Z City. Special Crime Investigation Department.
"Leader! This is getting worse. The murder count till now is three, and the technique of murder is something we haven't seen before. How do we solve this?" deputy chief asked in a glum tone.
'Why was this lazy man not working? Is he really the heir of Ciao industries? Where is the branded suit and millions worth cuff links? How casual can a person be? How can he wear jeans and a worn out jacket at work?' Jack internally sulked.
"I'll start thinking once you stop judging me, Jack! What's with that disgusted look? I can't even wear what I want now?" Samuel made a sad face. And the next moment his face changed and now had a serious look.
"This is actually pretty strange. The bodies had no signs of struggle, but were bloated with helium and hydrogen. Someone missed amusement park day when they were young." Samuel had a glimmer in his eyes.
"But leader, who'd want to play with human balloons?" Jack was almost facepalming himself. This case was handed to them by the national security because of they couldn't decipher the case even after working on it for a year.
From the outside everyone thought that the Special Investigation Department was completely useless and didn't even earn much, but in reality it was paid the most and had the highest standing in the country. Outsiders didn't know what type of work they did. They were always secretive and did their work in stealth. Even Samuel's parents didn't know what he did.
Stephen and Mary Ciao were initially supportive of their son's choice, but soon they realized that it might be a mistake since Samuel's life might be endangered. So, they asked the head of police department to put him somewhere his life The head only knew that the people from SCI were completely useless. And there was only one requirement that needed to be fulfilled before joining. The stone touching. It was a legend among the whole system that if one touched the entry stone and it shined, the person would be recruited in the SCI department.
So, he made Samuel touch that stone without the permission of any higher ups and surprisingly the stone gave off a rare purple light. He panicked and went to the higher ups. Although they were furious and fired the head, they still made Samuel the leader of SCI.
At first Samuel didn't know how things worked in this special place but slowly he got the hang of it. As for why he kept his work a secret? It was better no one else knew about it. Supernatural entities existed. And knowing things like these could endanger anyone's life.
He was paid almost more than anyone in the whole system. Because his life was in constant danger. His subordinate Jack was envious, but he understood the dangers leader faced everyday. Samuel was his idol. At first he couldn't accept that a newbie could be their leader.
He scorned Samuel because he thought Samuel was just a good looking spoiled brat from a rich family. But as the two years passed by and the numerous number of cases Samuel solved, he started respecting him to the point of devoting his life to him.
"Leader, we have reports about the lady in black. She'll be appearing in the town tower tonight according to my sources." William the technical genius of the department handed some documents to Samuel. William was a very cute youth in his early twenties. Puffy cheeks, plump lips and round eyeglasses were his trademark features. And also the dark circles beneath his eyes.
"It's playtime, kids." Samuel grinned. Kids? He was just 29! He had the guts to call everyone kids!
At night Samuel was waiting in the town tower to catch the mysterious lady in black. Sources said that the lady was seen manhandling 10 men all by herself and she had inhumane speed. Could she be the murderer? Even if she wasn't, she was still a supernatural entity. SCI had to capture her if she had evil motives.
Now here's the things, humans never interfered with the supernatural world. They knew their limits. The supernatural beings were of different kinds. And even if human technology advanced a lot, they wouldn't be able to compete with being who could wipe out cities with just a snap of fingers.
The actually powerful beings would never disrupt the peace. They liked keeping a low profile and sometimes even helped humans. It was the small fries who caused troubles.
To Samuel, the lady in black was at first a small fry who wanted to cause trouble, but then he got to know that the men wanted to molest her and that's why she retaliated. According to the statements from of those men, she was an ethereal beauty. Someone who looked otherworldly. They said that Samuel would know it's her the moment he sees her.
Fair enough. He was sitting and waiting. Of course he wasn't alone. He had backup. Jack was right outside the tower with clear view of Samuel, Lily was there too. Both of them were the best fighters of SCI.
Here's the surprise element, Jack and Lily were both beings with powers. I mean, of course. Otherwise, why would these two alone stand guard?
Jack could subdue beings with his mind power. He had the power to decrease the strength of any supernatural being to an extent and then Lily actually caught them. Lily had superhuman strength. In this way, they were the perfect team. However, before Jack, Lily's strength would automatically lessen and become on par with a human's. Because Jack's aura nullified Lily's power.
Suddenly, clattering of heels could be heard. It was deadly silent, so the sound was echoing. Slow, but well thought out steps. Carefree yet careful. It was the steps of someone who fought wars and knew how to jump out of any dangerous situations.
