"Officer Misfortune? Where is she?!"
Director Hwang's heavy shoes thudded against the creaking wooden floor as he stormed into the rundown office.
The door banged hard against the wall. Dust shook loose from the ceiling and drifted down onto his shoulders.
His thighs throbbed with a dull, heavy ache from walking down the stairs.
Deep inside his chest, his heart hammered a frantic rhythm against his ribs, sending a sudden, suffocating wave of heat rushing straight to his ears.
He swiped a trembling sleeve across his forehead, smearing the fresh bead of sweat trickling down his temples.
"Where is she?" He asked again.
Stolas stood behind the old desk, dark hair messy, heavy bags drooping under his downturned eyes.
Steam rose from the mug in his hands, carrying the sharp bitter scent of coffee filling the small cramped room.
He poured hot water slowly, the liquid gurgling as it hit the cup.
"How may I help you, sir?" Stolas spoke with a low mellifluous cadence.
