Chapter 1
"We're here, live on the scene, where another murder of a policeman has occurred. This is the third one in a week, leaving many law officials to feel as if they're the target!"
The 6'1 ft., red-eyed, and white-haired male watches with a bored expression as the newswoman blabbers on about the most recent law enforcement death.
Kazimir Cizetto was his name, but neither the media or law enforcement knew about that.
As if on que, his phone begins to ring and the young man quickly excuses his way out of the crowd before picking up.
"Hello?"
"Yo, Kazimir! I just heard the news!" the voice on the other end replies.
Kazimir sighs, looking back at the shocked crowd.
"Yeah, me too."
"Uh, you probably already guessed what I gotta say, haven't you?"
"If it's about quitting the job, then yeah, I guessed." Kazimir replies, rolling the earring on his ear between his fingers.
"Kazimir, I-
"Meet me in the school's cafe, my phone's about to die."
Kazimir knew that his friend could tell he was lying, but he preferred to talk about most serious things in person.
"Alright."
*CLICK!*
Putting his phone in his pocket, the young man looks around, multiple police cars surrounding the area.
"These people really couldn't take their job serious even if it tortured them."
But that was typical of corrupt Claiza City. Everytime a law official was murdered, money from politicians and supportive citizens would pour into both the special forces and police department.
It was meant to be used for equipment to help find the killer, but in reality, it was usually split by the elites who worked there.
The "elites" of Claiza City's law enforcement were really just professionals who were skilled at their job, only picking up cases that would get them the most recognition and money.
It was disgusting to say the least and the young Kazimir hated to be apart of the corrupt system. But in all fairness, everyone is; as long as one is using the government's currency to get by. Some jobs, just worse than others.
Opening the door to the cafe, Kazimir was greeted with the smell of pastries and coffee.
"One dark coffee, please. Make it a medium."
The woman nods and quickly fixes a medium sized cup for him.
"$1.75 is your total."
Kazimir lays a five dollar bill on the counter, telling her to keep the change, before sitting down at at a table.
"You want a cupcake?"
The startled young man looks up and shrugs. His friend, a 6'6 ft., brown-haired and hazel-eyed young man who went by the name Liyusk Hocorge, puts one of the baked goods on a napkin and slides it towards him.
"Okay, I know you're probably not gonna care about my input, but seriously Kazimir! Please for my sake, quit that dangerous job!" the concerned male says, taking a seat.
With a dull expression, Kazimir picks off a piece of the cupcake.
"Liyusk, I know you're worried about me and all, but stop it. If something happens to me, then that's that. It's my choice to stay on this job."
"Bro, being a detective isn't even remotely close to your major! You think your sister would want you staying on that team?!"
"Like I said, I'm not quitting." Kazimir says, taking a sip of his coffee. "Not even if Camille came back from the dead and told me to."
Liyusk sits back and sighs.
"Jeez, you've got to be the most stubborn person I've ever came across."
*Beep! Beep!*
Picking up his phone, Kazimir quickly scans the message before putting it into his pocket.
"It's from that job, isn't it?"
The young man stands up, putting his trash in his empty coffee cup.
"I have to go, Liyusk. Thanks for the cupcake."
"You know what, Kazimir? I- nevermind. Just please be safe, alright?" Liyusk asks with a nervous smile.
Stopping in front of the door, Kazimir nods, before leaving.
"Okay."
--- Claiza City Special Forces Department ---
"Jeez, it's more crowded here than usual."
Making his way through the busy halls, the tired young man enters the volunteer training room.
Taking his seat, he couldn't help but to listen in onto what his peers had to say about the sudden meeting.
"The old man quit because of stress? Well, that's new!" one of his co-workers exclaim.
Rolling his eyes, the young man shakes his head.
*He knew what he signed up for. Of course it's going to be stressful.*
The door to the volunteer room suddenly swings open, which caused everyone to go silent for just a second before speaking over each other once more.
Heels clicked against the cold, tiled floor and a woman faces the group of confused rookies.
"LISTEN UP!"
This time, no one says a word as the woman stares down the whole room.
"Good. Now that I have your attention, I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Yuka Lumbrose and I am now the new captain of the Claiza City Volunteer and Rookie Squadron of the Special Forces Department."
She takes a sip of water before continuing.
"As you may or may not have heard, your former captain has resigned due to all of the sudden murders."
Stepping forward, she hands a stack of papers to a woman and asks her to pass them around.
"However, I as your new captain will do my best to see to it that all of you are safe and protected from any future harm. After having a conversation with the professional detective squadron's captain, we have decided that each of you will be assigned a professional partner for extra safety measures."
Taking a look down at the paper, Kazimir raises a brow.
"Pierre Richano?"
Clapping her hands together to get everyone's attention, Yuka steps forward.
"Now, before any of you go to meet your new partners, I'd like to go over some new rules I have set in place."
Taking out another piece of paper, the woman unrolls it, leaving it to roll right down onto the floor.
"Let's begin, shall we?"
------------
"Damn, I'd thought it'd never end."
Walking up the steps, Kazimir sighs. He was tired and wanted to leave, but couldn't unless he was escorted out by his new professional partner.
"This is honestly ridiculous and should've just been a choice. I just hope-
*BUMP!*
Stepping back, the young man catches his footing before shaking his head.
"My bad, but are you serious? Why're you standing on a staircase where people have to get by?"
Turning around, the man looks down.
He was tall, around 6'3 ft. with neatly styled hair. His dark blue eyes glared down at the younger man three years his junior, black strands of his hair falling in front of his face.
"Who the hell are you?"
Kazimir sighs.
"My name is- that's not even important right now. Anyway, do you happen to know a man named Pierre Richano?"
The dark-haired man smirks.
"You're speaking to him."
"Great." Kazimir mutters to himself.
"I'm guessing you're part of that volunteer program? Kazimir Cizetto, correct?" Pierre asks, looking at his watch.
"Yes, that's me."
Pierre chuckles.
"I hear us regulars are being asked to watch over the underdogs. Don't worry, you'll be in good hands."
Twitching an eye, Kazimir shakes his head.
"No, I'll be fine without one of you professional bastards looking after me. We can pretend to work together, that'll be just fine."
"I can understand that. But one more thing."
Walking behind the shorter male, Pierre pats his shoulder.
"You've got one hell of a mouth. Learn to control it before you seriously piss off the wrong person one day."
Hearing a clicking noise, Kazimir's eyes dart to his right, only to see nothing.
"I swear I heard a-
"You looking for this?"
Diverting his eyes back forward, Kazimir notices Pierre holding a gun in his hand.
He laughs, putting the bullets back in its chamber.
"I'm not that mean, dammit. I just love to toy around with you new kids."
Groaning, Kazimir shakes his head.
"It was quite the experience meeting you and all, but I have to go now. My school work isn't going to complete itself."
Crossing his arms, Pierre rolls his eyes.
"Dumbass, didn't you pay attention to the woman's lecture?! We can't go our separate ways until we get to know each other. We have to write a reflection paper about the other person!"
Kazimir groans in annoyance.
"Oh. I completely forgot about that."
Smiling, Pierre motions for Kazimir to follow him.
"I'm getting hungry. Just so happens that I know a great restaurant to talk things over while we eat."