Page 49 of Catching the Kot'oll Driver

There are footsteps coming our way. It is the other police arriving.

One of my colleagues is there too. He scowls as he watches us. “So... What happened?”

I point at Grihul. “He got hit on the arm when he tried to protect me. Get him to the hospital first.”

He glances at the one whose face is smashed by Grihul. There is a puddle of blood. I think that guy is dead. Grihul sure wasn’t good enough to control how hard he should swing, so... He probably swung as hard as he could, which I don’t blame him at all.

More police come over and examine the scene. Grihul is still at his side of the wall, wincing from the pain. I go to his side and grab him. “Here, let’s go. We need to get you checked out.”

He gasps and moves a step. “It’s okay. My legs are fine. I can walk on my own.” But he is shaky. The pain in his arm must be distracting. I try to balance half of his weight, but he is a big guy.

“Kendra, let us.” Two police come over to help.

I shake my head. “I can at least—”

“No, let us. It will be safer for everyone.”

Before they can push me to the side, I let go of Grihul. Those two police are similar in size to Grihul and a lot stronger than me. It will only make sense for them to help Grihul.

I’m so useless. Grihul helped me and protected me, but there wasn’t anything I could do for him.

I clench a fist, slowly letting go of it. I don’t want to be a small being, but I don’t get to choose.

Most of the police on the scene are bigger ones who are more capable of taking care of things. Maybe... Maybe I’m really in the wrong career.

I think Grihul said something like that too, that... a small being like me may be better off doing something else.

The departments and training school warned me about that when they interviewed me, but I fought for myself and joined, regardless. They couldn’t refuse my application because I met all the criteria. I’m also pretty good at solving cases, which is probably why they let me stay.

But they always have to specially arrange my shifts so that there’ll always be some beings who can help me, even though I can handle myself.

They have never trusted me...

Or have never thought that I’m capable.

Part of me understands there are things better to do for someone like me, but...

“Kendra, what are you doing here?”

I shudder and turn around to find my colleague waving for me to follow. He says, “We have to get both of you to the hospital first. You know the procedures anyway. Your friend... I don’t think he can listen to a single word.”

“Is that... bad?”

“I’m not sure. We’ll know when we get there. Be quick.”

I let out a breath and follow him. Grihul and I will be in the same spaceship, so I better hurry so we can depart as soon as possible.

Chapter eighteen

Chapter 18

Kendra

Isit by Grihul’s bed as he remains sleeping in the bed. At least he isn’t dead. There are cables hooked up to him with the monitor blinking with numbers. Everything with him is seemingly fine.

I let out a sigh. Maybe...

Someone knocks at the door. I look over there. It doesn’t take long before the door opens and in comes... my boss.

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