Rose made her way towards the door, filled with anticipation that it would be Alex standing on the other side. Despite knowing his tendency to show up without responding to her messages, she couldn't help but hope for a different outcome.
Over time, she had grown accustomed to his behavior, although she initially didn't appreciate his nonchalant attitude. However, she learned to accept it as part of their dynamic. With a mix of curiosity and hesitation, Rose decided to peek through the peephole before opening the door.
As she prepared to greet Alex, her sentence hung unfinished in the air. To her surprise, there was no one outside but a solitary letter lying on the floor.
The sight of an old-fashioned paper envelope caught her attention immediately. Eager to uncover its contents, Rose picked it up and examined the handwriting on the front, pondering who the mysterious sender might be.
Intrigued by the enigmatic letter, Rose returned to the comfort of her home, intent on unraveling its secrets. She set out to find her gloves, determined to handle the letter with care and immerse herself in this unexpected puzzle.
The fact that it was a physical letter, a rarity in the age of digital communication, only fueled her curiosity. Physical correspondence was typically reserved for matters of utmost secrecy or significant importance, making Rose question why someone would choose this antiquated method to communicate with her. She couldn't help but wonder why she, an ordinary person, would receive such a letter.
While rummaging through her belongings, Rose stumbled upon three vibrant red buttons. Intrigued, she picked them up and felt a strange impulse to place one in each hand and another on her face. As she pressed each button, a surge of energy coursed through her.
She observed with awe as burgundy gloves materialized on her hands and a toxic-red mask formed on her face. The buttons, now embedded on her forehead and hands, displayed subtle variations in shade, though they still retained their distinct red hue.
Feeling a sense of empowerment, Rose realized that her new accessories could be useful in her upcoming endeavor.
Dressed in her versatile uniform, which she normally wore for various occasions, including special investigations, Rose felt a surge of confidence.
The uniform covered her from head to toe, resembling a scientist's lab coat, with openings for her feet, hands, and head. It was a practical choice, offering protection and anonymity when needed.
Feeling adequately prepared, Officer Rose returned to the door, ready to retrieve the mysterious letter. The familiar sound of the doorknob turning caught her attention, echoing the same noise she had heard earlier. With a mixture of anticipation and caution, she swung the door open, only to find Alex holding the letter in his hands.
"Hey, look what we've got here—a vintage little letter," Alex said, amusement evident in his voice as he chuckled.
His nonchalant attitude irked Rose, triggering a surge of frustration. "Are you out of your mind? Release that letter, you foolish creature!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with exasperation as she snatched the letter away from her bewildered friend.
Taking control of the situation, Rose gently guided Alex into her home, directing him towards the bathroom. She was determined to protect him from any potential harm that the mysterious letter might pose.
"You need to wash your hands, and ideally, your entire body immediately. Who knows what kind of curse or contagion this letter carries? Honestly..." Rose's voice trailed off as she closed the bathroom door, leaving Alex to tend to his personal hygiene.
With the letter temporarily out of sight, Rose returned to her desk, which she meticulously cleared to create a focused workspace. She placed all the objects she had moved aside in safe locations, ensuring they wouldn't
interfere with her investigation. The only item left nearby was the golden statue of a platypus, a memento she had acquired from Cressida's house. Initially, Rose hadn't paid much attention to the statue, but now her curiosity grew as she pondered its connection to the letter.
As Rose grasped the letter in her gloved hand, she carefully examined the envelope once more before gingerly opening it. Inside, she discovered a dark powder that emitted a faint, unnatural bluish glow. Its identity eluded her; it didn't resemble any poison she had come across in her extensive knowledge of toxins and substances relevant to her line of work.
Throughout her career, Rose had encountered and memorized a wide range of poisons and hazardous compounds, preparing her for any future investigation.
Puzzled and unable to identify the powder, Rose decided to wait for Alex's input. She patiently waited for his return, giving him roughly ten minutes before she heard his voice.
"Hey, do you have something I can wear? What am I supposed to put on?" Alex's voice echoed from the bathroom.
Rose, having anticipated this request, was prepared. She had some of Alex's clothes stored for situations like these, just as he had some of hers in his own home.
"Be careful; I'm opening the door," Rose warned as she extended an arm holding Alex's attire. Before handing him the clothes, she removed one of her gloves to avoid soiling the fabric with the unknown powder.
As Alex changed in the bathroom, Rose returned to her original position, revisiting the mysterious "letter" and noticing a piece of paper hidden inside the powder. She carefully extracted the paper and read its contents.
___________________________________
Officer Rose Hadley, please place this powder, obtained from this letter, inside the statue you discovered during your investigation.
(P.S.: Take good care of it.)
___________________________________
The message on the small paper was concise, yet it conveyed a sense of purpose. Rose couldn't help but feel perplexed that someone would go to such lengths to send her this request.
Who could know about the statue and its connection to her investigation? Was this an elaborate trap or a genuine plea for help? The postscript, signed by an unknown sender, added another layer of mystery to the situation.
Despite her reservations, Rose's insatiable curiosity pushed her forward. She convinced herself that sprinkling a small amount of the powder onto the statue couldn't pose any serious harm. "Nothing bad will happen with such a small quantity," she reassured herself.
Placing her trust in her own judgment, Rose carefully applied a small amount of the powder to the statue. As the powder touched the surface, cracks rapidly formed, spreading with astonishing speed. The statue began to move, defying all laws of logic and physics.
Rose stood in awe, witnessing the remarkable transformation before her eyes. The cracks expanded further, and the golden hue vanished, replaced by a coat of brown fur. The once-inanimate object had transformed into a large platypus, complete with a black horn and a red collar.
Alex, now dressed in Rose's borrowed attire, emerged from the bathroom, observing the bewildering scene before him. "Since when did you have a pet?" he asked, a mix of confusion and amusement in his voice, as he took in the sight of the remarkable creature before them.