Atum, Meena, and Rotan made their way down the street towards the nearest tram station. It was not past evening and the sun had set. The streetlights had turned on, and the streets were lit by a soft orange glow.

  Atum enjoyed this part of the day. It was the beginning of the week so most people would be heading home to rest, but not everyone. He could hear soft conversations throughout the street, from families and friends. Some were having a post-work drinking session and some were just planning meals.

  Below his feet, he could feel magic pulse through the city. The streetlights were part of the larger city formation, activating at certain times in the evening. They initially used a small flame but had been changed instead to mage light a few years back. Less wear and tear, and more magic efficient.

  That was just one small change of many that Atum had noticed happening through the years. It was fascinating to him, to see how theory he had studied was applied on such a large scale. Most people would not know, or care, much about things like these and that was natural. The city grew silently and steadily; Atum was glad to be a small part of it. He hoped his new employees would also feel the same.

  He turned to them. They had briefed him on their conversation with Tina and were now telling him their impressions.

  “It feels creepy.” Meena said decisively. “Though that’s only from a short conversation.”

  Atum also knew that she didn’t like vampires. A bias was already there, not that he thought it invalidated her impression. He waited for Rotan to give his thoughts.

  “I think… something is off.” Rotan began. “But I can’t tell if that’s from their current environment or because I just feel bad for them. Meena definitely made the choice herself, but when you feel like you’re drowning it’s hard to really take time to consider your choices. Not that she felt like she had other choices. Also, she’s just one person. Mark really didn’t like us questioning his, what did he call it, ‘family’? I don’t know his situation so I don’t think I can properly judge him. How many others are there anyway?”

  “Around 20, I estimate.” Atum answered. “Dennis showed me around and I counted 12 dorm rooms. Two people per room and only two rooms seemed empty.”

  “20 vampire grunts?” Meena asked. “Is that a lot? It feels like a lot.”

  “It does, doesn’t it? I’m not sure myself whether that’s normal. We’ll have to check. Dennis kept saying how legit everything was so that should mean there’s a paper trail to follow. I say we begin with that, how many ‘members’ he’s recruited and anything about the kind of work they do.”

  “Actually Sir,” Rotan said, “what are your impressions?”

  Right, I need to share my thoughts as well. What did Mrs. Milton say? It helps builds rapport and opens up future conversation. I should be honest.

  “I think he’s a greasy sack of lard.” Atum said.

  Meena and Rotan seemed slightly stunned.

  “Oh, was that too forward?”

  “Um, no Sir, but you seem very sure of that.” Rotan responded.

  “I became mostly certain when he mentioned he knew of me. The only ones who are familiar with what I do, sorry, with what MID does are the ones we have to deal with. But he only knew me in passing. If he actually knew details about me, he wouldn’t have the guts to even try and lie to me. Which would mean he heard it from someone else. Probably his boss.”

  “I actually got that impression too.” said Meena. “He seems more like a middle manager than the big boss.”

  “Probably his sire, right?” Rotan followed. “I know he has one. I could, uh, ‘see’ it.”

  Neither Atum nor Meena asked about what he meant by seeing it.

  “Definitely something to follow up on. Lots of things to follow up on.” Atum sighed. “This is the most important, and most tedious, part of the job. Following these trails. I hope you guys are prepared for that. We’re actually a little lucky. Way back, it was so hard to find who had what paperwork and who to ask. We’re a lot more organized now so at least we know who’s responsible for what. We’ll have to talk to Mrs. Milton. She’ll get us on track.”

  “Uh, tonight?” asked Rotan.

  Atum chuckled. “No, tomorrow. I won’t ask you to do overtime unless strictly necessary. Don’t worry. I just want to de-brief in the office and then you both can go home.”

  Rotan and Meena looked slightly relieved at that assurance.

  Yeah, I’m sure they have other things to do. Oh yeah, this is their first day. Probably celebrate. I should hold a welcoming thing for them on the weekend. Get it comped too.

  The three MID workers continued walking, each caught up in their own thoughts.

  As they approached the tram station connected to their office, Atum noticed fewer people were around, most probably because not many people travelled using this tram at this time of night.

  There were some stragglers around. Some homeless people looking for a place to rest. Human most likely. Brixmane didn’t have many other species living here.

  Atum could see their tram station ahead of them. They only had to wait a few minutes before the next one would show up.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  His senses suddenly alerted him to something approaching them fast. A person. Meena also tensed up.

  Atum focused and realized a person shaped object was running towards them, coming from the alley to the left of them. He stepped closer, ahead of Rotan and Meena.

  “Both of you, stay behind me please.” he asked them.

  “I can help–” Meena began.

  “No need. I doubt this will be a problem.” Atum calmly assured her. Rotan still hadn’t sensed anything, but he followed Atum’s instructions.

  The person approaching was at the end of the alley now, directly in Atum’s line of sight. They stayed in the shadows though, waiting.

  Very mysterious, might have been intimidating for someone else. I don’t have time for this though. Sorry buddy.

  “Hey Mark, forget to tell us something?” Atum asked, slightly teasing.

  At this distance, Atum’s senses could easily recognize the young vampire. It was a passive magical ability he had developed for himself. It felt like emitting light magical waves which allowed him to recognize shapes and magical phenomena. It was easy to remember the vampire as he had just met him earlier.

  Mark stepped closer, allowing the light to illuminate him. He was scowling at them, no doubt attempting to look menacing.

  It might have been working. Meena was tense and looked ready to fight while Rotan had raised his fists up amateurly. Atum was glad they stood their ground.

  Especially against a common delinquent. Usually not even worth our time, but there’s no way Dennis sent him here.

  “Lucky guess.” Mark finally said.

  Oh, he was wondering how I recognized him.

  “I told you to back off,” Mark continued, “but I know you won’t take a hint.”

