[FALCON Newsfeed – NC 790, Month 3, Day 12]
Two Academics Killed in Fatal Accident
The academic world mourns the loss of two respected figures. Dr. Zein Vale, a researcher in renewable energy, and his wife, Professor Risa Vale, an expert in ancient linguistics, both figures were died in a traffic accident on West Highway, just outside the Arian city.
According to police reports, Dr. Vale's car allegedly suffered a steering malfunction, veering off course and colliding with a freight truck. Emergency services arrived shortly after, but both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
"This was a traffic accident," said Commissioner Halto of the Department of Transport Safety. "The technical inspection has been conducted by police and our team. And that is our conclusion for this case."
Authorities have officially closed the case and urged the public not to speculate, citing Civic Stability regulations.
A private funeral will be held by their family.
Sirius muted the news. The silence was heavier than the broadcast. He was fifteen—just weeks away from enrolling in high school. Until yesterday, that had been his biggest concern. Now, paperwork and entrance exams seemed meaningless. The only thing that mattered was sitting beside his sister, Erika, who clung to him as though he were the last piece of family she had left.
She was thirteen, still in her second year of middle school, and far too young to carry this kind of grief. Her eyes were red, her face pale, her voice barely a whisper whenever she spoke.
Sirius wanted to reassure her, but no words came. He was the older brother now, the only one left to protect her. And he didn't even believe the lie he was supposed to tell.
That from now, everything would be alright.
The funeral was small. A handful of relatives and a few colleagues under the gray, rain-soaked sky. The coffins were lowered one by one, the creak of ropes mixing with the quiet sobs of mourners.
Erika clung to Sirius's sleeve.
"Mom...Dad..."
Sirius had no words. Only the sound of rain filled the silence.
When the ceremony ended and most people began to leave, Sirius noticed a man lingering at the far edge of the cemetery. The stranger wasn't mourning. He was watching them from afar.
Sirius's stomach tightened.
He turned to his sister. "Erika, wait for me in parking area. I'll be right there."
She frowned. "Why? Who is that man?"
"Just… wait for me. It's okay."
Her lips trembled. "Yes..."
Sirius forced a smile he didn't feel. "Of course. Just wait in there."
Reluctantly, Erika obeyed, walking toward the parking lot with one last glance over her shoulder.
The man stepped out from the shadows. His suit was worn, his long coat heavy with rain. A faint police badge glinted from his pocket.
"You're Zein and Risa's boy, aren't you?" His voice was gravelly.
Sirius stayed on guard. "Who are you?"
"Detective Kean. Well... I was. They pulled me off the case before I even started. Just a day perhaps."
"Why do you want to meet me then?"
"Just want to share my intuition, that's all. They said it was just an accident. But I've seen accidents. This one... maybe not."
Sirius's pulse quickened. "What are you saying?"
Kean glanced around, then pressed a small flash drive into Sirius's hand.
" Well... my intuition kept haunting me. So I have search for everything... evidence, footage, and witnesses, but... I only found one. The problem was...I dont find anything on it." he muttered.
Sirius felt the cold metal dig into his palm. "What's on it?"
Kean sighed. "See for yourself. Maybe you will know something different. Call me if you find something"
Before Sirius could reply, Kieran patted his shoulder once, and give his number card then turned away. Moments later, a black sedan slipped out of the cemetery, taillights vanishing into the rain.
Sirius remained alone by the graves, the flash drive heavy in his hand.
His parents were gone. The world called it an accident.
But in his hand lay proof that the truth was maybe something else.
And it was waiting for him to open it.