May 28 2022

The time was eleven forty five p.m, Charlie and Alex were seen at the police department, discussing a recent case, Charlie and Alex have been investigating a string of burglaries around local jewelry shops. The thief was smart, no forced entry and sneaked away, stealing the jewellery.

Charlie was sitting, comparing reports from three separate nights. Alex leaned against the edge of the desk with a sandwich in one hand, skimming through crime scene photos with the other until Singh pointed at the reports.

Charlie: Notice the timing? Each robbery happens right after closing, but before midnight. And every location was near the main road.

Alex: Means the guy likes easy exits. There was probably a car waiting nearby.

Charlie: Exactly. But here's the strange part, No tire tracks at any of the scenes.

Alex: So either our guy's got wings. . . Or a very sneaky driver.

Charlie's serious look faltered and almost laughed as Alex had a smirk on his face, Singh couldn't help but smile afterwards.

Charlie: Really, Wings?

Alex: I said it before you could say it

Charlie: *Chuckles* You're learning well, My boy.

Alex: Wait, Look at this.

He pointed at a photo as Charlie leaned forward, observing the pictures as Ambrose was speaking to him.

Alex: Look here, Same security guard in two of these reports, Different locations.

Charlie: . . . . You're right, He transferred? Or-

Alex: Or he's on it.

Charlie slowly nodded his head, staring at the photos and knew Alex had a point.

Charlie: It's possible, Too clean of a job otherwise.

Alex: Smells like a lead. . . And here you thought my late-night snacking wasn't productive.

They both shared a laugh as the serious tension turned into something softer, Alex took a bite of his sandwich while Charlie leaned back, smiling at him.

Charlie: If eating sandwiches were a crime, you'd be our number one suspect.

Alex: *Raises an eyebrow* Excuse me? I'm helping you to solve crimes at least, Charlie.

Charlie: Sure. I'll alert the press: "Officer dines while criminals strike."

Alex: Better than snoozing in your chair, boss.

Charlie: *Chuckles* Aray, hero main hoon, tum nahin. (Come on, I'm the hero, Not you)

Ambrose rolled his eyes and took another bite of his sandwich which made Charlie chuckle again, He looked at the reports again as his expression hardened for a moment before looking back at Alex.

Charlie: But seriously. . . It's not just these jewelry shops. I've been tracking muggers in the downtown area too. Couple of late-night assaults, stealing their belongings. . . The city's been buzzing with small crimes for weeks now.

Alex: Yeah, Sir. I've been hearing about it. Last week when I was bringing groceries, I saw a woman getting mugged before i stopped the criminal. That wasn't the only case, Even a group of high schoolers that shared a home together were robbed late at night at their house.

Charlie: *Sighs* Thieves have been roaming like it's purge night.

Alex: It's like they're testing the limits of how much they can get away with before we catch them.

Charlie: Exactly. And that's dangerous

Ambrose nodded in agreement and continued eating his sandwich as both of them were talking about the robberies while examining the photos again.

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12:30 A.M

Alex: Really? You sleep even after drinking two cups of tea?

Charlie opened his eyes, waking up from his short nap as Alex was looking at his phone, Singh chuckled while rubbing his eyes.

Charlie: Sorry, That's the consequences of sleeping for four hours.

Alex: I'm just kidding, Rest up if you like. I'll be working.

Charlie: No no, It's okay. I'll just go outside and get some fresh air.

Alex: Be careful, It's dangerous at this time.

Charlie: *Raises an eyebrow* Dangerous? Beta, I've walked through darker alleys for years.

Alex: *Shrugs* Don't get mugged while you're out there

Charlie: *Smirks* If anyone tries, they'll need a doctor, not a wallet

Alex: *Laughs* Don't get too cocky.

Singh smiled while getting up, He patted Alex's shoulder as Ambrose smiled, shaking his head but warned him to be careful again, Charlie nodded and left the police department while Alex was looking back at the reports.

The night was quiet, The streets were empty, Only a few cars passing by. Charlie looked around, watching the streets carefully. He wasn't only here for fresh air, As a commissioner, He wanted to keep the area safe.

He continued walking through the quiet streets, Lost in his thoughts. First he was thinking about the theft then it slowly circled back to. . . Anne.

