Edited by: Waning_Crescents

“So attentive, Mr. Investigator.” Axis chuckled while he leaned slightly over the railing of a rooftop patio gazing downwards.

From this large building, opposite the street where the two investigators just stood, he had the perfect view to observe them while not getting spotted in the process.

“I guess he got very cautious since he received that phone call.” Killian walked over to him and glanced down as well.

“As expected.” Axis grinned, but then his gaze shifted to Cal. “And you, my sweet little puppet, for what you have put me through, punishment awaits!”

“Why didn’t you make a move yet? The timing wouldn’t have been bad.”

“Because our reunion must be in a perfect setting.” Axis licked his slips. “And this was not it.”

Then his lips curved into a malicious smile as he gazed at the young investigator. “Enjoy your freedom as long as it lasts.”

When the two investigators entered the building, Cal still didn’t receive any answers; thus, he stopped and ripped his hand out of his partner’s grip. “What is wrong with you? What is going on?”

Sigal came to a halt as well and turned around. “That’s what I should be asking, why are you running around outside?”

“I just needed a change of scenery, that’s all,” Cal replied, “What’s the big deal?”

“What’s the big deal?” Sigal clicked his tongue. “You can’t be that careless anymore, you have to be more cautious.”

Cal took a few steps and leaned with his back against the wall. “Is this about the case? Is that why you are so shaken up?”

Sigal furrowed his brows. “What do you know?”

“Kristian sent me the case file 242C,” Cal answered, “I read it and…”

He let out a puff of air, while he clutched his left arm with his right hand. “I actually need to apologize…for what I said the other day…”

He gazed downwards. “I mean…that I said that in this line of work it’s not so unusual that…someone—”

“Stop it.” Sigal cut in with a rather calm tone in his voice.

Cal shook his head but then raised it to meet his partner’s eyes. “I am really sorry I said that. I was totally out of line!”

“You were.” Sigal fixed his gaze on his partner. “But more importantly, now that you know the danger this case poses, how come you still do as you please?”

Cal blinked, the thought of immediate danger never crossed his mind, not even once. “Do you really think they would attack us head on? From my understanding, that’s not how they operate. Besides, they don’t even know me, right? I wasn’t part of the Conciliators back then.”

“That doesn’t matter!” Sigal raised his voice. “You don’t know what they are capable of.” He clenched his fists. “Or the terror they bring with them.”

Cal’s eyes widened as it dawned on him. He is right, I really don’t know anything about that. I read the file, but it only stated facts not the actual experience or the loss they faced… I was naive to believe that this had nothing to do with me just because I wasn’t part of the Conciliators at that time.

“You are right, I don’t. I —”

“I keep telling you the same thing over and over!” Sigal cut him off. “Yet you discard it and…”

He paused, put one hand on his forehead and shook his head. “Forget it. Just listen to me this once, that’s all I’m asking.”

Cal eyed his partner for a moment, but then nodded. “Alright.”

I’ve never seen him so distraught…

“Good,” Sigal said and turned to leave.

“Wait!” Cal stopped him. “How did you even know where I was?”

“I didn’t.” Sigal whipped his head around. “Vince couldn’t get a hold of you, so he contacted me, but as you also didn’t answer the door, I went looking for you.”

“Oh…” Cal checked his pockets. I really forgot my cellphone.

Then he raised his head. “Why did the chief try to reach me?”

“Beats me, ask him yourself.”

Cal sighed. “Then I better not keep him waiting any longer.” He pushed himself off the wall and took a few steps before he came to a halt again. “And sorry for the trouble."

Then he walked to his apartment at the end of the corridor, reached for the doorknob and opened the door.

“Newbie.” Sigal called out.

Cal stopped in his tracks and spun around while he let out an exasperated sigh. “Can you please finally dro—"

He choked back the rest of the sentence and froze at the sight of the other. Sigal glanced at him with furrowed eyebrows, yet his face appeared to be tense along with a shimmer of concern lingering in his eyes.

Why is he looking at me like that?

Cal couldn’t discern the meaning behind this, but this intense stare caught him off-guard, and he couldn’t stop gazing into Sigal’s fiery red eyes, while he waited for the other to say something.

However, no words followed up on that and in the end Sigal only let out a sigh. “Never mind.”

Cal stood in the door dumbfounded as his partner turned around and walked up the stairs.

What was that about?

With confusion written all over his face Cal stepped into his apartment and closed the door behind him.

What did he want to say? And what was that look on his face…the way he stared at me…the way he…

Cal’s heartbeat slightly increased the more he thought about it, but then he drew in a deep breath and let it settle.

What am I even thinking? His lips curved into a helpless smile. Everything he does has nothing to do with me at all. He probably was only concerned that I would be getting in his way again.

Cal nodded to himself. Yeah, that must be it, because there is no way that… He lowered his eyelids. That he actually cares…

Then he walked into the living room, where his cellphone rested on his desk. He picked it up and unlocked it: Several missed calls and one text message from Vince.

[Doctor’s appointment tomorrow at 9am.]

Cal frowned.