Jackie raised an eyebrow. "Central's handing out missing person cases to us now?"
Beth nodded. "Apparently, this one's causing enough noise that they want Division 0 on it. The family's influential—they helped fund Division 0's creation. I won't be surprised if our building and patrol car came from their pockets. Normally, this wouldn't land on our desk, but she's been missing for two days, and the Wist City Police Department made no progress in their search for her. In fact, North Squad should be informed by now to do the search too."
She turned the tablet around and placed it on the table for all to see.
A beautiful young girl's profile appeared on the screen—blonde, dressed in a fancy school uniform. Her name is Lena Flaier. Age: 16. Last seen: Two days ago after visiting Wist City Academy.
"We don't have much yet," Beth continued. "She disappeared on her way to her hotel. Her family has too many enemies they could think of. So they're handling that side of the investigation their own. Some rumors say she was taken by a rogue Wielder. But that's just riding on the paranoia from the public reveal so I highly doubt it, but we can't cross it out. And there's no ransom demand yet, so we can't confirm if its done for money. We are pretty much looking for a needle in a haystack."
Arnold grunted. "Hmph. Politics." But his eyes remained locked on the screen, reading intently.
Peter leaned in with interest. "Flaier?" Adam glanced over. "You know her?"
Peter nodded. "I know their family. The Flaiers are one of the newer rich families making waves in tech. They invest in advanced systems—quantum processors, cybernetic components, robotics."
Jackie frowned. "So what's a rich princess doing in Wist? Shouldn't she be busy showing off at the capital?"
Beth rubbed her temple. "She was part of a youth exchange program—traveling across the country, visiting top schools, scouting talent, promoting unity, the usual fluff. We were just unlucky she went missing in our city."
Jackie tilted his head. "Anyone else from that program missing?"
Beth shook her head. "No. Just her."
Tia suddenly raised her hand, nervous but determined. "U-um... my brother goes to Wist City Academy."
Everyone turned to look at her.
Sarah added, surprised, "Ben goes there too."
Beth folded her arms, thinking. "Alright. Let's start there. We'll meet your brother first, Tia. If he knows this girl, he might know something useful."
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"Are you sure you should be coming with us?" Arnold asked, a hint of concern slipping into his otherwise gruff tone.
Jackie smirked. "Wow, old man, you actually worried about me?"
Arnold shifted his gaze to the window. "Forget I asked."
Jackie chuckled. "Don't worry about me. If I had to fight that wolf right now, I'd definitely lose. But humans without Abilities? Different story. My Ability is perfect against fighting people."
Adam, seating beside Jackie, thought to himself,
Right... I haven't actually seen Jackie fight properly. Last time, I was trapped in that illusion when he fought the wolf.
Jackie then leaned forward, addressing Beth, who was driving the squad car. "Hey, Beth. So, what was the result? Did they confirm it?"
Beth hummed thoughtfully, as if only just remembering. "Now that you mention it, I do have something to tell you guys. During Jackie's stay in the hospital, Division 0's higher-ups paid a visit to Wist City. Adam and Sarah, you two met them."
She briefly glanced at Adam and Sarah through the rearview mirror.
"You remember the woman who was always beside Dr. Miller?" she continued. "That's her. She's a Weilder too, a healer, though not as fast as Adam. She helped speed up Jackie's recovery."
That secretary? Adam thought, recalling the woman.
Beth continued, her eyes glinting with seriousness. "But that's not the main thing. During their interview with Jackie, they noticed something odd. Jackie was healing faster than the average person. According to the healer, during the first week after the Tide, humans with Abilities were still healing at normal rates. But after more than a week, Weilders started showing faster recovery."
She tapped the steering wheel lightly. "They said it's the first major thing they're going to study. In fact, just yesterday, they officially confirmed it: Weilders are getting stronger over time. Slower than the animals, but definitely becoming stronger."
The car went quiet, everyone absorbing the vital information.
Arnold said quietly, "I did notice that I can lift more than before..."
Jackie looked at Adam with a grin, nudging him. "Looks like you're not the only fast healer anymore. Give it some time, and everyone will catch up."
Adam snorted. "Yeah but can you survive getting your head blown off?"
Jackie shrugged, unbothered. "Alright, you got me there."
Their chatter lightened the serious mood as the squad car rolled through the city streets.
