The taxi stopped in front of the building.
The line was absurd.
People leaning against the wall, people sitting on the ground, people arguing, people staring at their phones with panicked faces.
Trofalls got out first, adjusting his hat.
— What a line… — he murmured. — This country only lives on lines.
Duda was still trying to fix her hair, walking quickly beside him.
— This isn't normal… — she said, looking at the crowd. — It's not a public service day.
Trofalls didn't answer. He just started walking toward the entrance.
And, as always, people moved aside without exactly understanding why.
It wasn't violence. It wasn't a threat. It was presence.
They entered the building.
The atmosphere felt different.
Phones ringing non-stop. Employees moving too fast. Whispering.
Tense looks.
It was then that Duda passed the reflection in the reception glass… and froze.
She looked down.
Silence.
She slowly closed her eyes.
— I can't believe it…
Trofalls stopped. — What?
— I'm wearing the robe.
She tugged at the fabric. White. Soft. Luxurious. Definitely not hers.
Trofalls studied it for two seconds… and let out a light nasal sigh.
— Took the wrong robe.
— I'll have to return it after work… — she murmured, irritated with herself.
Trofalls started walking again.
— If we even have work after today.
She raised her head. — What does that mean?
He stopped at the main corridor.
The activity there was even more intense.
— The line outside is no coincidence.
Duda felt a chill run up her spine. — The boss?
Trofalls nodded.
— General summons. Urgent.
They approached the main office.
The door was closed.
On the other side… absolute silence.
Duda took a deep breath, gripping the belt of her robe as if it were an improvised uniform.
— Whatever it is… it's big.
Trofalls placed his hand on the doorknob.
— When there's too much of a line… it means someone fell.
He opened the door.
Trofalls pushed it, revealing the central office of the division.
The environment was tense.
Phones rang constantly, agents rushed between desks, and a large screen showed reports and surveillance footage.
Duda took a deep breath, trying to absorb the pressure of the place.
An agent ran up to them, face serious:
— Ma'am, we need you to hear this. — he said, looking directly at Duda. — Three days ago, a member of our division was killed. We found the killer… an Amenba chimera.
Duda's blood ran cold. Chimeras were dangerous. And this one seemed different.
— And what happened? — Trofalls asked, in that cold tone of someone not easily frightened.
— We found the chimera's body, — the agent continued — but there's something strange. This Amenba… it seems to have greater consciousness than normal.
Half-flower, half-dog, but… it can speak.
Trofalls raised an eyebrow, adjusting his hat.
— Speak? — he murmured with a half-cynical smile. — Interesting… And they want us to do what?
— They want to extract information. — the agent said seriously. — It seems it knows details about recent chimera activities, possible allies, and underworld plans.
But no one knows exactly how to handle it.
Duda took a deep breath, crossing her arms:
— So we have a dangerous hybrid, one who already killed one of us, and now… they want it to talk? This is a madman's game.
Trofalls stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder:
— Exactly, Duda. It's a madman's game.
— But it's our job. — He looked at the screen again —. And that's why we need calm, patience… and a little courage to deal with what no one else can.
Duda sighed, closing her eyes for a moment.
— Alright. So… we're going to talk to it.
But first, I need to get organized. — She looked at the robe, now heavy and luxurious, and sighed. — And return this afterward.
Trofalls just gave a half-smile.
— First, the chimera. Then, the robe.
Nothing here is solved out of order.
The atmosphere was heavy. Everyone knew this was a delicate mission:
a talking, intelligent chimera, already responsible for a murder within the division.
Duda looked at Trofalls.
— So… we'll be responsible for this?
— Yes — he said firmly. — And, Duda, stay alert: not everything that speaks the truth is trustworthy. Not everything that seems tame is safe.
She nodded, taking a deep breath, feeling for the first time the real weight of being part of that world full of chimeras, plant monsters, hybrids, and madness.
— Let's go. — Duda said firmly. — It's time to find out what this Amenba knows.
Trofalls adjusted his hat and smiled, with that mischievous glint in his eyes that always mixed wisdom and danger:
— And, Duda… don't be fooled. Even a talking hybrid can be more treacherous than any line, any thief, or any forgotten door you've ever seen.
Silence fell as they walked down the division corridor, ready to face the talking Amenba.