Olivier sat at the opposite end of a desk while the man named Krawl asked her probing questions about what she saw. She detailed it as best as she could, describing the terrible stench, the many awful ways it moved and transformed, and the bizarre abilities it displayed. Reasonably, she'd expected Krawl to raise a brow, to scoff, or send her on her way. Instead, he took his time with her, asking for her telling of the story at least three times, and offering her snacks and drinks as needed.
"So… you believe me, then?" Olivier at last asked when the night was nearing its end.
Krawl got up from his chair, the legs screeching against the tile floor. "I do. Hope you understand, I can't share any information regarding what you saw. But what I can tell you is that I'm well aware that what you state is the truth. Your witness account will help the precincts to take me more seriously." He nodded. "You have my thanks."
Olivier wasn't sure how to respond. She could barely feel her hands and feet, despite hours pacing the room. Her fingers and toes still tingled as if she'd been shocked repeatedly. Krawl rounded the desk, then placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, urging her to stand. She acquiesced, allowing him to guide her out of his office and into the hallway.
"Right down there," Krawl pointed to the hall leading to their right. "First door on your right, darling. I'll get you a blanket while you get yourself squared away."
Olivier caught him by the end of his poncho. "I'll be safe here, right?"
Krawl smiled warmly. "Yes. You have my word, little lady."
Olivier forced a smile and did as Krawl asked. The man continued down the hall opposite, entering the first room available, and Olivier made her way to the room he mentioned. The room was small, quaint, cozy. The shades had been drawn, and an old couch leaned against the wall beside a coffee table. She breathed a sigh of relief, keeping the door open, if just for her own sanity. Taking a seat on the couch, she balled her hands and set them on top of her knees, breathing slow and easy as she waited for the sheriff to return.
Minutes later, a small knock grabbed her attention, and Krawl was standing there with a blanket and pillow. "Lots of us stay here overnight. Nature of our work, unfortunately. On a good note, there's no shortage of pillows or blankets." He stepped forward and proffered the items to Olivier, who took them into her arms and leaned over the bundle. "I know it might be easier said than done, especially after what occurred today, but you should rest."
Olivier rocked back and forth. "I'll try."
"There isn't a single second that this station isn't occupied by cops. If anything happens at all; and I do mean anything, scream, and there will be ten cops in here," he punctuated his promise with a snap of his fingers, "like that."
Olivier smiled genuinely this time. "Thanks."
"You're welcome." Krawl started out the room, hand on the handle. "Have a good night." He flipped the light switch, then shut the door behind him.
Olivier rolled to her side and made herself comfortable on the couch, moving the pillow behind her head and throwing the blanket over her body. To her surprise, her limbs relaxed, and soon she drifted away into slumberland.
---
"No, please! Stop!" Olivier cried as she threw the blanket off in a cold sweat. Her heart pounded, and her lungs were desperate for air. "A nightmare?" she whispered.
Seconds later, a jingle filled the halls, and a large Denizen that resembled Maxis's dad barged through. "Are you all right?" he asked.
Olivier shut her eyes and nodded. "I'm sorry. It was just a nightmare."
An audible sigh of relief followed. "Good. I'm going to leave the door open, all right?"
"Okay."
The man's hooved feet clicked and clacked down the hall as he left, and Olivier's stomach rumbled. The sensation abated quickly, however, as memories of the strange creature returned to her mind. She reimagined the way it moved, how it shifted, and the terrible cracking noises that followed. Despite her best efforts to keep herself preoccupied, her mind continued to drift away toward visions of the abomination.
"Lass, you doing all right?" Krawl said as he entered the room. "Deputy Sarel told me you had a nightmare."
"I'm fine, yes," Olivier nodded, "I'm just… hungry."
Krawl offered a small smile. "Well, it just so happens, little lady, that I have some breakfast and tea on the way. Wasn't sure if you liked coffee, but I figure everyone likes tea." Every facet about the man felt warm and welcoming, but in a reliable sort of way. As if he had nothing to prove and genuinely wanted the best for those he was protecting.
"Thank you," Olivier blinked in surprise. She couldn't remember the last time she'd slept in her clothes. The shower was calling her name.
"Don't mention it."
True to his word, one of the other officers came to the room with a tray of breakfast items, including eggs, toast, and some pancakes. Olivier veered on the edge of whether or not she felt she could keep the food down. Turned out that she was hungrier than she realized. She downed the food in record time after the first few bites, and Krawl leaned against the wall, talking to other officers as they passed by the room.
When she was nearing the end of her meal, a younger boy wearing a tan vest and slacks entered. A head of windswept black hair dashed with blue framed a face with sharp features, almond-colored eyes, and large ears. The boy was part Denizen from the looks of it, as he bore a long brown tail that wormed behind him. Everything about him felt agile, monkey-like. It took her a moment, but she realized that this was the same boy she ran into yesterday.
"Ah, good, you're here," Krawl said, pushing away from the wall. "Need your help on something."
The boy looked at her, then at Krawl. "Does this regard the young woman?"
Krawl nodded. "That it does. I'm sure you remember her from yesterday."
The boy nodded. "I do."
"She needs an escort. Seems she ran into trouble on the way to the station, and I want to make sure she gets home safely. Can you do that for me?"
"Yes, sir. Of course." The monkey boy stepped forward and proffered his hand. As he bent forward, Olivier saw he held a bo staff behind him. "My name is Rio Legari. It's a pleasure, ma'am."
"Um. Olivier. Thanks," she said, reciprocating. "The Legari?"
Rio nodded, shaking her hand firmly but gently, then released his grip. "Correct."
"Now that we got that squared away," Krawl tipped his hat forward. "Olivier. It was a pleasure meeting you. Sorry it couldn't have been under better circumstances, but I am most grateful for your report. I hope you feel better, and please," he stopped to procure a card and handed it to her, "give me a call if anything else comes up, you understand?"
Olivier took the card and nodded.
"Good," Krawl continued. "I'll be on my way, then. I'll leave you to it, Rio." He patted Rio on the shoulder as he brushed by him into the hallway, leaving Rio and Olivier alone.
"After you," Rio nodded.
What a polite boy. I feel kind of strange being escorted by someone younger than me, but if Krawl trusts him, then I guess I should too.
Olivier left the remainder of her scraps on the table, then stood up and brushed off the crumbs of her meal from her clothes. Rio stood patiently by the doorway like a statue. His bo staff was nicked with ridges and indents, indicating extensive practice, and he remained tight-lipped.
Perhaps an intern or something, Olivier reasoned.
Doing her best to fight off the demons inside of her, Olivier paused. As much as she hated to admit it, time with Silas was better than whatever the hell it was she dealt with last night. She finished off the last drops of her tea, licked her lips, then nodded.
"Okay. I'm ready. Let's go."