The following morning, Jessica awakened to the sound of silence. No alarm clock had disturbed her peaceful slumber. As she rose from her bed, the first thing on her mind was Graves. Without wasting any time, she quickly got dressed and headed to James's house.

  Upon arriving, Jessica saw Graves standing at the doorstep, waiting for James to accompany him to Marilyn's store. He was still unfamiliar with the area and needed someone to show him the way.

  Jessica stepped out of her car and approached him, a smile spreading across her face. "I see you're up bright and early," she remarked.

  "I'm on duty today," Graves replied, a hint of nervousness in his voice.

  "Are you starting work today?" Jessica asked, surprised.

  "I believe so. Marilyn told me to come in today," Graves explained.

  "Well, look at you, already hired!" Jessica exclaimed, still grinning.

  "What are your plans for the day?" Graves inquired.

  "I was thinking of visiting the precinct. It's been a while since I worked a full day," Jessica replied.

  "I had the same thought," Graves said.

  "If you'd like, I can give you a ride to Marilyn shop," Jessica offered. "I know you're probably still feeling a bit drowsy."

  "That would be great, thank you," Graves replied. "I'll just let James know and meet you back at your car."

  Graves returned to James's house and called out to him. "James, are you in there?" he asked.

  "I'm in the bathroom," James replied. "What's going on?"

  "Jessica is here. She offered to give me a ride to Marilyn's store," Graves explained.

  "That's a good idea," James said. "I'll see you soon. Bye."

  Graves returned to Jessica's car and the two of them set off for Marilyn’s store. As they drove, Jessica couldn't help but wonder if she had missed anything the previous day. "Did anything happen yesterday?" she asked Graves.

  "Not that I noticed," Graves replied.

  "I stopped by Diana's office yesterday," Jessica said. "Her secretary told me she hasn't been coming in to work since the last time you met with her. Do you have any idea what could be going on?"

  "No, I don't," Graves said, a look of concern crossing his face. "Do you think she knows something about me?"

  "I'm sure she does," Jessica said. "But why would she hide it?"

  "I don't know," Graves said, shaking his head. "What are you going to do now?"

  "I'm not sure," Jessica admitted.

  "Maybe you should tell David about it," Graves suggested.

  "I'll consider that," Jessica said, deep in thought.

  Jessica and Graves arrived at the shop and Jessica told James she would stop by again after work. Graves waited outside the store, sheltered from the rain, but Marilyn still hadn't arrived. As the hours ticked by and no one appeared, Graves found himself at a loss. Should he return to James's house or wait for Jessica?

  Just as Graves was about to give up and start walking back, he heard a faint voice coming from inside the store. He pressed his ear to the door, trying to make out what was being said, but the sound was too muffled. Finally, he made the decision to knock on the door and call out, "Is there anyone inside?"

  After a few moments of silence, the door opened and Marilyn appeared. "I thought you weren't coming," she said. "Come on in."

  As Graves entered the shop, he couldn't help but stare at Marilyn, who was sitting at her desk, sipping on a hot cup of tea and enjoying the sound of the rain outside. When she noticed him standing there, she called out to him. "Close the door," she said, and Graves obediently did as he was told.

  He turned back to face Marylin, who was still sitting at her desk, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of nervousness wash over him. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke up. "I was waiting for a while," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

  Marilyn raised an eyebrow at him. "Then why didn't you knock?" she asked, her tone laced with curiosity.

  Graves felt foolish and didn't know how to respond. He just stood there, staring at her in silence. Finally, he mustered up the courage to ask, "So, what am I going to do?"

  Marilyn gestured to the empty chair beside her. "Come and sit. Please," she said, her voice soft and inviting. Graves approached the chair and sat down, still feeling unsure of what was going on.

  Marilyn looked at him with a knowing gaze. "I can see that you're not enjoying your time," she said, her voice laced with concern.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Graves shook his head. "No, it's not that," he said, his voice laced with frustration. "I thought you would tell me what the job is."

