On a quiet morning, Lucian sat on his bed, gazing at the sky outside his window. Suddenly, the door creaked open and his father stepped in.
Before his father could even speak, Lucian jumped to his feet and hurried out of bed.
His father blinked in confusion.
"What's gotten into this boy?"
Lucian went through his routine, had his breakfast, and was about to leave when his father reached into his pocket and handed him a few bills.
"This is just because you're so energetic today," his father said with a warm smile, ruffling Lucian's hair.
Lucian smiled back.
"Thanks, Dad. I've got something important I need to do today."
With that, he dashed out the door, racing toward school. On the way, he spotted his friends Jude and Anya.
Jude waved excitedly.
"Lucian!!!"
But Lucian didn't waste a second. His tone was unusually serious.
"Guys, I need to ask you something important."
Anya raised an eyebrow, curiosity glinting in her eyes.
"And what's that supposed to be?"
Lucian hesitated only a moment before speaking.
"I need your help with something… Lately, the Research Center has been acting strange."
Both Jude and Anya's eyes widened in shock.
"What do you mean?" Jude asked, baffled.
Lucian scrambled to find the right words.
"I… I don't know how to explain it, but Lisa is connected to that place. And if I don't act soon, it might be too late. I want to get inside and uncover what they're hiding."
Jude and Anya froze, their faces pale with disbelief. Then Jude placed both hands on Lucian's shoulders, speaking with steady resolve.
"Lucian… I'll always stand by you. But sneaking into a place like that—it's too dangerous. I can't risk it."
Anya nodded, forcing a small, nervous smile.
"Me neither… it's just too risky."
Lucian let out a heavy sigh. Clearly, he would have to come up with another way…
**
After class, most of the students were chatting and spending time together. The air was calm, while Lucian quietly packed his things into his bag.
"Ah… right, the teacher gave us loads of homework again," he muttered.
Suddenly, he heard soft footsteps approaching. He turned—and there she was. Lisa, smiling at him warmly.
"Hey… what were you just doing?" she asked.
Lucian glanced at his bag, zipping it shut as calmly as he could.
"Just… finishing up some math homework."
Lisa tilted her head, stepping closer, as if doubting him.
"Are you sure about that?"
Lucian stiffened under her persistence.
"I said it's nothing," he replied firmly.
Lisa chuckled lightly, brushing it off. The two of them walked side by side, Lisa chattering about a story of a cat and a mouse—while Lucian's mind drifted elsewhere.
"How do I protect her? What's the Research Center's connection to the Clock Tower? … And that pocket watch she carries… is it all tied together?"
A sharp nudge to his shoulder snapped him out of his thoughts. Lisa was frowning at him.
"Were you even listening to me?"
Lucian blinked, then sighed in apology.
"Sorry… I was caught up in something else. I didn't mean to ignore you."
Lisa studied him for a moment, then exhaled and continued walking. Lucian followed silently, his thoughts tangled in confusion.
By the end of the school day, the two of them wandered through the streets of town. Lisa's eyes were fixed on the ground, her mood oddly subdued.
Then suddenly, her face lit up. She darted forward, calling out:
"Mom!!! Look—it's my new friend!"
Lucian's heart stopped.
Standing a few steps away was a woman he instantly recognized.
Her mother… was Lara Kane.
"Oh… hello," Lara greeted, approaching him with a smile far too pleasant. "Thank you for being my daughter's friend. She's told me so much about you."
Lisa puffed her cheeks in protest.
"Wait, I only said I made a new friend! I didn't tell you that much!"
Lucian barely heard her words. His mind reeled—Lisa's mother is Lara Kane?!
He stammered awkwardly, forcing a polite tone.
"Ah… y-yes. It's an honor. Lisa's a… special, curious girl."
Before he could gather himself, Lara clasped his hand in a handshake far too strong, her smile unwavering.
"I do hope you'll stay a good friend to her… bad friends tend to disappear around here."
Her voice was gentle, but the weight behind her words sent a chill down Lucian's spine.
Then she turned to her daughter with that same soft smile.
"Lisa, how about you come with me to the supermarket? We need to pick up a few things for dinner."
Lisa's eyes widened in delight.
"Really? Okay! Let's go, Mom!" She beamed at Lucian. "See you later—at school, alright?"
Lucian said nothing. He simply watched as they walked away.
But moments later, unease settled in his chest. His gaze sharpened.
"Wait… the supermarket's right behind me. Why are they walking in the opposite direction?
No… that can't be right. I remember clearly—seven years ago, there was only one supermarket in all of Merwan…"
Lucian's suspicions only grew sharper, and he quickened his pace, trailing them through winding alleys and narrow streets, always keeping a safe distance.
"Something's wrong… I know it!"
Seventeen long minutes later, his heart skipped a beat—Lara and Lisa had entered the Clock Tower.
Lucian bolted toward the door—only to hear hurried footsteps behind him.
"Hey, Lucian!!" a voice boomed, drawing the attention of the nearby tourists.
He spun around and froze. It was Uncle Ravid, grabbing his arm and pulling him away from the entrance.
"You can't go in there. This place is off-limits."
Lucian struggled, desperation rising in his chest.
"Uncle, please! Something's not right in there—I need to go inside!"
But Ravid's grip was iron. No matter how Lucian begged, his uncle refused to yield.
Then, out of the corner of his eye, Lucian noticed a figure in a white robe approaching. The man's voice was calm, yet it struck Lucian like thunder.
"Lucian… what are you doing here?"
Lucian lifted his gaze—his breath caught.
It was his father.
Ravid's eyes went wide in shock. He immediately released Lucian's arm.
"I'm sorry, brother… but your son is too reckless. I couldn't let him—"
His father cut him off with a deep sigh. Placing a steady hand on Lucian's shoulder, he spoke with quiet resolve:
"Enough. I'll take him inside myself. I won't keep the truth from him any longer."
Before Ravid could protest, Lucian's father led his son straight through the Tower's doors.
Lucian glanced back one last time—his uncle standing frozen in disbelief—before the heavy doors shut behind them.
"What is happening? Is my father… a scientist? And why are they walking into the Clock Tower so openly—without anyone questioning them?
The truth was waiting inside.