Under a tumultuous sky, the police station's parking lot pulses with kinetic energy. Strident sirens harmonize with echoing voices, casting a vivid backdrop against the canvas of dazzling headlights. Amid this urban symphony, Emmett, his uniform a badge of authority, converses animatedly with the captive figure. It's only as my gaze lingers upon him that recognition sparks within me — the very same individual from the video I encountered earlier this morning. The man who struck the infected subject, thwarting its attack on the officer.

Emmett raises his brows in incredulity, breaking into a grin as he addresses me. "Well, I'll be damned. If it isn't Dr. Swan in the flesh. I never thought I'd see the day you'd initiate a meet-up. It's been almost a year of me tryin' to score a date with you."

With a hint of unease, I respond, "Good day, Officer McCarty. I trust you're in good health?"

Emmett chuckles, leaning toward me. "Oh, just call me Emmett. 'Officer McCarty' sounds like I'm gettin' a scolding from my ma. And yeah, I'm doin' fine. But you? This... is unexpected."

A nod accompanies my response, "Indeed, my actions are typically guided by deliberate logic. However, the urgency of the current situation necessitates my departure from usual behavioral patterns."

Emmett's grin widens. "Alright then, Doc. Spill the beans. What brings you to the precinct? Need help with a crossword or somethin'?"

My throat clears as I gather my thoughts. "Emmett, I require your assistance for a matter of utmost urgency."

He scratches his head, his tone reflective. "Urgency, huh? You sure picked a heck of a day for it, Doc. Half the teams are out on missions, radio silence in effect, and the station's buzzing. I got two calls on hold, one of 'em's to the hospital. And to top it off, I'm stuck babysittin' this guy here," he gestures towards the prisoner.

The man stands quietly, his demeanor aloof yet attentive.

With resolute determination, I continue. "It's precisely due to these pressing circumstances that I'm reaching out to you. You see, Officer Emmett, the man you're currently keeping an eye on is directly tied to the matter at hand."

Emmett appears taken aback. "Wait, you mean this guy has somethin' to do with whatever's got you all worked up?"

My affirmation is succinct. "Indeed. I have reason to believe he holds crucial information for an ongoing investigation of mine. Given the sensitive nature of our conversation, I wonder if there's a more secluded spot where we could talk."

Emmett's surprise lingers. "You're serious about this, huh? Well, let me tell you, Doc. It's chaos in the station right now, and I'm already on thin ice. But if you're this determined..."

My insistence holds steadfast. "Please understand, Emmett, the importance of this conversation cannot be overstated. Time is of the essence."

Emmett's realization dawns. "Alright, Doc. Follow me. But be quick about it, alright? Last thing I need is the Chief grilling me about a covert rendezvous on duty."

With gratitude, I reply, "Thank you, Emmett. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated."

Emmett takes the lead, his strides purposeful, as we navigate the orchestrated chaos of the precinct's parking lot. The inmate's gaze remains riveted on me, a silent inquiry shimmering within his enigmatic aura. As we traverse this whirlwind of activity, the scene is set for an imminent exchange—a collision of revelations that may unlock the cryptic heart of the matter at hand.

Emmett leads us to a quaint café just across from the bustling precinct, where the atmosphere contrasts with the chaos we left behind. As I take my seat, my determination remains unwavering. Emmett, seemingly at ease, guides the inmate and me to our places. He wears his nonchalant demeanor like a second skin, orchestrating the seating arrangements with a jovial charm that aims to defuse the tension.

The cafe exudes warmth, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the soft clinking of cutlery cocooning us in a bubble of relative tranquility. Emmett's casual grin and playful wink bolster the sense of camaraderie, masking the deeper layers beneath. A silent question hangs between us, unspoken but palpable—what connection could exist between me and the prisoner?

Emmett gestures for him to take a seat, and with a wink in my direction, he settles himself. Emmett's actions indicative of a man accustomed to this setting.

Emmett's grin widens as he settles back into his chair, his gaze shifting playfully to me.

"So, Doc," he leans in slightly, "this is quite the surprise. Didn't expect to see you out here, especially not for a guy like Edward."

His voice holds a blend of curiosity and amusement.

I gather my thoughts, attempting to articulate my position. "Emmett, I understand your reservations. However, I assure you that I've never met Edward before today. »

Emmett seems incredulous « Edward Masen's notoriety as a skilled thief and con artist is well-known ! If you don't know him or you don't know about him what are we doing here ?

