Stillwater turns as we leave and says, “Once we get downstairs, the first thing we need to do is patch up. We don’t want to look like this when we report the crime.”

We all nod our approval. I know I am feeling tender, but I will not let anyone have the satisfaction of knowing I am in pain—especially Gunnar. Come to think about it, I have given reports during my army years, but I have never filled in an official statement before. I assume it involves lots and lots of paperwork. Well, what is the harm in learning a new skill? At least after this, we will not have to live in a dank dungeon.

“Joan, why are you doing this? I can see that you have a moral obligation to do it, but still, it is going to cost you your career.”

“Bloody Abyssus, you are a dim-witted white-bred.” I was talking to Stillwater, but I guess I get an answer from Gunnar! “This is our job! We fought and won, but the main point is to report it, so the higher-ups understand what is happening. Also, putting it on record means that Zlata can't hide from it, and if she does it will become more obvious.”

“That’s enough, Gunnar. Yes, Lone, we are doing it because it is our duty. Again, you are not duty-bound to sign or do a report, but I would appreciate it.”

One thing I dislike more than being bored is being silent. Well, WayWocket is humming a little, but it is not a tune I know so it is not very entertaining. Walking into the office, I still love looking at those lights; soft blue, floating in the air, so beautiful. Wish I could get some of those lights for Pela’s place, but how do you turn them off?

WayWocket jogs over to his table and grabs a couple of vials. “Here, here, drink this! It will make all the pain and hurt become floating memories of the past.” Looking at the potion, swirling blue, lit with its own light. WayWocket sees my hesitation. “It’s good! See?” Downs one of the vials. “Drink! All pain will go away, like the morning mist off the lake.”

Down the hatch, I guess. My whole body goes numb. Feels like ice water has been thrown on me. But as it passes the hurt areas, it suddenly heats up and—pop! All the pain and soreness has gone. What is in this potion?

Stillwater has finished her potion as well. Her whole being is radiant with an inner glow, but that could just be a trick of light. She looks at me and asks, “So you will be making the report with us, Lone?”

“Yes, Joan, but there is one little thing though … Could you please show me how to do a report?”

Hearing Gunnar huff, Stillwater smiles. “Sure, Lone. Don’t worry, it isn't that hard. You just need to describe everything that happened. We'll explain that we were investigating, and that you were there as our back-up.” Another scoff from Gunnar.

“Gunnar, you will need to supply the reasoning behind why we were there, starting with the links you found between the murders and break-ins. After that, record your recollection of the events in the order that they happened.” He nods, heading over to his filthy desk and patting a huge rat.

“WayWocket, autopsy the corpse to see if you can uncover how and why they turn into goo. Also, analyse the mould they were going to use to poison the grain.”

“Yes, I am looking forward to analysing those marvellous things.” WayWocket's eyes start to widen more and more, then he pulls out the shrunken dead goon. “See, my little friend, you will give me all your little secrets. What was that? Yes, I will be using my good knives, and I will be nice and gentle. You will give me all the secrets. Those beautiful secrets.”

Okay, he likes to play with corpses. Nice to know!

“Lone, you will be coming with me so I can show you the proper way to fill in a report for the Watch.”

“Sure thing, Joan.” This will be interesting—well, hopefully just not boring. “So, where do we start?”

She gathers all the writing equipment. That must be the new inkwell-free quill I have heard of. It has the ink in the pen itself, such a genius thing. “You know how to use one of these?”

Wow, they are so small, and there is no feather. I do like the feather on quills. “No, but I used inkwells and quills in school.”

“It isn't that hard. Just apply pressure.” As she presses onto the sheet of paper, ink starts to be absorbed into the paper. What a marvellous thing. “But if you press down for too long, all the ink will rush out and ruin your report. Then you have to start over.”

“I think I get it. So, what is the first thing I have to write down?” I ask.

“First thing is to list all the Watch members who were present at the scene of the crime, the date, location, and approximate time.”

I start on that. I should just put Lone Solo; that is what they know me as. “Okay, next?”

