PROLOG
The control inspector rushed into the conference room. Last evening had dragged on as usual, which is why his sleep was rather modest. As usual, he had marched into the large auditorium first, as he was expecting several police officers there, but only one of his colleagues gave a speech on the subject of racism. However, if the inspector looked at the crowd, they could well have been his boys. The group of future candidates had shrunk astonishingly in the last few months, especially after the service examination before a committee there were only a dozen of the boys left. However, more would be waiting for him. The inspector apologized for the disturbance and only then remembered his rented room. He sighed and climbed the stairs to the fourth floor. He marched down the aisle towards a double white door with a gaping sign saying 'Meeting'. The officer threw the door open and wanted to croak out an apology. The looks that then met him, however, did not allow a single word. Diagonally opposite sat a group of uniformed people who were used to waiting, but apparently not in such a situation. At least two of them trampled the bottom of the parcel with their feet, and another kept clapping his thumbs together. Of course there were also some who were very calm. They either knew that they had passed the test with flying colors ... or they didn't. The inspector muttered one morning and then went to a wide table from which he had an overview of all the graduates.

"Ladies and gentlemen. I know today is the day of the day for you. The hour of the hour. The minute ... well, I know that you are all under pressure. I have evaluated the exams and can tell you that thirteen of You did well. "

Soft whispers and whispers could be heard. There were 19 people in the room. Minus the control inspector, 5 would have to leave the police school, the so-called SIAK. It was harder for some than for others. For a year they were allowed to warm their chairs and listen to the control inspector and his colleagues. The two-month internship was more pleasant. At that point, some of them left school. The seven-month main part was a joy for many, but the fact that they could still be rejected afterwards came as a shock for many. Some talked to each other well and believed they could easily pass an exam. The inspector put his suitcase on the table and cracked the hinges. He took out several documents and stared at his students through thick-rimmed glasses. Apparently he was shy. He had many graduates and each time he regretted that some did not make it. There were certainly other alternatives for this, but failing so close to the goal was not easy for anyone."I'll make it quick and painless, don't worry. I'll now read out all thirteen names. These will then be given the rank of inspector and assigned to the E2b application group."

Before he even mentioned the first name, his gaze waved in the direction of a young candidate. He had both hands and feet crossed and looked very attentive. No doubt that he might have screwed it up. Everything about this candidate was true. The sleeves were the same length, the uniform had no creases, the badge was straight. The candidate's name was Christian Hartmann. The inspector was looking at him because he was the only one with a full score. He had only seen this once before. With his superior. Hartmann's comrades caught a glimpse, but it didn't surprise them either. As soon as the inspector walked through the door, it was clear: Hartmann had made it. It was unclear how many points he would have, but he would have been the best of the senior year. Next to Hartmann sat his now best friend Sebastian Fleischer, who patted him on the shoulder with his left hand. Sebastian would have liked to have had his friend's serenity. He was very nervous. Chris wanted to whisper a few calming words to him, but that was done. The inspector had started reading the names without any warning.

"Sebastian Fleischer" was the first on the sparse list.

"I am not sharing the results here, that much is said.", He added. Sebastian raised his hands and let out a silent cry of victory. He would have loved to hug his buddy now, but that would have been a bit too much of a good thing.

"Karl Henning.", The control inspector read on. Another good friend of Sebastian and Chris who was now holding a handshake ritual with Sebastian. 10 more names followed. 8 men and two women. When there was only one name left on the list everyone panicked. They bit their lip and were afraid not to understand the name properly because of their loud heartbeat. All eyes were on Chris. It could only be him. But hope died last. And in this case, she died slowly and painfully.

"Christian Hartmann.", Said the control inspector and packed his list again.

"Mr. Hartmann, you did the best, I hope you appreciate that," he said. That he had mentioned leaving out the results no longer interested anyone. Some yelled angrily about what they'd gone through this shit for if they stood in the rain. The sensible left the room hanging on their shoulders. The inspection inspector was badly abused before the last failed candidate left. Sebastian finally allowed himself the hug with his friend, in which Karl also latched on.After the hustle and bustle, the inspector cleared his throat and picked up his suitcase.