I'm really taken aback by the fact that emmett accepted to organize an encounter in this little shop with a criminal of this caliber. What gives me comfort is that it's clear that without his non-violent inclinations , Emmett wouldn't have permitted me to be so close to him, especially in a public setting such as this.

I meet Emmett's gaze, my tone measured, "Officer Emmett, my presence here is directly related to an unfolding situation. While I was not aware of Edward's history, I believe he holds information critical to a recent investigation that has taken a startling turn."

Emmett raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "A startling turn? You've certainly piqued my interest, Doc. But let's get real—this guy's got a rap sheet a mile long. What's someone like you need to know about someone like him?"

I gather my thoughts, attempting to articulate my position. "Emmett, I understand your reservations. However, I assure you that I've never met Edward before today. But It's true that I recognized him from a video I came across this morning—a video captured by one of your fellow officers." My voice maintains its poised cadence, an attempt to convey both my sincerity and the urgency of the matter.

Emmett's expression tightens, a mixture of annoyance and concern. "A video? Damn it, Isabella, you know we're not supposed to be sharing those online. Regulations and all that."

I sense Edward's growing unease, his fidgeting a silent testament to his anxiety. He remains quiet, a figure haunted by something.

"I apologize, Emmett, but the urgency compelled me to pursue this lead,"

Emmett leans forward, a hint of amusement in his eyes, "You switching from doctor to detective now, Doc? I thought you dealt with facts, not riddles."

Emmett's exasperation is palpable, his brows furrowing as he mulls over my words. His gaze shifts toward Edward, his scrutiny discerning. "You've got me curious, Isabella. But this doesn't add up. You're telling me you've never met this guy, and yet you're in a hurry to interrogate him about some video? And what's his part in all this? You're not exactly the type to be involved in a criminal scheme."

I explain, my tone remaining measured as I navigate the delicate situation. "The video showed Edward striking an infected individual who later assaulted an officer. It's crucial that I speak with him to understand the events of this morning and his perspective on what transpired."

I maintain my resolute stance, "There are moments, Officer McCarty, when unconventional approaches are necessary to confront unprecedented challenges. Edward might possess the clues that we need to understand and resolve the crisis that has enveloped our city."

Edward's expression remains closed, a mask that conceals a story I have yet to uncover.

Emmett's surprise registers vividly on his features, a mix of shock and a hint of panic flickering across his face. The familiarity in his demeanor wavers momentarily as he grapples with the unexpected revelations I've shared. A silent alarm seems to ring in his eyes, raising questions I can practically see forming in his mind. How could he not have known about Edward's involvement in an assault witnessed by others? It's clear that the details surrounding this incident have eluded him entirely, leaving him unprepared for our current conversation.

As he processes my words, his brow furrows, and a tinge of concern creeps into his eyes. It's evident that he's trying to reconcile my assertion with the information he's familiar with. I can almost see the cogs turning in his mind as he mentally cross-references the events I've described with his own knowledge.

"Wait a second," he interjects, his voice tinged with a mix of bewilderment and disbelief. "You're telling me Edward here had a run-in where he... stopped an assault on an officer? And that this was caught on video?" His tone hovers between incredulity and a growing sense of urgency.

I nod, my expression earnest, confirming the details that have caught him off guard. "Yes, that's correct, Emmett. I encountered a video this morning that clearly shows Edward intervening to protect an officer from an attack. It's what prompted me to seek him out."

Emmett's eyes narrow, his gaze locked onto Edward, who remains silent but increasingly anxious. It's as if Emmett is struggling to reconcile the image of the man before him with the actions I've described. His surprise has given way to a sort of guarded curiosity, a readiness to explore the layers of this unexpected situation.

"But why wouldn't I know about this?" he asks, his voice edged with a mixture of frustration and genuine confusion. "I mean, there's nothing in the intervention reports about Edward getting violent or saving anyone. All I've got is that there was some accident during a prisoner transport this morning. One guy dead, another escaped. Edward's the only one we've got back at the station, and with everything else going on today, I haven't had a chance to transport him back to the prison yet."

His words echo with the weight of a day filled with its own turmoil. It's clear that the chaos of recent events has thrown even Emmett's well-organized routines into disarray. The realization dawns on me that he's been grappling with more than just the regular duties of a police officer.

As Emmett takes a moment to reflect, his gaze shifts between Edward and me. He furrows his brows, an air of contemplation settling around him. "Alright, let's backtrack a little here. You've mentioned a crisis. What exactly are you implying, Isabella? What kind of crisis are we talking about?"

