Chomby and Xenon went to visit the District Office of Crime and Forensics. It was supposedly the building that Sarge worked at. When they went in to talk with Stacy, she mentioned she had no idea who this ‘Sarge’ was. So, Xenon decided to usher Chomby out of the room so that the two could talk privately and, hopefully, actually remember who Sarge was.

Chomby had to awkwardly stand in the waiting room. The chairs there were bolted to the ground and couldn’t be moved away from each other. He was a bit too wide to sit in them, especially with the armrests in the way.

He spent the day trying to replay the nightmare in his head. But, as most of his dreams went, they would fade and become vague after an hour or two. He could only, fully remember the conversation with Sarge after the nightmare itself.

He looked down at his belly. Now, more than ever before, he was extremely aware of the tattoo on it. Why hadn’t he ever questioned it before? It was the face of a werewolf. It was Sarge’s.

Chomby lifted a hand to his collarbone. He started to caress it gently but soon began to scratch at it, hoping to find the unknown zipper the papers alluded to. When he couldn’t find it, he fully dug his claws into the skin around his collarbone and yelped in pain.

“Scratchy neck?” Someone asked from beside Chomby.

Chomby jolted his head in their direction. He saw a skinny man with short, blonde hair and light blue eyes. “Oh, uh, no. Just some bad thoughts.”

“OCD?” They asked as they tilted their head to the side.

“No… who are you?” Chomby took a step back and scanned them up and down. He noticed they were wearing white button-up shirt and a black tie. He saw a badge around their neck. It said “Devon”.

“Uh, it’s me, Devon?” Devon asked. He took a step back himself. “You get amnesia, Chomby? You came in here before! Sometimes with the news reporters.”

“Amnesia? Yeah. Something like that.” Chomby scratched the back of his neck and looked away. “Sorry, Devon. I’m not in the mood for small talk. Going through some stuff right now.”

“Oh. That why Xenon’s back?” Devon asked.

“Kinda. He’s talking with Stacy right now. I can’t be there.”

“Why not?” Devon asked.

“You know Sarge?”

“No. Who’s that?”

“That’s why.” Chomby folded his arms. “A weird thing is happening. Anyone I talk to seems to forget who Sarge is… but Xenon and I found out that he used to work here.”

“Sounds weird.” Devon scratched his chin. “But nope, can’t say I’ve heard of him.”

“It’s an anomaly,” Chomby looked back down at his belly. His frown deepened.

“Well, we do have the paranormal reports. Maybe you could write one up and someone could come investigate?” Devon suggested. “We don’t have many people in the paranormal department, but they usually do the best they can.”

“Sarge worked in the paranormal investigation… apparently.” Chomby said. He looked up at the ceiling and groaned. “Not many people in paranormal. That checks out. No one’s there because that used to be Sarge.”

“Sarge? Who’s that?”

Chomby glared at Devon. Devon noticed this and took a step back. “Sorry. Probably pestering you too much. Uh…” Devon jogged over to the counter and grabbed a paper and pen off of it. He then handed them to Chomby. “You could fill out the report and someone will get around to it. Usual wait time right now is around a month or two-”

“I can’t wait that long!” Chomby retorted. He saw Devon’s demeanor had become a lot more down-trodden. This made Chomby hold his hands up. “Ahh! Wait, sorry. Sorry. I’m… I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Devon said. “I wish I could give better time frames, but paranormal cases are very difficult, so they take a lot of time. We can’t use dogs, as they get scared and confused. Most psychics we hired were fakes, too.”

“Did the cases get solved fast in the past?” Chomby asked.

“I could go check some of the case files. We have them filed in the storage room. But, most of them are two to three years old.”

“And Sarge has been gone over a year ago.” Chomby put a hand to his chin. “Another thing that adds up.” He felt his stomach churn.

“You okay, Chomby?” Devon asked.

“Yes and no. It’s complicated.” Chomby did his best to smile. He hoped that, since Devon knew who he was, he’d know that Chomby’s “angered frown” was his attempt to show happiness. “Just trying to solve a mystery. Feels nice to, at least, have some things add up.”

“That some guy you know used to work in the investigative, paranormal department, which is why our cases have been going cold?” Devon folded his arms. “Did I get that right?”

Chomby nodded.

“And this guy was a friend of yours?”

Chomby nodded again.

“And, somehow, I can’t remember them?”

Chomby nodded a third time. “No one can, but I guess that’s just when they talk to me.” He closed his eyes. “But just imagining that he was a detective makes me want to see him more. Must have been an exciting life.”

“Why not apply for it, then?” Devon gestured to the front desk. When Chomby looked over, he saw that Xenon and Stacey were just making there way to the front. “The position’s been open for a long while. No one’s been up for taking it. Most find it too scary.”

“Xenon suggested we could try taking one of the jobs Sarge would have done, but I don’t know if I’m quite capable of it. That’s more up Xenon’s alley.”

“What’s up my alley?” Xenon asked as he and Stacey stopped in front of Chomby.

“Detective stuff. Devon was suggesting I apply for the paranormal position thingy. Y’know, since Sarge used to do it-”

“Who’s Sarge?” Xenon asked. He then pinched the bridge of his nose and opened his phone. He nodded. “Sorry, took notes again. Yes. Stacey and I were just talking about him.”

“We were?” Stacey looked between Xenon and Chomby. “I don’t know who you guys are talking about-”

Xenon placed his phone in front of Stacey. She took a minute to read the screen before she nodded. “Wait, really? Is that it? Someone named Sarge worked here? Uh…” She grabbed the phone and continued reading it. “He was our ace detective, but went missing during his vacation leave and has not replied since.”

Xenon looked back to Chomby. “So, you’re gonna take the paranormal investigation position, Chomby? That’s mighty bold of you!”

“I never said I was going to-” Chomby tried to speak up, but he was interrupted by Stacey.

“I’d need to see your credentials, but if Xenon’s willing, the two of you could take on one of our unsolved cases.”

Xenon took his phone back from Stacey and began reading it. “Hmmm… based off what I wrote here, perhaps we could take on the last case Sarge was on before he went missing? Who’s Sarge-” Xenon shook his head. “I mean… yes. That’s a good idea, Chomby!”

“Work on the last case he worked on?” Chomby asked. He felt his heart flutter at the idea of getting closer to Sarge. He looked between Devon, Xenon, and Stacey. “Do you think we’ll find out why no one can remember him?”

“Remember who?” Xenon asked.

Chomby thought about this. He didn’t know why the thought never occurred to him. Sarge must have been on some sort of paranormal case that caused something bad to happen to him. If Chomby and Xenon were to get access to this case file, maybe they could get closer to finding what happened to Sarge.

“You feeling okay, Chomby?” Devon asked. “who are we trying to remember?”

“Complicated,” Chomby said. He then turned to Stacey. “Can we see the last worked case file in the Paranormal Investigative division thingy?”

“Are you applying for the position?” Stacey asked.

“Not exactly, but if I succeed, I may find the perfect person for the position.”

“Who’s that?”

Chomby bit his tongue to avoid retorting. “Sarge. It’s Sarge. He worked with you for years. He possibly was working on a case before he went on vacation. Maybe something happened to him!”

Xenon and Stacey looked at each other. “You’re wanting us to get some old case files?” Stacey asked.

Chomby closed his eyes and snarled. “Please, just give me the files!” He clenched his fists. “I need to save Sarge!”

~~~~~

Next chapter of the story! Enjoy! :D

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Sarge/Xenon/Chomby/Story/Art ©  pikminpedia Me