  “Honestly Mark, there’s no need for this. We’re not here to interfere with anything.” Atum tried to placate him.

  “Are you seriously trying to pick a fight just because we asked a few questions?!” Meena angrily asked. “What’s wrong with you!”

  Oof, don’t think we can de-escalate this. Seemed unlikely anyway.

  “Hey man, there’s really no need for this.” Rotan said.

  Mark didn’t respond and simply jumped forward towards them.

  Atum bent hid knees slightly and angled his shoulder towards him.

  Mark reached Atum and his momentum immediately stopped. To Meena and Rotan, it looked like ran into a wall.

  Atum hadn’t moved at all from his position. As Mark stumbled back trying to catch his breath, Atum stretched his hand out and slapped Mark across the face. It looked like a normal slap, but it sent Mark flying backwards.

  Hm. Young vampires always are a bit too confident in their own strength. That was a serious attack on his part though. He really wanted to hurt us.

  Atum stepped towards where Mark lay on the ground. He was attempting to get up but his head was ringing and he kept stumbling.

  Ouch, I actually feel a little bad.

  “Are you ok Mark? That must’ve hurt.” Atum asked, concerned.

  Mark managed to stand up and glared at Atum, though he looked a little scared now.

  “What the hell was that? I thought you were human. You smell like a human!” he asked, agitated now.

  “You smelt me? Yuck.” Atum responded.

  His eyes look dilated. And if he’s smelling me, it must mean he intended to hunt me. Is he in a frenzy?

  Younger vampires had some difficulty reigning in their thirst for blood. They were given the senses to help them hunt easier, but they needed to be taught how to restrain themselves. This was usually done by their sire. Considering Mark had been converted a while ago, he should be under far better control than he currently showed.

  “Mark, does Dennis know you’re here?” Atum asked.

  Mark flinched.

  “I didn’t think so. I’m certain he wouldn’t be happy with this at all.”

  The kid probably thought he could attack us quickly from the dark. Now he doesn’t know what to do.

  “Rotan.” Atum spoke without turning around. “Could you please fetch a warden. I’m sure there’s one patrolling around here, probably back along the way we came.”

  “Y-Yes Sir.” Rotan immediately walked in the direction Atum told him.

  “Meena, keep an eye out. I don’t think he came with anyone else but better safe than sorry.”

  Meena nodded.

  Mark looked desperate now. He attempted to run back into the alley way and hide in the dark, but a blur moved passed him and Atum was suddenly in front of him again.

  “No Mark, I want you to stop. Let us help you. Don’t do anything else.” Atum gently tried to talk him down again. But Mark wasn’t listening anymore. He swung at Atum haphazardly. Atum stepped slightly back out of reach, causing the vampire to stumble, and then grabbed Mark’s outstretched arm and twisted it behind him.

  Mark tried to struggle but it felt like he was being held by a statue. Immoveable.

  Atum forced him to the ground and held him there.

  “Argh! Let me go!” Mark started screaming. “You don’t know who you’re messing with. I’ll kill you!”

  This feels more and more pathetic. Why was this kid left like this?

  “You’re right Mark. I don’t know who I’m messing with. I’d very much like to know more.” Atum asked.

  Hearing this, Mark immediately clammed shut. Whatever anger he was feeling, it paled against the fear of revealing more information. He was already in trouble.

  “Are you crying?” Meena asked.

  Atum felt some slight shakes beneath him. Yes, the kid was crying.

  Atum felt annoyed now. It was one thing to pick a fight for no reason. It was quite another to start crying when you lost. Especially since Atum was trying to be gentle.

  “Oh, come on now. Hardly even touched you. I’m sure you were planning worse.” Atum said, frustrated.

  Even Meena looked awkward now.

  They heard footsteps approaching them and then someone using a whistle.

  “Hey! Knock it off! Get off that boy!” shouted one of the people approaching. Atum looked up and saw Rotan returning with a warden in tow. Apparently, the warden thought Atum was the aggressor.

  Gods, of all the things to shout. Atum silently complained to whichever deity was listening.

  Luckily, Meena and Rotan stopped the warden before he whacked Atum with his baton and explained the situation.

  “Oh, my bad.” the warden apologised. “Get off anyway, I’ll handle him.”

  “You’ll have to be careful, he’s a vampire. A low tier one though.” Atum suggested.

  The warden laughed out loud.

  “Haha, I can handle it.” he grinned at Atum.

  Atum noticed that his lower canines were larger and stuck out. Like little tusks. Also, his skin, had a green tinge to it, which was harder to make-out in the dark.

  A troll? No, he’s a little smaller and the tusks aren’t as big. A half-troll. Yeah, he can handle this.

  Atum slowly got up and raised Mark with him, passing him to the warden. He thought the vampire would struggle but the fight seemed to have left him. No longer frenzying.

  “Thanks for the help warden. What’s your name?” Atum asked.

  “Benji. Benji Weeks.” the warden responded, while holding Mark’s arms.

  Definitely a human parent then.

  “You need to come with me as well. To make a report. All of you.” Benji stated.

  Atum looked at his two freshers. This was only their first day and it far busier than he anticipated it would be. They looked exhausted, especially since the adrenaline would have worn off.

  “Tell you what warden, I’ll come with you. Let the other two go home. They were barely involved.” Atum asked. Benji hesitated, so Atum took out his government credentials. “We were just doing some department work. It’s their first day.”

  Benji thought for a moment and then nodded.

  “Fine, follow me then.” he began tugging Mark down the street, towards the nearest warden station.

  “Good job you two.” Atum complimented Meena and Rotan. “We’ll talk more about today’s events, tomorrow. Go home and get some rest. I think we’ll have a lot to discuss anyway”

  He smiled at them and began following the warden.