"What do you mean, you can't find him?" Gabriel looks at his chief in disbelief. "Is there someone you can't track?"

  "Come on, my UPS is just a positioning system made by an old man, not magic," Anthony says dismissively. "I can only locate you guys and those execution targets, like that Kensington who shot you. Even with his profile provided, it took me some time to find him. If only I were faster, you wouldn't have gotten hurt."

  Gabriel is surprised to see genuine concern in Anthony's eyes.

  "You don't know how much I regretted leading you to the suburb that rainy night," Anthony sighs. "I should have known it was a trap to turn you into a suspect!"

  Gabriel remembers that night when he rushed out after receiving an anonymous call from R, which was traced by Anthony's UPS system.

  "It's not like he actually wanted to frame me for murder," Gabriel says, looking confused. "He knows who I am. It's as if he's just playing with me. He's even connected to Kensington. Do you think we should report this to the police?"

  "Those cops can't be trusted," Anthony grunts. "Do you know what they just did to us?"

  "What happened?" Gabriel inquires hesitantly.

  "Terrible," Anthony vents his frustration. "Our reputation is hitting rock bottom since those cops blamed us for accidentally ending Kensington's life. I had to let poor Hela go on a vacation to heal her tender heart. Riza took over the autopsy, unable to accept that her med was the cause of death. To be honest, I can't believe it either. But until the truth comes to light, we are still at an extreme disadvantage. We need you now more than ever!"

  Anthony glances at Gabriel with pleading eyes, making Gabriel uncomfortable. He finds it hard to turn away from the people who have been with him for the last seven years. However, he can't let his family down, knowing that he's still a lowly slayer.

  "How about this," Anthony suggests. "You can go home and think about it for today. At the end of the day, give me a call and I'll accept your final decision, okay?"

  "Yeah... sir." Gabriel reluctantly nods and salutes his superior before leaving.

  ___

  Anna visits her ex-manager, who is also like a dear sister, at Coldor General Hospital, but the haggard woman in the patient's room is hardly recognizable as the lively Rachel she used to know. With deeply sunken eyes, hollow cheekbones, and unbrushed hair, Rachel sits on her bed silently, staring into space, her expression blank and soulless. Seeing this, Anna's tears flow uncontrollably as she moves closer to Rachel.

  "Please be careful, Miss," a nurse warns her. "This patient is highly unstable."

  Anna nods understandingly and approaches slowly. Rachel remains unresponsive. Anna gently touches her bony hand, but there is still no reaction.

  "Rach, it's me," Anna calls softly. "Anna, An. Do you remember me?"

  Rachel turns weakly, not looking at Anna.

  "Are you... one of my victims?" Rachel mumbles.

  "No!" Anna corrects her. "Which victim? You didn't harm anyone!"

  "Huh? But I remember killing people." Rachel looks lost. "The police interrogated me, too."

  "It's not true!" Anna tries to explain. "That man, William Kensington, tampered with your memory!"

  "Will? Where is he?" Rachel's expression suddenly becomes heartbroken at the mention of her ex-boyfriend's name. "I remember using him and controlling him, but... why does my chest hurt so much thinking of him? Why... do I still feel as if... I truly loved him?"

  Rachel bursts into tears, crying out all her built-up agony. Anna hugs her tightly, crying with her.

  "That's because you are a good person," Anna says desperately. "You are kind, warm, loving, considerate, gentle, caring... ugh!"

  Anna chokes on the overwhelming despair and helplessness she feels from Rachel. No one could really understand what this young woman had to go through except Anna with her "absolute empathy".

  "I'll help you, Rach!" Anna looks determined. "Wait for me."

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  ___

  

  (Author's note: Enjoy the soundtrack above by clicking on it.)

  In the police cemetery, on a windy and clear afternoon, a funeral is being held.

  "Everyone, we gather here today to honor and remember Senior Detective Marcus Fields, a brave soul who dedicated his life to the pursuit of justice and the protection of our community. His sacrifice is a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the profound questions it leaves us with."

  James and Kyle stand among the police officers paying their respects to Marcus. They wear their formal uniforms, hats in hand, looking at the late detective's smiling face on the tombstone, honoring and remembering their team member.

  "Life is full of hanging questions. Why do the good leave us too soon? Why must heroes fall in the line of duty? Why is the battle with darkness never-ending? These questions linger in our hearts, unanswered, as we grapple with the loss of a beloved friend, colleague, and protector."

