Before the shell of light closed, Morgan glanced at Douglas. His lips moved as he said, "Captain... I didn't embarrass you this time, did I...?"
"You did very well... Don't think too much. Get some rest. Everyone and I will be waiting for your return." Douglas avoided Morgan's gaze, his voice hoarse as he comforted him.
The shell of light closed. Morgan's figure blurred in the white glow, then vanished. The portal spun and contracted into a thin line before going dark, leaving only a faint ring of scorch marks on the ground. Douglas remained crouched there for several seconds before rising.
He turned and headed toward the reef area, the rhythm of his steps returning to the steady pace expected of an Enforcement Squad captain. But as he passed one squad member, the man saw the bloodshot corners of his eyes.
Just then, the side door of the main building was thrown open. The Auror captain rushed out with five subordinates, their wand tips lit. Their positions were disorderly, their formation loose as a flock of sheep startled awake by an alarm and hurriedly driven from its pen.
He paused on the stone steps before the door, his gaze sweeping across the reef area where the aftermath of the firefight was still settling before locking onto Douglas, the Enforcement Squad captain standing in the direction of the docks.
"You... You're from that Enforcement Squad from before?" The Auror captain's voice was a notch rougher than usual. "The garrison authority at Azkaban is currently under my command. Who gave you permission to act here without authorization?!"
Douglas turned around.
His gaze slowly moved from the Auror captain's face to the chaotic positions of the five people behind him, then returned to the police badge on the man's chest, its edges