Connecting the Dots

The quiet hum of Sid's computer filled the small workshop. The glow of multiple monitors cast flickering shadows across the room, making it feel like a war room—because, in many ways, it was. The three of them—Sid, Hayato, and Remond—were at the center of something bigger than themselves.

Sid leaned back in his chair, rubbing his eyes. He hadn't slept properly in days.

"Okay," he started, adjusting his glasses. "Let's go over what we know."

Remond crossed his arms, still deep in thought. "Axiom Syndicate is running human experiments. They're working on something called 'Project Evolution.'"

Hayato, leaning against the workbench, nodded. "And they're careful. If Sid's having trouble finding traces of them, then they know how to cover their tracks."

Sid exhaled sharply, his fingers drumming against the desk. "That's what makes this even weirder. They're good, yeah, but no one is perfect. If we could intercept that distorted radio call, that means something's slipping through the cracks."

Remond frowned. "Maybe they're getting reckless?"

Hayato's sharp eyes locked onto Sid. "Or they're moving into the final phase of whatever they're planning."

A heavy silence filled the room.

Sid turned to his screen, scrolling through his notes. "I managed to pull one name from the mess. Dr. Malcolm Graves."

Remond leaned in. "Who is he?"

Sid clicked a few keys, pulling up a blurry photograph and a heavily redacted file. "One of Axiom's lead researchers. He's not some underground back-alley scientist—this guy used to work for major biotech firms before disappearing off the grid. And get this…" Sid's eyes met theirs. "He's in the city."

Remond's heart pounded. This was the first solid lead they had. "Then let's go find him."

---

The Weight of the Past

The three of them agreed to wait for more information before taking action, but Remond found it impossible to sit still. As he walked home, his thoughts drifted back to his father.

It had been weeks since the incident. A quite night at the restaurant for a reunion meal, a shootout, and then… nothing.

No goodbyes. No second chances. Just loss.

His father had been a police officer—a damn good one. Remond still remembered the way he would come home after long shifts, exhausted but smiling when Remond just a little kid. He regrets moving to this damn place, if he was at hometown, he could have spent more time with his father. But that's not possible now.

His father had taught Remond the value of justice, the importance of standing up for what was right.

And now, here he was, chasing down criminals in the shadows. Would Dad be proud? Or would he tell me to stop before I get myself killed?

A gust of wind blew past, and for a moment, Remond could almost hear his father's voice.

"You'll know what's right when the time comes."

He exhaled, shaking the thoughts away. Right now, he had a mission.

---

A Quiet Moment with Innes

The next morning, Remond arrived at school feeling restless. The usual noise of the hallways felt distant, like he was walking through a world separate from everyone else.

Then he saw Innes.

She was standing near the lockers, scrolling through her phone. As soon as she noticed him, she gave him a small smile. "Hey, Remond."

"Hey." He leaned against the lockers beside her.

She glanced at him. "You look like you didn't sleep."

He let out a short laugh. "Yeah. Been busy."

She hesitated before asking, "Anything you can talk about?"

Remond exhaled. He had been keeping things vague with her, but he also knew that she wasn't stupid. Innes had been running her own crime news blog, and she was sharp—sharper than most people at school.

After a moment, he said, "We intercepted something last night. Axiom Syndicate is moving forward with something big."

Innes frowned. "That gang that's been behind all the weird stuff lately?"

Remond nodded. "Yeah. And we might've found someone important. A doctor who's part of their experiments."

She studied him for a long time before asking, "And you're going after him, aren't you?"

He didn't respond right away.

She sighed. "You know, most people would be terrified of this. But you? You're diving in headfirst."

Remond shrugged. "Someone has to."

Innes gave him a look that was both impressed and concerned. Then, after a moment, she said, "Are you free tonight?"

Remond blinked. "Uh… maybe. Why?"

She smiled slightly. "I was thinking… the carnival is in town. Wanna go?"

For the first time in what felt like forever, Remond felt himself blush. He quickly looked away. "I… I'll let you know later."

"Cool." She turned back to her phone, but he could see the amused expression on her face.

He exhaled. Great. Now my heart's racing for a completely different reason.

---

Nightfall – The Carnival Escape

At 7 PM, Remond stood at the entrance of the carnival, scanning the crowd. The flashing neon lights, the sound of laughter, and the aroma of fried food created an atmosphere so different from the world he had been consumed by.

And then, he saw Innes.

She wasn't in her usual school attire. She wore a simple jacket over a long-sleeved shirt and jeans, looking casual yet effortlessly pretty.

"Hey." She smiled.

"Hey."

They wandered through the carnival, playing games, eating too much food, and even daring each other to ride the wildest rollercoaster.

At one point, Innes grabbed his arm and pulled him toward a ring toss booth. "Come on, tough guy. Let's see if you can win me something."

Remond smirked. "You're seriously challenging me?"

"Scared?" she teased.

He shook his head and took a shot—missing the first few times before finally landing the ring on the bottle. He handed her the stuffed bear he won. "Here. Proof of my skills."

She laughed. "Or proof that you're stubborn."

As they walked, the night sky stretched above them, the bright lights of the carnival reflecting in her eyes.

She glanced at him. "You know… you don't have to do everything alone, right?"

Remond sighed. "I know."

"Then let me be here for you." Her voice was soft but firm. "Even if it's just talking. Or eating ridiculous amounts of carnival food. Whatever you need."

Remond didn't know how to respond to that, so he just nodded.

As they walked, his phone buzzed. A radio message.

Sid.

He sighed. "I have to go."

Innes smiled knowingly. "Go save the world."

He chuckled. "Something like that."

---

Sid's Breakthrough

When Remond arrived at Sid's workshop, he found Hayato already there, standing in the dimly lit room.

Sid glanced up from his desk. "Took you long enough."

Remond rubbed the back of his head. "I was… busy."

Hayato raised an eyebrow but didn't comment.

Sid turned back to his screen. "So, about that weird call I intercepted." He adjusted his glasses. "I managed to clean up the audio a bit more."

He pressed play.

A distorted voice crackled through the speakers.

"… shipment… arriving soon… ensure subject is prepared…"

Remond's eyes narrowed. "Shipment? Subject?"

Sid nodded. "Sounds like Axiom is moving something. Or someone."

Hayato folded his arms. "When and where?"

Sid smirked. "That's what I'm trying to find out. Give me a little more time."

Remond took a deep breath. "Then we get ready."