(Sergeant Laura Harris POV)
The police cruiser slid to a halt outside the station, tires crunching softly on the gravel beneath the dim glow of street lamps. Sergeant Laura Harris pushed open the door, feeling the stiff bite of the night air as she stepped down and glanced back toward the backseat. Buddy Pine sat there, small and quiet—a boy tangled up in a storm much bigger than himself.
Laura Harris was thirty-five, with ten years on the Metro City Police force. Over the years, she had learned to balance toughness with compassion—a resilience demanded by the job. Tonight, the weight of responsibility pressed especially hard. This wasn't just another call; it was a child caught in the chaos of a city struggling to reconcile heroes and villains.
Beside her, Officer Jenkins leaned casually against the cruiser. In his late twenties, with sandy hair and an easy smile, he had a natural knack for connecting with people, especially kids—a skill Laura hoped would help here.
She approached the rear door. "Buddy, it's time to come inside," she said softly. His gaze remained distant, caught up in some inner turmoil. His white and light blue suit clung awkwardly to his small frame, the rocket boots strapped securely to his feet—signs that this kid was no ordinary ten-year-old.
Buddy shifted but did not speak.
Jenkins joined Laura, speaking quietly, "It's been one of those nights. Just a few hours ago, Mr. Incredible saved a man from jumping to his death. Then Bomb Voyage pulled off a heist escaping during the chaos of the train being derailed. Trying to keep up with all of it… it's almost impossible."
Laura nodded. "And right in the middle of it, a kid with dreams bigger than his years."
Together they moved toward the station entrance, the dull hum of dispatch filling the air. Laura's chest tightened—the sting of responsibility for this boy settled deep within her.
Inside, the station buzzed with urgent routine. Phones rang, officers conferred over reports, and the tension was palpable. Laura led Buddy to a quiet office and offered him a chair.
"We're going to call your mom, Buddy," she said gently. "She needs to know you're safe and where you are."
Still no reply. Buddy's hands twisted nervously in his lap.
Watching him, Laura thought about the child's storm—a boy carrying burdens no one could yet understand. Sometimes silence wasn't refusal. Sometimes it was survival.
Jenkins offered a warm smile. "You did good tonight, Buddy. Better than you probably realize."
Laura reached for the phone and dialed. The line rang sharply until a familiar voice answered.
"Evelyn Pine?"
The voice trembled but held on. "Yes?"
"This is Sergeant Harris from Metro City Police Department. We have your son here. He's safe, but there's much to discuss."
A sharp intake of breath came through the receiver. "Thank you… thank you so much. I'm on my way."
Laura glanced back at Buddy, who finally lifted his eyes, a flicker of relief — or was it fear? — shining through.
"We'll be ready when you arrive," she said softly.
As she hung up, the weight of the night pressed heavier. This was far from over — for Buddy, his family, and the city they all tried to protect.
~End of Chapter~
*This is a work of fiction and is intended for entertainment purposes only. I do not own The Incredibles or any of its characters, settings, or related intellectual property. The Incredibles is the property of Pixar Animation Studios and Disney. This fanfic is created purely for the enjoyment of fans and is not intended for profit. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.*