Haze awoke to the shrill ringtone of her phone, a sound that pierced the fog of her dreams. Her hand fumbled over the edge of the mattress, finally silencing the device. Chief Captain Walker's voice crackled through the line, a blend of authority and concern. "Are you coming in? We’d love to have you back," he said. Haze sat up, her room a testament to weeks of neglect. "Yeah, I’m coming in," she replied, her voice thick with lingering sleep.
As Haze dressed, the news blared ominously about a VEX on the loose, a term that sent an involuntary shiver down her spine. These beings, with their uncontainable powers, were a constant threat. She shook off the unease, concentrating on pulling on her worn leather jacket and black jeans. The room felt smaller, the walls pressing in with memories she tried to ignore.
Haze navigated the familiar halls of the nursing home, her footsteps echoing softly. Grandma Millie sat by the window, her frail figure silhouetted against the light. "Hey, Grandma," Haze greeted, her voice gentle. Millie turned, her eyes warm despite the cloud of worry that seemed to follow her. "Back to work, huh? Are you ready, sweetheart?" she asked, concern etched in every line of her face. Haze squeezed her grandmother's hand, nodding. "I’ll manage," she assured, though doubt lingered in her mind.
The precinct was alive with activity, and Haze was met with a chorus of "Welcome back!" She acknowledged her colleagues, though her mind was elsewhere. The familiar faces seemed a world apart from the storm brewing inside her. She made her way to Captain Walker's office, where he greeted her with a broad smile. "Good to have you back, Haze. We missed you," he said, offering a handshake.
Brad, an old friend and fellow officer, suggested the gun range, sensing the turmoil beneath Haze's calm exterior. As she aimed, focusing on the target, a vivid flashback hit her—a man, a bullet, blood. Her hands trembled as the gun seemed to melt, oozing through her fingers. "What the fuck? You’re a VEX!" Brad's voice was a mix of shock and disbelief.
Haze ran, the weight of her new reality pressing down with every step. Her car was a sanctuary, but her hands shook as she started the engine. The reflection in the mirror was unfamiliar, a stranger's eyes staring back. A VEX. The word echoed, reshaping everything she thought she knew. She had choices to make, a life to protect. But first, she needed to understand what she had become.
