Officer Rossi sat at his table, eating in calm, deliberate motions. The restaurant buzzed with quiet chatter, but he paid it no mind. Dressed sharply in his black suit and white shirt, he knew he didn’t blend in. The town was small, the kind where everyone knew each other’s business, and a newcomer like him was bound to draw attention.

He caught the whispers and sideways glances from the other diners but ignored them. He’d been through this before. New city, new precinct, same curious stares.

The door burst open, letting in a rush of cold air and a girl in gym clothes. She wasn’t just out of place—she was a whirlwind of chaos in an otherwise tranquil scene. Her ponytail bounced as she darted inside, her face flushed and glistening with sweat. She moved quickly, almost frantically, heading straight to the buffet without so much as a glance at the tables around her.