“Next,” said a man in a dark blue outfit. There was a group of people similarly dressed people next to him with button up shirts, dark blue pants, and leather boots. They also wore bulletproof vests and had semi-automatic pistols holstered to their side as well as 9mm submachine guns hanging close by. They were the police force of New Mayhall who dealt with the domestic issues.

Visette stepped up and the officers looked surprised. After all, a thirteen-year-old girl covered in blood caused many questions to arise. Especially when they noticed she didn't seem to be injured.

Vis turned over her guns and showed her ID card which was scanned before she received approval.

“Here’s your ticket. You can collect your weapons and ammo at a later date.” An officer handed her a small piece of paper with a barcode written on it.

“Wait...You’re marked as a V.I.P, you’ll have to wait in the main office. Someone will come by to pick you up shortly.” A man sitting at a terminal spoke up.

Visette nodded before being led to a small building right across from the main gate. She watched as the refugees were loaded onto a grey bus before being driven away.

…

In the middle of what looked to be a training gym, a young woman wearing a sweat-soaked shirt and some basic training gear was practicing. It was Lyn O’Hara, one of the lucky few to be called an Abnormal.

Lyn sent several heavy kicks into a punching bag and which made it swing back and forth wildly. Upon closer inspection, the seams of the leather punching bag were starting to rip.

“Lyn! I told you not to go tearing any more punching bags. I’ve ordered you one and it won’t be here for another week.” An old man in a wheelchair pushed himself over to her with a grumpy look. His hair had long since turned white as well as his beard but he carried an air of experience about him. He handed a water bottle over to her and she accepted with a smile.

“I couldn’t resist, Grandpa,” Lyn said with a chuckle.

“Ah, I understand. I’ve missed it for a while,” The old man sighed which caused Lyn to show an apologetic look. “That’s neither here nor there, someone’s called for you. They say it's official business.”

“I got it,” Lyn finished her drink before heading into a side room where an archaic looking telephone was placed. The receiver was held in a bulky box-shaped contraption that was bolted to the wall, a no doubt expensive installation process.

“Hello,” Lyn said as she picked up the receiver.

[Lyn O’Hara confirm.]

Lyn squinted to look at a set of numbers drawn in faded marker before speaking, “This is Captain Lyn O’Hara, my private confirmation number four four six.”

The other end of the line was silent for a few moments before the person speaking, [Captain Lyn O’Hara Confirmed. You’ve been given direct orders from Commander Wakefield to retrieve a suspected Abnormal, Visette Thales, from the customs office. Additionally, you’ll be escorting Rachel and Charlie Wakefield who have a personal relationship with the suspected abnormal. This is a high priority mission and the safety of all involved must be ensured.]

“Why wasn’t anyone sent to tell me personally?” Lyn narrowed her eyes.

[Come again?]

“Don’t bullshit me. The Commander wouldn’t make this an official assignment unless he has something planned. The administration pays close attention to official mission logs,” Lyn replied with clear annoyance.

[...You’ve been given your orders, Captain O’Hara. If you don’t follow through you’ll be charged with insubordination.]

“Yeah, yeah, fuck you.” Lyn slammed the phone down before clenching her fist tightly. She exhaled lightly before calming down.

“I’m going out, Grandpa!” Lyn shouted. She opened a lockbox stashed under a desk and grabbed a .44 magnum revolver, something the general public didn’t have access to.

“Take care!” He replied back in an amused voice.

…

There was a brief knock at the door, and Rachel checked carefully before opening it.

“...Captain O’Hara wasn’t it? Do you need something?” Rachel asked as she looked at the woman who carried a sheathed sword on her back.

“Yeah, I’ve been told to take you and your daughter to meet someone named Visette Thales. Since you’re acquainted with her it seems you’ll be the best option to ensure her safety.” Lyn unconsciously toyed with the leather strap of the scabbard that lay across her chest.

“Vis!” Charlie hopped out of her room while in the process of putting on her shoes.

“Charlie, it’s not polite to eavesdrop.” Rachel scolded her.

“Sorry, Mom.” Charlie gave an insincere apology as she rushed over.

“Do you need time to get ready?” Lyn interrupted.

“No, we’re ready right now.” Rachel grabbed a windbreaker hanging close to the door and stepped out of the house.

…

An hour had passed but Visette seemed completely unaffected by the time that went by. She had long since closed her eyes and immersed herself in psionic meditation. She created a weak detection field and increased its boundaries. Her goal was to be able to pick up presences in the entire building before attempting to receive more detailed information.

The main problem with her psionic pulse was its ambiguity, she couldn’t discern what it was she detected. As it was now, humans, animals, and Corrupted all registered as the same entity. Her psionic energy spread over the room causing those touched by it to get goosebumps.

“Who turned the air on?” A man filing a report stood up abruptly.

“It’s not on,” Someone replied.

“That’s weird,” He sat back down but couldn’t shake the sensation.

Visette was fine-tuning her detection field and could slightly feel the heartbeats of everyone gathered. Although she needed to observe them heartbeats moving at different rates, she made huge progress in ironing out the use of her psionics.

“Vis!” A cheerful voice rang out.

Visette retracted her psionic energy and stood up to see Charlie running at her. Before she could react, the girl was already hugging her tightly, ignoring the dirt and dried blood.

