The Way Back Home's

Inside Barrier

A cold light hit both of them from behind. This coldness darted along with a black shadow. The shadow stopped and swirled over the Aureline stone sac. Along with his movements, the sac began to lift into the air. The black shadow slowly began to take shape. The bag landed on the sturdy hand of a long-haired man. The shadow figure now completely vanished replaced by the posture of the long-haired, black-blue sturdy man.

“Ruberu?” Farrell asked, just making sure while squinting through the dimness of the night. He only met the police once. He is not able to recognize this figure well in the dark let alone understand what the purpose of trapping him.

Ruberu stepped forward until she was under the street lamp post. The light showed his face more clearly. A cold face with a sharp eye full of pressure. “I'm impressed that you can guess who the magician who played you in the labyrinth, Farrell.”

Remy whispered to Farrell. “Who is he?”

“A policeman. Ought.”

“Should have? What do you mean?”

Ruberu threw a paper-thin smile. “Over time in the wizarding world must have made you more sensitive to magic. You adapt quickly. It might even be that the magic particles here make you feel fresher without you noticing. You must have the talent to be a witch.” Ruberu said something Farrell hadn't realized before. It was difficult to explain, but he did feel healthier every time he moved into the magical world. “You feel my magic aura?” Ruberu thought Farrell could guess his aura. Not entirely true.

Farrell shook his head. “No. I don't know how. I just felt that your magic just made us go round and round in place. Like a cat toying with a mouse or like a cop who doesn't want his suspect to run away.”

“Accurate once. I don't want you guys to escape.”

“You followed us?”

Ruberu did not answer. His eyes were focused only on Farrell. His left hand poured the bag over his right hand. He lifted the ball up so Farrell could see it more clearly. “This rock disappeared from the artifact excavation site a week ago. How can this thing be on you, Farrell Eden?”

“I told you. That's not mine. It belongs to Denise.” Farrell repeated his statement.

“What Denise is a woman trying to buy Eden’s Lodge?”

“True. He's the one.”

“Why is this thing on him?”

“I don't know. But, there is a letter in it.”

“Denise bought it from you?”

“Of course not! Just read the letter, it wasn't me who gave it.”

“So I heard some interesting news about a guy named Olivia. Olivia is Emily's sister. Emily was one of your innkeepers. It makes you indirectly their superior. Could Emily or Olivia give this to Denise on your orders?”

“What? My orders? I've even been to Eden’s Lodge for years. I just found out about Olivia, too. Remy says he's dead.”

Farrell's words made Remy gulp his saliva out loud. “The story is like that.”

Ruberu squinted. “Very interesting. Alright. Denise got it from someone else at the dig site while you stole from her?”

“I didn't—” Farrell quit. He did not want to be called a thief, but Ruberu had a point. Farrell had just taken the thing without permission from the owner, whether it was Olivia or Denise. However, Farrell's actions can fall into the category of theft.

“My name is Ruberu, an officer from the central police. I was assigned to handle the case of the disappearance of ancient artifacts that have recently become more and more. We suspect looters are using Eden’s Lodge to smuggle historic items into the upper world. High level criminal activity. Moreover, the magic portal Eden’s Lodge is not guarded like any other portal connecting two parallel worlds. So, it's only natural that I'm suspicious of everyone who's been in and out of Eden’s Lodge. Especially to insiders. Like you guys.”

“A— I just resigned,” says Remy fast. “Fa— Farrell just found out about the magical world. Ka— We are innocent. Really.”

“You could have been one of the craters.”

“What? Naw. Su— Really... Ka— We— We are not involved.”

While Remy was flirting with Ruberu's accusations, Farrell was a little relieved. At least Ruberu's a real cop. “We are not looters, Ruberu. But, I thought we could help you catch the real looter.”

“Why should I listen to your words, Farrell? You may be one of their friends.”

“Ruberu, criminals will not ask for help to the police. Though, I went to the police station yesterday to report my uncle and Denise.” Farrell pointed to the ball in Ruberu's hand. “After all, if I were a plunder, I would have run away and not let you get it.”

Ruberu smile. “Even interesting logic games are not entirely true. I'm happy to meet smart people.”

Farrell had no intention of responding to his interlocutor's remarks.

“I'll keep this as proof.” Ruberu put the ball back in her pocket. Then, the bag is stored in its black coat. Ruberu stepped closer. His face and gaze no longer exuded pressure. However, Farrell also could not interpret what the look of the face now meant. Ruberu began to walk leisurely while observing the surroundings. “Bariklah, Farrell. You can tell me anything. Right now, this place is shrouded in my magic protector. No one can see and steal our talk.”

Remy's still on guard. “So we're stuck in a magic dome?”

Farrell tried to be more relaxed. He walked over to the long-haired policeman. “I need your help.”

“Capture Denise?” Ruberu stopped, waiting for Farrell to get closer.

“Help my mom, that's a priority right now. Denise got my mom bitten by a poisonous spider. He wants me to exchange the Eden’s Lodge certificate for the bidder. I just want Denise to keep her promise.”

Ruberu frowned hearing that.

“Why? Don't you think he has the antidote?” Farrell guessed Ruberu's thoughts.

“So please, I can't guess people's thoughts.” Ruberu crossed her arms. “Tadi, you said you took the bag from Denise's room. Is he part of the looters?”

Farrell turned back, looking at Remy. Spontaneously, Remy could only shake his head while shrugging his shoulders. The chef doesn't understand the looters at all. Farrell saw Ruberu again. Now just stay on his own thoughts. “This is just my guess,” he said, a little hesitant.

“Tell!”

“I think one of Eden’s Lodge employees was involved. Name's Emily. Maybe he's the culprit or maybe just a conspiracy or maybe just a victim of identity falsification. She has a twin sister named Olivia. Remy said Olivia died a few years ago at the dig site. I thought Olivia could have faked her death. They often exchange places to smuggle goods. Other lodging employees have seen him carry ancient items such as a statue.”

“Interesting theory, Farrell. So, your innkeeper was involved? Don't you think I can arrest you on charges of protecting criminals?”

“What? I'm not—” Farrell succumbed to various Ruberu accusations. “Terlarah. I'm taking that risk. My mother's origin is helped.”