Chapter 6: Pursuit of Justice

[I'm not good with making one (⁠^⁠～⁠^⁠;⁠)⁠ゞ]

As Evie and Aria continued their investigation into the mysterious disappearances in Crestview, they found themselves at a crossroads. The trail had gone cold, and they needed a fresh perspective to uncover the truth.

One evening, as they stood at the location of the last known sighting of a victim, they scoured the surroundings, searching for anything that stood out. After what felt like hours, they found nothing. 

Evie and Aria found themselves at a standstill in their investigation. Evie let out a sigh of frustration. "I can't believe we've hit a dead end," she said, her voice filled with a mix of disappointment and boredom. "I feel like we're missing something obvious."

Aria nodded in agreement, her eyes scanning the area for any overlooked details. "Maybe we need to approach this from a different angle," she suggested, her voice filled with a hint of excitement. "Let's take a break and clear our minds. Sometimes the answer comes when we least expect it."

Evie slumped down on a nearby bench, her mind wandering. As she absentmindedly traced patterns on the Crestview map, With a sense of laziness, Evie took out a map and lazily traced the locations where the victims were last seen. Her lines were haphazard, as if she was simply scribbling out of boredom.

As she connected the dots on the map, a pattern began to emerge. The lines formed a shape that resembled a magic circle, a symbol often associated with rituals. A rush of memories flooded her mind. She couldn't help but remember a certain witness that the people had dismissed as crazy. This witness claimed to have seen something truly extraordinary and inhuman.

Evie vividly recalled what one of the officers in charge told them about the encounter with the witness. It had happened during the early stages of their investigation, but they had brushed it off as mere attention-seeking. The witness had insisted that the disappearances were not the work of a human.

At the time, the officers had dismissed the witness's claims, thinking that they were just baseless ramblings. But now, as Evie stood before the magic circle that had materialized from her lazy tracing, she couldn't help but wonder if there was more truth to the witness's words than what the officers had initially believed.

Aria noticed the change in Evie's expression and asked, "What's on your mind, Evie?"

Evie hesitated for a moment before sharing her recollection. "Aria, do you remember that witness? The one they called crazy because he claimed it wasn't a human behind all this?"

Aria furrowed her brow, trying to recall the details. "Yes, I remember. The one that officers did not take seriously," she simply replied.

Evie nodded, her curiosity piqued. "I think we should visit that witness's account. Maybe there's a connection between what he saw and the mysterious power behind this ritual."

With renewed determination, Evie and Aria made a mental note to track down the witness and listen to his story with an open mind. They realized that in their pursuit of the truth, they couldn't afford to dismiss any leads, no matter how unconventional they seemed.

Evie and Aria made their way to the witness's location, eager to hear his account once again. They found him in a small, cluttered apartment, surrounded by strange doodles. The witness, Mr. Johnson, seemed surprised to see them but welcomed them inside.

Aria started the conversation, "You're Mr. Johnson, right? Thank you for agreeing to meet with us. We've come to realize that the officers in charge may have underestimated the significance of your earlier claims. Could you please tell us more about what you saw?"

Mr. Johnson looked at them with a mix of relief and skepticism. "Finally, there's someone willing to listen. Well, I suppose it's better late than never. I saw something that night, something beyond human comprehension. It was a figure, tall and shadowy, with glowing eyes. It moved with an otherworldly grace, as if it were not bound by the laws of physics."

Aria and Evie leaned forward, intrigued. "And did you witness any specific events or actions that could help us understand what we're dealing with?" Aria uttered.

Mr. Johnson shrugged his head, a gesture that conveyed his uncertainty. The room fell into a momentary silence as Evie and Aria exchanged glances, hoping for more information.

Not wanting to dismiss the potential knowledge that Mr. Johnson might possess, Evie decided to inquire further. "Mr. Johnson, despite your uncertainty, do you have any knowledge or insights about rituals that could help us decipher the meaning behind these symbols?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity.

Mr. Johnson's eyes widened in recognition. He studied the map intently, his fingers tracing the lines and symbols. "These symbols," he began, "are reminiscent of ancient rituals used to summon celestial beings. The arrangement suggests a connection to sacrifices, both physical and symbolic."

