[HIATUS] The Detective || TPN Fanfiction #1

Chapter 9 | Keep Your Promises Close

03-15-46
THE RATRI MANSION

Earlier that day, Peter was not surprised that he never nabbed Alexander in A08-63, though he already predicted that he won't because of Alexander's exquisite instincts as a detective.

"Nice tactic, pal. It was a shame that you're helping the cattle children retrieve their own freedom in this world, but you couldn't understand anything. They are meant to be food, but you hesitated and rebelled against me. Are you happy now, Alexander? After all we've been through, this is what you're going to pay me!? We'll see about that, detective. Ready yourself, because in this world, it's kill or be killed. You're the pawn that I am willing to sacrifice. I will find you in anyway and anytime. Goodluck, Alexander Primo."

Afterwards, Peter called Andrew to devise up a new plan for him. "This is Sir Peter Ratri. I need you to reset your assignment." "Yes, what is it, sire?" Andrew responded.

"Do not focus on going hunting on the shelter. You need to trace them back from whence it came." Peter said. "Don't worry, sire! I've already known what to do! I'll just go back to Grace Field. Besides, that is where the products came from! I have already arrived at the headquarters." Peter was surprised at how Andrew knew what to do. "Good." Peter closed his phone as he looked at stacks of huge canisters, each containing well-preserved human meat ready for demon consumption.

GRACE FIELD HOUSE

A place where children are taken care, a place of solitude and nurture for everyone, at least that's what the rest believed, except for Phil. He was the only one left behind when the cattle children of Grace Field went missing. Some say that he saw their daring escape towards the walls that encloses the whole facility. But no one would clarify this because, there was no real evidence. The case in matter is still a mystery.

To Emma, are you doing well?  I'm doing fine...

It's been months since that day, and various things have happened - Carol has been talking more and more everyday, Shelly's and my scores have increased... Eugene, Charlie, and Milly are getting along well.

But... I don't know about our other family.

After that night, we were broken up and scattered, and entrusted to "Partner" facilities.

The same house...

The same sky...

My guess is that we were distributed to the other 4 plants.

I haven't seen Mama since that day. I don't know where she is now.

We have a new life... and a new Mama.

My new siblings are all good people - My older brother Jackie, and my sweet sister Helen. Then there's Simon, always laughing. He's a bit like Don.

...

They have no idea. I know the truth... the adoption is a lie, Simon is being harvested today. He'll never be able to grow up.

I want to say, "Run away! Don't go with her!"... But I can't tell them. I'm not able to protect Shelly and the others; it would be useless to try.

Was this what Ray felt like...?

...

To Emma, are you doing well? Are you eating properly? Is anybody injured or sick? Did you escape safely, and meet Minerva?

I... WANT... TO... SEE... YOU...

I'm so lonely... It hurts.... I want to see you... Emma!!

But... I promised.

I decided to stay behind.

I can't break that promise now! I have to keep it for their sake!

Emma will definitely come to us.

If Emma can't come to us... We might have to take everyone and come to Emma!

So...

It's nothing. I'm fine! I'm doing well!

I'm okay, Emma...

That same day, a special guest came to their house.

Phil wondered who he was, until he saw the unknown guest. A man wearing a suit with glasses, looking like he's from an intelligence agency. The man was scary, and Phil couldn't afford to look straight at him.

"Hello, my name... is Andrew." The man introduced himself, all cold and mysterious. He then looked at Phil, which gave him an innocent stare. "What would your name be?" He asked.

"I'm... Phil..." He responded

"Phil..." Andrew kneeled down in front of him, and moved his head beside Phil's. "I'd like to have a word with you..."

UNKNOWN DATE
A09-03

Emma and Alexander, along with the other groupmates, were journeying throughout the deep forest to find the aforementioned mysterious place called Cuvitidala. It is located in coordinates D528-143, so they still have a very long way to go. It would take them several months to traverse the whole forest, not to mention defending themselves from the roaming demons.

Their group is composed of Emma, Ray, Don, Gilda, Zack, Violet, and Alexander. They were equipped with food and firepower in order to survive. Although there was no importance for Alexander to join them, he decided to so that in an event of an uncontrollable incident, he'd be the one taking care of it.

"Do you hear something?" Violet asked, "It's probably a river. If the map's correct, there should be a river ahead." Don said. "Yeah there should be one. I remember venturing into the same path as yours, but never have I once heard of a place called Cuvitidala." Alexander said.

"But how do you know the map if you aren't checking it?" Zack asked him, "I memorized it." Don said. The Goldy Pond survivors and Alexander all raised their brows. "Wait... you memorized all of it?" Alexander was surprised.

"Ray asked us. He had a whole stack of maps in the archives..." Gilda pinpointed, "So feel free to use us as maps!"

"It's much easier than the tests we are taking at the house, don't you think?" Emma said. "They're still easier than the test I had to take in order to get criminology in this crap." Alexander bragged. "Imagine being in that room, trying to identify this and that... It was scary." He said, all while drooling from frustration. "These guys are no joke." Violet whispered.

"This is old information though," Ray said, "We don't know how old. We can't predict where we will encounter demons with this map, but we also shouldn't the terrain and demon settlements to appear exactly as they do on the map. Steering clear of the demons is top priority. Keep a look out for any traces, and make sure to avoid them."

"If you see one--" just as Ray was about to tell them, they saw an incoming wild demon. Alexander quickly shot him exactly in the eye without even looking. "Shoot. Or... hide, then shoot." He said afterwards. "Alex, you look and sound like Yuugo for some reason." Emma said. "Since when? I never mimicked his fashion! Though... yeah, it may look like I do, but that's different!" Alexander can't accept the truth.

"As I was saying - if you see one, kill them before they call for more." Ray said to them. Don and Gilda were amazed (as they were in the original manga).

Months have passed, as they kept walking throughout the deep forest, rocky mountains, and the gushing water forms, they finally arrived at D528-143.

"WE'RE HERE... THIS IS CUVITIDALA??" Emma asked them.

A forgotten place... now revisited!

END OF CHAPTER NINE.
TO BE CONTINUED.