Crossing Illusion: Reflection (Book 1) #Wattys2017

Chapter 47: Good to See You Again, Old Friend

Fahmir's POV

I remember that day when I first meet Meyer, but I'm not sure about the date. It's never been that important, until I lose him....

I think it was ten years ago, on a summer, when the SPD still quite new. We had less member, and I'm still a rookie in my twenty something age. This place looks more like a small office that set to investigate any unusual phenomena, because the occurrence keep getting worse ever since the global civil war thirty years prior, for no known reason. Which mean, ever since that war that separate Germany into two side, ever since Hessenstadt created, so many unexplained paranormal activity been reported from the whole state.

And then, he entered the door with a smile. Someone that looks like a classy gentlemen in his forty, accompanied by our current chief at that time.

"Everyone, today we receive new participant for our new department. Please welcome Sergeant Major Meyer Wellgard from Hessenstadt's great army!"

As he speak, a round of applause and excited woo heard all over, unless from me who simply clap slowly, not that interested on the new guy.

"Oh, please not the flattery. And please don't refer me with my military title. Just Meyer would be enough. Either way, I'm very happy to serve the Special Police Department, and I hope my presence will be helpful. Please to be your acquaintance."

Everyone responded nicely, though I remain stoic, still not interested. Sure he's nice and all, but I'm too tired lately to get cheerful, at all

"He'll be positioned in our creature research facility. He apparently encounter quite many of them during his time in military, and want to dedicate more time to learn about them."

Well, that's what the chief said, but...

Just few days in work, and the research facility already full of pets. They're not even there for research purpose. In fact, they're all his pets. The chief literally allow him to bring all of them here, dogs to cats, birds to fish, even rabbits and chickens, to his own private office in the corner of the research center. And since the head of our researcher like the pets, then she allow them to go around as long as they're clean from all form of infection. Not a big surprise, since the "she" here is Arya, our young prodigy, the genius that climb through the ladder so quickly with her seemingly unstoppable passion in researching.

"Fahmir! Look at the new kitty!" She exclaimed as she carry around a brown cat with white bottom. I just sighed. Since when this place is a pet shop? Oh well, everyone love it and consider it a major destressing value, like a daily recreation. Eh, we had police dogs, so surely these are fine.

"Sure. Fluffy, right?" I answered in uninterested tone, which earned a pout from Arya. Meanwhile on his desk, Meyer laughed, stroking a different cat as well. "Oh Fahmir, you should try to appreciate them! They're good for your health. Cat scientifically proven to provide goodness, improving mood, promote our natural healing, and reduce the risk of heart attack! These adorable fellow help PTSD as much as therapy dogs do!"

I stroke my head, agreeing, but still.... Well, not that interested.

At that time, I thought that he's just an ordinary animal lover, until that day....

In a forest, we're attacked by a ravenous black hellhound, with flaming charred body, red eyes, tongue lashing out flames. This cerberus-like dog ruin much of woods, and two of our wounded SPD already evacuated. Me and few others try to take it down with our guns, but firearm barely can harm this being of fire.

We argue among ourselves in whether we should run or not, considering that our chance of survival is slim, as there's nothing we can do to defeat the being. Forest fire also start to spread, so there's little to no choice but to retreat.