Great Divides: (Ongoing Self writing project)

GD: Chapter 1- 2.a

Chapter 1.a: The interview.

The clouded skies drape across the bright city skylines, casting an ominous shadow over the metropolis. Inside a brightly lit office, Kazuha clutches a clipboard, eyes skimming over the papers attached. The signature black fountain pen lay untouched beside it. His reflection in the polished surface of the desk shows a young man with apprehension etched across his face.

He exhales sharply, rising from the chair. Pacing, his voice barely above a whisper, he mutters, "Is this really happening?"

A sudden *click* of the door interrupts his thoughts. He spins around. A tall figure stands at the entrance, the fluorescent lights glinting off several medals on his chest. One in particular catches Kazuha's attention—a gleaming pin, symbolizing a rare honor, the medal of heroes, awarded only to those who have survived events many would call, cataclysmic.

Kazuha's gaze lingers on it, eyes widening in recognition. "Mr. Tanabe," he begins, swallowing hard, "I've only seen that badge in history textbooks."

Mr. Tanabe gives a slight nod, his expression unreadable. "Not something you see every day," he replies, stepping further into the room.

Kazuha sat straight, his gaze completely fixed at the chair accords from him as Mr. Tanabe approached.

As Mr. Tanabe moves the metal chair back to take a seat, it scratches the floor, breaking the silence. Kazuha feels the chills run down his spine. Mr. Tanabe takes a seat, in his left hand, papers, in his right, a vintage pistol with a name carved in.

"Officer Furukawa." Mr. Tanabe spoke with a tone of authority, "Do you understand the circumstances in which you've been called upon."

Those words pierce Kazuha's hopes, he shivers from the now cold atmosphere. "No sir." Kazuha says steadily, "I was informed I may have been transferred to district two."

Without a warning, Mr. Tanabe slides the vintage pistol across the metal table, it slides across freely, slows, and stops in front of Kazuha. He looks up, as if he intends to sense Kazuha's nervousness, he watches as Kazuha looks up from being shocked. "You have proven yourself honest, officer Furukawa." Mr. Tanabe speaks in the same authoritative manner, "The opportunity I will present to you is of the utmost importance."

The honesty Mr. Tanabe speaks of, kazuha remembers as his dedication to the border guard, reporting infighting, corruption, and most notably, reporting a border guard manager who had attempted to blackmail a female guard into illicit activities.

But Kazuha's suspicions were now confirmed, his hands felt cold, he felt a chilling wave spread across his body as if he was found guilty of a crime, "Mr. Tanabe, if I may ask—"

Mr. Tanabe's eyebrow lifted, his eyes showing a dead stare right into kazuha's eyes, locked on as a predator fixed on prey, "You fear you are in danger" he writes something on the notepad, out of kazuha's view, "What do you have to fear?"

The stage was set, kazuha had accidentally shown his hesitation, and Mr. Tanabe had given a blunt entrance. The atmosphere remained uneasy, now tense. Had this become an interrogation? Has somebody reported Kazuha as a person of suspicion? Or... Was this a test?

Kazuha steadied himself, looking straight completely as Mr. Tanabe circled him once, clearly analyzing Kazuha. "The only danger is what lurks beyond these walls sir!" Kazuha spoke clearly, sounding confident.

Mr. Furukawa took a seat again, a slight scratch on the floor from him taking a seat sends shivers down kazuha's spine again. Then... Silence...

Kazuha's gaze remains fixed.