Chapter 01
In the dark crutches of the Danburg Grove, during the night of the full moon, a woman sprints deep within the woods, she runs with rapid speed as if this was her last run. The screams of bats can be heard as another shadowy figure follows her through the shadows.
She notices it approaching closer to her and begins to run even more faster, and suddenly it becomes quiet, almost too quiet as she looks behind while running. The shadowy figure lunges at her as she screams in agony while falling to her death.
The screams become so loud that suddenly he wakes up rapidly only to realize it was just a dream. He looks around and realizes he is safe in his room, his small yet comfy room.
"Ian, Ian you up? you're going to be late." said a masculine voice who is Edwin Clay, the adoptive father of Ian Clay, Ian tries to shake off that nightmare. "Ian? Are you awake? Ian?" said Edwin. "I'm awake Ed." said Ian who then checks his phone and sees 5 texts from his best friend, Jimmy Wikins and 17 group texts, he also receives an alert that had missed his alarm, then he drops his phone on the bed and rushes from his room to the bathroom.
Moments pass as Ian gets ready and grabs his backpack packed with books as his Edwin who has already prepared the table, lands Ian's favorite breakfast, Pancakes on the table. Ian goes to the mirror one last time and start making slight adjustment to his hairstyle. "Come on, breakfast isn't going to eat itself." said Edwin who sits in the chair and begins having his breakfast.
"Alright, I am almost done, by the way, how's work?" asked Ian as he modifies his hairstyle "As usual, apparently, still no response from missing person cases, unless a victim leaves a clue before going missing, we got nothing, speaking of, promise me you'll be careful." said Edwin. "Sure Ed, anything for my favorite detective." said Ian.
"Alright that's enough, why don't you sit down or do I have to drag you by myself." said Ed. "Okay man, I am coming." said Ian as he joins Ed for breakfast. "Pancakes, yummy." said Ian as he takes a bite. Ed happily smiles hoping to get a feedback. Ian starts chewing and swallows it and looks at Ed smiling. Ian becomes lost in taste of his favorite breakfast but returns back to the world when he sees Ed early waiting for a feedback.
"What?" asked Ian. "How... Was... It?" asked Ed. "Amazing as usual, what? Starting to doubt your cooking now Mr. Clay?" asked Ian as he enjoys his breakfast. Ed smiles. "Never, you know? If it wasn't for my desire to serve my country, I would have been a excellent cook." said Ed. "Really? I thought you became a cop because you failed in college?" asked Ian. "Detective, and who told you that?" asked Ed. "Well, you know what they say, the truth always comes out." replied Ian.
"Sorry to break this to you, but that isn't the truth, see this is what's wrong with this generation, they spent their entire lives on devices, they don't realize the truth is out there." said Ed. "Sure, way to change the topic but I gotta go, I'm late for the field trip, Jim was serious about attending the field trip this time." said Ian as he prepares to leave.
"Field Trip? But you said it was next month." said Ed. "I said that last month and I've already packed up the essentials." said Ian as he opens the door and is about to leave. "Ian?" said Ed.
"What'd up detective?" asked Ian. "Be safe out there." said Ed. "Love you too." said Ian who salutes at him sarcastically as he walks out of the house and closes the door. Then he plugs in his earphones and starts to walk.
Moments later, outside the school, Ian arrives just as the bus is about to leave and Jim is standing close to the bus eagerly awaiting Ian. Ian approaches him just as the other kids get on the bus.
"Ian, what the hell man, I've been texting you for hours." said Jim as he greets him. "Sorry, woke up late again." said Ian. Just then Mr. Burton AKA Coach approaches them. "Ian, how nice of you to arrive on time, now come on, hop on the bus, Now!" shouts Coach. Ian and Jim immediate rush to the bus where the rest of the kid have already taken their seats. Claire who keeps mocking the students as they get own the bus notices them approaching. "Oh look, Harry and Lloyd have come aboard the bus, oh and what's this, new haircut huh? Way to go Ian, joining a punk band?” asked Claire.
“You're giving fashion advice now? last time I checked I could barely distinguish your face from your butt." replied Ian. The entire bus start to burst out laughing after hearing his response. "You s**t!" said Claire. "Love you too sweetheart, call me." said Ian as he winks at her. Just then coach breaks up the argument. "Alright, that's enough, Ian back to your seat." said the coach.
Ian begins to head to an empty seat way behind Claire. As he walks, the other kids start cheering for him. "Nice one Ian." said Griffin. "Happy to serve chief." replied Ian as he heads to his seat. "Harry and Lloyd? Really, god, your movie references are so old." said Jim.
"Jim back to your seat." said the coach. Jim starts walk past her and join Ian as she turns aside.
An hour later, the bus had reached over several kilometers. Ian and Jim are having a chat about superheroes while rest of the kids are busy with their phones. "I'm tell you man, in the tv show, he somehow had the Helm of Nabu, which was never discussed, and in the comics, in one continuity or another, he has tricked Trigon, Batman, Superman, Dr. Fate even The First of the Fallen, if anyone can trick Thanos into giving him the infinity gauntlet, it's him." said Jim.
"Come on dude, it's Thanos we're talking about, he is smart as Iron Man is, do you think he wouldn't see that coming?" asked Ian. As they chat, Brian who is sitting behind them having heard their entire com intervenes after becoming bored by it.
"Bro I’m bored. Tell me a good joke." said Brian. "Sure bro." replied Jim. "Do you know how to keep an i***t in suspense?" asked Jim. "Don’t know. How?" asked Brian. Jim remains silent without looking back at him. "I’m still waiting for your answer." said Brian. Both of them still remain silent without looking back. "Hello? Guys? I'm right here." said Brian.
They still remain silent without noticing him while Ian starts to giggle silently. "Guys I'm serious, why don’t won't any of you answer?" asked Brian furiously. Still they remain silent, then Jim and Ian look at each other and both of them start to giggle. Brian notices it and realizes what the joke was on him all along. "Oh, oh right, I get it, very funny guys." said Brian. Suddenly, both of them burst out laughing after his response.