Chapter 18
Orvin’s hands trembled as he gripped the steering wheel, his mind racing with everything Kenny had said. Magic. Another world. It was madness—completely insane.
His gut twisted. This wasn’t just some delusion Kenny had cooked up on his own. Those people—the ones keeping him at that mansion—had gotten inside his head. It was clear to Orvin now: Kenny had been kidnapped, and worse, he had started sympathizing with his captors. He didn’t even realize he was in danger.
Orvin hesitated at the crossroads. Home was to the left. The police station was to the right.
He turned right.
By the time Orvin stepped into the police station, doubt gnawed at him. He felt foolish. How was he supposed to explain this? That his nephew was being brainwashed by people who believed in magic? That a girl had waved her hand, and light had come out of thin air? But he had to do it, his nephew is in danger!
Before he could talk himself out of it, the police chief (PC) entered the waiting area. A grizzled man with a thick mustache and tired eyes, PC was clearly overworked. He greeted Orvin with a firm handshake, his expression apologetic.
"Mr. Orvin, I know this has been difficult for you," PC said. "I assure you, we’re doing everything we can to find your nephew. His case is a high priority."
Orvin nodded, still trying to gather his thoughts.
PC’s face darkened. "I mean whoever took Kenny also murdered our sketch artist and an old man. It is absolutely a top priority for us."
Orvin’s heart pounded. "I... know where Kenny is."
PC’s eyes snapped up. "You what?"
Orvin took a deep breath. "I was invited to a mansion earlier today. Kenny was there. He told me not to worry, that he was safe, but…" He hesitated, struggling to put it into words. "I don’t think he really believes that. I think they pressured him to say it."
PC straightened, his demeanor shifting from sympathy to sharp focus. "Where is this mansion?"
Orvin gave him the location.
"What kind of security did you see?"
Orvin hesitated. "I… I don’t know. I wasn’t looking for that. But there were definitely people there. A lot of them."
PC nodded, already making orders to his officers. Within minutes, a full force was mobilized. As Orvin tried to follow them, an officer stopped him at the door.
"You should stay here," the officer said.
"But—"
"This is a police matter now. If we find Kenny there, We’ll bring him back."
Reluctantly, Orvin stayed behind.
Inside the mansion, Hernandez, Isabella, Adisa, Chidi, and Kenny had just finished their discussion when a sharp knock came at the door. Before anyone could react, another knock followed—louder this time.
Hernandez stood up, his face tense. "That’s not good."
A voice called out. "This is the police! We have the place surrounded! Send out Kenny, and no one else will be harmed!"
Kenny’s heart pounded. "The police?" He looked at Hernandez. "Why are they here?"
Hernandez didn’t answer immediately.
For a moment, they all thought it was Emperor Tarvo’s men, but now, hearing the police announce themselves, the room was filled with uncertainty.
"Dammit," Hernandez muttered. "They must you are hiding here."
"How could them come to that conclusion?"
"What do you think?"
Kenny turned pale. "You mean… Orvin told them?"
Adisa crossed her arms. "That was fast."
Chidi shifted uncomfortably. "So, what now? Fight them?"
"No," Hernandez said quickly. "They are just doing their job."
"So what's the plan?"
"We let them take him. If we resist, it’ll make things much worse"
Kenny looked at him in alarm. "You’re giving me up?"
"Don't worry, I’ll go to the station to make sure you are safe" Hernandez placed a hand on his shoulder. "Trust me."
Kenny had his doubts. But he didn’t see another choice.
A few minutes later, the doors opened, and Kenny was led out in handcuffs. He didn’t resist, though his heart thundered in his chest. He had thought the police were here to rescue him—but when they shoved him into the back of a police carriage, he realized something was wrong.
He wasn’t just being taken in for questioning.
He was being arrested.
Orvin was waiting at the police station when they brought Kenny in. Relief washed over his face—until he saw the handcuffs.
"What the hell?" Orvin took a step forward, only for an officer to stop him. "Why is he in cuffs?"
PC sighed. "We have reason to believe your nephew is directly involved in the murders of Officer Wang and our sketch artist."
Orvin’s mouth fell open. "What? That’s insane!"
Kenny stared at them, his body stiff. "You think I killed them?"
PC folded his arms. "We have strong evidence for that"
Orvin looked at Kenny in disbelief, "What evidence?!"
Kenny’s jaw clenched. "I did not kill anyone."
PC exhaled. "That’s what the interrogation is for."
As Kenny was led to a holding cell, Orvin’s mind raced. This wasn’t what he had wanted. He had just wanted Kenny safe. Not this.
Then, someone grabbed his arm.
Orvin turned—and froze.
Hernandez.
"You—!" Orvin tried to yank away. "You kidnapped my nephew!"
Hernandez rolled his eyes. "Stop being an idiot. If I kidnapped Kenny, why am I here? How did I get in without being arrested?"
Orvin hesitated, "you are a police officer."
"That part is right."
"Are you trying to frame my brother? To what end?"
Hernandez leaned in. "You’re too thick to see what’s in front of you. Everything Kenny told you was true. Magic. The other world. All of it. And right now, he’s in real danger. The only thing protecting him is me."
Orvin stared, struggling to process. "I have a hard time believing that."
"That's your problem, isn’t it. Right now, if you really care about him, you’ll listen to me."
Orvin swallowed hard. "What do we do now?"
Hernandez sighed. "They’ll interrogate him, hoping he confesses. No matter what, he’ll be taken to court tomorrow for a hearing. I’ll make sure he stays safe tonight. Whoever killed the sketch artist has access to the police station, so I'll be on the lookout."
Orvin exhaled. "And me?"
"Get him a lawyer."
Orvin nodded. "Right."
As he turned to leave, he hesitated. "Hernandez… if all of this is true, Kenny has a hard life ahead of him, doesn't he."
Hernandez’s face darkened. He nodded.
Orvin looked him dead in the eye. "What would you do to protect him?"
Hernandez’s expression was unshaken. "I’d give my life."
Orvin studied him for a long moment. "I can’t ask for more than that."
And with that, he left.