DIP: Tainted Blood [stop - TO BE EDIT]

Chapter 2

As Vanessa finished at the comfort room, her mind was still puzzled on how her left eye turned into amber. She might have thought it’s due to the accident but she knew deep inside of her that it wasn’t that case. She also knew that there was something different inside of her which she couldn’t put a word from, though she has a theory that she doesn’t want to say without any proof. Speaking of proof, a knock echoed inside her room as she went back to sit on her hospital bed.

“Come in.” Vanessa answered and there went two humans in suits came inside, one was a brunette woman and a masculine woman.

“Can I help you?” Vanessa asked the two ladies in suits as they got inside the room.

“Yes, you’re Vanessa Eri Santos from Regal Police Department, am I right?” The brunette woman asked her with a friendly smile.

“Yes, I am.” Vanessa answered but her eyes observing her two visitors.

“Good, first thing first, I’m Joanna but call me Joe and this is Lyca…” The masculine woman introduced themselves which Vanessa shook their hands and she felt something she never felt when she shook hands to others.

Joanna or Joe, she has a strong figure of a man in the body of a woman which makes her more manly when she’s wearing those suits. She wore simple black slacks, black and shiny shoes, black coat that reached her thigh and white polo that has two unbuttoned buttons which made it look like a v-neck polo. But one thing caught her attention was the logo on her coat. It’s a circle with black and white star and underneath it was the red font color for the word ‘ELITE’. Vanessa took a mental note over that symbol before meeting her again and there she also noticed that her posture was full of confidence on the way she stood tall next to the brunette lady.

“You can call me Lyc.” The brunette lady next to Joe said with excitement in her tone.

“Like?” Vanessa asked since it sounded like that.

“Nope but sounded that one. It spells L-Y-C; Lyc.” Lyca cleared which made Vanessa nod and still observing them.

Lyca or Lyc, she’s definitely the opposite of Joe since she was more feminine and jolly for Vanessa eyes. They might have worn the same clothing aside from wearing a red scarf around her neck but she also noticed the same logo but has different text written in the red font. It indicates ‘ELITE TAMER’ which made Vanessa noted again at the same time, she realized that they were in different positions. She met her gaze and there she also noticed that she has this kind of vibe that she’s calming Joe even just by standing next to her. Vanessa shook that thought behind her since she doesn’t understand how her mind thought of it that way.

“Oh okay. So, how can I help you?” Vanessa asked carefully.

“We both came from the DIP headquarters at the Vicente Hill branch and we’re here to clarify some things about your transferring and promotion.” Joe answered as Lyc took a seat on the couch on the left side of Vanessa’s and near the window.

“Oh about that, I received a letter along with a biodata form which confused me a little since I have to fill-up a form.” Vanessa said with a light chuckled before looking at the file that was scattered on her bed since she was just reading them earlier.

“Don’t worry, we’re here to explain some details regarding that.” Lyc said while smiling at her.

“So, first what exactly is the DIP headquarters holding since I’ve noticed the word ‘your society’ was mentioned in the letter?” Vanessa asked first which made the two ladies smile.

“Okay, first the DIP stands for Death Inspector Protocol. We handle unexplainable deaths in a city or town that we have branches. We’re still connected to the government police enforcers and we aid them whenever they couldn’t understand any unexplainable deaths that they were handling.” Joe explained which made Vanessa curious about some words.

“What kind of ‘unexplainable deaths’ are you talking about?” She asked which made her laugh on how her curiosity got the best out of her.

“You’re indeed suited to be an elite force of DIP.” Lyc complimented Vanessa which made her a little confused but she just nodded at it.

“Well to answer your question, DIP deals with supernatural deaths or inhuman killings.” Joe said in her collected voice so that no one could hear them aside from the three of them.

“Do they exist especially in this generation?” Vanessa asked since she doesn’t believe that they do exist since it was just a myth or fictional characters into some novels that she has read.

“They do and we do have proof and you’re going to meet them soon. Also, that’s why we have a biodata fill-up form.” Lyc answered as she watched Vanessa take the fill-up form from the file.

