REPLICA-GAME

<8> New World

[11.20.2021]

Within the morgue were tables upon table with the one-hundred sixty-two victims. Other people from news outlets were present as well, looking for the specific bodies they'd be allowed to reveal to the public. Among them was Reika and Toko, who were also there to try and find out exactly how all the victims committed suicide.

However, just as Reika gave the suggestion of all the victims consuming an undetectable poison, Judy had made her presence known to them, showing an interest in Reika's suggestion.

Hearing her voice caught the two by surprise. Slowly, Reika and Toko turned around to see Judy standing at the other end of the table.

"You're Reika Cruz, right?" Judy asked, "The creator behind the Collective Millennium website? Now what would bring someone like you to a place like this, I wonder."

"W-well, we're here because one of my friends was among those who died." Reika said, "I wanted some explanation as to why he would do it."

"That, and we were given special permission to be here." Toko added as she showed her papers to Judy who gave the two a nod of understanding.

"An explanation, huh? I could definitely use one too." Judy sighed.

"A detective I knew was working on this case and started to suspect it was a little more than just a simple suicide. He was found dead  and I'm convinced he may have been stumbling a little too close to something someone didn't want him to know." Judy explained, "I too hoped looking over the bodies might provide some kind of help, then I noticed you two giving closer looks to the bodies than anyone else here."

As Judy gave her own explanation, Toko looked around the tables until she saw a familiar person among them. Leaving the two behind, she rushed to see Matt's body, "Matt, you too?" Toko said in a small voice.

Just like the others, he showed no sign of outside injuries. It wasn't only him, but Toko had seen the woman Matt was with there as well. Looking away, Toko noticed both Reika and Judy looking at another body. This time, it was Joshua. With how peaceful he looked, it was more as if he were sleeping. Another of the bodies was Isaac's friend Gloria, but still, none showed any sign of injuries of physical harm.

With nothing else they could do or think of, Toko resumed the work she was originally there for. Once finished, she and Reika left the morgue, heading their separate ways.

[11.21.2021]

The next day, Reika woke up and started his usual morning routine. Only this time, it felt off. It was unclear to him how though. Wake up, shower, brush teeth, get dressed. But it wasn't the same for Reika, at least it didn't feel the same.

Putting his shoes on, Reika opened the door only to be met with Judy once again, her hand up as she was about to knock on the door, "Reika Cruz, think I could speak with you?"

"You... you're that woman from last night."

Judy nodded. Reika sighed and moved to the side, allowing Judy in, "Alright, sure. What did you want to know?"

Coming into the house, Judy looked around before taking a seat in the living room. As she did, Reika put together a few drinks for himself and Judy before joining her, "As I'm sure you know, I'm a detective that was assigned to transfer her after local police and their resources began to stretch thin, as well as a few other officers joining as well."

"Not only that, but looking over what Drake had left behind in his notes, there did seem to be some kind of a connection to it all. That theory has only become more certain after Drake was murdered. Not only that, but looking at his phone, I found his recent search history was your website."