desertion

141

LYDIA

The building smelled faintly of coffee and printer ink, a weirdly comforting mix as I was led down a long hallway. My palms were clammy, and I kept wiping them on my pants, hoping it wasn't noticeable. This was it-my first day at the police department.

Officer Darden, the man who had greeted me at the front desk, stopped in front of a room labeled Research & Records. He turned the handle and pushed the door open, motioning for me to step inside.

"This will be your space," he said, gesturing toward a desk near the back of the room. It was modest, just a desk with a computer, a chair, and a small lamp, but it felt like stepping into a whole new world for me.

I nodded, stepping into the room and taking in the shelves lining the walls, filled with thick files and binders. A few officers were scattered throughout, working quietly at their own desks.

Officer Darden walked over to my desk and pointed at the computer. "This is yours for the duration of your internship. You're free to work on your school assignments when things are slow, but when we need you, we'll need your full attention. Understood?"

"Yes, sir," I said quickly, my voice steadier than I expected.

He nodded approvingly. "Most of what you'll be doing is going through files, reviewing camera footage, and providing your observations. We're not expecting you to crack a case on your own or anything, but your insight will be valuable to us."

I blinked at him, trying to process the weight of what he was saying. They actually wanted my opinion. My input.

He must have noticed the hesitation on my face because his tone softened slightly. "You're here because we believe you're capable. If at any point you feel overwhelmed, you can step out. But once you're in, Lydia, you're in. Understood?"

I swallowed hard, feeling the gravity of the moment settle over me. This wasn't just an internship-it was real work, real responsibility.

"I understand," I said, my voice firm.

Officer Darden studied me for a moment before nodding. "Good." He stepped back toward the door, pausing with his hand on the frame. "Good luck, Lydia."

As the door clicked shut behind him, I let out a long breath, slumping into the chair. My nerves were buzzing, but I shook them off.

This is what I was here for. I could do this.

I glanced around the room, noticing a small pile of folders already sitting on my desk. I reached for the top one, flipping it open. It was a case summary-a car theft that had been caught on camera but with no clear suspect identified.

I booted up the computer, the soft hum of the machine grounding me as I logged in and accessed the video footage linked to the file. The grainy black-and-white image filled the screen, and I hit play, leaning forward as I studied the scene.

For the next hour, I worked quietly, jotting down notes in the margins of the file. The rhythm of the work was surprisingly calming. It was like a puzzle, and I'd always loved puzzles.

********

At one point, a young officer came over to check on me. "How's it going?" he asked, leaning against the edge of my desk.

I glanced up, offering a small smile. "Good, I think. Just trying to figure out what the suspect might've been doing before the theft."

He nodded, glancing at my notes. "That's a solid approach. Let me know if you find anything interesting."

I nodded, and he walked away, leaving me to dive back into the footage.

As the hours passed, I found myself slipping into a steady rhythm. I alternated between the files and my schoolwork, trying to balance both without letting the stress get to me. It wasn't easy, but I reminded myself why I was here-why this mattered.

********

By the end of the day, I had reviewed two cases and even managed to get through an assignment for my online course. My head was buzzing, and my eyes were heavy, but I felt accomplished.

When Officer Darden returned to check in on me, I handed him my notes on the car theft case. He skimmed through them, nodding occasionally before looking up at me.

"Good work," he said simply, and those two words made my entire day worth it.

As I left the building, the evening air felt cooler, crisper. My nerves had been replaced by a quiet sense of pride.

I'd done it. My first day was behind me, and I was ready for whatever came next.