Janya returned to her room, her mind still buzzing with excitement. She couldn't wait to start putting her newfound resolve into action. She wanted to learn more, to understand what it truly meant to be a detective, and most importantly, to begin preparing herself for the future she so desperately wanted.
She spent the next few days re-reading all of her detective novels, this time with a new perspective. Instead of simply enjoying the stories, she began to analyze them, paying close attention to how the detectives in the books approached their cases, how they gathered evidence, and how they interviewed witnesses. She started to take notes, creating her own little notebook of detective strategies and observations.
Janya also began to notice things in her everyday life that she had previously overlooked. She started observing the people around her more closely—their body language, the way they spoke, the small details that might reveal something about their thoughts or intentions. It was as if a switch had been flipped in her mind, and suddenly, everything seemed like a potential clue in a larger mystery.
One afternoon, as she was sitting in the common room with her notebook, Mrs. Parker approached her with a concerned expression.
"Janya, you've been spending a lot of time by yourself lately," Mrs. Parker said, her tone gentle. "Is everything alright?"
Janya looked up, surprised by the question. She hadn't realized how much time she had been devoting to her new obsession. "Yes, Mrs. Parker. I'm fine. I've just been…studying."
Mrs. Parker raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Studying? What exactly have you been studying?"
Janya hesitated for a moment before deciding to share her newfound passion. "I've been studying detective work. After Detective Turner visited, I realized that I want to become a detective someday. So, I've been reading a lot and taking notes on how detectives solve cases."
Mrs. Parker's expression softened into a smile. "I see. That's wonderful, Janya. It's good to have a goal, something to work towards. But remember, it's also important to take care of yourself and spend time with the other children. Balance is key."
Janya nodded, understanding the headmistress's concern. "I will, Mrs. Parker. I just really want to be prepared."
Mrs. Parker patted her shoulder affectionately. "I have no doubt you'll achieve whatever you set your mind to, Janya. You've always been a bright and determined girl. Just don't forget to enjoy your childhood, too."
As Mrs. Parker walked away, Janya felt a pang of guilt. She knew that she had been isolating herself more than usual, but it wasn't because she didn't want to be around the other children. It was simply that she had found something that made her feel alive in a way she hadn't felt in years.
Still, Mrs. Parker's words stayed with her, and Janya made an effort to engage more with the other kids. She spent time playing with the younger ones, helping them with their schoolwork, and participating in group activities. But even during these moments, her mind was often elsewhere, thinking about the future and the detective she wanted to become.
As the weeks passed, Janya's determination only grew stronger. She continued to devour books on detective work, and when she wasn't reading or studying, she was practicing her observational skills. She began to keep a journal where she documented everything she observed throughout the day—the interactions between the children and staff, the subtle changes in people's moods, even the weather and how it seemed to affect everyone's behavior. It was her way of honing the skills she believed a good detective needed.
One day, as she was writing in her journal, she remembered the card that Detective Turner had given her. She hadn't reached out to him yet, partly because she wasn't sure what to say, and partly because she felt that she needed to prove herself first. But now, with several weeks of intense study behind her, she felt ready.
She pulled the card out of the small box where she kept her most treasured possessions and stared at it for a moment. It was a simple card, with his name, title, and contact information printed neatly in black ink. To anyone else, it might have seemed unremarkable, but to Janya, it was a symbol of hope—a link to the future she envisioned for herself.
Taking a deep breath, she decided to write him a letter. She wanted to thank him for the inspiration he had given her and to share some of the things she had learned and observed since his visit. She also wanted to ask for any advice he might have for someone in her position, someone who wanted to become a detective but didn't quite know where to start.
Janya spent hours crafting the letter, carefully choosing her words and trying to convey just how much his visit had meant to her. When she was finally satisfied, she folded the letter neatly, placed it in an envelope, and addressed it to Detective Turner. Mrs. Parker, always supportive of the children's aspirations, agreed to help her mail it.