Chapter 18

The sky refused to hold up on its torrential downpour, and the nearest meter was impossible to see. The rain started suddenly even before they left the police station and everyone’s mood was as soggy as the water-soaked earth. Inspector Raymond kept complaining about how messed up the mission would be with all this water in the way. Officer Harper agreed with him, and both sounded like an old, nagging couple. Officer Orion sulked in silence, as did she, watching the world disappear into sketchy grey hues. 

They drove following Elsie’s directions and soon arrived at the edge of the forest. They dismounted the rover, each person bearing an umbrella. Elsie shivered in one of Inspector Raymond’s jackets as she led the way, weaving through the muddy puddles until she arrived at the mouth of the ditch that looked more like a pit, especially in the weather. Water had accumulated in it, filling it to about half of its depth, and Elsie deflated. How were the police supposed to tra