June 20.
Rebecca and I stood in Captain Enrico's office, awaiting our orders.
"Alright, you two." The Captain began, his voice carrying its usual authority. "I've heard your complaints and found something for you to do besides patrolling."
The two of us exchanged barely contained smiles of excitement.
"The RPD has just received a batch of dogs. They need to be trained accordingly." He continued.
"We're going to take care of puppies!?" Rebecca exclaimed, her eyes lighting up.
I had to suppress a laugh at Rebecca's enthusiasm.
"You're going to train the puppies." Captain Enrico corrected, his serious tone making it clear this wasn't some pet-sitting gig.
"Yes, sir!" Rebecca saluted, standing stiff as a board. "We'll make them the most obedient dogs you've ever seen!"
The Captain nodded, his stern expression softening slightly. "Good. Talk to Kenneth, you'll be assisting him." He waved us off. "Dismissed."
As we turned to leave, his voice stopped me.
"Oh, and Mercer!" The Captain's tone sharpened. "I heard about the little scuffle from last night. Try not to let that happen again."
I sighed. "Yes, sir."
Rebecca raised an eyebrow at me as we exited. "Scuffle? What did you do?"
"Why are you assuming I'm at fault?" I asked, though the corner of my mouth twitched in amusement.
"You seem like the type to get into fights." She replied, shrugging casually.
Before I could respond, Kenneth appeared in front of us, clipboard in hand. His calm, easygoing demeanor was a nice change from the Captain's tension-filled presence.
"Ready to get started?" Kenneth asked, his smile warm but professional.
"Yep! Let's go!" Rebecca chirped, practically bouncing in place, while I nodded silently.
Kenneth led us outside. He then glanced back at us, his eyes twinkling with quiet amusement. "You two ready to work with some of the best dogs you've ever seen?" He asked, his voice smooth and reassuring.
…
The parking lot was quiet except for the sound of our footsteps on the pavement. Kenneth guided us to a small building tucked away in the corner, the muffled sound of barking growing louder as we approached.
Inside, the space was filled with metal cages stacked in neat rows. Kenneth led us past the cages with a familiarity that suggested he'd spent a lot of time here. He opened a few of the cages, and immediately, the puppies bounded out, tails wagging like mad.
"Puppies!" Rebecca squealed, jumping into the fray with her usual enthusiasm, clearly in her element.
"Seriously, what's wrong with you?" I muttered, shaking my head with a sigh.
"What do you mean? Do you not get excited when you see these cuties!?" She shot back, pointing at the puppies with both hands as if presenting undeniable evidence.
"Not really." I replied dryly, earning an exaggerated gasp from her.
Kenneth's eyes softened as he watched her, a slight smile tugging at his lips. "I'm sure they're just as excited as you are." He said, shaking his head with a chuckle. "They'll give you plenty of love, but only if you're patient with them."
"Woof!" The puppies bolted toward Rebecca and Kenneth.
"Ooooh!" Rebecca cooed, picking up one of the puppies and touching her nose to its tiny snout.
I watched with mild curiosity as the dogs swarmed around them. "Are you always in charge of the RPD's dogs, Kenneth?"
He crouched down to pet one of the puppies, his fingers moving with practiced ease as he comforted the little creature. "Yeah, I've been doing this for a while," Kenneth continued, glancing up at me as I watched him work. "I've always had a connection with animals. They're simple, honest. You give them care, and they give you loyalty." He smiled, his voice almost wistful. "That's something I appreciate, especially in this line of work."
"Hmm…" I reached out for one of the puppies, but it backed away, whimpering.
"Looks like you're a little too new for him." Kenneth observed with a smile, brushing his hands through his short hair. "It's not personal. Some of them take a while to warm up to people. Don't take it to heart."
Rebecca, already swarmed by puppies, grinned at me, holding out a smaller one. "Try this one! I'm sure he'll like you."
I hesitated before taking the puppy into my arms. It immediately began squirming, wriggling out of my grasp and running back to Rebecca. I let out a small sigh, but before I could say anything, Kenneth gave me a reassuring nod.
