Investigations of another world

Chapter 1: The investigation begins

My boots made a dull thud on the pavement as I stumbled through the portal.

Man I hope I never have to get used to that I thought to myself as I staggered forward slightly, my stomach churning.

I stood up straight, shaking my head to clear the haziness and brush the blonde strands of my hair out of my vision. I tightened my detective hat, straightened my jacket and skirt, then turned around to face the inky black portal that had carried me here from my backyard as it rippled and hummed with mysterious energy.

I wonder how this works.... Is it magic? Or an advanced form of science... Quantum? Maybe theoretical physics?

I leaned in to get a closer look but in a blink the portal silently closed with an audioless blip. Frustrated that I didn't get a chance to look at it any closer I, instead, did a quick check of my inventory to make sure nothing fell out into the void when I jumped through the portal.

Phone, wallet, magnifying glass... I ran through my mental checklist confirming that everything was in its place. House keys, lockpicks...

I ran my hand down my side feeling the hardness of my pistol in my shoulder holster and the knife in my sleeve.

I hope I won't need those for this mission. I sighed as my hands ran across the one thing on me that I know I will never forget.

My pocketwatch.

I held the watch in my hand, opening it to reveal the simple yet elegant face of the clock. It hung from a gold chain that looped around my waist and it never left my possession. However, this wasn't just a handy tool for telling time. It's my one up in this world over everyone else.

It allows me to time travel.

While it will only let me jump in small intervals forward and backwards or pause time for a few seconds, it has saved my life more times than I wish to recall.

My hands reached into my jacket and felt an object that isn't normally there.

I pulled out a letter that I had hastily stuffed into my coat pocket, unfolded it, and began to read it again.

To Ms. Amelia Watson

We have recently received information that you, Amelia Watson, are in possession of a very important artifact that has piqued our interests. We formally invite you to come visit our headquarters in [XXXXXXXX] at [XXXXXXXXX]. We will arrange all your transportation and lodging for the duration of your stay with us. Please wait outside the back of your house at 1400 GMT on the 5th of June this year. A portal will provide you with transport to our headquarters and someone will be waiting on the other side to escort you to your lodgings. We sincerely hope to see you soon and that you would take the time to accept our offer. If you cooperate, we will provide you with information about your artifact and help you with your current endeavors and investigations.

Thank you for your cooperation.

COVER Corp.

I sighed and folded it back up as I unconsciously squeezed my pocket watch that was looped around my neck like a necklace.

Well I'm here... Wherever here is. I eyed the redacted part of the letter which had been the location to where I am, but where is my escort? I thought as I scanned the area.

The area which the portal once was, was framed by a very tall and very old looking torii gate. The wood was cracked and the paint was faded slightly with moss and mushrooms growing around the two pillars that formed the base of it. The surrounding grass wasn't long and overgrown, however, but they weren't well maintained either, leaving me to assume that someone would come and take care of the area around the gate but not too often. The cobbled path that I was standing on was worn with scuff marks from boots and shoes with other deeper marks that were caused by heavier objects that looked like they were dragged across the ground. The small clearing around the torii gate was surrounded by thick woods that looked just as ancient as the torii gate if not older. I followed the tree line around with my gaze until I was back at the path where there now stood a female who looked to be in her early twenties and was definitely not there when I first arrived