= [ Invisible Shackles ] = // Mission Force One

Ch- 4: Evidences and A Rough Night

"Luminix!" Joe called out to his friend who is waiting at the lobby, along with the other investigators. Luminix stood up straight and greeted back.

"Let me see that diary." He reached out his hand while walking towards Luminix. He took the diary from his hand and immediately scanned the book.

Joe tensed up even more after recognizing the book cover. He looked through the pages, and his heart dropped when he saw the familiar handwriting.

Luminix noticed Joe's expression and watches him skim the diary. It took a while for Joe to maintain focus until Luminix snaps him out of his trance.

"Joe?" Luminix tapped Joe's shoulder but Joe just slowly raised his head, then faced Luminix.

Joe looked at him directly in the eye. "Who gave you this?"

"This— elderly woman with fade auburn hair just walked up to me and handed me that diary. Didn't know who she was, neither my fellow investigators know." Luminix retorted.

Joe's head lingered around. Then he decided to keep the diary and put it in his inventory. "I'll be keeping this. It might help us gather more clues. Did you find anything else?" He asked to change the subject.

"Yes, and what we found is quite— alarming for our part…"

"What do you mean?" Joe furrowed his eyebrows.

One of the investigators approached them, holding a specific item they recently found.

Joe's eyes widen in shock. "A kiddie backpack?" He thought, not hiding his flabbergasted expression.

The backpack was small, good enough for a little kid to carry. It has a huge rainbow sticker plastered on the front, a tiny crocheted pony hooked on the zipper;

And what stood out the most, is that dried blood is coated on the butterscotch leathered backpack.

"We found it among the lost and found items. We rummaged through the pack— it's filled with school supplies, an empty lunch box, and even found a stuffed lion inside. Looks like it belonged to a 6 year old." Luminix described the dusty backpack.

"Good grief…" Joe clasped his hand on his mouth. The thought of a young child being involved in this case and is most likely murdered just twists his stomach.

"This is quite getting out of hand, Joe." Luminix began. "We're trying to find good leads, but— all evidences kept leading to a dead end…"

Joe became silent and thought of what to do next.

"To the breakout space. Let's have a meeting, now."

_______________________________

The next day, Miles woke up and went to the bathroom to wash his face. His face had fade scratches, he looked like he got attacked by a cat.

He stared at the mirror and checked the bruise on the right corner of his mouth. Let's say their dinner last night took a rough turn.

_______________________________

Last night…

Mission Force One is seen eating at the dinner table, and the atmosphere is quite tense.

There weren't much noise other than the sounds of the utensils make while they're eating.

Loretta observed her teammates, she could see Miles just playing with his food instead of eating them. Mirandos having intervals with each bite of her food.

Blodger seemed to be the only one enjoying his food. And Haruna, who is sitting in front of Loretta, is busy glancing at Mirandos and Miles.

The two made eye contact and both exchanged awkward glances with each other. They both could feel the uneasy tension coming from the 'M duo';