The captain nodded thoughtfully, his fingers drumming lightly on the wooden desk. The rhythmic tapping matched the beat of the rain now falling harder outside, adding to the grim atmosphere.
"That's a strong possibility. We'll need to investigate all staff members and anyone who have their kids attend this charity academy."
--
Two weeks went by in a flash.
Riley sat slumped in his chair, exhaustion tugging at his eyelids. He had been pouring over the details of the investigation, searching for any clue that might unravel the mystery of the disappearances at the charity school.
Yet, no matter how much time he spent chasing leads, everything led to a dead end. His workspace at the Blackout Security Company had become his refuge and prison all at once.
He regretted joining the Blackouts—not because of the workload, but because his every move was monitored. It grated on him.
Freedom, or at least the illusion of it, had always been something Riley cherished.
The idea that he could no longer stir up a little mayhem as he pleased sent a shiver of annoyance through him.
He took another sip of his tea, letting the warmth soothe his frustration, but even that did little to ease the tension.
The police had taken an interest in the kidnappings, yet they had accomplished nothing.
The case remained cold, and each passing day saw more children vanishing, leaving nothing behind but whispers of fierce winds in the moments leading up to their disappearance.
It was maddening.
"Damnation," Riley muttered under his breath, setting the cup down with a bit too much force, the clink of porcelain echoing in the otherwise quiet office.
Just then, the door to the company swung open. A boy, perhaps thirteen years old, with blond hair and an anxious expression, scanned the room. His eyes flickered over the other employees before he approached, his steps hesitant.
"I'm here for Detective Robert," the boy said timidly, his voice barely louder than a whisper.
Riley's ears perked up at the mention of his alias. He hadn't used it in a while, and the boy's unexpected arrival piqued his curiosity.
After weeks of coming up empty-handed, could this boy hold a piece of the puzzle Riley was desperately trying to solve?
"I am Detective Robert," Riley announced, studying the boy carefully.
The kid exhaled sharply, as if a great weight had been lifted off his chest. He approached Riley, still skittish, like a rabbit venturing too close to a wolf's den.
Riley noticed how his colleagues cast a few suspicious glances in their direction, but he waved it off, signaling to let him handle this.
"Tea or coffee?" Riley asked, trying to put the boy at ease.
"Coffee," the boy replied, his face lighting up as if the offer was a rare privilege.
Riley chuckled softly. Judging by the boy's lean appearance, it was clear he wasn't used to many luxuries, let alone coffee.
Likely, he didn't get enough to eat either. Riley disappeared into the break room for a moment, returning with two cups of steaming coffee.
It wasn't the best brew, but it was free, and he didn't mind sneaking an extra cup for himself.
"So," Riley began, handing the cup to the boy, "what brings you to me?"
The boy, now a little more relaxed, sipped at the coffee before answering. "I heard a detective was looking into the case of the missing children at the charity school," he said."But that's not why I'm here. I came for something else."
"Oh?" Riley raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the sudden shift. The boy wasn't here for the kidnappings? That was surprising. "What's your name?"
"Shane," the boy replied, sitting back, gripping his cup with both hands as if it might slip away at any moment. "I have a teacher.
He tutors me in languages, but I haven't seen him in days. I went by his house to check on him, and I saw some strange people sneaking inside. I'm worried something's happened to him."
Riley's sharp eyes locked onto the boy's, reading his every movement. The kid seemed genuine, but Riley had been around enough liars and tricksters to never take things at face value.
"I have to ask, Shane," Riley said, leaning forward slightly, his voice low but pointed. "Why not go to the police? They can do a welfare check and make sure your teacher's okay. And it won't cost you anything."
Shane looked down at his coffee. "I thought about it," he admitted. "But the police wouldn't look into it like a private detective would.
They're all focused on the kidnappings right now, and I don't think they'll care enough to help me. Besides, they're stretched thin with everything else happening."
"What do you mean by 'everything else?'" Riley asked, though he had a good idea.
"The explosion at the duke's estate," Shane replied, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. "They say hundreds of noble people died, and now all the other nobles are scared they'll be next.
The police are busy protecting them, and they're also trying to find the one responsible for the explosion. It's chaos."
Riley's heart skipped a beat. The explosion. Chloe's parents were the duke and duchess.
He hadn't fully processed it when Eleanor mentioned it to him so casually, and now, the consequences were unfolding before his eyes. A heavy weight settled in his chest.
Riley forced himself to focus. "Alright, Shane. I'll take the case. It'll cost you three pence."
Shane's eyes widened. "Three pence?" He fumbled in his pockets before pulling out a single pence and handing it to Riley. "I'll pay the rest later, no matter what happens with the investigation."
Riley pocketed the coin with a small smile. "Tell me more about your teacher. What does he look like?"
"He's tall," Shane said. "About 6'2. He has brown hair, a full beard. He's really handsome and refined. You can tell he's a noble just by looking at him."
Riley nodded, listening carefully as Shane provided more details. The boy then handed Riley a piece of paper with the teacher's address scribbled on it.
"Alright," Riley said, standing up and stretching. "I'll take it from here."
Shane smiled, relieved. He thanked Riley and left the office, casting a quick glance left and right before darting off into the street.
---
Riley made his way to Donovan's office, the captain of Blackout Security. The older man looked up from his papers as Riley entered.
"So, you've accepted the mission," Donovan said, more of a statement than a question.
"I have," Riley replied, his tone light but his expression serious. "But I'll be sure to let you know if an Ascender is involved."
Donovan's face hardened. "Good. Remember, Riley, if you run into an Ascender, don't engage alone. Report back, and we'll handle it as a team. This isn't a game."
Riley nodded, flashing a disarming smile. "I'll be careful, Captain."
As he turned to leave, Donovan sighed deeply.
---
The sun had set by the time Riley reached the address Shane had given him. The streets were quiet, and shadows stretched long across the cobblestones.
Riley stood in the alley across from the house, observing it carefully. It wasn't particularly large or ostentatious, but it had the air of old money—noble, as Shane had described.
For a while, Riley waited, blending into the shadows, his eyes trained on the entrance. Three men stood guard at the front gate, all burly and intimidating.
They weren't ordinary muscle. Riley could tell by the way they carried themselves—sharp, disciplined. These men were Drifters, the kind of dangerous people who didn't mess around.
When the guards eventually went inside, Riley made his move.
Summoning his magician's outfit, cane in one hand and a set of enchanted cards in the other, he silently approached the fence and vaulted over it in one fluid motion.
His landing was soundless, and he quickly pressed himself against the wall, his senses on high alert.
Inside the house, Riley moved cautiously. The air was thick with tension, and every creak of the floorboards seemed amplified in the stillness.
He could feel the weight of unseen eyes, watching, waiting.
He navigated through the darkened hallways, slipping past rooms filled with ornate furniture and dusty bookshelves.
It wasn't long before he found the men again—three bulky figures, standing in front of a heavy iron door.
They were guarding something, and Riley had a sinking feeling that whatever lay beyond that door was key to this whole mystery.
His eyes narrowed as he studied them from a safe distance. These men weren't to be taken lightly. They were at least Drifter rank, possibly higher.
And the way they positioned themselves told Riley that they expected trouble. If he was going to get through that door, he needed a plan. He couldn't take them head-on, not alone.
'I don't like this,' Riley thought, his grip tightening on the cane as his mind raced through his options.