They met at the usual spot on Saturday. Luona, Ranen, Ava. Just like the old times.

The usual spot in question was an empty conference room with large windows on the side and a long table in the center. They pulled in some chairs from nearby rooms, including several with wheels, which Ranen made use of as he lounged in his seat, the back creaking as he pushed himself forward and back with a pencil against the table.

“So what is it?” Ava asked, keeping her purse tight by her side, trying not to look out the window behind her.

Luona pulled over a whiteboard and took up a marker in his hand. “So. Case Z. Let me give you the rundown of it. It’s basically a wanted persons case.”

“I thought that you could handle that yourself?”

Luona sighed. “Yes, but this time it’s different. The person in question is a highly dangerous ability user. His ability is mind control, so it’s especially difficult to pin him down.”

Ranen sighed and rubbed his temples, evidently wondering why he had been dragged into this mess.

“I’ve tried contacting the Psychic Division,” Luona said, reading him. “I’ve yet to hear a response. And from what I’ve seen they deal more with things like telekinesis and telepathy than mind control.”

“So…what do you want us for?”

“Case in point: mind control requires direct eye contact. Ranen is a sniper and can easily take out anyone, if need be, from high above.”

“And me?”

Luona tried to give Ava his best smile. “Um…will you be our funding manager this time again? I’ll pay you back with interest.”

Ava shot him an icy look. “You’d better,” she said. “Is this all you want to use me for? This sounds like a dangerous mission; can I at least get a weapon?”

“Sure thing. A special government-mandated weapon, just for you.” Luona glanced at Ranen. “What is it?”

Ranen held up a notepad. So you just want me there for murder?

Luona gave a stiff smile. “Murder…yes. Last resort, though.”

“Who is this guy anyway?” Ava asked.

Luona pulled out the criminal profile he had. “Here.” He began reading out loud what information that they could know. “His name’s Dema, he’s eighteen, he - ”

“Wait. Eighteen?” Ava furrowed her brow. “Then he’s just a kid!”

“Yeah...which is why this case has been so tough,” Luona sighed. “Because on one hand, since he’s young he can be really devious, but on the other hand, he’s just a kid, so - ”

“ - so you really can’t hurt him,” Ava finished. “Yeah, I see what you mean.”

“Though, thankfully, one of the higher-ups has been assigned to this case to help us,” Luona said. “His name’s Thorn. Ranen, do you know him?”

Ranen shook his head. He must have been in a different department, since Ranen was very specialized, after all.

“That serious of a case?” Ava still seemed worried. “Do they usually do that? It’s only a missing persons case, right? What does this Thorn guy have that can help? Is he an ability user?”

“I think so…I didn’t get to speak long with him…he just wanted to see my files, and then he left.”

“You aren’t going to meet with him or anything?”

“It’d be ideal to…I think I have his contact information.”

Do you want to call him in? Ranen held up his notepad.

“Sure…I just first wanted to discuss this with you guys.” However, Luona was not sure what a higher-up like Thorn would think about him talking to civilians about such things. But he reminded himself that these weren’t civilians.

Ava sighed. “It feels like every time I get wrapped up with you guys it never ends well.”

“What do you mean it doesn’t end well? It worked out fine last time, didn’t it?”

“Yes, but all of us ended up in the hospital for a month, not to mention we had to pay for all the damages on that building!”

“Which is a good thing we had you,” Luona grinned.

“That’s besides the point. You can’t just rely on me and my ability. It feels illegal, somehow. Like inflation.”

“But it’s not inflation.”

“It’s not! But it’s too easy! Look, all I’m saying is, can we use less money this time? I really feel like we should back off on how much we plan to spend.”

Ranen held up his notepad again. Do you want to contact this Thorn guy? I feel like the sooner, the better. You know how higher-ups usually are.

“You’re right, you’re right.” Luona pulled out his phone. “Call or text?”

“Text…you said he’s a higher-up, right? Don’t they usually have a lot of meetings?”

“Makes sense. Text it is.”Luona hadn’t really wanted to call Thorn anyway. Both Ava and Ranen leaned over to watch him compose the message.

Do you want to meet to talk about the case?

“Is that good?”

“Maybe you should specify which case… Is he a busy man?”

“Oh, yeah, you’re right. Let me fix that…”

And with bated breath, Luona hit send.

They all waited expectantly, but there was no reply. “He’s probably busy,” Luona said, putting his phone away. “I’ll let you know if he agrees to anything.”

So do you still need us? Ranen asked.

“I still need you to keep an eye out for this kid and any suspicious activity. You have my number. Call me if there’s anything.”

Even though it felt like he was finally doing something, Luona had not expected to encounter trouble so soon.