week 1; thursday night (curfew); jade vine farm

[rightmove]

[It's nearly time for bed on Thursday and Noah is nowhere to be found. Weird, but Healy doesn't think too much of it... until he tries the door to their cottage. No dice. So much for checking outside for the guy.]

We're locked in.

[He says it matter-of-factly. If he's concerned, he doesn't show it. He tries the door again, but it's jammed up tight.]

And Noah's likely locked out. Anyone know if he was planning a sleepover?

Comments

[truthdefiler]

That's my theory, yes.

[lovebombing]

Then...Noah...

[They're probably all safe here but...where is he...]

[truthdefiler]

[Erika's tone takes on a gentler air.]

There's nothing we can do for him from here.

He might have just gone to visit Mio-san, or he might be stuck somewhere else. We'll see once the morning comes.

[lovebombing]

[He's silent for a moment as he looks at the door.]

Do you think there will be a mystery to solve tomorrow, detective?

[truthdefiler]

I would say so.

[Measured. Even. A cold truth. Someone is dead. And she feels nothing but anticipation.]

[lovebombing]

You're going to solve it, right?

[Great detectives always should.]

[truthdefiler]

[And now a smile is on her face. Almost predatory. Like a wild animal salivating as it's meal walks into it's waiting jaws.]

I always catch my prey.