The Decision

Anna’s POV

I stepped into the building with my usual air of confidence. Or, at least, the kind I’ve mastered over the years. Inside, the lobby was spotless and sterile, the hum of the air conditioning filling the silence.

My hazel eyes scanned the space, taking in the cool professionalism. If I had to, I could blend in here like another sleek piece of furniture. But the badge clipped to my blazer? That’s what makes people stand up and take notice.

I flashed my ID to the security guard, who nodded without hesitation. Next stop: the receptionist.

“Anna Carter,” I said, leaning against the desk just enough to be casual but still authoritative.

“I have an appointment with Mr. Philip.”

Her fingers danced across the keyboard as she checked her schedule.

“You’re all set, ma’am. You can head up now.”

In the elevator, I caught my reflection in the steel doors. Hazel eyes sharp, blazer perfectly fitted, hair just slightly out of place from the rain but not enough to worry me. Still, the tension settled in my chest. This wasn’t going to be an easy conversation, and I knew it.

By the time I knocked on Philip’s office door, I’d already adjusted my expression—neutral, professional, unreadable. The kind of look that’s gotten me through tough interrogations and tense negotiations.

“Come on in, Anna. I’ve been expecting you,” Philip said, looking up from his papers with that familiar warm smile.

“Sorry I’m running a little late,” I said as I slid into the chair across from him. My fingers brushed the armrest briefly, grounding myself. “Thought I’d outsmart the traffic with a cab. Should’ve stuck with the bus.”

Philip chuckled. “If you’d been early, you’d have been waiting. Just wrapped up a judiciary meeting. The timing worked out.”

I smiled faintly, leaning back, but the tension was still there under the surface. I could feel it in the way I crossed my legs, a little too tightly.

Philip didn’t waste time. “Anna, I’m sure you already know why I called you in,” he said, leaning forward now, his expression softening but serious.

I nodded. “Yeah, I’ve got a pretty good idea.”

He slid an envelope across the desk. I hesitated, my fingers tracing its edges before picking it up. I didn’t need to open it to know what was inside.

“You’re being reassigned. Alaska. Effective immediately,” he said, his tone firm but steady.

I let out a slow breath, letting the weight of his words settle. “So, it’s official. I’m going to Alaska,” I said evenly, though my stomach twisted.

“Yes,” Philip confirmed. “We can’t wait on this any longer. The media’s already running wild with the missing girls’ case, and there’s pressure from all sides—judiciary, Congress. This has reached national attention.”

He handed me a folder next. The weight of it felt heavier than it should.

“Over a hundred people have gone missing in Alaska in the past three months,” Philip explained. “Seventy-five of them women. This isn’t just a concern—it’s critical.”

Flipping through the report, I scanned the details, numbers jumping out at me like flashing red lights. One hundred are missing. Seventy-five women. My jaw tightened as I closed the folder and looked back at Philip.

“This is a crisis,” I said, keeping my voice calm but letting a little of my frustration show. “I’ve been following the case, but seeing it like this... It’s staggering.”

Philip nodded, his gaze steady. “We need someone who can handle this, Anna. Someone with experience, and instincts. That’s you.”

I felt the weight of his words settle alongside the weight of the folder in my hands. I was already carrying so much—Rowan, the sleepless nights, the constant worry. And now, this.

“Sir, I told you I needed more time,” I said carefully. “Rowan—”

Philip cut me off, his voice soft but unyielding. “I understand. I know you’re worried about Rowan. But this isn’t just another case. It’s lives at stake. Families in

Alaska have lost their daughters, and more will lose theirs if we don’t act now.”

His words stung, even though I knew he was right.

I clenched my jaw, leaning forward slightly. “If you could just give me a little more—”

“Monday, Anna,” he said, cutting me off firmly. “You’ll report to the Seward Police Department. That’s final.”

I let out a slow, measured breath, nodding once. “Understood. I’ll do my best.”

Philip’s voice softened, the edge gone. “I know you will. You’re one of the best agents we have. This case needs you.”

I picked up the envelope again, sliding out the transfer letter. The words blurred for a second before I focused. Seward.

“Seward,” I said aloud, frowning slightly. “Why there, specifically?”

Philip leaned back, crossing his arms. “Most of the missing girls are from Seward. And the locals have tied the disappearances to a mountain nearby. Some superstition about evil spirits.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Evil spirits? Seriously?”

Philip sighed. “It doesn’t matter what we believe. What matters is their fear. Panic spreads fast in places like Seward, and it makes things even more dangerous. That’s why you’re going—to bring the truth to light and stop this.”

I nodded, the weight settling deeper in my chest. “I’ll head out Saturday,” I said finally, standing and tucking the letter into my pocket.

Philip extended his hand, and I shook it firmly.

“Good luck, Anna.”

As I stepped out of his office, the silence of the building pressed in around me. The envelope in my pocket felt heavier than it should have. Alaska was waiting. But first, I had to tell Rowan.