"You're looking for me?" a mellow and soft voice resounded in Samuel's ears. He was sure that the lady was here to hunt him down. Otherwise why would she know that he was looking for her?
However, the moment Samuel turned around, he couldn't move anymore. Jack and Lily were waiting for orders. They were continuously asking on the bluetooth speaker if he was okay. But he quiet. Just when they were about to enter the tower, he said, "Lay down. I am okay."
The girl was in her early twenties. 23 at most. She was wearing a black long coat with a slit on it which showed her black leather shorts and underneath it was a band which probably had weapons. Her hands were covered with black gloves and she was wearing branded boots. Not a part of her hands could be seen. But from the looks of it, she had slender hands with long fingers.
"Don't stare at my shoes. I've always had a thing for expensive boots." the girl smiled. As Samuel's eyes landed on her face, he saw deep black eyes. Her lips were painted red. She gave off an aristocratic and seductive vibe at the same time. But her eyes weren't filled with arrogance and haughtiness like those daughters of rich families.
Samuel was the heir to an industry, so he evidently encountered a lot of rich daddies' girls. But he never let anyone of them near him because he could see and smell the ulterior motives on their skin. It was pathetic.
But her eyes.. they weren't filled with pride, hatred or lust. Her eyes were gentle. Warm and caring. Not like his mother or sister who loved him and spoiled him. But a different kind of warmth which made him want to rely on her. The warmth that assured him that she wouldn't hurt him, but hold him close and protect him. He felt kinship. A kinship that was stronger than friendship, blood or love. It was as if they were bound by a promise.
He soon regained his senses and cleared his throat. "I assume you know who I am. Why did you willingly show yourself?"
"I heard your department was suspicious of me for helium murder case?"
"That is just an assumption. We believe you didn't do it, Miss ..?" Samuel didn't know her name.
"Orion. Orion Song."
Orion slowly came close to him. Held out her hand for a handshake.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Samuel Ciao."
Samuel wasn't surprised at all that she knew his name. There were many things about this world he won't ever know. But a strange desire in him wanted to know her.
Just as Samuel held her hand, a bolt of electricity went through him. He immediately retracted his hands.
"Miss Song, the first time we meet and you prank me?" Samuel had a childish smile on his face. He clearly got fooled by this girl. He looked so little, but she was still so devious. She wasn't more than 5 feet 4 inches. Way shorter than him. He was 6 feet. He was proud of his height. He thought her gloves here to prank people. It didn't come as a surprise to him anyways. It was known that most supernatural beings liked playing pranks and were mischievous. Mostly the powerful ones who were harmless did this sort of stuff. Partly because they were bored as they didn't scheme against humanity. But c'mon! They had to scheme in some way, didn't they? So, they played pranks on humans.
This made Samuel realize that this Miss Song was no ordinary lady in black. She was powerful. For her to stay still and laugh while being in Jack's ability's vicinity was a proof by itself.
"It's you." Orion smiled meaningfully with a tint of hurt in her eyes.
'The touch shall spark.
The smile will speak
The evils that lurk
It's him they seek'
The words repeated itself continuously in Orion's head. She looked lost in thought. She was actually strong. Strong enough to protect him on her own. But will he accept her? He's just a human now. Does he think she's a monster? He still looks the way he did before.
The sharp features. The pointed yet sad eyes. Lips that didn't part much when he spoke. The old habit. He didn't look like a God from heaven. He wasn't an ethereal heavenly beauty. Instead, he looked like he had fought wars. He looked like he could spent his life on the mountains. Carefree and wild. He looked like the kind of beauty that couldn't be restrained. Rough and manly. Yet not bulky and big.
Samuel was now just confused as he looked at the girl in front of him. She was lost in her own thoughts while staring at him. "I know I'm handsome! Stop jinxing!" Samuel joked.
"So, Mr Ciao, who do you think I am?" Orion asked with sad eyes.
"You're Orion Song. Not a human, of course. But I know you won't hurt me. I don't know why, I feel drawn to you." Samuel helplessly smiled. "Could this be first love?" he then joked it off. But only he knew what he was feeling right now. He knew it wasn't something as simple as first love.
But what if it was? What if it was that simple?
A light glimmered in Orion's eyes. She smiled widely. It was beautiful. A sight to see. Samuel just stared at her for a moment before contemplating if it was his words that made her smile like that. Her eyes were like the night sky and the glimmers in her eyes looked like stars. That's what her name is, right? Orion?
"Miss Song, You're like the Orion when you smile. I can see the stars in your eyes."