Bound by Moonlight

CLARA Back then, I thought Elaria City was a small area, but there are still things I didn't know about the city I grew up in. 25 years of living in the boring district of Emberfall feels like I know most of its ins and outs. Maybe it's because I'm alone. I want to travel the world, but I just seem to go round and round here. There is nothing new in my life. It's 10:30, and I'm walking along the street of the main district of Elaria City, what they call the district of smiles, Emberfall District. I want to laugh at the term of our district: where are the people having fun here? Emberfall is vast, with towering establishments. Trade center. It is open to visitors and people from other districts. Well, it's also called the main city. When I entered the office, I was greeted by my coworkers who were busy with their paperwork. I went to my office and immediately sat down. I took a deep breath because of the amount of paper piled up on me today. Endless work again. I am an investigative journalist. My job is to deeply investigate a single topic of interest, such as serious crimes, racial injustice, political corruption, or corporate wrongdoing. I am also the head of our department. Our strict editor suddenly came in and dropped a lot of papers on my desk. "Put it first because our boss needs it. I still have to edit it so make it fast. It doesn't mean you're promoted, you will become lazy." the editor strictly said. As soon as the editor came out, I rolled my eyes at her. Back then, when I was still new at this field, I really wanted to write about unresolved cases or investigate things. That's why this was the job I chose, but as time went on it seemed like nothing was happening to me. What I write is just a repeated case. Sometimes I am assigned jobs that are not my forte. I don't know if I love my promotion or not. I started my work to finish because I didn't want to be lectured by the editor. I hate it when she starts nagging over a simple thing. "Clara, won't you go for lunch?" my co-worker asked. "Later, I'll just finish it." I answered. They nodded and left to eat. Actually, I don't feel like eating, especially when I'm doing a lot of stuff and my mind is occupied. Because I was so busy, I didn't realize the time. It was 6:30pm. My colleagues said goodbye to going home. It's almost dinner time and my stomach is grumbling because I haven't eaten in a while. I even went down with other colleagues. "Aren't you going home yet, Miss Clara?" my colleague asked. I shook my head. "Not yet, because I still have a lot to finish. I'm just here, bye, be careful on your way home" I answered, and waved my hand when I got to the cafeteria. Good thing it's still open, and you can still buy food and coffee. I caught up with the old shopkeeper, so I immediately ordered food. When I got my order and paid, I was about to leave when she suddenly spoke. "You will soon meet each other." I turned to her with a frown. "What did you say?" I asked politely because I didn't understand what she said or was she talking to me? I just scratched my head when she didn't answer. Maybe I was just hungry, so I started to hear something. I just let it go and went back to the office to finish my work that I shouldn't have been asked to do. I eat while finishing my paperwork. Sometimes I even stretch because sitting for hours is uncomfortable and my back hurts. I looked at the time and my eyes widened. It was because it was 9pm. I was overtime again. I arranged the papers to go home, but some papers fell off. I fixed it quickly but noticed an old folder with a strange stamp. I didn't notice that there was a folder there. I got home, but I was still staring at the folder I saw. I sighed deeply before I opened it and read. It's about the case of a woman found dead, her body full of scratches and a strange mark on her neck. Her dead body was found on the border of the Woodhaven district and the Shrineville district. The investigation is not very clear and a lot of information is missing. The family suddenly stopped the case and the police did not intervene. I thought this case had been filed for a long time, but it was written last year and I also recognized the stamp on the paper. This is the seal of the ruler of Elaria's smallest district, the Shrineville District. But why does the shrine hollow have anything to do with this case? I don't know much about that district, other than its small area and population. There is also a lot of speculation about them. Though there are people from there who visit here and study, as far as I know, they don't socialize much with others. I don't know, but it seems like someone is urging me to finish this case. It's been a long time since I wrote investigations. I want to challenge myself again. The next morning, I went to my boss to do the case. My boss didn't agree, and he scolded me for the files that I shouldn't have. I clenched my hands because I was stopping myself from answering. I've been tired of this company's management for a long time. This company does not deserve all my contributions. "I won't give you this case. Go back and stick to your work." my boss said. "Not sir, because I'm leaving. You know I have been patient with your company and your crooked behavior for a long time. With all due respect, I resign." I slapped my resignation letter on the table. Of course, I was really prepared for it. I immediately turned away from him. Somehow, what I did was also fulfilling. I am free from my job and I want to leave here in Emberfall. I didn't stay long and went straight to Elaria police station. I asked them about the case that happened one year ago about the woman who was found dead on the border of the Shrineville and Woodhaven. They looked at each other before they answered me. "Why and who are you? We don't have time for an interview, " he said arrogantly. I tried to calm myself because I might lose my temper because of the person in front of me. "I'm a journalist from Starlight Press, and I am here to gather more information about the case, one year ago, about the woman who was found dead on the border of Shrineville and Woodhaven." I still respectfully answered. "Miss, that case has been over for a long time. Besides, we don't just release confidential information to other people, but if you give me your number, we can talk about it." he said with his dirty look. That's my cue. I couldn't stop myself and punched the officer. What I don't like is someone insulting me because I speak well to them. They shouldn't lose my temper because my patience runs out easily. His colleagues suddenly approached him. He was about to punch me, but I didn't move a bit, but then someone stopped his hand. "Stop, Carpio, remember that you are an officer. Treat his wound first." an officer said to his colleagues, then he faced me. "Are you okay, Miss? I'll apologize for what happened. What do you need again?" he responded gently. I sighed heavily, "It's okay, no need. Thank you so much." I said and turned to leave. I can't get anything from them either. What else do I expect from those officers and officials of Elaria? It's useless. I was leaving the station when someone suddenly pulled my arm, the kind officer earlier. "Are you sure you want to pursue that case? The investigation stopped because they didn't get any leads. It's too dangerous for you." he said seriously, as if he was warning me that what I was going to do was dangerous. I grabbed my arm from him. "You don't care anymore. It's my decision. Excuse me." I know what I'm about to do is dangerous, but I'm more excited and challenged by things like that. Thrilling is what I want to do in my boring life. And I will make sure that I can solve the case. And nothing can stop, to Clarissa Diana Harper. Let the quest begin.