That morning, in the small, modest house on the outskirts of town, Yeager woke up earlier than usual.
The world outside was still cloaked in silence, only the ticking of the wall clock accompanying his footsteps as he made his way to the kitchen. This morning, like every other, he had to make sure everything ran smoothly before taking his siblings, Zevanya and Noel, to school. His job as a detective often required late nights, but today, as always, was about family.
Yeager turned on the stove and began preparing a simple breakfast. He scrambled some eggs and made oatmeal, knowing that Noel loved soft foods that were easy to eat. Meanwhile, Zevanya—his teenage sister—was still in her room, not yet up from her messy bed.
After making sure the food was ready, Yeager walked to Zevanya's room and knocked gently on the door.
"Zev, time to get up," Yeager called softly, his tone more of a command than a request.
From behind the door, Zevanya's groggy voice responded. "I don't want to go to school…"
"Come on, get up. Breakfast is ready, we have to leave soon," Yeager said, a little firmer, but still understanding.
Zevanya finally got up reluctantly, her hair a tangled mess, her sleepwear wrinkled. She looked at her brother with a blank expression, confused, as usual.
Yeager knew all too well that school was never easy for Zevanya. Her untidy appearance and awkward behavior often made her the target of teasing. However, Yeager always did his best to support her, understanding how hard she worked to keep going despite it all.
On the other side of the kitchen, Noel—his younger brother, who had autism—was already sitting at the table. His eyes looked confused and slightly fearful, glancing around the house as if something was wrong, even though nothing had changed. Noel often felt isolated, even more so in a world he couldn't fully understand. He didn't like changes in routine and was sensitive to noises or unfamiliar environments.
"Yummy," Noel said, carefully spooning some oatmeal into his mouth, savoring the texture he liked. Yeager watched his brother closely, making sure he was okay.
"Zev, eat up, we need to go soon," Yeager continued, trying to keep the atmosphere calm, though his mind was filled with concern.
Zevanya sat down at the table, starting to spoon some oatmeal into her mouth, though it was clear she lacked enthusiasm. The world seemed to be against her every morning. She was constantly mocked at school, especially for her unkempt appearance and the way she behaved. Even without words, the injustice was painfully clear to Zevanya.
Meanwhile, Noel, who often became the target of bullying, was still confused by the world around him. His condition made him an easy target for classmates who didn't understand autism. They couldn't see that Noel just needed a little patience and kindness.
Outside of their house, school wasn't a kind place for children who were "different." Noel had been bullied before, both physically and emotionally. The kids around him didn't understand, and that ignorance only made things worse.
Yeager sighed deeply, looking at both of his siblings with a mixture of affection and concern.
As an older brother, he knew his responsibility extended beyond just providing for them. He had to protect them from a world that was full of prejudice and cruelty. While he was carrying out his secret mission as a detective, he also had to shield his siblings from the harshness of life. It wasn't just about surviving—it was about fighting for their right to be understood and accepted.
"Ace, let's go. Everything will be fine, Zev, Noel," Yeager said, forcing a smile, though worry weighed heavily on him. He knew that today wasn't just about dropping them off at school. Today, he would have to face an even greater challenge: protecting them from the outside world that was so often filled with hatred and discrimination.
Taking a deep breath, Yeager led them out of the house. Before getting into the car, he noticed Noel fidgeting nervously, glancing around, while Zevanya kept her head down, as if trying to avoid the gaze of anyone else.
Yeager made a silent promise to himself as he started the drive to school. His mission at the school might uncover many hidden things, but one thing was certain: he would never let his siblings suffer any longer. He would fight against whatever threatened them—whether it came from the outside or from within themselves.
That morning, in their modest house on the edge of the city, Yeager woke up earlier than usual.
The world outside was still quiet, with only the sound of the ticking clock filling the silence as he made his way to the kitchen. Like every other morning, his first priority was making sure everything was in order before he took his younger siblings, Zevanya and Noel, to school. His work as a detective often meant late nights, but mornings like this were about family.
Yeager turned on the stove and began preparing a simple breakfast. He cooked eggs and made oatmeal, knowing that Noel liked soft, easily eaten foods. Meanwhile, his younger sister, Zevanya—who was a teenager now—was still asleep in her room, her bed in disarray.
After the food was ready, Yeager walked to Zevanya's room and knocked gently on the door.
"Zev, it's time to wake up," he said softly, though his tone had the hint of an order.
From behind the door, Zevanya's tired voice replied, "I don't want to go to school."
"Alice, come on, breakfast is ready. We need to leave soon," Yeager insisted, trying to sound reassuring but firm.
Zevanya groaned and reluctantly got out of bed, her hair tangled and her pajamas wrinkled. She gave him a tired, confused look.
Yeager knew that his younger sister had a hard time fitting in at school. Her clothes were often messy, and she didn't care much about her appearance, which made her an easy target for bullying. Still, Yeager did everything he could to support her because he knew how difficult it was for Zevanya to cope with the world.
Meanwhile, Noel, his younger brother, who had autism, was already sitting at the kitchen table. He looked around with a distant, slightly anxious gaze, as if something was off even though nothing had changed. Noel was very sensitive to changes in his routine and to sounds or sights that didn't feel familiar.
"Good," Noel murmured as he poked at his oatmeal, savoring the texture of the food in his own quiet way. Yeager watched him carefully, making sure he was alright.
"Zev, eat something, then we'll head out," Yeager prompted again, trying to keep the atmosphere calm, though there was a flicker of concern in his voice.