  ___

  Gabriel has just received another letter from R. Accompanying the familiar signed envelope is a photo of Anna at the outdoor concert the other day.

  Gabriel's phone screen lights up with a call from an unknown number.

  "Welcome home, Gab. Do you like my present?" An altered voice comes through, with a gentleness that makes others shudder.

  "Who are you?" Gabriel's face darkens. "What do you want?"

  "Me? I'm your friend," R answers casually. "No one cares for you as much as I do. I just want you to know that."

  "You care for me?" Gabriel asks skeptically. "So you used a serial murderer to target me and my family?"

  "I didn't mean to hurt you, never!" R hurriedly explains. "I just wanted to show you the truth, about your family that you love so much. See? You were just a murder suspect and they already treated you like a criminal. Imagine how they will look at you when they know everything about you!"

  "What?" Gabriel's voice trembles. "What's your point?"

  "You don't need them, Gab!" R becomes insanely passionate. "You are at your greatest when you are alone, executing unstoppably! That's your true self. And I'm the only one who can truly understand and encourage you! Do you get that?"

  "If you dare touch my family, bastard." Gabriel grits his teeth. "I swear I'll cut you down and end your bullsh*t!"

  "Easy, tiger!" R chuckles. "I won't do anything to them as long as you keep doing your job excellently, as you always have. But you already know what I'm capable of, so don't ignore me, okay?"

  R hangs up, leaving Gabriel standing speechless in his room. Outside the window, the dusk sky looks nebulous.

  ___

  "Senior Detective Fields was a symbol of courage, and a testament to the power of dedication. His commitment to his duty was unwavering, and his passion for justice was evident in every case he took on. He faced danger with a steadfast heart, knowing that his work made our world a safer place."

  At the funeral, the officers take turns placing the strings with tiny tubes of Marcus' blood, used to detect Kensington, around his tombstone respectfully. Now that they have completed their last mission, they stay there together with their owner, proudly and peacefully.

  "In the face of these hanging questions, we find solace in the legacy he leaves behind. Detective Fields taught us the value of perseverance, the importance of integrity, and the strength found in compassion. His life, though tragically cut short, was a life of purpose and meaning."

  ___

  Anna returns to Rachel's hospital room with a load of USBs. While Rachel and the nurses look on in confusion, Anna inserts one of the USBs into the monitor on the wall and turns it on. The screen lights up with one of Rachel's brightest smiles, a moment she totally forgot.

  "No need to thank me. It's part of my job to look after our artists."

  "Ahhh! You're a candidate for the Best Young Talent award, An! You did it!"

  In the next scene, an exhausted but enthusiastic Rachel beames. Her excited squeal rings through the screen.

  "Really? Ahhh!" Anna jumps with her. "We did it!"

  "That's my girl," Rachel cries with happy tears. "I'm so proud of you!"

  Another scene, set a couple of years ago, shows Anna, who had just debuted, crying in a corner from work pressure and malicious comments.

  "Anna? I've been looking all over for you." Rachel appears, full of worry. "Are you okay?"

  Seeing Anna's teary face, Rachel's eyes well up. She hugs the teenage girl, comforting her.

  "There, just cry your heart out. Then we'll go eat something tasty."

  Their cries, their laughter, their shared memories play on the screen like a movie.

  Tears flow from Rachel's sunken eyes as she watches the images. She doesn't remember them, but they make her heart ache.

  "What... what's all this?" Rachel mutters.

  "Your true memories, sis," Anna smiles. "You may have lost them, but I, your family, your friends, and everyone at the agency still have them. We'll keep telling you and showing you like this, until you can take them all back- both your memories and your life!"

  Rachel looks at Anna, still confused, but there's a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

  ___

  "Though the questions may hang in the air, unanswered, we find comfort in knowing that Detective Field's spirit lives on in each of us. His bravery inspires us, his dedication guides us, and his sacrifice reminds us of the profound impact one life can have.

  Thank you."

  ___

  Gabriel looks out from his room's window, deep in thought. Then, he takes his phone and presses the call button.

  "Okay, so what's your decision?" Anthony's voice comes from the other side.

  "I have a bad feeling, Anthony." Gabriel crumples the letter from R in his hand. "At first, I thought he was just a crazy stalker. But R is more dangerous than I thought... I'll stay in the NET for now."

  "Got it." Anthony tries to sound serious, but a hint of cheer breaks through his voice. "Welcome back, Gab!"

  ___

  END OF BOOK 1

  To be continued in BOOK 2: The Recessive Gene

  Next part: End of book note