So it is done

Lead to gold

Jonathan was a little nervous as he watched the approaching police car.

Prior to arriving in this strange, strange world, he had never had any trouble with the police. And so, was not really familiar with their methods of work. And, of course, as with any layman dealing with a person in power, Jonathan was a little nervous, as he watched the middle-aged man dressed in a police uniform take a step out of his car.

His haunches definitely were raised, when the police officer instantly zeroed in on Jonathan himself, with Cinder and Neo next to him. Well, can you really blame him though? His last interaction with the police was... memorable to say the least.

Okay, Jonathan, time to forget about it. 'The past is in the past', isn't that how the phrase goes?

In any case, Jonathan still took one worried glance at Neo and Cinder, making sure that they were not doing anything suspicious in front of the policeman's gaze. Or at least anything that would make Jonathan look like a criminal.

But, just with one glance, Jonathan could see that Neo and Cinder were simply staring at each other in silence. Neo, for quite understandable reasons. Cinder, due to the fact that her modus operandi is simply to 'always be on the alert with strangers'. And it seems that it is in full effect even if the 'stranger' in question were lost crying children.

I should have killed Miss Sunny. Damn it, it can't be helped now. Maybe in the future?

The policeman who is now approaching Jonathan, apparently, also saw nothing terrible in the actions of the children. However, Jonathan managed to see something else flash in the eyes of the policeman. Recognition, understanding and... Some sense of doom?

Not the eyes of a doomed prisoner, no, nothing so radical. Rather, the eyes of a person who will once again try to cope with a job that he could not physically do, or a janitor facing a giant mess that he has to clean up... Jonathan felt an unpleasant sensation rising in his stomach from that expression. A sensation that only intensified the moment the policeman spoke up.

"Neo, you're here again?" After these words, Neo, who had previously silently studied Cinder, looked up, as if she had just noticed the policeman's presence. As soon as she did, a whirlwind of emotions flashed in her eyes.

Recognition, dislike, and a sense of doom. And unlike the cop's, it was not anything so light. The emotion of a person who already knows his verdict, and is ready to bear it. The eyes of a criminal waiting for their verdict.

Jonathan was far from being an idiot, but besides the fact that there was clearly some kind of history here, probably quite a long one, he could not figure out anything else. However, it still remained something that he could ask.

"Officer," Jonathan respectfully addressed the policeman, causing him to turn around, with no small amount of surprise. "Is something wrong?"

The officer, looking at Jonathan with an inscrutable expression, exhaled, shaking his head.

"Thank you for your civil vigilance, citizen, but I'm afraid I can't tell you anything more, we will be bringing Neo home."

Jonathan blinked. So fast? So simple? No, the situation was clearly not simple at all. Not to mention the fact that Neo being recognized by an unknown person, police officer or not, didn't hint at anything good. He really prefers not seeing Neo's face in an obituary.

"I beg your pardon, officer." Jonathan, mind made up, called out to the officer carefully, "I've found the child lost on the street. Besides, she is..."

Jonathan paused, pondering on how to say 'mute' without offending Neo, who was carefully observing both adults. But, when he saw the officer nodding in understanding, he continued.