He took a deep breath, fixing his hair as he sighed.

Charlie: *Mutters: Yeh sheher sukoon deta hai sirf tab, jab mujrim so rahe hote hain. (This city only feels peaceful when the criminals are asleep.)

There was a few minutes of silence He didn't realise how long he's been walking. All he could think about his past life. . . Wishing things went the way he wanted it to go.

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Anya: *On phone call* Yes Mom, I'm coming back. . . Sorry, I know it's late but I'll be fine. . . Yeah! I got the bread that you wanted, Okay bye!

She hanged up the phone and quickly placed it on her bag, Anya was at a friend's house since five p.m. She didn't realise how much time has passed and Anne kept calling and messaging her to come home early. Winters continued walking by the quiet street, She had her earphones on just so she could distract herself from the silence.

Anya decided to take a shortcut as She continued walking, aware of her surroundings. . . . But unknown to her, Someone was watching.

Anya suddenly felt shivers running down her spine but she didn't look back. She continued moving forward, increasing the volume of her earphones until someone grabbed her shoulder and she froze.

Mugger: Give me your bag.

Anya's eyes were widen, Her face went pale.

Mugger: I said. . . Give me the bag.

Anya shut her eyes tightly, gulping in fear. but instinct pushed her to move. Instead of handing the bag over, she shoved the mugger's arm away and tried to run down the sidewalk.

Anya: Let go of me!

Mugger: Shut up!

He quickly grabbed her and slammed her against the brick wall, The impact knocking the air from her lungs. Anya tried to scream again but he punched her in the face and tried to snatch her bag but Anya continued fighting back.

Mugger: You should listened when you had the chance!

Anya: Get off of me!!! HELP!!!

The mugger punched her again as she fell down, holding her cheek. Anya was scared and felt her heart pounding that It started hurting. She tried to crawl but the mugger began kicking her as Anya groaned in pain.

Mugger: Stupid girl, Now you're going to die.

Anya's eyes were widen as he pulled out a knife from his pocket, She shaked her head frantically, screaming "No" as he leaned down, grabbing her hair tightly as Winters began crying in fear, He turned her around, aiming for the heart but kicked her stomach to weaken her as she groaned and continued crying, He raised the knife, Anya thought it was over. . .

Until, Someone grabbed his hand

Charlie: Not tonight. . .

The mugger snarled, twisting, but Charlie wrenched his arm back and slammed his fist against the man's jaw. The criminal stumbled, only to be caught by another brutal strike to the ribs.

Anya looked shocked, taking a deep breath and sat up, watching Charlie beat the criminal up.

The mugger tried to lunge again, but Charlie ducked, driving his shoulder into the man's gut before flipping him over onto the pavement, Charlie pinned him with a knee to the back, yanked his arms behind him before handcuffing his hands.

Charlie: You picked the wrong street. . .

The commissioner tossed the knife to the side, glaring at the criminal. Before he turned around to look at Anya. She trembled, clutching her stomach, She was beaten and terrified as Her wide eyes locked on Charlie.

Charlie felt his heart twist, He recognized her instantly. . .but he didn't let it show.

His face softened and began walking towards her before crouching down.

Charlie: You're safe now, He's not gonna hurt you.

Anya took a deep breath, nodding and tried to relax herself as Charlie continued staring at her, frowning before gently holding her hand.

Charlie: I know you're scared, But I'm here, okay? Let's take you to the police station.

She looked at him for a few seconds before nodding, Charlie stared at her and pulled his phone, calling the police to arrest the mugger and take Anya to the station since she was scared and weak.

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At the police department, Where the officers were assaulting the mugger for his actions at the cell. The mugger began cursing and yelling at them and the beating just got worse for him, Anya was at the other room, sitting in silence as Alex entered, his face softened and looked at her.

Alex: Are you okay, Miss?

Anya: . . . Yes, I want to go home. . .

Alex: No worries, But I will need to call a family member of yours. Someone needs to know what happened.

Anya didn't looked at him and just pulled her phone out of the bag, handing it to him, Ambrose nodded before taking the phone.

Alex: You're safe, okay?

She finally looked at him, nodding as Alex walked away. Charlie was watching them as he frowned.

Charlie: She's shaken. . .

Alex: Who wouldn't be? She's lucky you were there.

