One
Who rides so lately through the night and wind? It's the father with his child; He's got the boy in his arm, He holds him safely, he keeps him warm.
"My son, why do you hide your face so anxiously?"
"Don't you see the Erlking, Father? The Erlking with his crown and coat?"
"My son, it's a streak of fog."
(The Erlking song. Franz Schubert. English translation.)
I stepped from the cab onto the busy snow-covered street in front of the Eastwing Police department, with a sigh.
"Ah ma'am, your change." The driver called out hurrying around the car, steam puffing from his mouth. I turned to face him.
"Keep it. Your wife is having a craving, she wants peanut brittle." I replied nodding to him. I left the stunned driver on the side of the road. He answered his ringing phone.
"Peanut brittle, sure honey. No word of a lie, love. I just met a vampire." He murmured. I kept the smirk from my face as I strolled through the revolving door to the station. People were running around everywhere, it was busier in here than it had been out on the street in the snow. I stopped at the front desk.
"Can I help you, love?" A small voice called. I glanced down to see a pixie seated at a tiny desk, on top of the bigger one.
"Crimson squad?" I asked casually.
"Across the foyer, through the double doors. You want Sargent Firebrand." She replied almost bored.
"Thank you." I stepped around the desk following her directions. I pushed through the doors in time to catch a Manticore tossed across the room by an enraged Ogre. I put the huge male back on his feet and faced the creature getting ready to charge. With slow, careful movements, I removed my coat revealing my Elite guard uniform and my badges of combat sewn to my epaulettes. A sharp ringing sound echoed through the suddenly quiet room as I drew my sword partially and dropped it back into its sheath. Keeping eye contact with the now frozen male. He began to shake with fear.
"I am Amity Gloom. How can I help you, help yourself, Mr-?" My quiet voice reaching the male easily.
"Samson Height, Lady Gloom. My car was stolen, ma'am. I-. They won't listen to me. I'm sorry, I lost my temper. I've not slept see-." The ogre replied, swallowing his nerves.
"Having a newborn will do that to you, Mr Height," I told him and the rest of the room hanging on our words after picking the images easily from his unguarded mind. I looked at the officer beside me. She nodded and opened up a program on her computer.
"Sit here. Officer Dunken will be happy to help you. It has been a busy day. Congratulations on the birth of your daughter." The male hurried across the room and sat gently in the steel chair by the female Trolls desk. I nodded to both and refastened the snap over my hilt.
"Amity Gloom, welcome to Crimson. I am Tim Swift. Come in and meet the rest of the team." The Manticore behind me said, handing me back my coat and backpack.
"Thank you." I followed the towering male.
"So, ah, how did we manage to get you? Sorry if I sound rude, it's just, you guys don't leave the elite, ever. We've been trying to get a Vampire for years."
"I was bored. Missing kids sounds fun," I stated smirking as we pushed through another door and into the briefing room.
