Ace Attorney Investigations: Haunting Memories

Chapter Sixteen

February 30 1:30pm

Interpol Headquarters ~ Felix Griffin's POV

"What do you mean you 'lost her'...?!" Ms. Kirigiri interrogated once we arrived back at HQ. I flinched at the sound of her elevated voice: she sure got irritated easily...

"You do realise we just lost sight of an eleven year old girl, right?" Sebastian asked with a raised eyebrow. "If M finds out about this... let's just say that your reputation with him already isn't something to write home about." I groaned at his words. He always has to take Julia's side...!

"I didn't mean to, okay...?!" I retaliated. "I looked away for one second and... she was gone! Just like that! I didn't see anything, I didn't hear anything, I just...!"

"Hold on," Sebastian cut in. "Do you remember what NK told us a while ago? Something about protecting children from adults? What if kidnapping Kotoko was a part of that plan?"

"That would make sense," I agreed. "I mean, all of us are adults."

"Even if you don't act like one." Ms. Kirigiri commented, earning a snicker from Sebastian.

I pouted, following Kotoko's previous advice and doing my best to ignore the continuous flow of insults. "Anyway... do we have any idea where we can start in looking for Kotoko? That is what's important right now."

Ms. Kirigiri began ordering Sebastian around to do things, but I wasn't listening. I was too busy focusing on two cats that were hiding in the shadows of the room, their glowing eyes being the only visible thing about them. Quiet hissing was coming from their direction, which made me gulp. I edged away from them slowly, not wanting to anger them further.

"From what I can find, it doesn't look like any more child kidnappings have been reported." I heard Sebastian say. "He's only made the effort to kidnap Kotoko."

"But why...?" Ms. Kirigiri wondered as she began to pace. "Why only take her...?"

I glanced away from the two of them and towards the window, looking out to the city below. I sighed as I thought about Kotoko; please be safe, wherever you are... It'll be my head on the line if anything happens to you...!

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February 30 1:45pm

Minami Household ~ Kotoko Minami's POV

I woke up slowly (but surely), finding myself on a couch. I stared at the material for a while before looking up and around the room. There was a big window to my left, except that the curtains were drawn over it. The TV was sat a couple of feet away from it, near the fireplace. I gasped as soon as I realized where I was: my house. This was my house.

"Mommy?" I called out, hoping for a reply. "Daddy? Kitoka?" No matter who I called for, nobody would answer. My voice simply echoed until it disappeared. I jumped off of the couch and looked around in every room; the kitchen, the office, Mommy and Daddy's bedroom, Kitoka's bedroom, my bedroom, the bathroom... I even looked into the garden to find something, anything, but I turned up empty handed. It was getting cold outside, so I went back into the house.

I went back to the couch, sitting down with a sigh. I sat there for a few moments before coming up with an idea; if I was at home, then I could just leave and meet the others again. I ran for the door and tried to pull it open, but it wasn't budging. No matter how many times I kicked it, it was locked, probably from the outside. I felt tears began to well up in my golden eyes, which I quickly rubbed away when I heard a voice behind me.

"Kotoko! You're awake!"

I gasped in relief as soon as I heard that voice. I turned around, sending my pink ponytails flying, and saw my big brother! Kitoka! Kitoka was here! "Kitoka!!" I cried. "Where have you been?!"

"Sorry, sis," he apologised with a sheepish smile. "I was out for a while, and I found you asleep, so I brought you home. Sorry if I scared you or anything."

"It's okay," I giggled, but pausing pretty quickly. "Um, Kitoka? Why is the front door locked?"

"Oh, that?" Kitoka nodded towards the door. "No worries. It's just to keep us safe."

"Keep us safe?" I repeated. "From what?"

"... I'll explain later. You might not understand it now." he replied. "Now, come on. You hungry? I'll make you some food."

He seemed to be acting like his regular big brother self as he was making us food and pouring out my favourite drink, but no matter what I asked him about our parents and where he'd been, he wouldn't reply. It began to scare me. "What's happened to you, Kitoka...?" I whispered.

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OKAY SO I NEED TO ASK YOU GUYS AN IMPORTANT QUESTION ABOUT THIS STORY

CAN SOMEONE LOOK AT THE STORY CHAPTERS AND TELL ME WHAT THEY SAY (LIKE IF THEY'RE CALLED 'CHAPTER *INSERT NUMBER HERE*' OR IF THEY STILL HAVE TURNABOUT NAMES) BECAUSE MY TABLET HAS A MIXTURE OF BOTH SO IF SOMEONE COULD CLEAR THAT UP FOR ME, THAT'D BE GREAT THANKS-

AceAttorneyFan over and out!