David sat beside him, his eyes scanning the surroundingssomething felt offposters and graffitifear and suspicion
"There are monsters among us!"
The words were stark and clear
As they got closer to the office, the throng of reporters came into view, a sea of bodies and flashing cameras crowding the entrancemix of curiosity and anxiety
"We have a right to know the truth!"
"Are there monsters among us?"
David looked out the window, his eyebrows knitted in disbelief
"News travels fast, but I didn't think it would be this fast," he muttered, his voice tinged with unease.
Joseph's face remained unreadable
"We have to move in from the back door of the building," he said, his tone brooking no argument.
He turned the car into a narrow alley
The ground was littered with discarded trash, the walls covered in grime and peeling paint. A foul stench lingered in the air, a mixture of rotting food and stale water pooling
It was the kind of place people avoided
Joseph parked the car near a small, inconspicuous doorneglected surroundings
In the dim light, the door was almost invisiblefilth and shadows
As they stepped out of the car, a strange stillness suddenly fell over the alley body reacted instinctively
His claws extendedfangs bared, eyes glowing with a predatory light.
A voice broke through the quiet,smooth, and mocking "Don't be so cautious, Joseph."
Joseph's eyes darted around, searching for the source of the voice.demon commander
"I know you see me as an enemy," the demon's voice continued, almost friendlydark intent
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"But believe me, you don't have to be so alert around me. I mean you no harm."
Joseph's response was a low, threatening growl
The demon chuckled, the sound like a hiss that echoed off the walls of the alley
"I expected this reaction," he said, his tone casual
"But let bygones be bygones, Joseph. I'm only here to wish you the best of luck. You'll need it, facing those humans and trying to clear their doubts."
The demon's words hung in the air, laced with a foreboding that made Joseph's skin crawl
"They are humans, Joseph. And humans fear what they don't understand. They will see you as an enemy once they learn your truth."
Just as suddenly as it began, the stillness lifted. The noise of the city returned, the sounds of traffic and people resuming their daily routines filled the air.
Joseph blinked, his claws retracting
"Joseph, what just happened?" David asked, his voice steady.
Joseph replied
As Joseph step in the building through the door, a contrast clean officewell-furnisheddirty backstreet with foul odor
Staff members looked up as Joseph walked past, nodding respect and unease frenzy outsideface pale, her breath coming in short gasps
"Huff... Huff... Mr. Joseph, the crowd..." she stammered, struggling to catch her breath
Joseph raised a hand, his voice calm and reassuring"Calm down. I know about the situation. We will handle it."
A familiar figure stepped in—a colleague named Adamjealousy toward JosephJoseph's job harderfall from his position
Adam smirked, crossing his arms as he came in front of Joseph
"So, what will the great Mr. Joseph do about this case?" he sneered.
Joseph's eyes narrowed; a sharp retort
"Adam, Mr. Joseph will definitely handle this situation excellently, as he is not incapable like someone he knows!" he shot back, his voice icy.
As he brushed past Adam, Joseph's shoulder collides heavily exchange without a word
Adam's face twisted in anger
"Let's see how long you can maintain this attitude of yours."
Joseph entered his office, his mind already racing strategies media and the growing fear outside
As he opened the door, he nearly collided
"Joseph—I mean, Sir, I was on my way to find you!" Ms. Lopez stammered; her expression anxious.
Joseph replied instantly,
"Yeah..., I know about the media!"
Lopez's face was full of tension.
"Sir, what must we do? All the media is covering this incident, and many are already claiming it could be a monster that did this."
Joseph's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"But how did they find out about this? Did any evidence leak from the hotel?"
Lopez's eyes widened as she suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, yes! About the crime scene—Early morning, when I reached that hotel—"
Before she could finish, there was a knock on the office door junior staff member
"May I ask, who is Mr. Joseph?" the person asked.
Joseph stepped forward. "I am Joseph."
"CEO and the managers of all departments are calling you to the meeting room," the junior staff member said.
Joseph knew why he was being summoned
"Let's go," he said.
Lopez tried to interject as Joseph began moving out of the office. "But the crime scene—"
Joseph turned to her briefly.
"I'll discuss this after everything is sorted out, Ms. Lopez."
With that, he stepped out, closing the door behind him, moving towards the questions awaiting him.
To be Continued...