Bendeta's Hope

[Oriana's POV]

Years had passed, and Papa Bear had managed to find strength in his heartache. He dedicated himself to tirelessly investigating the unsolved case of the missing children from the Bendeta Mansion Incident. Inspired by his determination, I resolved to join him in his quest for justice and closure.

Papa Bear fully supported my decision and allowed me to train in combat skills with the assistance of his private police force. He insisted that I choose a weapon of my choice, and after careful consideration, I opted for a shotgun. Papa Bear believed in my abilities and nurtured my growth, pushing me to become a formidable force.

In 2016, I proudly obtained my college degree in Electrical Engineering. However, the prestige of the "Summa Cum Laude" title held no allure for me, as my wealth provided me with the freedom to pursue my own path. Deep down, I knew my true purpose lay in unraveling the mysteries surrounding the Bendeta Mansion.

As September approached, marking the seventh anniversary of the Wednesday 999, the wounds of the past seemed to resurface with renewed intensity. I approached Papa Bear, expressing my desire to aid him as a spy, infiltrating a group of thieves to extract vital information. Papa Bear, always resourceful, understood the significance of my involvement and welcomed my assistance.

Aware of the impending anniversary, Papa Bear took decisive action to fortify the security of the Bendeta Mansion. He assembled the 32 Elite Guards, an additional unit within his private police force. I caught a glimpse of their captain, Chief Melton John, a man who had miraculously emerged from a coma after a perilous mission. His mere presence instilled a sense of confidence and determination within the team.

My first mission led me to Papa Bear's office, where I sought confidential information pertaining to the Bendeta Mansion Incident. As I silently combed through the files, the sound of approaching footsteps jarred me with anxiety. Swiftly, I concealed myself beneath the desk, listening intently to the conversation unfolding.

It was Papa Bear engaging in a heartfelt conversation with a young guard named Lexus Tristan. Papa Bear expressed gratitude for Lexus accepting the responsibility of protecting the Bendeta Mansion, sharing that he had a daughter named Hailey around the same age. Lexus remained focused on his duty, displaying unwavering commitment despite the awareness of my existence. There was something intriguing about his steadfast dedication and the unwritten understanding between him and Papa Bear.

Though I couldn't observe Lexus's face, his voice resonated with confidence and a sense of purpose. In that fleeting moment, an unspoken connection seemed to form between us. Little did I know that this encounter would be the catalyst for unforeseen events, unraveling secrets long buried within the walls of the Bendeta Mansion.

As I delved deeper into my role as a spy, determined to seek justice for the missing children, I couldn't shake the feeling that Lexus Tristan held the key to unlocking the truth. Our paths were destined to cross in ways that would reshape our lives and shed light on the dark secrets concealed within the Bendeta Mansion.

I wandered through the city streets, my mind consumed with the search for a clue that would lead me closer to the truth. Rumors circulated about a particular thief who constantly assembled new crewmates, only to make them wealthy enough to abandon their lives of crime. But what intrigued me the most was the fact that this enigmatic leader had returned to thieving, suggesting that there was more to this story than met the eye.

My inability to lie well compelled me to don a pair of shades, a shield that allowed me to avoid direct eye contact. I arrived at the Resto Bar, the location where the gathered intel had pointed. As I entered, I was greeted by James, the leader of the crew. A large figure loomed in the shadows, introducing himself as Milky Cow, next to him is Lobo, while a middle-aged man named Prince Gunner stood nearby.

James wasted no time in getting to the point. "What thief skills do you possess that we can put to good use?" he inquired. Without hesitation, I responded, "I excel at picking locks and opening even the most complicated vaults." James raised an eyebrow in intrigue. "Well, well, the owner of this bar happens to have a safe vault here, and he seems to have forgotten the code. Let's put your skills to the test. If you can crack it, you're in."

Confidently, I accepted the challenge. They summoned the owner, and we stood before the imposing safe vault. As soon as I laid eyes on it, I recognized it as a Burglary-resistant Safe, designed to be heavier and more secure than ordinary safes. It was almost too easy for me. "I want everyone to remain silent," I commanded, determined to focus.

I retrieved my trusty stethoscope and began manipulating the dial combinations. Half a minute later, the safe door swung open, leaving everyone in the room astounded and incredulous. The owner, in a state of shock, showered me with praise, as if I had just discovered fire. Gunner couldn't contain his admiration, exclaiming, "Oi oi oi there! It seems like we have the Queen of Locksmiths in our midst!" James joined in the applause, adding, "Wow, you're in, young lady!" Milky Cow chimed in with enthusiasm, "Brilliant!"

In that moment, I realized that my skills as a locksmith held immense value in this thieving world.

The night had fallen, and the raid on Bendeta Mansion was underway. Papa Bear's Elite security stood as formidable obstacles, but with my knowledge of our former home and the blueprints I pretended to steal from James, we found our way inside. It was clear to me that something fishy was going on. Only Papa Bear and my late uncle Petri, the mansion's former owner, possessed copies of the blueprints. Thus, James must have some connection to Uncle Petri. To conceal my true identity, I decided to use my real name as a code name, assuming that they would be too oblivious to figure it out.

Gunner and I were assigned to sabotage the CCTV room, effectively blinding the mansion. Utilizing my knowledge of the ventilation system, I reached the CCTV room before Gunner. Surprisingly, the door was already open, and no one was inside. It seemed that the security guards had been alerted to our presence. James contacted me through the radio, instructing me to locate the room with numerous dolls. This piqued my curiosity and deepened my suspicions. "Dolls? But there's only one doll here, hidden in the underground 2nd-floor room 99!" I mused to myself. The doll gave me an eerie feeling, sending shivers down my spine.

Gunner eventually arrived, and I informed him that our mission was accomplished. We decided to proceed separately to the underground floor. I retraced my steps through the ventilation system, carefully avoiding the heightened alertness of Papa Bear's Elite security. The darkness of the underground floor greeted me as I surveyed the hallway. As I made my way through room 99, I noticed a security guard lurking in a dark corner. Something wasn't right.

Keeping my guard up, I continued walking down the hallway, periodically glancing back to ensure I wasn't being followed. Suddenly, I caught sight of a Bunny Mascot with glowing eyes, standing in a corner of the hallway. Startled, I turned away, only to realize that the Bunny had moved as well. "What the f*ck!?" I exclaimed, my heart racing. Instinctively, I sprinted toward the dark corner where the security guard was hiding, swiftly cornering him against the wall and covering his mouth. With a hushed voice, I warned him, "Shhhhhhhh! Stay silent, or you'll meet your demise."

As we stood there, the Bunny Doll sauntered past us and entered room 99. A digital voice echoed through the corridor, saying, "Hi! My name is... my name is... my name is... shikishikishiki Slim Bunny! Let's play hide and seek!" My shock and astonishment grew as I grappled with the shocking revelation before me. The secrets concealed within the Bendeta Mansion were slowly beginning to unravel, and the game had just begun.