Inside the National Crime Investigation Department...
"Chief," Darin said, chewing gum, "when we visited Violeta's house yesterday... something felt off."
"What is it?" Mary asked, looking up from her desk.
"I don't think her parents come home at all. Only her room looked like it's been used. The rest of the house felt... empty and even dust was accumulated."
"We already tried calling her parents," Mary said. "Still can't reach them."
Darin clapped his hands loudly. "Alright, everyone! Eyes here!"
In Mary's department, there were five members:
Inspector Ben – lead investigator and recorder
Inspector Darin – expert in hand-to-hand combat
Brittney – specialist in lock-picking and digital forensics
Luther – the team's sharp-eyed information analyst
And of course, Mary, their team leader and the Chief of the division.
Mary stood in front of the evidence board.
"Here's what we know so far," she began.
1. Violeta Sunrae
"Age 16...She is from a well-off family. Her parents have been abroad since she was ten and rarely return. Neighbors said they've never seen them. It's always been a mystery."
2. Marlington High School.
"She's been attending since childhood. She had decent grades. If her parents weren't around, maybe they pressured her remotely for good grades, that can be a speculation but a possibility too that she did a suicide due to study pressure from her parents."
"Luther, any info on her parents before they left?" Mary asked.
"They were just small-time traders," Luther replied.
"Traders? Then how come the house was filled with expensive things? Even her clothes were custom-made, pure silk and high-quality cotton."
"Maybe they got rich after moving abroad," Ben suggested.
"Even so, it's suspicious," Mary muttered. "Sudden wealth after moving abroad? Check into that, Luther."
"Got it."
3. Lyla Brojorn.
"She wasn't too social but had one best friend — Lyla Brojorn. After their fallout, Lyla transferred schools. Violeta spiraled into depression and reportedly began talking to herself."
"Luther, anything on Lyla's whereabouts?"
"I scoured every record, online and offline. She's a ghost. I found her school history, her parents' hit-and-run accident—it was tragic, but clean. They were corporate employees and there was nothing sketchy about them.
But after she left this city or transferred schools? Maya asked
There has been no digital footprint. I can't found her in any data or records whether it's school or city. It's like she vanished."
"How is that possible?" Darin snapped. "The teacher said she transferred. Check the forums!"
"I already did in the national forums. Some kids named Lyla Brojorn exist, but none match the photo or timeline."
"Could she have gone abroad?" Ben asked.
"No. International departure logs have no match for her name, face, or age bracket," Luther replied, adjusting his glasses.
"People get smuggled too, y'know," Darin muttered. "That in your nerdy little database?"
"Darin, enough," Mary warned.
"Pffft," Luther smirked.
"You little—!"
"STOP IT!" Mary ordered.
Darin gave Luther the classic "I'm watching you" gesture and backed off.
"Back to the main lead," Mary said. "So far, no breakthroughs."
She turned to Brittney. "What about the diary? Any luck?"
Brittney shook her head. "Not yet, Chief. It's... not like any lock I've ever seen. Could take two weeks or more."
"Two weeks?" Darin scoffed. "I told you—no one's more incompetent than her. Why's she even on this team?"
"Darin. Get out."
"What?"
"You heard me. I won't tolerate teammates being humiliated — not even by you and you have cause enough nuisance . Get out."Mary glared at him
Darin gave Brittney a glance, clicked his tongue, and stormed out.
Meeting adjourned.
"Luther, keep digging into Lyla," Mary instructed. "We're not waiting for the diary. We need to find clues as much as we can...
Okay...meeting adjourned, get to work everyone"
"Chief..." Brittney spoke softly after everyone dispersed. "Please don't be harsh with Darin. He just—cares too much."
Mary sighed. "I know. And I respect that. But his behavior? It is unacceptable. I hope it'll be better if you help him understand that."
A little later...
"Hey Ben," Mary asked, "What really happened between Brittney and Darin? She never told me, but you all seem to know."
Ben hesitated, then said, "It was a mission. Years ago. Brittney almost died—body covered in blood and scars. That mark on her cheek? That's from it. Darin lost it totally...and wanted her to quit....but she didn't as she is a passionate women about her work. And since then, they've barely spoken."
Luther chimed in with a chuckle, "Guess even that cold-hearted brute has a soft side."
Ben smiled.
A moment later...
"Ben. Darin. With me," Mary called out. "We're going."
They followed her without hesitation.
"Where are we headed, Chief?" Ben asked.
"To gather more clues."
"Can't we wait for the diary?" Darin said, avoiding her gaze. "Might have everything we need."
Mary raised an eyebrow. "And what if it's empty? Or fake?What if it is fabricated. We can't risk that. And Lyla isn't just a transferred student anymore—she's missing."
Darin grunted. "Whatever."
They got into the police car and drove off.
Their destination: the café where Lyla used to work.
But it was closed.
Mary knocked. "Is anyone here?"
But the cafe was empty and the door was locked.
Ben at what time the cafe usually opens...Mary asked
"At 8:00 AM, chief"..Ben replied
"Who owns this place?" she asked Ben.
"Drill Den," Ben replied. "He is a young guy in his twenties. He has blonde-brown hair and black eyes. He lives nearby."
"You got his number or address?"
"Yep. 23 house no., 4th Lane, Milestone Valley. Not far."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's move."
"Yes, Chief."