“Easy, Charlie...Are you hurt anywhere, Vis?” Rachel asked as she pulled a handkerchief from her jacket. She wiped Visette’s face and got rid of the bloodstains only to realize it was someone else’s blood.

“I am fine,” Visette replied.

“If you don’t mind, I’ll be having a cigarette outside while you all catch up.” Lyn was clearly uncomfortable with mushy reunions and excused herself.

“Thank you.” Rachel nodded before joining in to hug Visette. “I’m sorry you had to go through that, Vis. I should’ve been able to protect you but I couldn’t.”

“There was no error in your decision. My experiences proved to be quite beneficial,” Visette spoke in a monotone voice but strangely enough, it had traces of satisfaction.

“Vis, don’t talk like that. I was worried, you know,” Charlie fought tears while holding onto Visette.

Visette, who wasn’t equipped to respond properly could only stand silently.

“Vis...Remember that you have people who care about you?” Rachel noticed and could only speak comforting words.

“I will remember that,” Visette answered but she was trying to figure out where their emotional responses stemmed from. In her mind, she hadn’t died and even gained benefits so she couldn’t pinpoint what caused them distress.

“Oh ho ho, It’s been awhile but you look beautiful as you did before, Rachel.” A middle-aged man wearing an expensive suit spoke up. Two bodyguards stood at his side and people in the customs building began to stir.

Rachel instantly froze before turning around with a horrified expression on her face. “You...What are you doing here?”

“I’m on the Council of Commerce and Trade, I don’t see how it’s wrong for me to be here.” The man answered while adjusting his collar. He had short grey hair that gave him an air of maturity while his sly brown eyes told a different story.

“I’ve been informed that there was a suspected Abnormal in here and this must be her,” The man smiled as he looked into Visette’s eyes. She didn’t flinch nor look away and he ended up breaking eye contact first.

“Ah, she has a certain spirit about her. There’s no doubt that she was the one mentioned,” He spoke warmly before laughing to himself.

“Don’t even think about it, bastard.” Rachel moved to block Visette.

The man moved closer with a smile on his face until he was sure no one was able to hear them, “That’s no way to talk to the man who tried help your Father’s clinic.”

Rachel punched the main in his jaw as hard as she could while her chest began to rise, “You’re a monster.”

“Councilor Richards!” Several people in the room, as well as the Councilor’s bodyguards, moved.

“It’s fine.” Councilor Richards waved his hand while rubbing his reddened cheek. “She’s just protective of a girl in her custody is all.”

“You’re daughter looks so much like you, from the blonde hair to the green eyes, and even the freckles. I hope she grows up well, who knows, maybe she’ll become a great military talent like her father.” Councilor Richards smile grew colder.

Visette’s mind had begun to race as she caught onto Rachel’s words. When she called the Councilor a monster it stuck with her for some odd reason. Didn’t Rachel say that those labeled as monsters weren’t seen as human? If that was true that made Councilor Richards a threat. Whether human or animal, it would be best to eliminate a threat at the earliest opportunity. That was Vis’ thought process. The importance of his rank didn’t appear in her mind and even if it did she would see no reason for it to obstruct her.

Visette made up her mind and suddenly moved forward, she infused her fist with psionic energy and drove it into the Councilor’s chest as hard as she could. The force was enough to make him fall backward but she also used her psionics to hold him in place. Her strike was so sudden and completely without warning which didn’t allow anyone to react.

When she brought her fist back, blood poured out of the Councilor’s mouth and he plopped onto the ground lifelessly.

“Councilor Richards!” Officers in the customs drew their weapons as they rushed toward Visette but someone arrived first.

Lyn arrived in front of Visette and kicked her in the chest, knocking her to the ground. “Someone get me a pair cuffs and don’t get too close, she’s an abnormal...” She planted her foot on Visette’s abdomen to ensure the girl couldn’t move and aimed her .44 Magnum at Visette’s head. “...Just like me.”

Visette looked up at Lyn emotionlessly and prepared to use her psionic power at the slightest sign of danger.

…

A few minutes earlier.

Lyn was enjoying a cigarette outside when a black SUV arrived in front of the customs building. She dropped the cigarette and stomped it out slowly reaching for the revolver holstered under her jacket.

“Ah, Captain O’Hara.” The window rolled down and exposed the friendly face of Councilor Adam Richards, someone who she knew personally.

“Councilor Richards,” Lyn saluted politely.

“There’s no need to be so formal, Captain. How’s your Grandfather these days?” Councilor Richards asked as he stepped out of the car followed by his two bodyguards.

“He’s fine. He’s told me that you’ve helped him a lot even though you weren’t originally friends,” Lyn answered.

“Not back then we weren’t, but after what happened to him and your father...I’m sorry you all had to go through with that.” Councilor Richards sighed depressingly but his eyes flashed with a trace of mockery.

Lyn’s face darkened as her mind drifted which is why she was unable to see Councilor Richards slip up.

“I’ve made you think of something terrible, I’m sorry,” Council Richards patted her on the shoulder before entering the building.

“...It’s fine,” Lyn spoke plainly but her body slightly trembled with clear anxiousness.

Seeing her like so Richards left her alone and entered the building with a satisfied smile, unknowing of the fate awaiting him.