  Marilyn gave him a sympathetic smile. "I think you're too smart to believe they brought you here to work," she said, her voice laced with a hint of amusement.

  "Do you think it's clear too?" Graves asked, his voice laced with uncertainty.

  Marilyn nodded her head. "It is, a little," she said, her voice soft and thoughtful. "Tell me, where are you from?"

  "I'm from Vok," Graves replied, his voice filled with conviction.

  Marilyn cocked her head to the side, a look of confusion crossing her face. "Vok? Oh, you mean Canem?" she asked.

  Graves looked at her, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Canem? I've never heard of it," he said, shaking his head.

  Marilyn gave him a knowing look. "They used to call it Vok in the past. How are you still holding onto this name?" she asked, her tone laced with curiosity.

  Graves shook his head, his conviction unwavering. "I think you're wrong. I'm sure it's called Vok," he said, his voice firm.

  As Marilyn spoke, a sad smile graced her lips. "Do you believe in the supernatural, Graves?" she asked, her gaze turning introspective.

  "When I was a young girl, my mother was fascinated by psychics and the unknown. She would visit them often, hoping to gain insight into her future and her destiny. One day, she took me with her to see a psychic. The woman looked into my eyes and told me, 'You will meet the impossible, and the impossible will seek you.' At the time, I didn't understand what she meant, but now, as I see you standing before me, I can't help but feel like her predictions are finally coming true."

  There was a sense of mystery in Marylin's voice as she spoke, as if the words of the psychic had always lingered in the back of her mind, waiting for the moment when they would finally make sense.

  Graves looked at her, his mind racing as he tried to understand what she meant. "Why are you saying this?" he asked, his voice laced with confusion.

  Marilyn looked at him with a knowing gaze. "I think you're smart enough to figure out what's happening," she said, her voice filled with a sense of mystery.

  Graves shook his head, his confusion growing. "I can guarantee you that I didn't understand what you said," he said, his voice laced with frustration.

  He paused for a moment before continuing. "Do you know who I am?" he asked, his voice laced with uncertainty.

  Marilyn gave him a sad smile. "I wish that I didn't, but I can tell you that a miracle happened," she said, her voice filled with a sense of mystery.

  Graves sighed in frustration, running a hand through his hair. “Can we please stop playing these games? What do you know about me? Who am I?"

  Marilyn hesitated, biting her lip. "The psychic warned me not to reveal any information, or else a catastrophe could occur," she said cautiously.

  Graves rolled his eyes. "I think you're crazy. I'm leaving."

  He stood up and made his way towards the door, but Marilyn called out to him. "Where is James now?"

  Graves turned back to her, a confused expression on his face. "I left him at his place," he said.

  Marilyn shook her head. "I don't think so. I think he's gone behind the trees."

  Graves's brow furrowed in anger and shock as he approached her, his voice low and tense. "What did you say?"

  Marilyn's voice shook slightly. "You heard me. I know who you are, but I don't understand how you're here. I'll make sure to keep your identity a secret; the world isn't ready for the destruction that would come with the truth."

  Graves glared at her, his hands clenching the arms of the chair. "Listen, I promise I won't do anything, I won't tell anyone, and I won't go anywhere. Please just put me out of my misery."

  Marilyn was afraid of the look in his eyes, but she tried to remain calm. "Graves, misery will start when you know who you are. Trust me."

  Graves let out a sigh, his shoulders slumping in despair. "What am I supposed to do now? How am I going to end this suffering?"

  Marilyn stood up and approached him, a gentle look in her eyes. "God has given you another chance, don't waste it," she said softly. "Forget everything and focus on your new life. Trust me, sometimes it's better to stay ignorant rather than knowing things that might crush us."

  Graves looked at her for a moment before turning away and approaching the tiny window beside the door, gazing out at the world outside. Marilyn watched him, sensing the pain he was in. "Acceptance will make you feel better," she said.

  Graves turned back to Marilyn, his expression one of frustration. "I'm trying to wrap my head around all of this," he said, shaking his head. "It's like I can feel that I'm here for a reason, but this whole thing just feels so... off. Like it's not normal."

