One Missed Call

It's six in the morning, which means it's time to get up for work. I reluctantly opened my eyes and stared at the empty ceiling for a long time, although as empty. . . the sun's rays penetrated through the window into the bedroom and the sunbeams were just jumping on the ceiling, as there was a phone and a mirror on the bedside table. The laws of physics, what to do. I got up from the warm bed and started to get ready, although it took more time to find a bra, because the spokes stuck out and scratched the skin. Somehow dressed, I went to the bathroom and began to wash. All over the room, only the water that flowed from the tap and how toothpaste and a toothbrush were taken from the shelf. I started brushing my teeth, looking at my reflection in the mirror. A sleepy monster who doesn't want to go anywhere and generally wants to sleep on. But you can't, I'm the head of the agency, so suffer. After finishing my morning hygiene, I threw on a burgundy jacket and left the house. The city is empty, well, that's right, everyone is asleep, what else can we expect? When I arrived at my headquarters, I went to my office and sat down at my desk, taking out documents and turning on the computer to write reports and look at the cameras to see who is sinning in the city.

- B-12, C-12, come into the office. Immediately.- I said into the microphone and continued to work with the report, saving it every time, since the program likes to crash unexpectedly.

The people I called came into the office. Or rather, only Riley. Fortunately, I have finished with the report, it remains only to make a couple of copies. I took off my glasses and looked at the agents:

- Well, why the hell don't you work, but suffer from bullshit?.

- We don't suffer, we work!  Riley said, looking away.

- Why are you lying, huh?! I saw myself how you got some kind of backpack there from the red balcony, which is almost ruined. Although the satchel is also not new, as if it has been there for many years!

- I thought there were explosives in there!

- And I think you think too much! - I got up from the table.

Riley was silent. I sighed:

- Okay, go to work. Then we'll continue the conversation. - I started looking into the cameras.

Riley's gone. I want to go home. Even though I just came, but I want to go back, lie down on the bed and not wake up. I went to make myself a coffee, because I sleep on the move. To my surprise, there were few agents at the headquarters, they were standing on the street or sitting in a smoking room, one of two. I sent some of them to catch the SMACKS, who staged anarchy in the city center, selling drugs. Flair chases on her moped after those who are in the car and breaks these showcases again. The residents of the city will soon devour me and not choke!

I look at the reflection in my cup, stirring my coffee. A pleasant aroma gets into my nose and it makes me a little happy. It's better to let the smell of coffee than the smell of dust and computers. I reached into my pocket for my phone when I remembered that I hadn't taken it with me and sighed in annoyance. Okay, I'll come home, check what they wrote and what's new in the news. I went to my office and sat on the sofa, continuing to stir coffee. After drinking a little, I leaned against the back of the sofa and looked to the side and noticed that there were not three figurines on the shelf that were before me, but there was the one that Chris and Riley gave me. Next to this statuette lay a dried flower that was once a daisy. I haven't cleaned up for a long time. There is not much time. I put a glass of coffee on the nightstand and lay down on the sofa, which for some reason smelled strongly of chemistry. I put my head on the pillow and stared at one point. I went to bed late and from this I still want to sleep very much. I sighed. Now half of the agents, even more than half, treat me with contempt. The bottom line is that agents die on different missions and I can't do anything about it.
I have to know the consequences and be responsible for their lives, but I understand that I can't. I can't save every single one of them, because there are such difficult and very serious tasks that there are a lot of victims in the end. This is our job, to protect civilians, it's really a shame that they take another, two or even several other lives for one life.

    So it was, is and will always be.

. . .

I want everyone to be alive and everything to be fine. Some agents have families and it's scary to imagine how loudly their wives and children will cry. And their mothers. . . their hearts will simply not stand the loss of their dear children, who died in the ground, saving others. . .
Damn, I don't want to be responsible for their lives! Their hatred is justified in principle. But there's nothing I can do. . . I took a sitting position and later left the office. Going outside, I looked around. Everything is just as quiet and calm, although now everyone should go to school or to work, or just walk. I sat down on a nearby bench. The agents also left the building and walked past me, as if the bench was empty and no one was sitting on it. I took out the mints and started eating them. Of course, I don't like mint itself, but I want to chew something. The smell of chemistry hit my nose, and it's very strong and it's not the smell of washing powders and other stuff, but how you sit in a chemistry lesson at school and sniff the lab incorrectly. Riley came up to me and I looked up at him:

- Have you finished with the task yet? Why didn't you report back?.

"Chief, I'm afraid I won't complete this assignment anymore.

- Why is that?. . . . - I was surprised.

-. . . I died a year ago. . .

***

- Doctor, how is she?. . .

Chris Lee was standing with the doctor at the door to the ward. On the door hung a sign "Ash Gray" in such a golden frame.

- Still shows no signs of life. He just looks into the void and is silent.  The doctor took off his glasses and wiped them. - You are the only ones who survived in the town where there was an explosion and a chemical drain.

- I just reacted in time and pulled Ash out, who had inhaled all this in her office at work. The only one I could save. . . But I didn't have time for a friend. . .

- Please accept my condolences. . .

- Okay, can I come to her?  Chris looked at the sign.

- Of course, but only for a short time. - the doctor opened the door.

Chris entered the room and sat down next to Ash's bed. The girl was lying on the bed and looked at the ceiling with "empty" eyes. Chris has changed a lot this year, he no longer did styling on his hair, but wore a hairstyle like Riley's, at least similar. He took Ash's hand.

-- Hello, chief . . . a year has passed since this tragedy in our city and the two of us only remained alive. I couldn't save Riley and the others, only you could. You have no idea how much I want you to come to your senses and I hope you will return to the ranks. Unfortunately, you will have to start a new life and it is a pity that you again had to carry the lives of all people on your shoulders. Unfortunately, this is the cycle of life. We are born, live and die. Someone dies himself, and someone because of someone or accidents. Just live no matter what. We tried to do everything we could. . .

Chris felt his hand squeezed and he looked at her and again turned his gaze to Ash, from whose "empty" eyes tears were flowing.

-"T. . . . . .." - she whispered.

The brunette took out her phone from the bedside table that stood next to her and put it on charge. He turned it on and saw that there was one missed call and that was from an unknown number. Chris took out his phone and dialed this number, putting it to his ear and the guy jerked.

- Hello? Who are you?

It was Riley's voice.