"Hey, come on... I'm didn't even finish my slice!" Patrick whines as I push him out of my apartment. Then I open the door once more to hand him what was left of the pie. It was a good day indeed, but unfortunately for me it wasn't over yet. I had to go back to the bureau.
I could have just called, but I wasn't certain the line was secure and I needed to discuss the kind of matter that needed the top security clearance even on my department. Desk agents knew about the existence of other worlds and some had even witnessed supernatural events in this world that could not be explained. However, there's a difference between that and my specific case. Thankfully, the director was still in the office skimming through documents trying to clear the backlog.
"Agent Bob, I didn't expect to see you again so soon." She casually pointed me to her chair.
"There's an urgent matter I need to discuss." Prompted by my words the director stood up and closed the blinds herself before asking what it was. Rather than speaking, I just showed her by hovering my hand over a potted plant and sprinkling it with water.
"That's sweet of you, but it's plastic." She blinked a couple times with a blank stare.
"Is this normal?" I had to ask as I felt gaslighted.
"I see now," She dropped on her chair and took a sip of cold coffee before continuing. "I forgot you haven't gone through the basic training. It's completely normal. Field agents pick up skills, spells and items more often than not during missions. No one knows how it works, but some of those remain even when they're back in this world."
"So, what will happen now? I unwittingly used this ability in front of someone. I don't think he noticed or else he would have made a fuss, but did I commit a crime?"
"Hmm... Using otherworldly skills for personal gain is indeed unethical, but it's not necessarily forbidden. There's a few things to keep in mind, but the short version is..."
I walked out of the office with a sense of dread. I joined the other world affairs department the moment I learned about their existence. More than a sense of duty it was natural for me to follow that path, but I never expected that things could become like this. I knew people could return to this world with their powers, after all my parents were killed by such a person. I just never thought I would ever have the same kind of power.
I went back home, only this time I didn't feel that good and nothing sweet awaited me there as the director's words echoed in my head: "[...] the short version is you need to make sure there are no witnesses or that no witnesses are left."
It's difficult to put into words, but it was only when she said those words I realized the full scope of my new position. In hindsight, they said it already, but my mind refused to process it. When I was transferred I didn't just lose my desk and my routine. I was now a field agent and my personal safety was at risk.
"You used an F rank skill without supervision." The system manager's voice jump scared me.
"I did." I say pretending I didn't lose my cool.
"I can't see or hear you. If you want to say something, you need to access the system and change the settings." I followed the instructions despite the shock of knowing that the system remained active in this world. Another thing to add to the list of unforeseen consequences of accepting the job.
"What are you doing at this hour?"
"I got called in because of your blunder. Did you suppress the witness?"
"No need for that. He's a friend of mine and I know him well. If he noticed something I would have noticed."
"Noted." The system manager said then a yellow path appeared leading me outside my apartment.
"What's this?"
"Your report was received. You need to follow up on the investigation."
"Right." I nod as I remember how the system had warned me I would be involved in everything related to other worlds.
"You drive slow."
"Are you going to nitpick me about my driving now?"
"I meant it as a compliment. Don't park near to the library, you'll thank me later." The system manager cryptically said. I had no reason to refuse or question it, so I did as told and walked the last two blocks.
The library was nothing out of the ordinary. If anything, it blended perfectly with the shops next door. It was a transited street and there was nothing out of place. Still, my heart raced as I passed the finger across the grip of my service gun before entering. I thought maybe some sketchy librarian would show up and play nice or that I would find an empty store that worked as a cover for something dark. Nothing of the sorts. It was just a library and judging by the amount of people inside, a very popular one at that.
I walked around as if looking for something to read, though I payed little attention to the books and focused on the surroundings instead. The system remained silent the entire time, probably sipping coffee in a desk while I walked from drama to horror, then action and lastly fantasy.
"Nothing." I mutter as if complaining to myself for not finding a good book to read.
"Are you looking for something in particular?" A woman, probably a college student, walked in to help.
"I'm looking for something... different." I said without putting any thought into it.
"I know what you mean." She leaned in and said in a whisper.
I gulp down a lump of saliva and readied myself to expect the unexpected. It's strange how that kind of sentence never makes sense until you live it the flesh. She silently led me across the halls up to a dimly lit corner where there was no one. It didn't take long for me to understand that the book cases had been thoughtfully arranged to prevent people from wandering into that aisle unless they meant to.
"Can you handle it on your own?" She asked as if offering support, but I would never involve a civilian into this matters.
"Yes, stand back." I say as I pull out my gun which caused her to scream at the top of her lungs.
Five minutes later and the misunderstanding was cleared, though all the clients had already left in a panic and they were forced to close the store.
"How was I supposed to know you were an agent?" The assistant stuttered, her eyes still wet from all the crying.
"I'm sorry for the misunderstanding. You seemed to know what I was looking for."
"Young man, stiff, moving with purpose while keeping an eye on his surroundings. I thought you were looking for porn." I'm an adult and there's nothing to be embarrassed about so I just go on with asking some questions.
"Do you remember seeing this man?" I say as I showed her the picture of Andrew Hensley, the subject in the third case file.
"Yes! That's Andy. I haven't seen him around lately, but he always come here. Is he in trouble?"
"He's not, but he's part of a current investigation and I can't disclose anything."
"I see," She seemed genuinely sad about the subject which reaffirmed my theory. People that don't necessarily stand out or achieve great things and just live honest lives can still linger in the memories of those around them. Maybe Andrew thought he was insignificant, but his disappearance is this world's loss. "what about this man?" I showed the picture of someone who disappeared months before. This time she had trouble remembering, but the same was not true for the other assistant. A guy who had remained silent the entire time.
I could see it in his eyes, the moment I showed the second picture he knew he had been made. His first step was tell her coworker that he would finish up and that she could go home to recover from the scare. She agreed and took her time grabbing all her belongings as the silence between me and the guy became more dense.
"Reinforcements are on the way, try to buy some time." The system said at the same time the woman shut the door to the library leaving only me and the suspect.
"It was such a good day..." I mutter to myself, then I glare at the suspect.
"Day after day I worked my way to her heart with small gestures but she ignored me. Then they came in and hit on her. Just like that, no hard work to gain her attention, no thoughtful gifts. Just showed up and stole her from me." The suspect gives a monologue I don't care much about.
"You can leave, I won't chase after you." I say truthfully. I'm not ready or trained for dealing with people who returned from other worlds.
"If I leave, then I won't ever see her again. No, I'm not leaving... and neither are you."