“Good, good. Now we do a basic outline of the events. As you came in at a different time, we will say you were there as back-up, watching our back to make sure we didn't get ambushed.”

This is not hard to do. “Should I mention the knock-out poison I witnessed?”

Stillwater looks up from her own report and replies, “Not yet, that comes later. This is just a brief statement of the crime.”

Okay, that is simple enough. Not too hard, just writing up stuff. “Is this okay?” She looks at my report and gives me a nod of approval. “Now what?”

“This is the hardest part of the report. You need to write down, in your own words, everything that happened. Don't leave out any detail. If you think it’s necessary, draw small diagrams, so it is as clear as possible for the higher-ups. The more information, the harder for Zlata to hide it.”

I think a good flame could hide it. Well, does not need to be a large flame, but enough to burn all these reports so no one can read them. But hopefully, we will make some copies of these before we turn them in.

“One question; some of my methods are not quite what the Watch would do. Should I still go into that in detail?”

“What did you do?”

How can I tell her it was straight-up murder? I did not identify myself, but that is how you survive, damn it. “When I saw you and the others follow the first three, I then saw you were being stalked as well.” She is not going to like me for this. Breathe in and out. You did what had to be done. “So, I followed. I noticed some of the guards fell the other way. I suspected that there could be a sniper on the roof. My instincts were right, and you can see my handiwork at WayWocket's station. After that, I followed the two who seemed to be ambushing you.”

“Stop right there. Did you do your duty protecting the city from a group of terrorists, and not only that, also protecting your fellow Watchmen?” I nod shamefully. “Then whatever force you used must have been necessary. Write it as such.”

“So, you do not think I committed murder?”

“I don't see it as murder. If they succeeded, then the grain would have been poisoned and that would have triggered events I can't even comprehend. We would be dead and hidden away somewhere. Lone, you did something heroic tonight. You saved us from being ambushed. You defeated a known gang leader. Even if Gunnar doesn't appreciate it, I want you to know that I do.”

“I know that for sure about Gunnar.” I laugh a little. Gunnar looks up and gives me a death glare. That makes me laugh even more!

Stillwater laughs, very soft and light for someone her size; cute even. Shake it off! You have eyes only for Pela!

I clarify, “Okay, so I just write everything that I did? I was prepared for a fight, and we definitely got one.”

“That’s right, Lone. Just make sure that you are honest, clear, and to the point. Treat it like reporting on a vanguard of an enemy army.” That I can understand! “After you finish, I’ll have a look. Remember to mention your discovery of the pattern between the murders and burglaries too.”

“Can do!” This should not take too long. I should probably leave out my drinking earlier that night. “Joan, can I ask, why are you doing this? I mean, the real reason, not just for duty.”

“You are right, Lone, it isn't just for duty. Over the last five years, I have seen this once-proud institution become a corrupt and horrid place that doesn't serve the people, only the self-interests of those in charge. Since I was exiled down here, I have tried to do good, but each time I do it, someone slams me down again.

“Zlata manipulated Commander Axel, and he is now in hospital suffering from something that she probably set up. Saul upstairs was an outstanding officer.” Sure he was! “He cared and was one of the best administrators that we had. The night patrols would never have been able to be cancelled without an explanation under his watch in the past.

“I can do more good being out there—” She points to the door. Thank you, Stillwater, I know where outside is. “—than in here, locked away like a mushroom!”

“Well, I can understand that. I would not leave such a cushy job, but I can understand. Joan, you should be proud! You saved the city.”

I see her eyes starting to brim with tears. I awkwardly mumble, “Well, this report will not write itself. I will just spread out a bit over here …”

I get up and move to another desk to give her some privacy. A gentle sob comes from Stillwater, and I do my best not to notice.

Writing this report might be harder than the fight tonight. Going to kiss WayWocket later; I cannot even feel my cracked ribs anymore. Must have been a good painkiller. Most of those are so bloody expensive. Wish I had his potion a few weeks ago, then those beatings would have been easier to deal with.

