There was a deathly silence over the noise of the neighbouring streets, over the place with its long, vertical black columns. Ross, in his big faded jacket, knelt in front of one of them, among the graves. The name "Rose Macarbe" appeared on a screen, with the dates "2023-2031" just below it.

"Happy 20th birthday", the man breathed in a low voice.

With that, he placed a single red camellia at her feet. As he rose to his feet, an electronic whisper from his artificial assistant came directly into his ear:

"Ross, Commissar Kyle is requesting you immediately. He says it's urgent.

-Tell him I'll be there in ten minutes."

~~~

Kyle dipped his nose into his new uniform. The stench of the nearby sewers, mixed with blood, made his head spin. Ross approached the Commissar, his step measured.

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"Sensitive as ever," he smiled. Kyle gritted his teeth.

-I've lost the habit of this kind of scene. My sick leave ended a few days ago and here I am, back on a murder case."

Ross walked over to the lifeless body against the wall. The victim's scarlet skin was streaked with lacerations. He ran a hand through his dishevelled hair and turned back to his superior.

"What do you want from me?

-What species is it?" Kyle replied abruptly.

"-Impossible to determine. You know better than I do that many of them have long claws that could match these markings.

-It doesn't help me.

-I know, Ross sighed. But I'm not a medium. I can't risk accusing innocent people...

-Innocent people?" he interrupted. "Do you really think these beasts can distinguish Right from Wrong?"

The rain began to fall in a crescendo. Each drop seemed heavier and heavier. Ross clenched his fists as blood mixed with the water on the floor.

"These things only want our downfall, Ross, open your eyes! He's not the first person to get fucked up. Since they've been here, they've seen us as prey.

-Have you ever tried to talk to them? Make contact?"

Kyle slid his black tie between his fingers, but Ross's sentence stopped him before he could sneer.

"Ross... Tell me you're joking."

One step after another, his legs brought him almost up against Ross, his gaze only inches lower than his.

"Listen to me: your goodness and naivety don't belong here anymore. It was fun when we were ten, but I've grown up. It's time you do as well, right?"

Ross remained motionless. Fresh minty breath entered his lungs. He closed his ocean blue eyes before feeling a light tap on his right cheek. A gesture Kyle had repeated often since his arrival at the head of the Anti-Evolved Brigade, as if to satisfy a need for superiority.

"Just do as I say and you'll be fine," the commissioner blurted out before opening his umbrella. Without another look, he turned on his heels and walked off into the pouring rain.