As Aria and Evie left Mr. Johnson's apartment, their minds filled with thoughts of sacrifices and celestial beings, Aria's eyes widened as a memory from an urban legend resurfaced. She paused for a moment, deep in thought, before continuing their conversation. "But why do you think the number 12 holds significance in this ritual?"

Evie, now fully engrossed in their investigation, pondered the question. "There's so much meaning behind that number. It represents the twelve zodiac signs, the completion of a year, and the cycle of time," she replied, her voice filled with realization.

Suddenly, a sense of urgency washed over Aria. "Oh no! How could I have overlooked it?" she exclaimed, her voice laced with concern. Without wasting another moment, Evie and Aria sprinted towards the headquarters, their determination pushing them forward.

Gasping for air, Evie rushed to the officer in charge. "Officer! Before the disappearances began, was there anyone who passed away?" she asked, her words coming out in short bursts.

The officer furrowed his brow, taken aback by Evie's sudden inquiry. After a moment of contemplation, he responded, "Yes, there was a young girl named Lily who tragically passed away a few weeks ago. Her death was ruled an accident. But why did you ask?" 

Evie's eyes widened, and a chilling realization washed over her. Aria, catching up with her, looked at Evie with concern. "What's wrong, Evie? Did you find something?"

Evie took a deep breath, her mind racing with connections. "Aria, I believe we may have missed a crucial detail. The number 12... it could be connected to the sacrifices made in the ritual. And if Lily's death aligns with the beginning of the disappearances, it's possible that she was the one that the culprit is trying to resurrect."

Aria's eyes widened, and she nodded in agreement. "So, the sacrifices correspond to the zodiac signs, and if there are 12 signs..."

Evie burst into tears, her voice trembling with regret. "We were late. If only we had come back sooner and realized this matter, we might have been able to save their lives."

Aria's heart sank, and she wrapped her arms around Evie, offering comfort and support. They stood there, holding each other tightly, their emotions overwhelming.

With tears streaming down her face, Evie whispered, "We would have been able to save them if we had arrived earlier."

Aria nodded, her own tears mingling with Evie's. They stood there, embracing each other and sharing their grief and regret. They knew that they couldn't change the past, but they were determined to bring justice to those who had been lost.

Evie and Aria focused their efforts on bringing the culprit to justice. They searched for Lily's parents and discovered their whereabouts near the mountain. As they approached the address, they found an empty house with no signs of anyone being home.

Evie furrowed her brow in confusion. "It looks like there's no one here," she remarked, glancing at the deserted house. "But the mountain is just nearby. Maybe we should check there."

They made their way together with the officers in charge towards the mountain, their footsteps echoing in the silence. As they ventured deeper into the wilderness, a sense of anticipation and unease filled the air.

After a while, they came across a clearing, where they found a woman sitting on a rock, her face buried in her hands. She was crying in dismay, her sobs echoing through the stillness of the mountain.

"Why isn't my Lily alive?" the woman cried out, her voice filled with anguish. "You told me that if I offered you twelve lives, my Lily would be alive!"

Shocked by what they witnessed, the officers swiftly apprehended the woman, ensuring that justice would be served. As the case came to a close, Evie and Aria reflected on the tragic consequences of the woman's actions and the power of sacrifice.

With the culprit in custody, Evie and Aria knew that their investigation had come to an end. They had unraveled the truth behind the disappearances and brought closure to the families affected by the ritual.

As they left the scene, Evie and Aria couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and overwhelming sadness. After all, that case was driven by the love and desperation of a mother for her daughter.That journey had been filled with twists and turns, uncovering the dark side of human nature.

The officer thanked them for their dedication and hard work, expressing his gratitude for their assistance in solving the case. With a sense of accomplishment, Evie and Aria bid farewell to the officer and left the area.

As they walked away from the scene, a strange sensation washed over them. They felt a sudden wave of dizziness, causing them to stumble and lose their balance. Confused and disoriented, they closed their eyes for a moment, hoping to regain their composure.

To be Continued...

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