"It's alright." He said, his voice gentle yet firm. "They just need time. You're doing fine."
I glanced at him, then back at Rebecca, who was now buried under a pile of wagging tails and happy yips.
"No, animals usually don't like me." I replied flatly.
Kenneth tilted his head, studying me thoughtfully. "Maybe they just need to see the softer side of you."
I chuckled dryly. "What softer side?"
"The one only you don't see." Kenneth replied while pushing a finger against my chest.
"Yeah, you're not as dark and brooding as you might think." Rebecca added through giggles.
"Right…" I rolled my eyes with an amused smile.
I then glanced at Kenneth. "You know, this is the most I have heard you talk until now."
"It's that obvious, huh?" He lightly laughed. "Dogs just bring out the best in me."
I nodded slowly, curiosity starting to get the better of me. "Is there a specific reason for it? Wanting to work with them?"
Kenneth looked up, his expression softening as though recalling something personal. "Well, I didn't always work with dogs. Had a family dog growing up—died when I was about ten. After that, it was just me and my mom. I guess I got used to the quiet. But I always remembered how loyal he was. Always by my side, no matter what. I think that's why I stuck with the canine unit."
I was silent for a moment, taking in his words. His usual easygoing attitude was still there, but I could hear the sincerity behind his voice now.
Rebecca grinned, oblivious to the depth of the conversation. "Look at this little guy, he's adorable! I bet I'll have him trained in no time!" She bounced the puppy in her arms.
Rebecca's enthusiasm got a chuckle out of both of us, riding us of the somber atmosphere, and we soon got to training under the guise of Kenneth.
…
June 24.
As I waited for everyone else to arrive, Edward suddenly entered the office, looking around until he spotted me.
He waved me over, so I obliged. "Morning, Edward."
"How are you, rookie?" He asked, and I shrugged.
"Better than you, it seems. What's got you so excited?"
"It's that obvious, huh?" Edward chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Hey, uh, are you any good with cars?"
I stayed silent for a moment. "Depends. How bad is it?"
"'I'm scared to get close to it' bad." He laughed, making me sigh.
"C'mon, let's go see. Still, aren't you supposed to be the team's mechanic?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Auxiliary mechanic. And there's a reason for it." Edward replied, leading me to the car.
…
We arrived at one of the station's vehicles. Edward leaned on it, his expression somewhere between sheepish and amused.
"I've got a weird rattle coming from this thing, and my guess is it's not supposed to sound like a dying lawnmower."
I smirked, crossing my arms as I approached. "I think your problem is you keep treating it like a bumper car."
Edward chuckled, tossing me a wrench. "Smartass. But seriously, give me a hand before Enrico hears it and makes this a group project."
I crouched by the hood, inspecting the engine. "You know, I'm not sure if this rattle is the car or you rattling off bad excuses."
"Ha! I'll have you know my excuses are top-tier." Edward replied, grinning.
After tightening a bolt, I stood up. "You're good to go. Just stop driving it like you're in a chase scene."
Edward grinned, giving me a light punch on the arm. "Appreciate it, Alex. Didn't expect you to be an expert mechanic."
I shook my head. "I'm not. I just…think I liked watching others work on cars when I was younger. Something must've stuck with me."
"So you don't have a car?" Edward asked curiously.
"Nope. Not like it would help me. I don't know how to drive." I looked away from Edward's gaze.
Edward gave a light laugh. "What? Why?"
"I don't know, never had the chance to learn, I guess."
"Man, you're missing out. There's nothing like hitting the open road…unless you're me and hit every pothole along the way."
"Wow, and I'm supposed to trust you with a helicopter?" I chuckled.
"Never crashed one until now, so you're in good hands." Edward replied as he came beside me.
"Just know this, Alex…" He patted my shoulder. "If you ever want to learn, Forest is a call away."
I stared at him for a second before a laugh escaped me. "And here I thought you'd offer to teach me."
"Are you crazy? I can't even handle simple repairs. My driving skills are just as bad!" Edward chuckled. "But hey, if you want to know anything about helicopters, I'm your guy." Edward's grin widened, but there was a glint of sincerity behind his joking tone.
