Sweat glistens on my tanned skin as I chase the perp through the streets. He caused a car accident and fled the scene, trying to avoid arrest.

People are awkwardly jumping out of our way as I continue to chase him, racing through the streets on foot after the accident he caused. His car had broken down in the middle of the road. Cars swerved around him to avoid hitting his stalled car, causing the accident.

I hear my partner’s updates over the radio, but my heavy breathing drowns them out. I’m fully focused on closing the gap between me and this fast dickbag who seems like a former champion high school track team member.

I’m almost on him and my fingers are inches from his shirt when he shoves a guy who had been in his path out of the way. The guy, carrying multiple bags, staggers and starts falling toward the street into oncoming traffic.

In that moment, time seems to slow down as I change directions and reach my hand out to wrap around the startled redhead’s wrist instead of grabbing the fleeing perp.

A horn honks loudly, muffling the racing beat of my heart as I tug him towards me and off the street. His bags scatter to the ground at our feet as his chest collides with mine.

My partner, Lolaus rushes past us, going after the perp.

“I got this, Herc,” he yells back at me.

People stare at us with shock. I ignore the whispers of the world around us and focus on the trembling man in my arms.

I can see he’s squeezed his eyes shut tight as if still waiting for death, or maybe he too is waiting for his heart to stop trying to jump out of his chest.

“Are you okay?” I ask. He flinches at my voice, and I loosen my grip on him. “Would you like me to call an ambulance to come check you over? Would you like to sit down?”

He shakes his head and slowly opens his eyes. They are blue but a surprisingly deep dark blue like the night sky not long after the sun has set.

“I don’t need an ambulance. Thank you for saving me,” he says, sighing. “This day really seems to want to give me a lot more downs than ups.”

He looks up at me, but his eyes only reach my chin. People usually look up at me because I’m so much taller. He’s tall, around six feet, while I stand at six feet seven inches. Seven inches isn’t a significant gap, and it’s unusual for someone to look up at me from such a short distance. A shiver runs through me as his breath brushes my neck. I take a step back, but I keep my hands on him to ensure he remains steady.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” I ask. He nods, and his man bun bounces as he does.

His eyes blaze with annoyance as he abruptly yanks his arm out of my hold and steps back.

“I’m fine, no need to worry,” he snaps. His tone is sharp and defensive. I try not to let it bother me, considering the shocking incident that moments ago occurred.

He starts muttering to himself and leans to grab his bags. I try to help, but he swats my hand away.

“It’s fine. You don’t need to help me. You’ve already done more than enough,” he says, straightening up and finally looking at me. Then, speaking softly so I can hardly hear, he mutters, “Life is fucking twisted. Kick me while I’m down, why don’t you?”

A strand of hair falls across his face. Subconsciously, I reach out to tuck it back, but I stop myself as I notice the annoyed expression on his face.

He sighs and says, “Listen, wonder boy. I owe you for helping me, and I hate owing anyone. If you want, I’ll buy you a coffee someday. But that doesn’t mean you can just touch me.”

He looks at my hand once more, and I awkwardly pull it away from him.

“Uh…sorry about that,” I mumble. I feel like an idiot, and I probably look like one too.

My radio buzzes, breaking the uncomfortable moment. “Herc, I’ve got him. Bring the car to the corner of Olive Lane and Ambrosia Street.”

I grab my radio, keeping my eyes on the redheaded guy. “Roger that. I’ll be there soon.”

I reach into my pocket, take out a business card, and offer it to him. “Here, take this. It has my number. You don’t owe me anything. If you ever need help with anything, feel free to give me a call.”

I do another quick check to ensure he’s truly okay. Then, I begin jogging back to our car. Lolaus had parked it around the corner while I chased after the perp.

Before turning the corner, I glance back at the guy and realize I stupidly forgot to ask his name. I hope he’ll find a reason to call me, but the expression on his face didn’t give me much hope.

I couldn’t put my finger on it, but there’s something about him that sparks my curiosity and makes me want to get to know him better. I also feel a desire to shield him from the shadows in his beautiful eyes.

A chuckle leaves my lips at my fanciful thoughts, and I remember how sassy he was. “I bet on a good day he would light up a room with his sassiness.”

Something had diminished his light, but there was still a spark there. This city had a way of lifting people up or dragging them down. What’s worse is that it wouldn’t only pull you to the ground. Instead, it would suck you into the deepest pits of hell if you were unlucky.

The Underworld is no place for someone who isn’t willing to risk everything. Or it can be a refuge for someone who has already lost everything and has nothing else to lose.

Ninety-five percent of the cold cases in this city have some link to this place. I’m still new to the job, and even I have already had to help handle bodies that wash up from the Styx River.

I reach the car and look back, knowing I can’t see him from this point. However, it’s more of a worry, and I feel like I should have gone after him to make sure he doesn’t end up as one of those lost souls.

A cloud passes over, blanketing this part of the city in a gloomy shadow. I pause for a moment, contemplating my next move. As I consider turning back and going after him, my radio buzzes again.

“Hey Herc, how far away are you? This trash keeps trying to get up and take off on me.”

I turn back to the car and get in before responding, “Sorry, Lol. I’m two minutes out.”

Right, the job needs my attention. Maybe I’ll check for the redhead in the system later, or maybe not. If he ever found out, he would probably hate me for doing that. Assuming I ever see him again.

***

Lolaus has the guy cuffed when I pull up. By the looks of it, they had struggled a bit before Lolaus had got him under control.

“Lord almighty, Herc! What took you so long? I thought you’d be the muscle in our duo when we became partners,” he exclaims when seeing me approach.

“Sorry about that Lol, I wanted to make sure the guy was okay before leaving him.” Opening the car door, I grab the perp off Lolaus and shove him into the backseat.

Lolaus shakes his head. “Was he?”

“Yeah, only a bit shaken up,” I reply, trying to sound nonchalant about it.

Lolaus dusts his clothes off. “Well, that’s good. Should be less paperwork for you to do.”

I groan. Lolaus knows doing the paperwork is my least favorite part of the job. I take the hits, do the running, and deal with our captain. Lolaus does the research, planning, paperwork, and driving.

“Can’t we split it? I did a lot of running to start with. Not my fault I had to save someone.”

I give him my best puppy dog eyes, knowing my shaggy sandy blond hair adds to the look.

He lets out a sigh of defeat. “Fine, we will halve it. Plus get a haircut soon or the Captain will get annoyed at you for looking messy.”

Remembering the long hair on the redheaded guy and how nice it looked tied back into a man bun, I quip back at my partner. “I don’t know. I think I might like how long hair looks.”

Lolaus laughs as he gets into the driver’s seat. “Sure. It can look nice, but with how active you are, it will definitely get in the way.” He has a point.

As soon as I shut the door, Lolaus starts the car. Lolaus drives us back to the police precinct, and the city blurs by. Amidst the bustling people, I catch a glimpse of the familiar flaming head of hair for a moment. Our eyes seem to lock, and the world around us fades away. I detect a slight smirk, but a passing truck blocks him from view, and then he’s gone and we continue on our way.

Maybe, just maybe, there is hope we will meet again one day.