“I know your superior already gave us you information but we still need a copy that was written by you since it will serve us to keep track of where you are whenever you’re in the field. Plus the fund you're going to received through your badge that can only be withdrawn inside the headquarters. Also, it will help us to give you a new identity like having a new life.” Lyc explained which made Vanessa a little wary about signing it.

“What do you mean, new identity and new life?” She asked them as her heart began to beat differently - it's getting faster.

“Can you feel something changed in you?” Joe asked her directly which made Vanessa jolted before nodding but didn’t speak.

“Then you have to change your identity plus it will also help you when something doesn't go well.” Lyc continued which made Vanessa start to feel the ringing pain bugging her head again.

“What do you mean?” Vanessa asked though she already knew what it was.

“Being one of the DIP members has pros and cons. Pros you’ll be promoted but the cons of it, you’ll be no longer your old identity. Because being a member of DIP, you should possess something that no other human has.” Lyc answered while looking outside the window. She was like watching if there was something out there eavesdropping to their conversation.

“Have you thought about why the DIP suddenly accepted your superior proposal?” Joe suddenly asked which caught Vanessa’s attention.

“You have a talent that exceeds your colleagues and now there’s also something in you suddenly changed as you woke up from your coma.” Joe clarified which made Vanessa laugh though inside of her knew about it already.

The two ladies looked at her seriously which made her stop from laughing then looked at the file on her bed. She reread them again and released a heavy sigh.

“Take your time on thinking but we hope before your release in the hospital we’ve got your answer. We’ll be waiting till then.” Lyc said as she patted Joe’s shoulder.

“Thank you for dropping by.” Vanessa said which made Lyc nodded before leaving her all alone again in her hospital room.

Vanessa in her deep thought about what those two ladies informed her and she was being torn between her old life that she was used to and the potential new life ready for her.

“I know I like the promotion and working at DIP was indeed my dream but there was something else disturbing me.” Vanessa asked before looking at the window then back to the papers on her hands.

Vanessa decided to call her police partner but nothing answered except from the answering machine. She sighs and decides to call her uncle s***h her superior. From two rings, finally someone answered the call.

“Hello, can I speak to the Chief?” Vanessa asked when a little voice of a kid answered the call.

‘Nessy!! When are you going to visit us?’

“Sorry, kiddo I can’t you know work. Can you call papa? Tell him I have something important to ask.” She told the kid which made her felt a little pain in her chest since she really does want to play with them but can’t.

‘Ohh, busy like papa. Wait, I’ll tell him, Nessy.’

Vanessa might be reading the same file again though a smile never left her lips when she was hearing the kid's loud voice on the next line calling his father. She thought it was funny which made her miss them as well. Feeling that emotion made her sigh until she heard her superior finally took the phone from his kid.

‘What is it Vanessa? It's getting late, you should be resting.’

“I know, Uncle, but I am torn.” Vanessa honestly told her superior as she released a heavy sigh.

‘Oh boy, did I heard it right? Our Vanessa loses her balls? That's new.’

“I think I did, Uncle...do you think I have to take it?” Vanessa chuckled over the comment of her superior but getting to the point why she called him.

‘I thought you’re dreaming of working there?’

“I am and still do but I am not sure if I’m ready to take it and leave everything I earn at the department like it never happened.” Vanessa answered what’s bothering her thoughts.

‘Oh kiddo, don’t worry about a thing. I know the protocol in DIP since every superior in every department has to know about them since they were a great help in some cases that we can’t solve alone. Plus, I heard that they were forming new elite forces that’s why I recommended you to them and you passed.’

“But still…” She tried to reason but he cut her off.

‘Vanessa, take it this way…if you’re working there, our department will have direct contact from one of the elite forces of the DIP that will aid us in the future. Also, it will benefit us since finally, one of our colleagues managed to pass the high standards of their protocol.’

“Okay fine, I get your point...better to think of it more...thanks for giving some advice regarding that one.” She sighs again as she took the advice of her superior that way even though she knew it won’t be exactly as it was.

‘No problem kiddo. Good luck.’

As the call ended, another knock echoed around the room then the nurse came in to check on her again before informing her about her check up tomorrow with her doctor. Then when she was left again in her room, she let herself rest for a moment before deciding whether to take another but new change in her life or to go back to where she used to be.