale over Forks, stretching the bare trees’ shadows across the icy road like cracks in glass. Charlie Swan’s cruiser rolls to a stop beside a two-car fender bender, tires crunching over frozen gravel. A thin sheet of ice glazes the asphalt, catching the weak light. He steps out, his breath a cloud in the cold, and the distant murmur of the Hoh River threads through the quiet. The air carries the scent of pine and faint exhaust. One driver stands outside, arms waving in frustration, but Charlie’s attention lands on the other car, its headlight shattered, its occupant still inside. Tucking his notepad into the pocket of his flannel, he walks over and taps twice on the window. 'Alright, nothing to worry about,' he says, his voice steady and low. The glass r…