"Officer Mason, let''s review the facts once again," said Sergeant Wilson, a black cat with a severe gaze, sitting comfortably in front of Alexander. "You claim to have seen a rodent suspiciously digging in the backyard of the Hudsons'' property, is that correct?"


    Alexander sighed, slightly uncomfortable with the idea of being interrogated by a cat—although Wilson was no ordinary cat; he was Sergeant Wilson, a key figure in GreenTown’s police force long before Alexander was born.


    "That’s right, Sergeant. I was on patrol at the property when I observed the rodent disturbing the soil behind the house. As I got closer, it immediately fled, but when I inspected the area I found something... disturbing."


    Wilson slowly nodded, his large green eyes fixed intently on him.


    "Continue."


    "I found the bodies of the two labradors buried in the yard. The strangest part is...," Alexander hesitated for a moment, "they were missing their eyes."


    Sergeant Wilson tensed slightly, his tail flicking through the air.


    "Unsettling, indeed. A clear warning, or perhaps a macabre signature," Wilson murmured. "Tell me something more, Mason. Did you notice anything odd aside from the rat digging?"


    "The birds... they were unusually still, as if waiting for me to uncover the bodies. As soon as I unearthed them, they all took flight at once. It was as if they had been expecting that very moment."


    Wilson narrowed his eyes with deep seriousness.


    "Birds have always been strange creatures, but even they act oddly at times. Thank you, Officer Mason; you may withdraw. I will inform the sheriff immediately."


    Before leaving, Alexander couldn''t hold back one final question that had been weighing on him for years:


    "Excuse me, Sergeant Wilson, I''ve always been curious. What exactly is your role in the police force?"


    Wilson paused his self-grooming, observing the young officer with a mysterious smile.


    "My task, Officer Mason, is to maintain harmony between humans and animals. When an animal refuses to cooperate with humans, I step in. Who better to handle an animal than another animal?"


    "Never seen anything like that, Sergeant? Not even in the past?"


    Wilson slowly shook his head, now with a profoundly unsettling gesture.


    "Never, and believe me, I have witnessed disturbing things. But this surpasses anything I''ve encountered before. You may go now, Alexander."


    The young officer left the office deep in thought. Just as he was crossing the hallway, he heard Sheriff Reynolds’s booming voice from down the hall, demanding immediate answers:


    Stolen story; please report.


    "Wilson, tell me what the hell is going on here!"


    Alexander discreetly paused near the door, listening intently to the conversation between the cat and Sheriff Reynolds.


    "Sheriff, according to Mason, the Hudsons'' pets were also brutally killed and buried in the backyard. It appears to be a clear and direct message," Wilson replied gravely.


    Reynolds let out a weary sigh, betraying all the pressure he had accumulated over the past few days.


    "This is worse than I imagined. Now we have not only human murders, but also cruelty against innocent animals. Do you have any clues as to who it might be?"


    "None yet," Wilson answered. "Mason observed that the birds were acting very strangely. I''m sure they know something, but..."


    "But they have never spoken to us," concluded the sheriff in frustration. "Damn proud creatures!"


    Suddenly, Perkins burst in, abruptly interrupting the meeting with obvious urgency on his face.


    "Sheriff, the mayor demands to see you immediately. You know about the dogs buried in the Hudsons'' backyard, and he''s furious. He demands immediate answers."


    Reynolds exhaled impatiently.


    "Of course he does. Bad news always arrives first at the mayor''s office."


    Before leaving, Reynolds noticed Alexander standing at the door and called out with authority:


    "Mason, come in."


    Alexander, slightly embarrassed for having been eavesdropping, entered and took a seat.


    "Sheriff, with all due respect, I want to play an active role in this investigation. As an officer, I have the duty to protect this community. I grew up here and know both the people... and the animals very well. I want to help."


    Reynolds stared at him for a few seconds, seriously considering his request.


    "Officer Mason, this case is extremely delicate and dangerous. You lack the experience..."


    "And who here has experience with something like this, sheriff?" Wilson interjected unexpectedly. "This case is new for everyone, human or animal. I believe we should welcome all help, especially from someone truly committed."


    Reynolds pondered once more, finally nodding in resignation.


    "Alright, Mason, you will collaborate on the investigation, but under certain conditions: do not make any reckless moves on your own; any clue or suspicion must be communicated directly to me or Sergeant Wilson. The murderer is still at large, and they could be more dangerous than we imagine."


    "Thank you, Sheriff. I won''t let you down."


    With an approving gesture, Reynolds left with Perkins to meet with the mayor. Wilson looked at Alexander with a hint of complicity.


    "You’re brave, Officer Mason. But remember: brave does not mean reckless. Be careful, because this city we love is now more dangerous than you think."


    With those words, Wilson too exited the office, leaving Alexander alone with his thoughts. He knew perfectly well what it meant to get involved in such a case, yet the image of those mutilated dogs would not leave his mind. GreenTown was his home, and protecting it was a responsibility he felt more strongly than ever, especially now that he was expecting to be a father.


    As he returned to his night patrol, Alexander gazed at the moon shining high above, indifferent to the chaos on the streets. He thought about the birds and their strange silence, about the animals hiding secrets, and the terrified humans. For the first time, he clearly felt how the town''s peace had been stolen, violently ripped away by something monstrous.


    Outside, the streets of GreenTown slumbered in an apparent tranquility, but Alexander knew it was just a facade. Beneath the calm surface, dark secrets remained buried, patiently waiting for the right moment to emerge into the light.


    There was more than just buried bodies in that yard: there were secrets, mysteries, and shadows that were only beginning to reveal themselves. And he, Alexander Mason, would not rest until every secret was brought to light, no matter the cost.


    Because in GreenTown, not only was the truth hidden underground, but so was the danger—lurking silently, ready to strike again.