Then, from the passenger seat, Tia raised her hand shyly. "H-here, Miss Beth. We can stop here."
Beth nodded and slowed the car down, preparing to pull over.
The area looked dilapidated and worn. Cracked concrete buildings leaned wearily against each other, and garbage littered the streets, ignored by the people passing by. It felt as if the whole place had been molded from disorder and chaos.
I haven't been here in a long time, Adam thought, scanning the scene.
The group paused for a moment, surveying the surroundings. Tia turned to them shyly. "F-follow me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
They began walking, weaving through the tight, confusing paths of the slums. The air was thick with an unpleasant stench, a mixture of rot and old smoke. As they moved deeper, Adam noticed people staring from windows and alleyways, some standing still in the open, others muttering to one another and pointing at them.
Ah right, Adam realized, Beth's wearing her police uniform.
He leaned closer and whispered to Beth, "Hey. Your uniform."
Beth kept her pace steady, her voice calm. "It's fine. We're making it clear to everyone here—Tia's family is off-limits."
Adam nodded in understanding.
"What if Viper makes trouble?" he asked.
Beth's expression didn't change as she replied, "Then we clean up the trash."
A small smile tugged at Adam's lips at her bluntness.
Soon, they arrived at Tia's house. It was just as worn and battered as the others, but somehow it had a subtle warmth to it—a feeling of home that the others lacked.
"Here w-we are," Tia said, her voice a little more confident now. She stepped forward and knocked on the door. "Anyone? I'm home!" she called.
A few seconds later, the door creaked open to reveal a small child, looking like a miniature version of Tia. She blinked up at her older sister, then at the rest of the group, her gaze finally landing on Beth's uniform.
Her eyes widened. "Ma! Big sis got arrested!"
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They sat around the small table as Tia's mother bustled about, placing plates of food in front of them and ushering them to eat. Around them, Tia's four younger siblings played, laughing as they clambered over Tiggy, the massive white tiger who lay lazily in the middle of the room, swishing its tail with a faint purr.
"Tia's been a huge help around the house ever since she got that job," her mother said warmly, moving between the kitchen and the table with practiced ease.
"Tia's been a huge help in the division too, Mrs. Sofer," Beth replied, smiling as she watched the children play.
Jackie grinned and leaned back in his chair. "That's right. We would've been in a lot of trouble without her."
Tia shyly kept her head down, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.
"So what brings you all here?" Tia's mother asked, setting down a bowl of soup.
"We're here to ask David some questions, Mom," Tia answered softly.
Her mother paused mid-step, concern flickering across her face. "H-he's not in trouble, is he?"
Tia quickly shook her head. "No. It's just... something related to a case we're working on."
Her mother let out a breath of relief.
As the conversation shifted to lighter topics, the door suddenly creaked open. A teenage girl stepped in, her schoolbag slung over one shoulder.
"Tiggy!" she squealed, throwing her arms around the massive white tiger.
"You're home," Tia's mother said, wiping her hands on a towel. "Where's David?"
The girl huffed, crossing her arms. "I don't know. Probably at the junkyard again, tinkering junk with that weird old man."
Tia blinked. "Junkyard? He never mentioned that to me."
Her sister gave her a look. "Duh. He didn't tell me either. I just saw him there a few times after school. He stinked."
Noticing the strangers at the table for the first time, the girl's eyes widened. "G-good afternoon," she said quickly, bowing her head shyly. Her cheeks flushed red.
Adam smiled faintly, watching her retreat to her room in a flustered hurry.
Guess it runs in the family.
As they finished their meal, Tia's siblings began dozing off on the floor, curled up beside Tiggy. Her mother quietly gathered dishes, whispering her thanks to the team.
Adam stood, stretching slightly. "Thank you for the meal, Mrs. Sofer."
"It's nothing," she said with a warm smile. "You're always welcome here."
Beth gave Tia a subtle nod, and the squad began gathering their things.
Outside, they regrouped.
"What now?" Arnold asked, looking at Beth with his usual calm.
Beth turned to Tia, "Did he respond?"
Tia looked down at her phone, frowning slightly as she tapped the screen.
"No. I left a few messages, but he hasn't seen them yet. He's not answering my calls either."
Beth nodded sharply. "Let's go check the junkyard."