Time fractured into disjointed moments: the impact, the darkness, the countdown to oblivion... until, in a jolt of motion, Darwin's eyes flickered open to the swaying of horsehide curtains and the faint scent of coal smoke.
As his gaze adjusted to the dim light, he took in his surroundings. He was inside a wooden vehicle, the creaking of wheels and the muffled sound of horse hooves on cobblestone streets filling the air.
A faint glow emanated from lanterns mounted on the carriage's sides, casting flickering shadows on the walls.
Darwin's mind struggled to catch up. What had happened? He remembered being hit by a truck, the feeling of weightlessness, and then...this. He looked down at his clothes, unfamiliar and old-fashioned. A tailcoat, waistcoat, and trousers, all in a faded black fabric.
The carriage hit a pothole, jolting Darwin forward. He groaned, his head spinning. Where was he? How did he get here?
"Hey.." he called out to the driver, his voice shaking slightly. "Where are we going?"
The driver didn't respond, instead urging the horses onward with a crack of the whip. Darwin tried again, louder this time. "Hey, driver! Where are we headed..?"
As Darwin called out to the driver, he realized the man wasn't responding. Instead, the driver looked at him with a mixture of confusion and wariness, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Get down, sir.." the driver said firmly, his voice low and rough.
Darwin hesitated, unsure why the driver wasn't understanding him. He tried again, slower and louder this time. "Where...are...we?"
The driver's expression didn't change, and he repeated, "Get down, sir. Now."
It dawned on Darwin that the driver wasn't just being obstinate; he genuinely couldn't understand what Darwin was saying. The language barrier, the cultural differences, everything was foreign to this world.
With a mixture of frustration and curiosity, Darwin climbed down from the carriage, his eyes fixed on the driver as the carriage continued on its way, leaving him standing alone on the cobblestone street.
Now, Darwin was left to navigate this unfamiliar world, trying to make sense of his surroundings and figure out what was happening. He approached a passerby, hoping to get some answers.
"Excuse me.." Darwin said, trying to gauge the person's reaction. "Can you tell me where I am?"
The person looked at him quizzically, clearly not understanding what Darwin was saying. Darwin tried again, using simpler words and gestures.
The person pointed down the street, saying something that sounded like "Briarwood" to Darwin's ears. Darwin's eyes lit up as he recognized the name. Briarwood, Leones Kingdom , this was the setting of the novel he'd read.
Darwin's mind reeled as he tried to process what was happening. He was in a novel. But how? Why? And what did it mean for him?
Leones, just how in world did he get here.
As Darwin stood on the cobblestone street, trying to make sense of his surroundings, he heard a voice calling out to him.
"Darwin.."
"Darwin Briar! Wait up!"
Darwin's head spun towards the voice, and his eyes landed on a figure hurrying towards him. The voice, the name – it all felt familiar, yet strange.
"Darwin Briar?" the figure repeated, reaching his side.
Darwin's mind reeled as he processed the name. Darwin was his first name, but Briar was the surname from the novel. He was the main character, Darwin Briar?!
"Who...who are you?" Darwin asked, still trying to wrap his head around the situation.
The figure looked at him with concern. "Darwin, it's me, Edwin. What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Darwin's eyes widened as he stared at Edwin. He had seen worst than a ghost.
He was literally in a novel world, and he was the main character.
But what did it mean? How did he get here? And what was his purpose?
Edwin's expression changed from concern to confusion. "Darwin, are you alright? You're starting to scare me."
Darwin took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts. He had to play along, at least for now. "Yeah, I'm fine, Edwin. Just a bit...disoriented."
Edwin nodded, though his eyes still held a hint of worry. "Let's get you back to the Bureau, the chief's throwing a fit, we've been looking for you for days mate."
Darwin eyes widened, Edwin just reminded him of a crucial fact. This Darwin was a detective here in briarwood and the reason he was the one the carriage was because he was returning back to the Bureau after completing a mission and take a day off to relax.
"My apologies, I had lost track of time…it's not everyday I get to relax.."
Edwin smiled and nodded, he was their best detective which also meant he had a lot of workload.
"The missus must have been elated, it's not everyday she gets to see her husband.."
Darwin smiled froze, he didn't know this character had a wife? But he was gay! Was he supposed to pretend he loved his wife now?
"Seems like I'd have to take on alot of workload.." he muttered to himself.
Edwin turned, like he had heard something "Did you say anything?"
Darwin smiled and shook his head "No, must have been the wind.."
Edwin smiled for a bit before turning, muttering about how nice the weather was.
Darwin glanced at their surroundings, he hadn't read the novel enough to know how the world worked.
He had to protect his head.
"Say, Edwin. I must have hit my head pretty hard, remind me again. What's the chief like?"
Edwin blinked at him, then chuckled. "The chief? Are you serious? Don't let him hear you asking questions like that, or he'll roast you alive. Man's got a bark worse than thunder, and a temper to match."
Darwin forced a nod, swallowing down his unease. He needed every scrap of information, even if it came piecemeal. "Right… bark worse than thunder. Got it."
Edwin eyed him sidelong, suspicion flickering. "You sure you're alright, mate? First you vanish for days, now you're asking me to describe the chief like he's some stranger. I know missions get rough, but you look… different."
Darwin's pulse jumped. He couldn't afford to slip. "Just tired. Pal, I've had a long week…" he lied smoothly, though his jaw tightened. "Happens when you spend half your time chasing shadows."
That seemed to placate Edwin, who clapped him on the back with a grin. "Aye, chasing shadows, that's what we do best."