The DOSA officer arrived ten minutes later. I told myself it would all be ok. I could handle it. For magic and for myself. The officer pounded at the door in a rhythm of three. The heavy knocks of law enforcement. Bob had gone dormant five minutes earlier, leaving me with my own thoughts. Honestly, it felt like my mind had been fighting itself. One side trying to bring up all the reasons why we shouldn’t step outside and the other, all the reasons why we needed to.

When I opened the door, I was greeted by the sight of a woman, rather than the man I had been expecting. I probably shouldn't have assumed the guy I’d been talking to would be the one to arrive.

“Mr. Richard?”

I nodded, trying to keep my gaze above her chest and at her face. Her dark eyes moved over, and I could tell she was not impressed, though neither did I spot the disgust or revulsion I usually saw. A lot of people tended to not look at people like me as human. We were more like attractions to stare at.

“Officer Doland,” she said offering me a hand. I shook it and was once again surprised when I saw no aversion at all. Not all people were assholes who cared, but many were, and a lot didn't care to hide it. “May I come in?”

“Yes, please.”

She walked in, and I took the chance to discreetly look her over. She was of average height with brown hair in a ponytail and a Mediterranean complexion. She wasn't dressed in a normal uniform, but she carried herself with confidence. Her black slacks went well with the white blouse and black jacket. She looked both stylish and like she could command a room. There was also something else, a slight distortion around her. I blinked and it was gone.

Magic? Or maybe she’s not human?

She stopped in the living room, and her face went blank. I winced. I probably should have cleaned up at least a little bit. She turned to me. “Mr. Richard—”

“Rick is fine,” I interrupted.

“Rick. We received a call about an incident that occurred yesterday. An extraordinary incident. You said you felt odd and managed to light a fire without seemingly doing anything.”

Me and Bob had decided to use what had happened with the lighter to our advantage. “Yes,” I said. “I just sort of felt this feeling in my chest and then, well…” I pointed to a burnt pile of clothes. “fire.”

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“I see.” She passed the table with the crumbled-up tissues and wrinkled her nose. “Well, I can help you, but I'm afraid you’ll need to come down to the station.”

Ok, time to play dumb.

“But I didn't do anything wrong,” I said fearfully.

“I understand. You’re not in trouble Rick. There's a lot to be explained and it's better done there than here. There are procedures that must be followed.” She moved back to the door. “I’ll be waiting outside, Rick. Please… come out soon.” Her last words weren’t phrased as a threat, but the look in her eyes told me, she’d resort to force if need be. The same distortion showed itself for a second before vanishing just as quickly.

I thought he said it wasn’t a tyranny Then again, I guess you can’t just have someone running around with magic who doesn't know the truth or laws.

I didn't bother grabbing a coat. The one I had didn't fit me anymore. I took a deep breath and then forced myself to walk. Officer Doland was waiting outside just as she said; near the end of the hall. She nodded gratefully. “Come on. My car's parked out front.”

“Richard?” The door to the right of mine opened, and Mrs. Patterson poked her head out. She looked old, and I mean Gandalf old. Honestly, she fit the description of a fairy tale witch. She even had a gnarled walking stick and a pointed, hooked nose.

Maybe she is a witch. Wouldn’t be surprising.

“What's going on?” she demanded, looking from me to the officer.

“Nothing,” Officer Doland said, looking the old woman dead in the eyes. “I apologize for disturbing you. Please, go back inside.”

The old woman made a hmph sound and then promptly slammed her door. I was thankful she’d not gone on a tirade or started complaining. Once she started she didn't stop. Once she had stood outside my door for half an hour, shouting because I’d accidentally booted up a game without my headset plugged in.

I should probably mention now that the elevator in my apartment building didn't work. Which meant the stairs it was. Even though I only lived on the fifth floor and I was going down, my legs and pretty much everything else, protested. Officer Doland was clearly slowing her pace, and I didn't look at her. I didn't want to see her glance at me with pity or whatever else.

Her car was a plain black four-seat model I wasn’t familiar with. “Hop in the back,” she said, getting in the driver's seat. It took a long moment for me to squeeze myself in, and I let out a heavy sigh when I finally sat down. I caught Officer Doland looking at me in the rearview mirror, and I turned away, blushing. I know it's stupid, but somehow it being a pretty woman made it worse, even if she had acted polite so far.

“Strap in,” she said, pulling out into the road. “We’ll be there in a few.”