I nodded in response. "I'll hold you to that."
…
June 29.
As I walked toward the shooting range, the distant sound of gunfire caught my attention. The sharp, rhythmic cracks echoed through the corridor, a steady reminder of where I needed improvement.
When I arrived, I found Richard calmly lining up his shots. His posture was relaxed but focused, every movement deliberate.
He barely acknowledged me, pulling the trigger with precision. Nearly half the shots punched clean through the target's center.
"Impressive." I said, leaning against the doorframe.
Richard lowered his gun and turned to me, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Thanks. Just keeping sharp."
"Guess that's why everyone calls you one of the best on the team." I stepped closer, gesturing toward the target. "Got any tips for a rookie like me?"
Richard raised an eyebrow, his smile turning amused. "Rookie? Rebecca's been boasting about your aim like it's her own. What could I possibly teach you?"
"Did she also mention how my aim gets worse than Joseph's when I mess up?" I scratched the back of my neck.
"You've seen him drunk, huh?" Richard laughed, shaking his head. "No, she didn't mention that."
"Well, now you know. So—any pointers?"
He studied me for a moment, his expression thoughtful. "Alright. Let's see what you've got. Show me your stance first."
I drew my Beretta, planting my feet as I aimed at the target.
"Stay steady." Richard said, stepping closer. He adjusted my grip, his eyes flicking to my hands. "You're shaking a little. Relax. Trust your instincts. Now, shoot."
I exhaled and let my senses expand, capturing every sound, every shift in the air. Focusing on the target, I fired several shots. Each bullet landed near the center, but a sharp, searing pain suddenly pierced through my head. My hand trembled, and I flinched involuntarily.
"You okay?" Richard's voice broke through the haze, concern etched in his features.
"Y-yeah. I'm fine." I quickly holstered the gun, forcing a smile. "What do you think?"
Richard paused, his gaze steady. "Your aim's great—no doubt about that. What's scary is that you've still got room to grow."
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "You too? I'm not that good, alright?"
"Deny it all you want, but I've seen enough to know talent when I see it." Richard chuckled, shaking his head.
"Trust me, I don't deserve that kind of praise." I muttered.
He didn't push, instead gesturing toward the range. "Try again. This time, control your breathing. Block out distractions. Let your senses guide you, not control you."
I nodded, raising the gun once more. Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself. My mind cleared, focusing solely on the target.
This time, I fired with more control. While not every shot hit the bullseye, each one landed cleanly on the target.
"Better." Richard said with a nod of approval.
I lowered the gun, staring at the riddled target in disbelief. For the first time in a while, there was no pain.
"That…that was me." I murmured.
"Of course it was you." Richard said with a laugh. "What, you think I pulled the trigger for you?"
I smiled sheepishly. "Well, you did help. Maybe you're the real prodigy."
"Nah." He said, leaning against the counter. "This took years of practice…and a little inspiration."
"Inspiration?" I raised an eyebrow.
Richard's expression softened, almost bashful. "My girlfriend, Nancy. She's always believed in me, even when I didn't."
"You? Unsure of yourself?" I asked, surprised.
"There was a time." He admitted, looking away briefly. "But she stuck by me. That's one of the reasons I joined S.T.A.R.S.—to protect others and inspire them, just like she inspired me."
"Must be nice." I said quietly. "Having someone like her in your corner."
"It is." Richard replied, his voice steady. "She keeps me grounded, especially with all the chaos around here. What about you? Got anyone like that?"
I hesitated, gripping the practice pistol a little tighter. "Not really. Closest I've got is a good poker face."
Richard gave me a knowing look but didn't push. "Well, let's get back to it. One more round?"
"With a teacher like you? How could I say no?"
…
As night fell, Bravo Team wrapped up for the day. Rebecca waved cheerfully as she left, only to stumble when Captain Enrico's voice called after her.
"Rebecca! Next time, try to refrain from testing your medicine on my men!"
