Half Blood

Chapter 15 : The Walker's Mansion (1/2)

[Third Person's POV]

(Two days later.)

Someone crawls out of a bush, revealing Allyson, panting like she just finished a marathon.

A few leaves and twigs were stuck on her hair and on her dress. She gazed upon the nearest building that is wrapped by flowering vines and a small table.

"Finally made it."

She made herself look presentable before communing with the person sitting on one of the chairs. It was Silivia Bracks, her supervisor in training.

"Took you quite a long time to reach the center of this place, Ms. Bluestone."

Allyson gave a nervous smile, but deep inside she was screaming with the urge to complain about how the place was built exactly like an extravagant flower maze.

"Take a seat."

Allyson sat on the empty chair as Silivia poured a tea for her. The scent of tea made Allyson's exhaustion deplete a bit. Just as she took a sip, she was overwhelmed how...

... Absolutely bitter the tea was. The scent was all deceiving, but the taste reminds her of a bitter vegetable.

Allyson couldn't spit the tea away and drank it like a champ while Silivia started the conversation with another surprise.

"Congratulations," she spoke with a faint smile, placing a grey box on the table.

"You are now a Dixinian officer."

Allyson smiles. She opens the box and saw her very own uniform.

"Thank you, Ms. Bracks," she replied.

"You should be, since you earned it after helping my branch capture a high-positioned Phantom," Silivia commented.

"Now, let's talk about what will happen next."

She gave off a serious look, and Allyson closed the box to listen. Silivia took the teapot and poured herself a tea, sizing up an advent of tension. She brought out the topic about Branches composed of three dixinian officers, implying that currently Allyson is alone in her assigned branch. She placed back the teacup and continued the discussion.

"Few of the higher-ups have discussed adding Kleid Winter to your branch."

(I did not expect this coming), Allyson thought to herself, a bit surprised with the revelation.

(Hold on... That guy is joining the corps?)

"But it's only two people. Who's the other one?" Allyson asked, wanting to know their possible accomplice.

Allyson grimaced a bit when she saw Silivia enjoying the tea like it was normal; she could almost taste the horrendous bitter paint just from watching.

"Dixinian branches always group individuals based on... certain criteria. That's why Mr. Stain stepped up to get you the third member."

"His name is Alexander Trevor Walker. He had at least 6 years of experience- basically a senior officer to the both of you."

Allyson didn't pry much to ask why, but her face tells she's confused why a senior officer was sent to her newly formed branch.

"The guy you met wearing a flashlight lens while puffing on a stick told me he's a good candidate for your team," she added; a hint of annoyance in her tone persists.