The Search of a Lifetime

Chapter 4 - Reliving

TW: Abuse, Violence

I have no idea where we're going. I'm starting to think that Shiori is also lost, considering it's been an entire day and we are still out at sea. Seriously, how have we not died already!? It's like there's some aquatic being making sure we get over safely. But, I digress. The trip's been fine, in case you were wondering. Other than the fact that I haven't eaten since two days ago when I first arrived at the island, I'm doing swell! Shiori's just been humming the same hour-long tune over and over again. I don't think she wants to talk to me due to the whole 'Yagoo' thing. Suddenly, she stops humming. Why? No idea, but she turns back to look at me with a look of curiosity on her face.

"Hey, I've been thinking. You looked kinda shaken up when I stared at you earlier... rough past?"

Well, shit. She must know what she does, because there's no way something like that just comes out naturally. She is the Archiver after all. Do I really just want to lore drop everything right now? As I debate in my mind, I look at her. She's staring at me again. My mind becomes clouded. She's forcing this stuff out of me! Don't make me relive it, you damn-

*December, 6 years ago*

It's a cold, brisk winter night. The 16 year-old had just gotten out of his first job in a detective agency, working with the famous Amelia Watson. It truly was an honor, working with someone so prestigious in the art of detective work. He was chipper as ever, nothing on his mind. Watson had given the kid a pistol as a self defense measure. It wasn't the wisest decision, but there's something in her new student that convinced her to act so recklessly.

He walks down the alleyways, cutting through blocks to get home as quickly as possible. He had been forced to stay to work on some documents regarding the case he just solved, and given his first paycheck. Watson had wanted to go celebrate, but the kid had school tomorrow. He trots through the alleyways, humming a tune and minding his own business.

A scream is heard from a backdoor. He pauses instantly. What was that noise? It came from over there... he quietly steps towards the door. There's a shade over the door window, but it's not down far enough. There's just a little sliver for him to peer through... enough to see the inside. He peers into the room where the scream came from, and instantly vomits onto the cold pavement.

There are two men inside, one with a whip in his hand. Along with the men, there are several people caged and battered. The man with the whip had been slashing at what looks to be a kid about the detective's age, welts across his back. I'd go into more detail, but I'm trying to keep from putting the mature rating on this.

The detective pulls out his pistol. There isn't any time to stop and think rationally. There are people in there getting abused for God knows what reason, rotting both physically and mentally. It's most likely some sort of trafficking ring. It's not like the kid is tiny, either. He's big enough to ram into the door a couple times and bust through, aiming his gun at the man with the whip.

"Enough! Get on the ground with your hands in the air now!" Did he say it right? He doesn't care. These people don't deserve to be treated fairly. Not after what they've done. The people gasp in surprise. Someone had finally come to rescue them. It hurts his soul to think of how long the poor souls must've been trapped in here. Brutalized... treated like animals. Less than animals. The two savages stare at the kid, busting out laughing.

"Look at this chump with a gun! You gonna shoot us? C'mon, do it!"

Their mockery only stung because they're right. He's scared. He's never killed a man before. Most people haven't. There's a moral code in detective work, at least with Watson. We aren't supposed to kill. It's merely an intimidation measure. The kid shoots a bullet at the ground. Intimidation. That's all he needs. He's too skinny. Too tiny. It won't make a difference. The big men see him as but another item to sell. They come closer to him. The whip cracks in the air. They're close... so close... What does he do? He's just a kid. He can't take them out with pure physical force. Think, think, think!

Before he can do anything, he's sent to the floor. The whip lashed across his chest, ripping the fabric and leaving a bloody gash in the center. The gun slides across the cement floor. This is it... he's too scared to move. Too scared to think straight. The men just continue to laugh and laugh as they approach. They start to kick him while he's down, his body flying about. The gun... the gun! They're kicking him close to the gun! But can he grab it? He feels the blood dripping down his chin. His ribs are broken. The shards pierce his organs. It's not enough... just a bit more... a longer reach... he crawls. He tries. The men are too caught up in themselves to notice. The gun's in his hands. They approach him once more, legs ready and boots stained red. The whipper goes to stomp his head into the ground - and is promptly shot in the head. He falls to the ground. The other man barely has the time to react as he too collapses. The walls are painted red and pink. Holes clean through their skulls.

The kid sits up, barely able to contain himself without puking blood. He pulls out his phone, dialing Watson's cell. Please... pick up... Watson... the last thing he sees before he falls unconscious is the two men dead on the floor, and what used to be them painted on the wall. He falls back onto the cement, laying in his own pond of blood. He slowly drifts off, Watson's panicked voice echoing through his phone. So much red. So much terror. So much hell in humanity...

*Present day*

I can't think. Anything I try to do, anywhere I try to look, that damn wall fills my head. It's my bane. My curse. That bloody wall... those desecrated people... soaking in a river of God knows who's blood... dammit. I see their corpses every time I sleep. Am I crying? Probably. My eyes are wide open, but I can't see in front of me. Where am I? No clue. All I can see is there. I feel warmth around me. Is that the blood? I'm shivering. So warm, but... so cold.

There's a weight on my shoulder. That's not normal, nor do I ever remember that. What is it? There's a rubbing feeling on my back. I'm just gonna close my eyes for a bit. That usually helps. Closed eyes, happy thoughts. Think of dogs. Dogs don't commit hellish crimes like people do. Dogs are good. The rubbing doesn't stop, nor does the weight on my shoulder. Have we stopped moving? The sound of the waves crashing against the dingy have slowed. Is it worth it to open my eyes again? No. There's more weight on me. I wanna lay down. It's warm. Getting warmer. It's fading to black. How serene. The red splotches have all but faded. Whatever this is, it's nice. Before I fall asleep, a small voice seems to whisper in my ear. Is it my head? I don't know.

"Rest, detective."

.

.

.

Ungh... I'm awake now. That was a nap if I've ever had one. I'm surprised it was that comfortable, considering I was sleeping on the dingy of all things. Wait... it's night!? How long was I out? It was midday when I... oh God. Shiori's gonna kill me. In fact, there she is, rowing along quietly. Wonderful! I might've just fucked up any chance of me getting more help in this expedition by falling asleep when I should've been helping. Thanks, sudden PTSD! I must've made some noise in my awakening, as the Archiver turns around to look back at me. She looks worried. Wait, worried? She stops rowing for a moment, taking the time to turn around and face me.

"Sleep well?"

"...Yeah."

"Feeling better?"

"Yeah."

I don't want to go into detail. She must've understood that, since she gave me a small smile before turning back around and continuing to row along the brisk ocean breeze. I never took her as the type to actually seem to care about someone's well-being. Then again, she did sort of evoke some sort of emotion from me back when we first met. Her eyes... something's going on with them. Was she the one who caused me to remember everything? I don't know yet, but it's definitely a possibility. I need to look into it later on. For now, I'm going to focus my energy into rowing. I see a glimpse of land in the distance, and it seems like we're headed straight for it.

Time to meet Advent.