As the sun slowly rose over the horizon, it signaled the start of another day. Gradually, the streets started to become more populated with men and women walking about, giving a quick glance to the alley entrance that had been cordoned off and guarded. At the entrance stood a woman with pitch black, shoulder length hair that was braided that rested on her shoulders. Her dark brown skin gave off a slight glare from the sun, caused by the moisturizer she had applied earlier. She again pleaded with the guard. “As I said earlier, I’m a reporter for the Drengard National Newspaper and need to get in touch with Colonel Jac Angevin. He’s promised me a favor because of an earlier story, and I’m calling that favor in for an interview about this shadow figure that’s appeared! The people deserve to know that their lives–”
“Are in no danger at this time.” The guard retorted, annoyed by the woman’s persistence. “I’ve told you before, the Colonel is too preoccupied with the investigation to have any time for an interview. Please use the standard media channels to schedule an interview.”
“But that would take weeks, if not months, and I need to have a story ready by tomorrow morning!”
“I’m sorry ma’am, but it’s just not possible for him to see you at this time. If you desperately need a quote for your article, you can say that the official position of the armed forces is that there’s no credible threat against civilian lives at this time.”
The woman let out an exasperated sigh of annoyance before writing something down on a pad of paper she was holding. Walking away from the guard, she pulled out her cellphone quickly punched in a number. After a couple rings, a man answered the other line.
“Did you manage to get an interview with the Colonel?”
“No, this stupid guard is preventing me from even talking with him. Says he’s too busy with the investigation, despite bringing up the favor that he owes me. I’m running out of leads for this story. I talked with the man you told me about earlier, and while he gave me a wealth of information, that’s not enough for us to run the story.”
“Hmmm…well there is another route you can take to get the information you need.”
“What’s this other ‘route’ you’re talking about?”
“I know you’re aware of the Westwich Military Academy. According to a reliable source of mine, there's a group from the academy’s special operations program that are there assisting with the investigation. They’ll probably have some inside information that you need to run the story. Maybe if you play your cards right, we could have some valuable sources inside the academy.”
The woman furrowed her forehead and pursed her lips, deep in thought. “That would be…beneficial to say the least. Do you know where I can find them?”
“I do not, but considering they’re supposed to be assisting with the investigation, go to the other sites I told you about. You may run into them there.”
“Got it. I’ll call you back if I have some good news.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
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“Let me know if you need anything else!” A waitress had just set down a plate of bacon, sausage, eggs, and pancakes in front of Farnell. After the excitement of the previous night, and the fact that they weren’t able to get any additional rest afterwards, Jac had thought it would be a good idea to send them to a sit-down restaurant, all expenses paid by the military. After everyone had been served, the four of them began quickly devouring the dishes that were in front of them. After only seven minutes, the four of them leaned back in their seats, content after their breakfast.
“That really hit the spot…” Dorian said before yawning.
Olive nodded. “Agreed…we really needed that, after everything we went through yesterday.”
“And all that we’re going to have to put up with today.” Digby said, looking up at the ceiling. Jac did say that we’re officially off the shadow man case and to focus solely on the missing persons cases, but I have a bad feeling that the two cases are interconnected.”
Farnell sighed and nodded. “I do too. The fact that some…mystery person comes into town, then suddenly people start disappearing…followed by everything that’s happened after we arrived…it’s no coincidence.”
“But then the question has to be asked: why? Why target farmhouses? Kidnap people? Kill officers? And what in the world does that person do that he can cause such…fear in someone before anyone knows he’s there?” Dorian asked, a look of concern plastered on his face.
“That IS the million dollar question.” Digy said, leaning forward. “From the report, the officer who was unconscious after the attack said that he felt an overwhelming feeling of fear and dread before the attack, and Dorian…you’ve felt this same feeling two times now: once before the attack on the officers and the other right before your skirmish with the man.”
“Maybe it has something to do with survival instincts?” Olive cautiously said, a look of uneasiness on her face. “I mean…the officers are trained to fight, a lot better trained than we currently are, and Dorian…probably has at least a higher degree of training as well.”
Dorian was silent as Olive continued. “Like…Dorian helped train Farnell earlier, and I noticed when we were being taught the basics, you seemed…bored at times. Maybe it’s some sort of survival instinct that gets sharpened during training that then activates when it senses the danger that man poses?”
Everyone was looking at Dorian, who shrugged his shoulders. “Who knows…all I know though is that whoever this man is, he’s deadly. If he’s really behind the disappearances…then the odds of successfully rescuing the missing people, assuming they’re alive, are low at best.”
Dorian’s phone suddenly ringed, quickly taking it out, he answered it. “This is Dorian.”
“Hey Dorian, are you guys finished with breakfast?” A familiar voice was on the other line.
“Yes we are Colonel! We were just discussing the current cases when you called.”
“I see…well, now that you’re finished, I need you guys to head back to the base. There’s someone waiting for you there.”
“Who’s waiting for us?”
“You’ll know who when you get there. Once you join up, head to the farmhouse where the officers were attacked. I’ll meet you there once I finish here.”
“Understood. We’ll see you then.”
Dorian ended the call and looked at the others. “Looks like we’re getting some help. Jac said to head back to the base as there’s someone waiting for us there, then head straight to the farmhouse the officers were attacked.”
Digby stood up and stretched. “What are we waiting for then? Let’s get going!”
Farnell and Olive slowly stood up, clearly not as motivated as Digby was. After leaving the restaurant, the group walked the short, ten minute trip back to the base. As they approached the base, Dorian spotted a woman leaning against the wall near the entrance and groaned. “Oh boy…”
The other three glanced at Dorian. “What’s wrong?”
Dorian sighed. “Oh nothing…nothing at all…”
As they approached the woman, the woman spotted them and jogged up to them. “Hello there! Nice to meet most of you! I’m Miriam. And you all are?”
“I’m Digby, it's a pleasure to meet you.”
“Olive.”
“Farnell.”
Dorian remained silent, looking away. Miriam smirked. “Aww come on Dorian! Don’t be a stranger! Why not give your big sister a hug!”
Dorian quickly shook his head. “One, no. And two, you aren’t my sister.”
Miriam feigned being hurt. “How you wound me! We’ve been separated for ages and this is how you treat me?”
“It hasn’t been long at all since we last saw each other and you know it! Why are you even here anyways? I thought you were sent to–”
“Finished as quickly as I could and confirmed what I already knew. After being told what was going on here, I took the midnight train and here I am. I called Jac who filled me in on the most recent happenings, and now here I am. I’ve been told to help you guys out for the remainder of your time here.”
Digby looked at Dorian, then at Miriam. “You two…seem to have a history together.”
“That’s one way to put it.” Dorian said, clearly uncomfortable.
Miriam chuckled. “I’ve known Dorian for about…four years now? Couldn’t resist the urge to tease him a bit in front of his friends.”
Farnell stepped forward a bit. “So I assume you’re a part of the military?”
“In a sense, yes. After your little dust up with this shadow man last night, he requested that I essentially help protect you all should the need arise. I can assure you that I’m more than capable of handling myself in combat. You can ask Dorian if you have any doubts.”
Dorian nodded. “Yeah…she can fight that’s for sure. I’m honestly a bit more relieved knowing she’s here now.”
Digby, Farnell, and Olive looked at Dorian, then back at Miriam. “I guess that’s settled then.” Digby said, beginning to walk away. “Anyways, let’s get a move on to the farmhouse. Jac said to meet him there after meeting up with you.”
“Lead the way.”
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