The Detective Jr.

"Mother....?" I spoke, my voice trembling as a rush of emotions flooded my mind. Time seemed to freeze as she walked toward me, her presence commanding the very fabric of reality. It was her... Mother but this was impossible. She was supposed be in another world right now...

Her eyes were blindfolded with a long black cloth, her long white hair flowing like a waterfall behind her, and her white gown glimmered faintly. She moved toward me with a grace that seemed to defy the laws of time.

"My child... How have you been?" Her voice was soft, almost musical. It was strange to hear her speak, for she rarely spoke when I was first made.

"Mother... you know what's happening in this world, don't you?" I asked, barely able to breathe as the gravity of her sudden appearance weighed down on me. Her gentle fingers brushed against my cheek before she planted a kiss on the top of my head.

"My child, the family is not responsible for it... We do not wish to bring harm to you and your world," she said, her voice filled with an odd kind of sadness.

"Lies!" I snapped, my fists clenched. "Then why did you abandon me? Why did you take me away from the family?" My voice shook, not just with anger, but with confusion, desperation.

She remained quiet for a long moment, her blindfolded eyes never leaving me. Then she spoke again, her voice calm yet sorrowful. "My child... We did it to protect you. Emotions are dangerous, and you shed tears. You know how our family is. We do not show weakness. We do not allow ourselves to feel."

"Just because of that...?" I whispered, the pain of her words sinking deep into my chest.

She stepped closer, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I cannot stay for long, but you must understand. It was never to hurt you. You must find the truth... but be careful, my child. The truth is a dangerous thing. One mistake, and it could cost you your life."

Before I could say anything else, she disappeared as abruptly as she had come, and time resumed its normal flow. The world around me came back into focus, as if I had woken from a dream.

Nicholas, who had been standing nearby, tilted his head and looked at me. "Linxi? What's wrong?"

I quickly composed myself, shaking my head. "Nothing, I just thought I saw someone I knew." I forced a smile, not wanting to worry him. But deep down, I knew what my mother had told me was true. I needed to return home, to uncover the answers that had been hidden from me for so long.

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Days passed in a blur, and the nagging unease gnawed at me. I couldn't ignore it any longer. What had my mother meant by the truth? And why did it feel as though I was standing on the edge of something far more dangerous than I could comprehend? I made an excuse to the team leader, not exposing the truth about Mother... yet telling her I was from a fallen world, asking for permission to go to my hometown for further investigation. Skye thought for a while before nodding her head and giving me permission to go. Thankfully this world has people coming and going from different worlds otherwise I wouldn't have gotten the chance to investigate.

Finally, I packed a small bag and stood by the door, ready to set off on the journey back to my hometown. I needed answers. I had to uncover the mysteries of my family, no matter what the cost.

But as I stood there, gathering my resolve, the door creaked open, and in stepped Raven. Her black hair framed her face, and her eyes, always sharp and calculating, locked onto mine.

"Linxi," she said, her voice steady. "You're not going alone."

I blinked, taken aback. "What do you mean? I have to do this by myself."

Raven crossed her arms, a look of determination on her face. "You think I'm going to let you face this alone? You know what's at stake. You need backup. You don't know what you're walking into, and you can't afford to do this alone."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I appreciate the offer, Raven, but this isn't something I can drag you into."

She took a step closer, her presence like a shield. "I'm already in it, Linxi. You're not leaving this place without me." Her gaze softened for a moment. "And you're not doing this alone."

I stared at her for a long moment, weighing my options. Raven was stubborn. She wouldn't back down. And in a way, I was grateful for it. If I was going to confront whatever awaited me in my hometown, I needed someone I could trust by my side.

I gave a reluctant nod. "Fine. But we have to be careful. I don't know what we're dealing with."

Before she could respond, a familiar voice rang out from behind us.

"Dylan?" I turned to see him standing at the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest, an eyebrow raised. "I'm coming too."

"Not you too..." I groaned. "This isn't your fight, Dylan."

Dylan flashed that trademark grin of his. "I don't care. You're not going on a dangerous mission without me." His voice was firm, but there was concern in his eyes. "We've been through worse together. Besides, I know you, Linxi. If you go alone, you'll only get yourself in more trouble."

Raven, as usual, didn't say much, but her eyes met mine, a silent agreement passing between us.

With a resigned sigh, I gathered my things. "Alright, fine. But we stick together. No one goes off on their own."

The three of us shared a brief, meaningful look. We were a team. And no matter what lay ahead, we would face it together.

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That evening, we set off toward my hometown, the weight of the journey heavy on my shoulders. Raven was the first to speak, her voice steady. "Whatever happens, we keep our wits about us. We stick to the plan."

Dylan nodded, adjusting the straps on his gear. "And if things go south, we get out. Fast."

I couldn't help but smile at the way they had my back. With Raven and Dylan by my side, I wasn't so afraid anymore. Together, we were unstoppable.

And so, we headed into the unknown, ready to uncover the truth- but also prepared for whatever dark forces we might encounter along the way. As we got out of the voice another familiar voice ringed.

"Shit... Not again..." I grumbled as turned around looking at Nicholas with an unamused expression. He gave his signature flirty smirk and spoke.

"Can't leave my sweetheart alone~"

I just grumbled as Dylan and Raven just chuckled. And our journey to Sophia begins.

_To Be Continue_