Sharky stumbled out of the door. The kid rushed to his side, guiding his step towards the neon lights. "Emergency Care"

A man in a red uniform came out of the building to help the kid carry my friend inside the building. Sharky was shaky and he almost fell several times, but the paramedic caught him. I let my head fall onto the seat behind me, feeling what used to be a pleasant spinning turn into nausea and fear.

The kid then walked back to me and gestured to me to come out. The door opened by the press of a button. I balanced myself while getting up and managed not to fall. "I am going to arrest you!", I laughed and tried to catch the boy. The boy was not laughing.

"Just kidding. But you were with that elf, weren't you?" I said while sitting down on the street.

"You know kids are not supposed to go to strip clubs."

The boy responded defensively "Oh, but it is ok for you to go? Yeah, you are so much more mature than I am." He sat down next to me on the concrete. 

"I just wanted to see a woman. I just wanted to have a good time.", he put his hands on his head.

I laughed. "Yeah, me too. I just wanted to have a good time."

"Do you think Sharky is going to be alright?" I laid down and stared at the stars.

"Your friend's name is Sharky? The paramedic said it's too early to say."

I was sinking into a deep feeling of meaninglessness, the sweetest release at this point. I could not tell how much time had passed when I next heard the boy's voice: "Your friend is recovering. You can visit him tomorrow."

I opened my eyes, suddenly joyous. Next, I was on my feet, hugging the shit out of that little boy. "You saved my best friend's life. I cannot begin to thank you."

Then I froze. My brain had started to sober up, and I could see the kid more clearly. I thought about what it meant, him being here.

"What is your name?", I asked.

"Rutha. How about you?"

"I'm Leo."

I stretched out my hand and he took it. We shook hands for a few seconds.

"Rutha, that elf is a callous criminal. You should not even be involved with these kinds of people. Is there any way you could help me help you?"

He shrugged.

"She has killed many people."

"I know", he replied. "The Lex have killed many people too."

His answer stunned me. I had never heard anyone compare it like that and it insulted everything I stood for.

"I just want to arrest her.", I insisted. "The world will be a safer place."

"I just want my mother back.", Rutha said.

"Did the Lex..", I did not finish my sentence as Rutha began nodding. Words got swallowed inside my mouth along with my pride.

After a long silence, I said: "I want my mother back too."

"I miss her every day, actually."

"My mother gave everything she had for me.", Rutha said. "Back when I was in Tharo, that was the only time I felt happy."

His words touched me, and I felt conflicted. Rutha and I talked all night after that. 

When the morning came I got up to check on Sharky. My friend had a few scratches and bruises on his face. I had not noticed them yesterday. We exchanged a few words, Sharky was still drowsy. The nurses assured me that he would recover.

When I went back outside, Rutha had left. 

I teleported back to the Jussum. I checked the available tasks for an officer at my level on my techdevice and decided to go on a patrol starting tomorrow. I messaged my supervisor about it. Then I went to sleep.

I had spent enough waiting around in one spot to try and catch a criminal that might never show up. Not chasing after Lié anymore would be such a relief. Finally, my life would get much less boring.