Mia sat in the driver’s seat of the patrol car, her fingers nervously tapping on the steering wheel as the city around her pulsed with life. The dim glow of the streetlights reflected off the cracked windows, casting long shadows across the worn-out leather seats. Her uniform was slightly too big, the badge at her chest gleaming faintly under the flickering light. She had barely started, but already, the weight of her badge felt heavier than she expected.

Outside the car, the street bustled—people shouting, car horns blaring, the distant sound of sirens blending with the constant hum of the city. To her left, a row of rundown buildings jutted out like jagged teeth against the night sky, while to her right, a group of teenagers laughed too loud, too carefree for the neighborhood they were in.

Her mentor sat next to her, his hands folded neatly in his lap, calm and steady as always. He hadn't said much since they started the shift, but his presence was a reminder of the responsibility she was still learning to shoulder.

Mia couldn’t help but feel out of place. This wasn’t like the textbooks they’d handed her in the academy—this was real. People didn’t ask for help here. They didn’t wait for cops to show up—they just ran, or worse, they didn’t care. But she was ready to prove herself. At least, that’s what she kept telling herself.

Today was her first shift in the area, and her nervousness wasn't helping her at all. The crack of the police wave invigorated her, sending shivers down her spine.

He looked at her, hinting that it was time to start. With a deep breath, she keyed the radio and pressed the button with her thumb. "Unit 45-21, 10-41," she said, her voice a little unsteady but determined. "Beginning shift."

There was a slight crackle on the other end before the dispatcher’s voice came through, clear and steady. "10-4, Unit 45-21. Proceed with patrol."

Mia exhaled, a small sense of relief washing over her. Her first official call. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.