Of course! He's definitely up to – Erich agreed and ducked down toward the ground. His sidekick followed suit, tying a handkerchief around the lower half of her face and instantly transforming into a hardened bandit queen. I want one too! – Erich bounced on his heels, desperate to look that cool. But she hushed him and pointed: his dad was already slipping farther away.
And so, two completely unqualified junior detectives set off on their very first investigation. And not just any investigation—fieldwork! Tracking a suspicious subject who, for some totally fishy reason, decided to take an evening stroll. It never even crossed their minds that maybe the guy just needed a breath of fresh air. That would've been unbearably boring—and would've stripped this whole situation of its precious, mysterious vibe. And nobody wants that. Right?
The suspect reached the shed at the far end of the property and stopped there, staring at the wooden double doors.
Something's not right here... – whispered Nibi, and gently dropped to the grass, signaling her partner to join He immediately did, heart thumping like crazy, intoxicated by the feeling that he was part of something Big. Could his dad be a spy too? Like him? Or even cooler—what if he was a sleepwalker (whatever that actually meant)? Heck, maybe he was a werewolf sneaking out for a moonlit sheep buffet! This was getting awesome.
The duo crawled forward on their elbows. The grass scratched Erich's bare knees, but he didn't care. Birds screamed somewhere high above, their cries burning themselves into the boy's chest and fueling his wild imagination even more. Sure, he got scared sometimes, but he always conquered that fear—because deep down, he truly believed that bravery was his middle name.
Something zoomed just above his head, and he dropped flat to the ground, heart racing. A second tiny body swooped past right after.
– Nibi said calmly, trying to reassure him. She held her composure like a pro, not letting any of her inner panic show. Erich tensed, refusing to let her outcool him.
They reached the blackberry bushes—perfect cover for their secret stakeout. From their leafy hiding spot, two sets of eyes drilled holes into the back of their target. The man hadn't moved. Just stood there, staring, until he finally raised his hand.
He did it just in time too—Erich's entire body was going numb from lying still for so long.
The yard lights were off, and they couldn't make out what exactly the suspect was holding in his clenched fist. But Nibi gasped with delight:
The clouds are about to clear!
And once again, as if obeying her magic words, the sky opened up—and they saw it. From the man's hand, something cigar-shaped fluttered upward, slowly rising above his head and growing in
size. The weak ambient light wasn't enough to reveal details, just the silhouette. That elongated - cigar- kept swelling, and by the time it reached the tops of the trees, it had become the size of a full- grown bull.
Then, from above—blinding, searing light poured down.
The kids shielded their faces with their hands. The rays cut straight through their eyes, hot and painful, making them tear up uncontrollably. The whole thing lasted maybe twenty seconds. Then, darkness fell again like a curtain.
Their father, who hadn't moved the entire time, suddenly spun around—eyes locked on the blackberry bushes—and bolted right toward them!
His son tried to leap to his feet, but his body was frozen stiff from lying in the grass for so long. Every limb ached, refusing to cooperate.
Nibi, run! – He shouted toward where she'd been a second But she was already gone.
And almost immediately, someone grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and gave him a hard shake—so rough it felt like all his insides flipped upside down. Then came a heavy smack to the back of his head.
His vision gave out. And then, so did he.
Episode 7. Excavations at the Pet Store.
No! Stop! – I screamed, feeling that terrifying man grab me and shake me side to side until I fully achieved the status of a Chinese bobblehead. The pain was searing. I howled like a lunatic—until someone dumped a full blast of soapy water on my face, straight into every orifice I had. I sat up, thrashing, water flying off me in every direction.
Around me, Maiji's stunned assistants huddled with flashlights, staring like I'd just risen from the dead. Meanwhile, the coach himself observed me from atop his throne, puffing on a hookah like a relaxed vizier. When our eyes met, he lazily gestured toward a chair.
Not that I wanted to accept anything from this maniac, but I was still barely processing what was happening—or where the hell I was.
Someone handed me a bottle of mineral water. I downed it in seconds. Then the lord of this padded cell spoke, his voice dripping with blissful admiration:
The effect exceeded all my wildest expectations. In just one team-building session, you, my precious little Chufus, confronted all your negative past experiences—and conquered them.
To my dismay, I didn't even get to use my favorite stretching rack on your pathetic little twig-body. – he added with theatrical disappointment, before brightening again. – You've now entered a coalition with me as a reborn entity. You can do business not from fear, but from clear logic—with a pinch of creative spark.
Although yours is, I admit, very faint. You're only true achievement is the quaint little -von- in your last name—which, frankly, I have no idea how a commoner like you even got. But now you've scrubbed your inner self clean and can start working for the Greater Good. Comprende, dawg?
If I weren't such a coward, I might've jumped across the table and gone full WWE on him—but Casey, looming nearby with his hundred-kilo fists, had effectively murdered that idea at the concept level. So instead, I asked for more water. And dry clothes. Mine were still soaked with Maiji's spiritual bathwater.
Stacey darted off to fetch the requested items, and my torturer-turned-coach returned to his hookah and deep thoughts, having lost all interest in me. I wasn't complaining. I needed a minute to piece together whatever was left of my shredded sanity.
She returned with a plastic bag holding a crisp new shirt, camo-style pants, and another bottle—this time soda. I drank it. I got dressed. And without saying goodbye to my tormentors, I bolted from the room like my soul had caught fire.
I had no idea how I found the hallway—everything was a blur—but somehow I made it to the exit. There, I saw Louise and Valeria chatting, giggling about something like they were old friends. But the moment they saw my face, everything froze.
Valeria gasped:
What the hell did my horrible uncle do this time?!
I didn't answer. Not her. Not my sister, who was already asking a dozen questions. I just pulled out my phone and, with shaking fingers, dialed the number I still remembered by heart—even after all these years of silence.
If he couldn't help me—then the whole damn world was out of options.