It's a pivotal question, one that brings the conversation to a critical juncture. Emmett's openness to this situation hinges on his understanding of the broader context. I can sense his genuine desire to grasp the bigger picture, to connect the dots between Edward's unexpected involvement and the looming challenges our city faces.

I take a measured breath, conscious of the significance of my next words. "Emmett, I'm referring to the unprecedented rise in attacks we've been experiencing lately. These attacks are not isolated incidents, but rather part of a larger pattern. People are being assaulted, and not just by ordinary criminals. These attackers... they're turning into something else. Something dangerous and unpredictable."

Emmett's expression shifts once again, this time reflecting a mixture of concern and a flicker of realization. The gravity of my words seems to settle in, and the pieces start to come together in his mind. The chaos that has gripped our city, the attacks that have defied explanation, and now Edward's unexpected role in it all—these elements converge to form a puzzle he's beginning to comprehend.

Emmett's skepticism starts to waver, his humorous demeanor giving way to a more contemplative stance. He rubs his chin, his eyes narrowing as if retracing his recent experiences. It's evident that the urgency of the recent days, combined with his own preoccupations, has left him too absorbed in his own world to notice the web of information weaving around him. He seems to mutter to himself, "Busy with that ongoing trial, then no one showed up at the usual bar last night... How did I miss all this?"

I offer a gentle nod of understanding. "Emmett, it's understandable. The pressures of your responsibilities, and the pace of life can easily lead one to overlook things. Being removed from the field might have worked in your favor. It's possible that your absence kept you safe from whatever's unfolding."

Emmett's gaze shifts to the bustling activity outside, a faint sense of regret tugging at his expression. "Yeah, maybe you're right, Doc. Still, it's unsettling to realize how much has been happening right under my nose without me catching a whiff of it."

Edward, for the first time since our conversation began, seems distracted, his gaze fixated on something beyond our table. His apparent detachment from our discussion is noticeable, as if his thoughts are elsewhere, lost in a reverie that separates him from our reality.

I clear my throat gently, drawing his attention back to our conversation. "Emmett, considering the nature of these attacks, I have a theory—an unconventional one. But before I explain further, I believe it would be helpful for you to see the video that prompted my concern. I have it on my electronic tablet."

Emmett raises an eyebrow, a mix of curiosity and caution in his eyes. "A theory, huh? And you think this video's gonna back it up? Alright, I'm intrigued. Show me what you got, Doc."

I reach into my bag and retrieve my tablet, navigating to the video in question. As I play the video for Emmett, the footage captures the chaotic scene from earlier in the morning—the infected individual attacking the officer, Edward's intervention, and the subsequent events. Emmett watches intently, his eyes narrowing as he takes in the unfolding events.

The video comes to an end, and Emmett lets out a low whistle. "Well, I'll be damned. That's some serious fast reflexes from our 'skilled thief and con artist.'" He glances at Edward, a newfound respect mingling with his skepticism. "Still, it doesn't explain why I wasn't informed about any of this."

I meet Emmett's gaze, my expression earnest. "That's where my theory comes in, Emmett. The nature of these attacks, the transformation of ordinary individuals into something... otherworldly—it's not something that's easily explained. But I believe there's a connection between what we just watched and the larger phenomenon. There's a pattern here, and I believe autorithies don't want us to understand to much."

Emmett's eyes shift between me and Edward, a mixture of contemplation and incredulity in his gaze. " "So, lay it out, Doc. How does all this fit together?"

As I brace myself to unveil it, Edward springs from his chair, urgency propelling him. "Time's up, folks! We're hitting the road."

Emmett does a double-take, his jocular stance traded for genuine concern. "Hold your horses, Red. Where's the fire?"

Edward's voice slashes the air, taut with imperative. "We leave now, or we kiss existence goodbye."

Emmett, caught mid-sip of his coffee, jolts into action. "Hey, hold your frothy latte! Explain yourself before you run the joint."

Edward's stare could cut glass, aimed solely at Emmett. "Ain't time for show-and-tell. Every tick matters."

Emmett's tone takes a mock-serious turn, hinting at his effort to regain the upper hand. "Listen, we've got a hot minute for a grand explanation. Besides, newsflash, I'm the boss here."

Tension crackles, cafe patrons suspended in a tableau of confusion and anticipation. Edward's determination brawls with Emmett's resistance, drama unfurling beneath the coffee-scented haze.

Edward propels forward, attempting to steer Emmett to the exit. He veers his gaze toward me, intensity coating his words. "Now or never, Doc."