Memory Mirage

The new path

Date: 1/06/2024
Time: 8:30 am

The sound of my slippers tapping against the stairs echoed as I walked down and glanced at the clock. It was eight-thirty and almost time for me to leave for work. I walked towards the kitchen to put breakfast on the table for Selena. I was lost in my thoughts and forgot to wake her up. However, it was quite alright since she had been stressed over her family. I received a call from Percy, asking me to go out now. I fixed my watch and was about to open the door when a sudden call from behind made me turn towards the sound.

"Felix..." Selena mumbled my name, standing there with a concerned expression plastered on her face.

I looked at her bluntly. "I'm going to work, so don't look so worried," I said nonchalantly, which only made her expression more concerned.

"When will you return?" she asked nervously, coming down the stairs.

"I'll try to return soon," I replied in a softer tone to ease her stress.

"I have to go and see my family, so come back soon," she said with a hint of urgency.

I sighed. This was the fifth time she had told me this, and I was tired of explaining to her that her family was no longer alive...

"I'll be leaving now. Don't go anywhere until I come back," I stated succinctly and opened the door to leave.
Before I closed the door, my eyes darted towards Selena, who was standing firmly and looking awfully concerned. I felt bad for leaving her like this, but she was in danger, so it's better to be safe than sorry. All these thoughts ran a marathon in my mind as I closed the door and walked away.

______________________________________

Time: 11:30 am

The houses, trees, and blank faces of people passing by caught my attention before Percy cleared his throat to speak.

"We are going to meet Elise first, then leave for our next suspect, Miss Amy Hart."

I nodded in agreement but didn't say anything. Percy side-eyed me while continuing to drive. We soon reached our office, and in front of the main gate, there was a figure standing under the shadows of the trees.

The figure was none other than our senior, Elise Levett. Her statuesque beauty helped us to notice her quickly. She's one of our friends and a very close sister. Before Percy joined our department, she was the one charged with missions alongside me, and we didn't get along well until one day we argued and fought for an hour.

She's taller than most of the women in our office but shorter than Percy and me. Her dressing style is simple yet elegant. She wears a silver watch on her left wrist, and her little earrings add a shine to her face. Her strawberry blonde hair falls loosely on her shoulders. She glanced at us through her sunglasses and gave us a small smile.

"Percy already told you the details, right?" I asked, rolling down the window with a mischievous smile.

She nodded and replied, "He sure did, and I'm ready to help you both." With a chuckle, she ended her sentence and got into the car.

Percy raised an eyebrow and looked at Elise through the rearview mirror.

"Don't tell me you're gonna throw us under the bus and leave in the middle of the case," he joked. Elise took it personally and smacked his head to quiet him. It had been months since the three of us headed out for a mission together.

"So, where is the girl? The so-called victim, Selena Barber?" Elise questioned me with a glare.

I paused and took a moment to gather my thoughts. "She's in the hospital, and hasn't regained consciousness yet," I said bluntly, gauging Elise's expression through the rearview mirror.

The guilt of lying to them was overwhelming, but I had to make the right decisions. Elise took my words positively and responded with a hum.

"Alright, it would be helpful if she was conscious. After all, she's the one who saw the killer, right?" Her doubtful question cleared my thoughts. At least she wasn't suspecting Selena.

"Mhm... but for now, let's ask someone close to their family." I quickly changed the subject before it took a different turn.

We soon reached Amy Hart's house, which was twelve kilometres away from our office. We all got out of the car and looked around before Percy opened his phone and spoke up.

"Amy Hart, she's in her late twenties and was a maid at the Barber's house. She was last seen during the daytime on the day of the incident." Elise and I both looked at Percy and nodded.

"She has to know about that mysterious family," I said confidently.

We all walked up to her house and knocked on the door. Strangely enough, nobody answered. I knocked again, but still, no one responded. Then we heard a faint sound as if someone had locked the door from the inside. I furrowed my eyebrows and slammed my hand on the door.

"We're not here to harm you, so please refrain from hiding," I shouted in a reassuring tone, but it didn't help. I could tell she knew something that could open a new path for us.

Hope you guys liked this chapter<3
Stay tuned for the next chapter.