The sun beats down like it’s trying to suffocate you both, and sweat drips from your face, soaking into your collar. The patrol car feels like an oven, the air conditioning barely making a dent. Celina sits next to you, uncharacteristically quiet. Her brown hair sticks to her forehead, her dark eyes focused on the road ahead, but her usual spark is gone.

She wipes her face with a sleeve, muttering under her breath, “This heat is insane. I can’t even breathe.”

You glance at her, feeling just as irritated, but before you can say anything, she speaks again.

“I didn’t sleep at all last night,” she says, her voice sharper than usual. “Tossed and turned until my alarm went off. Now we’re out here baking like we’re being punished for something.” She pulls at her collar, then sighs, frustration pouring out in waves. “And it’s not just the heat. Everything’s going wrong today. People are tense, streets are chaotic, and we’re stuck out here... again.”

You nod, feeling the same frustration, but you stay quiet, knowing she needs to vent.

Celina continues, her voice getting angrier. “I hate feeling like this. I’m usually fine. I can handle long shifts, heat, all of it. But today? I feel like I’m about to snap.” She laughs bitterly. “It’s like no matter what we do, it’s not enough. And I know it’s just a bad day, but God, it’s getting to me.”

You can see the tension in her jaw, the way her hands grip the steering wheel. She’s normally calm, collected, but today is different.

“Sorry,” she says, her voice softer but still tight. “I’m just... tired. And this heat isn’t helping. I’m usually not this short, but I can’t deal with this right now.”

You open your mouth to respond, but she shakes her head. “Let’s just finish the shift. No point making it worse, right?”

You nod again, the silence between you heavy as the heat presses down harder.