Edited by: Waning_Crescents and Mouri

“I see,” Vergil Rivera, the head of the Special Forces division at the CIB, said to the person on the phone. “Thanks for letting us know.”

Elena Lanford, second in command and Vergil’s partner, peeked out from her computer screen and asked, “And?”

“Same method, but…” He furrowed his brows. His thin, long ponytail swayed as he slumped into his chair. “The Conciliators have a location.”

Elena’s eyes twitched. “How? We haven’t found any traces for weeks now.”

After the first victim’s discovery, the Special Forces’ division searched high and low for any clues, any witnesses, or anything that would lead them to the perpetrator. They always came out empty-handed. With the freedom to operate as needed and the resources beyond the CIB’s scope, the Conciliators took over the case. Yet, no one expected the twist of events.

“A witness came forward.”

“A witness?” Elena tucked strands of her blond hair behind her ear, thinking this over. “Did we get the data yet?”

“It’s on its way.” Vergil let out an exasperated sigh as he slung his feet on his desk. “Lucky bastards.”

“You should be rather glad instead of being spiteful.”

Vergil clicked his tongue. “Of course I’m glad we got a lead, I am just annoyed that it’s out of our control.” After a beat of silence, he glanced at her. “Don’t you think it’s strange though?”

“Kind of, but maybe it’s also nothing. Witnesses suddenly coming forward isn’t unusual, as you well know. Hell, years later, someone’ll call in with something they’ve either remembered, or the guilt ate at them because they didn’t say anything sooner. Sometimes it takes people a bit to find courage to do the right thing.”

“True.” Vergil gnashed his teeth. “They better finish the job without leaving loose ends, or I am gonna pay them a visit.”

Elena let out a sigh. “We still have other cases that need our attention, so focus all your energy on those, will you?”

“Yeah, yeah…” Vergil grumbled.

***

During the car ride to their destination, Sigal filled Cal in on the details. According to Section 1’s research in conjunction of the witness’s statement, their target’s name was Lester Brown, an ex-doctor. The precision of the stitches on the victim made even more sense after this piece of information landed in their laps. The bizarre way he took the time to return the bodies to a perfect condition before disposing of the corpse spoke to the man’s mental state.

“The direction the witness saw the man running was near this abandoned building?” Cal mused over it. Somehow too convenient…

“According to Section 1, the area’s pretty secluded and it’s the logical conclusion.”

“Do we even know if he operates alone or how many are involved in this?”

“No, that’s on us to find out and handle.”

Cal grabbed his right hand with his left and slightly squeezed it, which didn’t escape Sigal’s gaze. “If you are scared, wait in the car. I don’t care. Don’t get in my way and screw up, got it?”

“Don’t worry, I’m fine.” Cal replied, his voice carrying an angry undertone. “If you have a problem with me, take it up with the chief instead of constantly berating me. It’s obvious that you don’t like me and wish I would quit, but I won’t.” He glared at Sigal with determination brimming in his ice-blue eyes. “Insult me all you like. I won’t give up, and I won’t back down.”

Sigal stopped the car and glanced at Cal in silence. The stubbornness of this young man took him by surprise, leaving him speechless for a second. “Just do what you want!” He exited the car, slammed the door shut, and murmured, “Annoying brat.”

As Cal climbed out of the car, his gaze fell on the huge building. Based on the blocky appearance, one could guess it had once served as an old factory or warehouse. The cracked, broken walls and the damaged roof, however, spoke of years of disuse. With the haunted look of the exterior, Cal grimaced at what the inside must look like.

Sigal shot him a meaningful glare as Cal came to stand beside him. "You take the right, I'll cover the left. Encounter anything suspicious, you call me and remember what I said before."

“I got it.”

When Cal entered the building, the smell of mold assaulted his nostrils. With the smell and overall disrepair of the building, the thought of anyone residing here for any reason baffled him. Aside from flecks of sunlight penetrating through the dirty windows, no light brightened up the place. Conscious of the likely rotting floorboards and the inevitable squeaks of loose floorboards, Cal practiced extreme caution with each step he took.

After a short while, Cal stopped and rubbed the sweat from his palms on his clothes. I am more nervous than I thought I would be.

Aside from small cases, like catching drug dealers or being part of small raids, this counted as his first real case without direct assistance from the corps division. As a new recruit to Section 2, the chief took precautions to ease him into the job. However, with an unreliable and grumpy partner leaving him to operate alone, uneasiness brewed inside him.