"When you are finished here, please report to room 08-A.", He replied before he stepped to the door. Chris reached him in time and held out his hand.

"Thank you very much.", He ventured as the only one. The inspector shook his head and fought back.

"No, my boy, you did everything yourself," he said and then disappeared through the double doors. Chris was forced out shortly thereafter. Behind him a triumphal march of future police officers. Sebastian and Karl didn't stop until the next coffee machine. Sebastian reached into his pocket, but then looked at Chris. He smiled and took out his wallet.

"You deserve it.", He showed himself graciously. Chris opened the wallet and Karl managed to glimpse a picture. "Your little one?" He grinned. Sebastian stuck his head in between, but fended off.

"Unfortunately only his sister.", He seemed to already know the picture. "Nice sister!", Karl raised his eyebrows.

"And you will never get to know her," added Chris with a smile. Behind a blonde girl who was only a little younger than himself were two older people who were clearly Chris's parents.

"Soon you will be able to put new pictures in. Blondes, blacks, brunettes ... Oh God, as a police officer you will surely get more than usual." Chris fended off gently.

"You have opinions. I wouldn't be surprised if that's the only reason why you wanted to become a policeman." Sebastian shook his head. "Then I would hardly have been able to pass this ugly test. The old man didn't say anything, but I only just barely made it. I'm not a Chris Hartmann," he replied. Chris shook his head.

"Don't put your light under the bushel," he replied. Sebastian shook his head. "Nene, you will surpass all of us. Chief Inspector, Head of Department, Chief of Police ..."

He refused to think ahead so far. "Something different.", Karl tried to change the subject.

"Where are we going to celebrate?" He wanted to know. Sebastian laughed.

"Everything already settled. I have already chosen the club.", He replied. Karl grinned. Sebastian didn't even know if he was there. Well, at least he had good karma.

"I can't." Chris interfered. Evil glances followed. "Do you actually know what we went through last year?" Sebastian said he had to remind him. Chris nodded quickly.

"Of course, my family knew in advance that I would pass and they prepared the appropriate food," he explained. Sebastian rocked his head. "No problem. We're not going to eat anything at the game anyway. Just pissing and staring at stripping girls," he revealed.

"Says the future policeman."hung Karl on it.

"Just come along later, the game usually doesn't start until later anyway," suggested Sebastian. Chris agreed and only then came to pass the 50 cents on Sebastian. He adjourned until later and drove his car straight to his parents' house. He had already moved out, only his parents and sister still lived there. Chris turned off the engine and peeked inside. Strange. Both the living room and the kitchen were in darkness. His family had announced that they would cook for him, so they couldn't forget that. The only logical explanation was therefore a power failure. Chris marched into the driveway and narrowed his eyes. The front door was wide open. Well, his mother used to keep it open in the summer, even if Chris thought it was unwise. But the light was on in the anteroom. But no power outage. Chris' steps were now faster so that he stepped into the small but spacious house and looked around. The floor and the carpet were full of dirt. Boot prints. Was there someone visiting? Did someone else come to dinner that his parents hadn't told him about? No, the tracks led out of the house.

"Mama? Papa? Hannah?" He called into the dark room. He stepped forward and set foot in the kitchen first. Only the moon, which had risen in the meantime, lit them up. On the dining table there were four plates in the middle of a pot from which Chris' favorite smell came. Pumpkin soup. Smoke swelled up, so she was still warm. Chris hit the light switch. So everything was fine with the current. On the counter, next to the sink, there were two boards, each with vegetables and meat. The main course hadn't been prepared yet. His parents seemed to have left the house quickly. Was one of them injured? Was there a fire in the house somewhere? Chris could rule out the latter. Still, he was now beginning to worry seriously. The next stop was the living room. There he tried to feel the light switch, but had problems. He gave up when he finally saw his parents and Hannah. They sat around the