Rebecca turned, looking thoroughly embarrassed. "Y-Yes, sir! Sorry!" She hurried off before the scolding could continue.
I frowned, glancing at Enrico. "What happened?"
The Captain smirked, shaking his head. "You'll see."
A groan interrupted my thoughts. I turned to see Kenneth supporting Forest, with Richard and Edward trailing close behind.
"Man, I can't believe this." Edward said, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes.
"Forest, you okay?" I asked.
"Yeah, I just…ugh…" Forest waved a hand weakly, clearly nauseous.
"Rebecca wanted to test some new medicine." Richard explained with a grin. "Forest volunteered."
Edward laughed. "Be careful, man. Don't throw up in the cab!" He looked on as Forest climbed in a newly arrived car.
"Fuck you—ugh." Forest muttered before shutting the door. Through the window, I saw the driver sigh and hand him a bag, clearly used to scenes like this.
Kenneth shook his head. "Never thought we'd end up as lab rats."
"Not me." Edward scoffed. "If Rebecca comes at me with a syringe, I'm changing countries."
"You never know when karma strikes. Forest will remember this, that's for sure." Kenneth said with a grin before heading off.
As Edward and I walked away, I noticed Richard lingering in front of the station, glancing down the road.
"You waiting for someone?" I asked, curiosity piqued.
"Yeah, Nancy." He replied with a nod.
"Ooh, your fiancée?" Edward teased, his grin widening.
"She's not my—" Richard's face flushed as he waved Edward off. "Don't say that! What if she hears you when she pulls up?"
I raised an eyebrow, smirking. "So…you're gonna…?" I mimed slipping a ring on my finger.
"I'm planning to." Richard admitted, scratching the back of his head. "Kinda scared, though."
"Why?" I asked.
"He's afraid of rejection." Edward cut in. "Which is ridiculous because if this guy doesn't settle down, then what chance do I have!?" He threw his arms up dramatically.
"I'm sure you'll be fine…" Richard said, trying to uplift him. "Living alone isn't that bad."
Edward's hopeful expression instantly dropped. "Okay, man. Wait for your girl. I'm not sticking around to take any more abuse." He turned and stomped off, his dramatic exit earning laughter from both me and Richard.
"Karma came earlier than we thought, huh?" I said between chuckles.
Before Richard could reply, a car pulled up, its headlights briefly casting long shadows across the pavement.
"Oh, Nancy's here." Richard said, his smile softening as the vehicle came to a stop.
The window rolled down, revealing a woman with dark hair and a kind smile that lit up her face.
"Richard! Come on, get in!" She called, her voice warm and cheerful.
"Wait a second. Just finishing up my talk with Alex." Richard chuckled, glancing at me.
Nancy's eyes turned toward me, curious. "Oh? Are you the rookie he's always talking about?"
"He talks about me?" I asked, genuinely surprised.
"Yeah! At this point I'm scared you might take him away from me." She teased, laughing.
"I wouldn't dare. He's all yours." I replied with a small smile.
"Seriously, Nancy, don't exaggerate." Richard said, rolling his eyes, though the slight blush on his face betrayed him.
"I might be under exaggerating!" She shot back playfully. " 'He's a cool dude, totally earned his spot on S.T.A.R.S. Got that mysterious vibe too!' " She teased, laughing as Richard groaned.
"Alright, maybe we should go." Richard said with a sigh, opening the car door.
"You want a ride, Alex? We could drop you somewhere on the way." Richard offered, glancing back at me.
"No, it's fine. I'll walk." I said, shaking my head.
"Are you sure? I don't mind." Nancy added, her smile warm.
"Yeah, it's okay. Thanks, though." I insisted.
"Alright, then. See you tomorrow at the station!" Richard waved as he got into the car.
"It was nice meeting you!" Nancy called out before they drove off.
"Same here!" I replied, watching the car disappear down the road.
For a few moments, I stood there, the sound of their laughter lingering in my mind. Their happiness was so evident, so easy.
'Could I ever find such peace and happiness?' I wondered, my thoughts growing heavier. 'Am I…even worthy of it anymore?'