Calm down...Just remember why you chose this line of work. You went through a lot to make it this far; there’s no way you can turn back now. Resolve fought back the anxiety and Cal pressed on.

On the other side of the building, Sigal treaded cautiously, his eyes scanning the area around him. As a veteran investigator, cases like this didn’t pose much of a challenge to him. Over the years, he got used to the procedures and routines. Alone, he had no doubts wrapping this up promptly, but with a partner by his side who lacked skill and experience his positive outlook floundered.

Better get this over with quickly!

When he moved deeper inside, he came across a staircase leading down. He carefully bent over the railing to take a closer look, but pitch-black darkness obscured what lay below.

Either they are in the basement or… Sigal pondered for a moment, then took his flashlight out and walked down the stairs.

The deeper Cal went, the less sunlight illuminated the inside of the building. While he found his way around pretty well so far, the extreme silence picked away at his nerves.

Just where could they be?

He slid his hand into his pocket and fumbled for his flashlight.

Why did we separate, anyway? He sighed. I know it’s more efficient to search separately, but considering the circumstances, wouldn’t it be safer to stick together? Especially with so little information about how many we’re up against.

Cal moved further, using his flashlight sparingly to avoid creaky or rotting floorboards. The last thing he wanted to do was draw attention to himself; no need to give Sigal yet another reason to berate him.

With his concentration high, he surveyed his surroundings in the hopes of finding any clues before he stopped in his tracks to listen for any noises, but nothing reached his ears. Silence hung heavy in the air. A familiarity washed over him, and his chest tightened in frustration.

Why can’t he just cooperate with me? Cal pressed a hand to his forehead, a wave of frustration crashing over him. I never offended him. I really do my best here… He gritted his teeth. So why can’t he see that?

He let his hand drop down and sighed. Guess, for now, I can only rely on myself…not that I am not used to it anyway, but… He shook his head, pushing aside the intrusive thoughts. No, I have to stay focused, this is no time to get distracted.

Suddenly, the thought that Sigal may have contacted him crossed his mind. They had entered the building a while ago, and if he couldn’t find anything on his side, then maybe Sigal had. Grimacing at his inattention, Cal snatched his phone from his pocket and glanced at the display.

[No new messages]

Guess he had as much luck as I have...or…

Doubt arose inside of him. Would Sigal even bother contacting him?

He considered the possibility of his partner leaving him in the dark when quiet tapping noises drew closer behind him.

Whatever, this won’t change anything.

Out of the dark, a sturdy arm shot forward and wrapped around his body, fixing him in a tight grip. Before Cal could react, the attacker covered his mouth and nose with a sickeningly sweet acrid smelling wet cloth. Startled, he dropped his cellphone and flashlight, his eyes widening. He instinctively grabbed at the hand covering his face, trying to dislodge his attacker. Cal tried to scream, but the cloth muffled his shouts.

When did…?

The sweet scent invaded his nostrils with each panicked breath as he yanked the attacker's arm. Realization hit Cal like a truck, and his struggles redoubled. He kicked back against the attacker's legs, panic holding up his waning strength.

Let me go!!! He pounded harder at the stranger's arm, keeping up his resistance with full force.

Cal's efforts proved fruitless. The attacker never flinched or grunted, only sighed as if unimpressed by his efforts. The grip around Cal's middle tightened, waiting for his attempts to stop.

Fuck! Cal intensified his attacks, struggling in the attacker's hold and against the heaviness of his limbs. This can’t be happening!

The attacker clicked their tongue in annoyance, the sound too loud in Cal's ears. The attacker shifted, wrapping one arm around Cal's upper arms and chest. Cal struggled against them as the attacker's arm moved down, forcing Cal's arms to his sides.

Cal twisted in the attacker's hold while kicking wildly, unwilling to accept defeat. Cal fought hard, but his limbs grew increasingly numb and his strength fled.

Dammit! His vision blurred. I can’t… Cal blinked rapidly, internally screaming at himself to stay awake, but the drug's effect wrapped his mind in an inescapable embrace.

I… His eyelids grew heavier, unable to keep them open any longer. …screwed up…

The attacker grinned viciously in the darkness as Cal dropped limply into their arms.

“Curious rats get caught,” the stranger whispered as they shouldered the unconscious investigator and took him away.