How long have I been writing this report? Feels like forever! But by that clock in the corner, only ten minutes. Why was I there? Pela guilted me into going; not the best reason to put down on paper. Because of some cock and bull story about being awesome and my team needing me? Yep, that works. I leave out the impressive part: not required, I think.

Okay, the sequence of events. There as back-up. See guards drop. Three people go in, then Rejects, and then another two. See some lazy sniper. Go up and stop him from sniping my team, with the help of my knife. Slide down, approach the two following the Rejects. I think they had their weapons out. Took one out. ...

This is so boring! After that we … blah, blah, blah … I defended myself from Malik, a known criminal boss. Unfortunately, I took his life. (Like Abyssus, I was hoping for that! But I cannot write that in the report!) And then mention some made-up pattern that feels like it was pulled out of Jara’s arse, and sign. Done!

“Here you go, Joan. I hope this is satisfactory.” She looks it over.

What are those other crazy ones doing? Gunnar is still writing, must be going for brownie points. And there is WayWocket, just finished with that corpse and now at his chemistry station mixing and pouring liquids. That looks interesting; might see what he is doing.

“Okay, looks good, Lone. Leave it with me, and I’ll sign off on it and put it with the main report. Good work. Are you heading off now?” Stillwater asks.

“No, I think I might head over to WayWocket’s station and see if I can give him some help and maybe learn something new.”

Stillwater nods and goes back to writing. I wander over, and Gunnar glares at me. I click-point-wink! Shaking his head, he goes back to his report—did I spot a smile? Yeah right, this is Gunnar!

There are so many different tubes and containers, with all the colours of the rainbow. What does WayWocket do here? I have never seen this sort of thing before. I stand still, watching him work in an oversized white coat and weird glasses with multiple lenses. I get tired of waiting for him to notice me. Cough, cough, still nothing.

“Hey, WayWocket, what are you working on?” No response. Did not hear me, I guess. I raise my voice. “WayWocket, can I help with anything?”

“Quiet down. Sensitive chemicals here. One little vibration from your voice and BOOM! On second thoughts, please yell at that solution over there.” Points to a flask with bubbling red liquid. “Maybe you can learn something. Wait here. If I need something, I will ask you.”

Another side of WayWocket; so stern. I hope he was joking about yelling at that mixture.

“I am working on the tooth that I found on the unidentified half-Elf.” I am taken aback. Most people don't see us as half-Elven, but the other parent’s half. “Yes, by your bewildered look, I know you are half-human, but that creature is not of Favinonian origin. The only other that seems to be similar is Zlata, and I doubt she'll let me into her mouth.”

“Why is the mouth so fascinating, Way?”

“Humph!” He jumps down off his stool and moves over to the half-Elven body. He pries open his mouth and points. “See?” Yep, that is a mouth! WayWocket looks at me and rolls his eyes. I can hear a chuckle from Gunnar in the background. “False tooth. Not like the one I have over there.” He grabs hold of a tooth on the bottom row and pulls it out. See something new every day. “This material is made from something, I don't know what, but I will find out. The other tooth I found—”

He turns, squeaks a little, and runs over to a container that is nearly boiling over. “Lone, come here, hold this!” Gives me a glass beaker with a gummy residue in it. “Now, keep your hands steady. If a drop of this hits your skin, you might turn into goo!”

Say what now? “Sorry, did you say turn into goo? No thanks—”

“Quickly, careful, don't have much time!” He comes over and just starts pouring. Great. Why, to the infinite levels of the Abyssus, did I agree to this?

Keep steady, breathe in and out.

“Should stop breathing so heavy. The vapours might also turn you into goo.”

Thanks so much, WayWocket, not easy doing this already. Hold steady and hold breath. Hurry and finish. “And done. You can put it down over there now. I spilt a couple of splashes on your hand ...”

I look at my hand, and I can see three small dots of liquid. Do not freak out! There is a basin, just wash your hands and hope you do not turn into sludge.

I mutter, “Why, by Jara’s bloody hammer, did you allow—” And I see blackness.