When Luona left the building with Ava, he found it strange that Ranen wasn’t there.

After all, Ranen had just left a few minutes ahead of them. He should still be there, at the very least, visible down the street.

“Something wrong?” Ava asked.

“No, just…Ranen. I’m not sure where he is…”

They had parted ways. And Luona had shaken the matter to the back of his head.

And then he had witnessed Thorn kidnap a girl.

Even if it wasn’t kidnapping, Thorn had still behaved very strangely for a governmental agent. And what he had said about finding the kid, that made no sense to Luona. He tried texting him several times, but to no avail.

Maybe Agent Thorn really wasn’t what he appeared to be.

As he was sitting on a bench, contemplating what to do next, he received a call from Ava.

“Yeah?”

“Luona. A mob of mind-controlled people just attacked us, at the cafe.”

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, just a bit shaken up. Luona, that means that the boy is nearby!”

“All right, I’ll be right over…”

The cafe was just a few blocks away from him. Right before he rose, however, a woman pushing a flower cart passed in front of him, her haired brightly dyed.

“Are you a police officer?” she asked. “I just want you to know, there was something weird going on down the street at that cafe over there. Seems like someone’s ability ran amok to me. You want to go see?”

“I was just about to go, actually. Are you a witness?”

“A witness? Witness to what?”

“Like, did you see the incident?”

“Sure did, sir. Ended up driving all those weird zombified people away with my ability.”

“Then, could you come with me for a moment? Assuming you’re not busy.”

“Just came from there. But sure thing. You could need help.”

“I’m Luona. Officer Luona. You?”

“Lonny!” She grinned from behind her large glasses. “Pleased to make your acquaintance!”

As Luona went towards the cafe, his mind worked furiously. If Thorn had claimed he had found the kid, and the kid was active around these parts, then that meant…

When they arrived there were already police cars and firetrucks on the scene. Ava gave Luona a small wave from where she was being questioned.

“I reckon I could help a little,” Lonny said. “About suspects and things.”

“I’m pretty confident of who it is...” Luona brushed past the scene. “By the way, how did you know I’m an officer? I’m not in uniform right now.”

“Oh, you know. You seemed like it.” Lonny gave a side grin. “Or a little bird told me.”

“I see.” At that moment, however, Luona’s phone buzzed. One new message. From Thorn.

I’ll meet you.

“This…” Where, though? What did this even mean? Meet when? Where? And why?

They turned the corner of the street, walking down further away from the scene of the incident, and the noises all dimmed. Luona was still contemplating on the meaning of the message when Lonny tugged on his sleeve.

“Hey, who’s that?”

Luona looked up just in time to see Agent Thorn melt out of the shadows into the sunlight. “Officer Luona. I see you’ve read my message.”

“And you didn’t read mine? Agent Thorn, what were you doing with that girl the other day? And what do you mean, you found the kid? Where is he?”

“Calm down, Officer Luona. No need to get so excited - ”

“Agent Thorn, I’m sorry, but I don’t know if I can trust you anymore.”

Thorn thought about it for a moment, then nodded. “You shouldn’t have trusted me in the first place. You messed up the moment you allowed me to see your case file.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t mean anything by that. Come, now, if you speak about this I’m afraid I’m going to have to silence you, no?”

“Thorn, it is my duty as an officer to make sure that you don’t get away with this.”

“Then I apologize for what I’m about to do.”

“Hold on, hold on,” Lonny said, stepping between them. “I may not understand what’s going on, but Mr. Thorn, just because you’re good-looking doesn’t mean you can get away with crime, all right? I understand that there’s always going to be conflict, but - ”

“Wait, wait, hold on.” Thorn looked at her. “What did you just say?”

“That there’s always going to be conflict?”

“No, no, before that.”

“That you can’t get away with crime?”

“No, I mean - ugh, never mind. Miss, this doesn't concern you, all right? So get out of the way if you don’t want to be hurt.”

“I’m perfectly capable of defending myself, thank you very much. If you two start fighting, I’m going to be forced to step in.”

“Look, look, look, I don’t want to fight, okay?” Luona said. His ability required other people, and there weren’t any except for these two right here. “Thorn, what you’re doing is unacceptable. I don’t know what you’ve done with the kid, but so far it hasn’t been good. So if you want to explain - ”

A shadow slid around his neck and mouth like a scarf, and Thorn tightened it, lifting his feet off the ground. “I’m not going to explain,” he said. “Not right now. What I can tell you, however, is that you’re being a nuisance, Officer Luona.”

“Let go of him!” Lonny cried. “Let go of him, or I’m going to use my ability! I’m serious!”

“Tch!” Thorn cast her a glance, then let Luona go. “Continue to stick your nose into this matter, and I’ll do worse to you. Go and tell your superiors that you’re resigning from this case. Or I will tell them for you.”

Luona fell to his knees, rubbing his throat, coughing. That shadow had been strong…

“No,” he said, climbing up to his feet. “I’m not resigning. Now I’m more than ever intent on solving this case. And you’re going to get what’s coming to you, Thorn.”

Thorn gave a half grin. “Not if I can help it.”

And then he was gone again, just as quickly as he had come.