Zevanya sat down at the table, barely touching her food. It was clear that school was weighing on her, not just because of the challenges she faced with her peers, but the constant ridicule she endured for not meeting the school's standards. Every day was a struggle for her. And for Noel, things were no better. His autism made him the target of constant teasing, and it was hard for anyone to understand the depth of his struggles.
Yeager sighed softly, watching his siblings as they ate.
As their older brother, his responsibilities stretched beyond taking care of their physical needs. He had to protect them from the unfairness they faced every day. Between his job as a detective and his duty to his family, he often felt pulled in two directions. But one thing was clear—he wasn't going to let anyone hurt his siblings, not if he could help it.
With breakfast finished, Yeager ushered them into the car. The drive to school was quiet, the streets still calm in the early morning light. He glanced back at Noel through the rearview mirror. His younger brother sat with his hands clasped, staring out the window, lost in his thoughts. Zevanya, sitting next to him, looked like she was deep in her own worries. She wasn't excited for school; she never really was. It had always been a place where she felt out of place, where her clothes and lack of self-care made her the subject of mockery.
"Zev, I'll talk to your homeroom teacher today, okay?" Yeager said, trying to start a conversation, though he wasn't sure if she'd respond.
Zevanya gave a small nod but didn't say anything in return. Yeager knew that she was never the type to speak up about how hard things were for her.
Noel was still quiet, but Yeager noticed that his brother seemed a little agitated, his fingers twitching as though searching for something to focus on. It hurt Yeager to see Noel like this, unable to communicate his fears but expressing them in his own way.
Upon arriving at the school, Yeager parked the car and turned off the engine.
The school yard was already filled with kids, some talking excitedly, others standing in small groups, preparing for another day of classes. Yeager looked out at them, his stomach tightening as he realized how vulnerable Noel and Zevanya were in this environment.
"Alright, guys, let's head in," Yeager said, trying to sound confident. He knew how hard it was for them to face another day in this judgmental place.
Zevanya got out first, walking with her head down as usual, trying to avoid making eye contact with the others. Noel hesitated for a moment, glancing nervously at the unfamiliar faces. Yeager stood still for a moment, watching them, his heart heavy with worry. He wanted to protect them from the harsh world outside, but he couldn't always be there.
"Stay safe today, okay? If you need anything, just find me," Yeager called out, though it was unclear if either of them fully understood what he meant.
Zevanya gave a quiet nod, and Noel's eyes met his for a moment, a look of trust and confusion in his gaze.
Once they were inside, Yeager stood there for a few seconds, watching them disappear into the building. His heart ached as he drove away, but he knew he had to trust that they would manage. Still, the weight of his responsibilities pressed down on him. His mission, which involved investigating a series of suspicious activities at the school, would bring him back here soon. He just hoped it would make a difference for his siblings.
After dropping them off, Yeager drove to his office.
The drive gave him a brief moment of silence, but his mind remained focused on his family. His office was a small, dimly lit space, filled with stacks of case files. When Yeager entered, his colleagues greeted him, but they knew better than to expect a friendly chat from him today.
"Yeager, we've got new intel on the case," one of his coworkers said, handing him a stack of papers. Yeager nodded and sat down, sorting through the files.
The investigation he was working on involved uncovering a criminal network operating within the school, but more than that, he knew the school was an environment that needed to change for kids like Zevanya and Noel. He had to balance his role as a detective with his role as their protector, and he wouldn't let anything stand in the way of that.
Thank you for the clarification! Here's the updated version:
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Upon arriving at the office, Yeager swung the door open with a quick stride, only to be greeted by the usual chaos.
The office was alive with noise—police officers and detectives were in heated discussions, papers and files scattered around. Yeager was taken aback for a moment, though he knew the office was rarely quiet. Everyone seemed to be in a rush, which could only mean one thing—something big was happening.
"Damn," Yeager muttered under his breath as he passed through the bustling crowd. "What's going on, folks?"
He asked casually, throwing his black jacket over the back of a chair. Yeager was known for being a bit of a troublemaker, never taking things too seriously. His informal, sometimes irreverent approach was a stark contrast to the more serious detectives and officers around him. It wasn't that he didn't respect their work, but he felt more comfortable with a laid-back attitude. Maybe that's what made him stand out among his colleagues.
One of the detectives, hands on his hips, glanced over at him. "Oh, you showed up, Yeager. We need your help. There's a big case involving a criminal network. It's pretty organized, and we could use someone with your skills."
Yeager nodded, realizing this was the case he had been waiting for. "Let me see the files. We need to get moving, or we're going to be late."
"Here," the detective said, handing over a stack of papers. "We've already identified some people who might be involved, but we need you to dig deeper, especially with your background."
As he flipped through the files, Yeager couldn't entirely shake the worry about his siblings. Tnelis Senior High School, where Zevanya and Noel attended, was a good distance from the city—and Zevanya had to face teasing from her classmates regularly. Noel, with his autism, was often misunderstood and bullied. It was hard for Yeager to focus entirely on the case, knowing what his younger siblings were going through.
In the middle of the chaos, Yeager focused on the case at hand. But his mind was torn between his professional work and his personal mission—protecting his siblings. The investigation at the office was becoming more demanding, and the longer he delayed his mission at Tnelis Senior, the more danger his siblings might be facing.
"I hope this case wraps up quickly," he thought to himself, though he knew that things never went quite as expected in his line of work.