  Marilyn nodded. "Trust me, your intuitions are correct. You just need to ignore them. Not for yourself, but for us."

  Graves sat down slowly on the floor, lost in thought. After a moment, he let out a sigh. "I feel empty."

  Marilyn placed a hand on his shoulder in comfort. "Indeed, you should be feeling that. But don't worry, I'll help you. I've been waiting for you for a long time; it's my duty to keep you away from who you really are."

  Graves was shocked and devastated after his conversation with Marilyn.

  She had asked him to come see her every day so she could help him emotionally, and had asked him to keep their conversations a secret between the two of them.

  Jessica went to see her superior officer to get updates, and then headed straight to David's office. When she arrived, David was surprised to see her.

  "Jessica! You're here!" he exclaimed.

  "Hello, sir!" Jessica replied.

  "Where is Graves?" David asked.

  "Oh, James found him a job at Marilyn's store," Jessica said.

  David raised an eyebrow. "Wait a minute. How did this happen?" he asked, but Jessica interrupted him.

  "I'll explain everything, sir!" she said.

  "Have a seat," David said, gesturing to the chair in front of his desk.

  Jessica sat down and began to speak. "Sir, I allowed this because Graves's condition has improved. He's much friendlier now and he's accepted our help. He wants to be a better person."

  "Is that your explanation?" David asked, clearly unconvinced.

  "I'm sorry, sir, what?" Jessica replied, looking confused.

  "Graves is still considered missing," David said sternly. "People know him as a lost person. Do you understand how serious the situation is?"

  Jessica nodded. "But sir, he won't go anywhere. I believe that if he starts acting like a normal person, it will help him to remember some things."

  David raised an eyebrow. "How can you support that theory? Has he remembered anything since he left here?"

  Jessica nodded. "Yes, he remembered his town's name."

  "That's huge!" David exclaimed. "What was it?"

  "He said he's from Vok," Jessica replied.

  David frowned. "I've never heard of such a country."

  "Me neither," Jessica admitted. "But it's progress! Spending more time with people will surely help him remember more things."

  David looked at her with concern. "Jessica, why are you risking so much for his sake?"

  Jessica took a deep breath. "To be honest with you, sir, I feel like he was a victim and a lot of people have refused to help him. Graves is the most innocent person I've ever met. He reminds me of my father."

  "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I never thought that you, of all the officers here, would allow your emotions to get in the way of a case," David said, shaking his head.

  Jessica was silent, looking down at the ground in disappointment. After a moment, David spoke again.

  "I can't put him back in a cell since he didn't do anything wrong, but I promise you, if anything goes wrong, I'll be very strict," he said sternly.

  "Understood," Jessica replied quietly.

  "Good," David said. "Now, please leave me alone. I have some paperwork to do."

  "Thank you, sir," Jessica said, standing up to leave.

  After leaving the prison, Jessica headed back to Marilyn's store. While driving, she remembered that she had taken Amanda's cart, which had Diana's home address on it. Jessica decided to go to Diana's house and changed her route.

  When she arrived, she saw that there was no car in the driveway and the house lights were off, as if it was abandoned. Jessica stepped out of her car and approached the front door. She tried to peek through the windows to see if anyone was inside, but she couldn't see anyone. She turned and left the area, but as she drove away, someone peeked out from behind the curtains to make sure the coast was clear.

  Jessica drove back to Marilyn's store and saw that it was closed, but she noticed a light coming from the window. She honked her horn and Marilyn opened the door, waving for her to come inside. Jessica parked her car and went inside the store, where she saw Graves sitting on the floor holding a napkin and cleaning a bird cage. He was trying to act like everything was normal, but Jessica could tell that something was wrong. Marilyn approached her and said, "I see you missed him."

  You think so?" Jessica asked, smiling. "How's he doing?"

  "He's not doing too badly," Marilyn replied. "I'm afraid he might ask for a raise soon."

  Both women chuckled at the idea. "Well, no promises," Jessica said with a smile.