He frowned, nodding as Ambrose opened her phone, looking through her contacts before walking away. Charlie was seen looking at Anya. . . For some reason, he felt hurt and sad. She looked so innocent. . .

He continued watching her before walking away as Charlie went to the jail cell to check on the officers and told them to stop assaulting the mugger, Charlie threatened the criminal which actually scared him before Singh left the cell with anger. . .

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Ten minutes has passed, Charlie was busy with something before walking back to the main hall, He heard a woman's voice in the other room with Anya until Alex found him.

Alex: Hey, Her mother is with her.

Charlie: Only a mother? No father or anyone?

Alex: Nope, She's the only one who came.

Charlie nodded slowly, his jaw tightening for just a second. He glanced back at the door, listening to the faint sound of a voice comforting her daughter. He sat on the couch as Alex was looking at him.

Charlie: She's strong. Both of them are gonna need to be.

Alex: Yeah. Nights like this. . . It makes you remember why we do what we do.

He nodded in agreement as Alex walked away to talk to someone, Charlie continued sitting in silence, lost in his thoughts. That's when he heard the door opening.

Anne: Excuse me, Can I talk to the-

And this was the moment where the two souls met again.

The world around them disappeared, Anne stared at Charlie with shock as Charlie's eyes lit up. . . He saw her. . . Again.

The silence suddenly felt heavy as Anne blinked twice, She didn't speak a word, Her eyes narrowed as Charlie kept his gaze on her, admiring her closely.

She slowly walked forward, staring at him as Charlie got up from the couch, Every memory replayed in his head, Her smile, her voice, her laughter. The same happened to Anne, She remembered his voice, his words. . .

Alex: Uh yes, Miss Winters?

The silence broke as Anne looked at Alex before looking at Charlie before looking back at him.

Anne: I wanted to speak to the commissioner.

Alex: *Points at Charlie* It's him.

Anne's eyes lit up with shock again as she immediately looked at Charlie. He was quiet for a moment before speaking to her.

Charlie: . . . . Commissioner Chandramohan Singh.

Her eyes were widen before narrowing them as she shaked her head, nodding. Alex looked at both of them before Anne turned away to check on her daughter again, But she glared at him while he stared quietly.

Suddenly it felt like they were back in the past.

Charlie swallowed, staring at the ground. He slowly followed Anne to the room, Winters was hugging her daughter tightly before she noticed him entering the room, She narrowed her eyes again as Charlie stared at them in silence. . . It was clear that she didn't want to speak to him.

Charlie: Miss Winters. . .

Anne looked at him before he shook his head.

Charlie: I mean, Her. . . .

Anya: It's Anya, Sir. . . .

Charlie: *Eyes widen* . . . Ananya?

Anne: Anya.

He stared in shock. . . Anya. . . Ananya. . .

That was his daughter. . .

Anne: *Kisses her forehead* Come on, Honey. . . Let's go home.

Anya: *Looks at Charlie* Y-Yeah. . .

Anya: Yes commissioner?

She looked into his eyes, Charlie felt his heart beating fast as Anne just quietly looked at the ground, Not wanting to face him.

Charlie: . . . . Be careful, Next time, okay?

He was lost in words, That's all he could say. . .

Anya nodded before getting up from the couch, Anne took her bag, not looking at him.

Charlie heard someone talking as he turned around and saw Benjamin and Janhvi talking to Alex, Both of them looked concerned and asked what happened to Anya, There was another person behind them and it was Maya.

That's when Benjamin and Janhvi noticed Charlie as they were shocked, Singh's eyes lit up, recognising them before shaking his head and saw Anne in front of him.

He moved away as mother and daughter left the room, Benjamin, Janhvi and Maya immediately ran towards them, asking questions as Anne was speaking to them, She looked at her daughter in sadness and anger. . . She wished she was there for her.

All Charlie could do was watch them, Benjamin, Janhvi, Maya and Anya left the station as Anne stood in silence before she turned around, facing Charlie.

Both of them didn't expect this day to come. . .

They didn't know how to feel. . .

Unease.

Recognition.

Longing.

Guilt.

But there was a part of Anne that still felt. . . . .

Anger.

A/N: Thank you so much for reading and stay strong!!! :)