Inside the modest but tense ward room, Mr. Santaniel, Kaelyn's father, sat on an armchair, his expression tight with worry. Detective Luna Vergara and Attorney Damian Cruz stood before him, exuding contrasting energies. Luna was sharp and unyielding; Damian, calm yet commanding. Maerwyn watched silently from the bed she was seated on, absorbing the exchange like a sponge, her sharp eyes narrowing with every word.
"Mr. Santaniel, your daughter's case was prematurely closed. There are glaring inconsistencies in the reports—evidence that vanished and witnesses who were silenced. I've suspected foul play from the beginning, but my hands were tied by orders from... higher up," Detective Vergara said, crossing her arms, her tone sharp and straightforward.
"This time, we're going to expose whoever's behind this," she added, her gaze sharpening and her jaw tightening.
"But what can we do? They're too powerful. They can bury us before we even get close to the truth!" Mr. Santaniel's voice trembled with restrained anger.
"Mr. Santaniel, that's precisely why we're here. I've spent my career fighting for victims against the powerful. It's not easy, and it's never quick, but justice is still within reach—if we're strategic," Atty. Cruz said, taking a measured step forward. His voice was calm but firm, like a steady stream of reason.
He adjusted his cufflink, his sharp eyes meeting the older man's. "First, we'll reopen the case. I'll dig into legal loopholes and irregularities in the original investigation. If we can prove negligence or interference, we'll have grounds to bring this back to court," he added.
Detective Luna nodded in agreement, though her usual edge remained. "And while Atty. Cruz handles the courts, I'll do what I do best—follow the leads they thought they buried. I'll find the people who were silenced and get them to talk, one way or another." Her lips twitched into a faint, almost mischievous smirk.
"They might be able to hide behind their money and connections, but I don't back down from a challenge," she declared with unwavering determination.
Mr. Santaniel's shoulders sagged, a mix of hope and fear crossing his face.
"But... Kaelyn doesn't even remember what happened. How can we prove anything if she's lost her memory?"
At these words, a thick silence fell over the room. Maerwyn, still observing from her quiet spot, stiffened slightly. Her instincts told her this revelation carried weight—a missing piece in a puzzle that was far from solved.
"She doesn't need to remember everything, Mr. Santaniel. There are other ways to piece together the truth. Eyewitness accounts, physical evidence, and timelines can paint the picture we need," Atty. Damian said, furrowing his brows. His voice was gentler now.
He cast a thoughtful glance at Detective Luna. "And if memory is a critical element, we'll bring in specialists. There are methods to help her recover fragments, if not the full story."
"I'll admit, this complicates things. But it's not impossible. The fact that Kaelyn is still alive and here with us means the people responsible didn't get away clean. They made mistakes. And we'll find them," Detective Luna added, her voice softening, though her resolve was unshaken.
Maerwyn quietly clenched her fists. To her, these people were unlike anyone she had ever encountered—warriors not of swords but of words and strategy. Their confidence and determination were both baffling and inspiring. She wondered if their methods, so foreign to her, could truly unearth the truth buried in darkness.
Atty. Damian turned back to Mr. Santaniel with a reassuring smile. "This will take time. And I won't lie—it will take a toll. But if you're willing to trust us, Mr. Santaniel, we'll fight this battle together."
"I'll do whatever it takes. Just... help my daughter. She deserves justice," Mr. Santaniel said, his voice quivering but resolute.
Detective Luna gave a curt nod, her eyes gleaming with resolve, while Atty. Damian offered a comforting hand on Mr. Santaniel's shoulder. Maerwyn remained silent, but her mind churned. For the first time in ages, she felt a stirring of something long forgotten—hope.
The room grew heavy with tension, yet there was a spark of hope as Mr. Santaniel carefully spoke up, his mind working through the options.
"I've been thinking... Kaelyn needs to go back to school. Being in a familiar environment, surrounded by old faces—it might help trigger something. A memory, a detail, anything. It could help us find the next step," he said, taking a deep breath. His voice was steady but tinged with worry.
Detective Luna and Atty. Damian exchanged a glance, their expressions pensive but open to discussion.
"It's a risky move. If she starts remembering, that could be the break we need. But..." Detective Luna's cautious yet thoughtful gaze sharpened.
"If the suspects realize she's regaining her memory, they'll see her as a threat. They'll act quickly to eliminate her," she warned, her eyes narrowing.
Maerwyn watched intently, her instincts in overdrive. She understood the weight of Luna's warning, though her silence spoke volumes as she absorbed every word.
"I agree. But we can work around it. We don't need to lie about her memory. Instead, we need to keep the public unaware of her progress. We should be transparent about her condition but say she's still undergoing therapy for her amnesia and that her recovery is uncertain. No guarantees. We don't claim it's permanent; we claim it's unpredictable," Atty. Damian said, calmly assessing the situation.
Mr. Santaniel leaned forward, furrowing his brow in concern. "But won't the suspects see through that? They might still watch her closely."
Detective Luna's lips curved into a small, confident smile. "That's where we're careful. We can say she's in a delicate state, undergoing treatment with no clear timeline for recovery. We'll make sure no one gets too comfortable thinking she's back to normal. If we keep the narrative vague, it'll keep them guessing. They'll think they have time, and they'll lower their guard."
"Exactly. While they're distracted by this uncertainty, we'll push forward with the investigation. We'll work discreetly, gather new evidence, and find the right moment to strike—without Kaelyn being in immediate danger," Atty. Damian added.
"Then, we move forward with this plan. I'll enroll her again in her school, but please... protect my daughter's life. I won't let her life be torn apart again," Mr. Santaniel pleaded.
Detective Luna stood straighter, her demeanor firm. "I'll make sure she's protected. I'll set up surveillance, and we'll have a quiet security team keeping watch. No one will get near her without us knowing."
"We'll handle the legal side. If anyone tries to hurt Kaelyn, they won't get away with it. I'll make sure of that," Atty. Damian said, placing a reassuring hand on Mr. Santaniel's shoulder.
Maerwyn remained a quiet observer, her mind working through the intricacies of their plan. Though the world of legal strategy, deception, and protection was unfamiliar to her, she was moved by their unwavering determination. A vow rose within her chest to protect Kaelyn—no matter what.
Mr. Santaniel looked at them both with gratitude. "Thank you. I'll do whatever it takes to help. Kaelyn has already lost too much—she's not going to lose her future, too."
As the plan solidified, a feeling of cautious optimism began to fill the room. They knew the dangers ahead, but with their combined efforts, there was a real chance to uncover the truth while keeping Kaelyn safe.
Maerwyn tried to make sense of this world—its attire, its gestures, and the seemingly endless advancements in its tools. If these were the protectors of this age, how did they deliver justice? They carried no swords, yet the secrets they wielded seemed far more dangerous.