Day 21 The Undetectables

 I was only able to cover three chapters today, but they’re already getting the story moving.

Mallory has just reunited with her two companions, each of whom has their own reasons for returning to Wrackton. After learning about a request for the services of The Undetectables, the three young women find themselves in the office of Wrackton’s Night Mayor. He informs them of a recent death—occult in nature, involving a non-magical employee from his office. He can’t confirm how long ago the death occurred or the exact circumstances, but insists it must be solved and kept under wraps as soon as possible, especially with his reelection looming.

Posing as medical students, the trio visits the crime scene to learn more about the deceased. There, they find a strange symbol carved into the man’s body—one that Mallory vaguely recognizes but can’t quite place. The mystery deepens quickly, and with limited leads, the girls must rely on their wits, intuition, and long-dormant detective instincts.

Though brief, the opening chapters begin to reveal each woman’s unique deductive skills. The Undetectables was a business the girls started when they were just 14, back when they were full of youthful confidence and curiosity. It never took off, but now, in their twenties and still struggling to make ends meet, they’re deciding to risk everything to give their childhood dream one last shot. There’s something deeply tender—and brave—about that choice.

This story hits close to home. In my own life, I’ve been seeking employment, but often find my applications lost in limbo. When I do manage to get an interview, I’m frequently passed over in favor of someone else. It’s left a noticeable gap in my work history that I’m constantly trying to explain or make up for. I’ve been attending college, studying digital art and design to build tangible skills—but without work experience, it’s hard to gain traction. The creative field is so competitive, and even when you put your best effort forward, it’s easy to feel invisible.

That’s why I think this story matters to me—because it's about trying again, even when it feels hopeless. It’s about reclaiming old ambitions and making them fit into your present reality. There’s power in saying, “I’m not done yet.” And that’s what Mallory and her friends are doing. Maybe, in some small way, that’s what I’m doing too.