Ch. 361A Little Late Today~~
Key Plot Points and Events
- The chapter begins with a flashback to a year ago, showing the protagonist, Alex, receiving a mysterious letter from their estranged father, inviting them to visit.
- Present day: Alex, now a successful author, is struggling with writer's block and decides to visit their childhood home, where their father lives, to find inspiration.
- Upon arrival, Alex finds their father, Henry, in a state of disarray, living in squalor, and obsessed with an unsolved local mystery from their childhood - the disappearance of a girl named Lily.
- Alex discovers that Henry has been secretly investigating Lily's case for years, amassing a vast collection of evidence and theories.
Character Developments
- Alex: Struggles with their own past and the weight of their father's expectations, leading to self-doubt and writer's block. They are initially reluctant to engage with their father's obsession but become increasingly drawn into the mystery.
- Henry: Once a renowned journalist, now a reclusive, obsessed man, consumed by the Lily case. His once-sharp mind is now clouded by paranoia and delusions, yet he remains determined to find the truth.
Significant Themes
- The impact of the past on the present: Both Alex and Henry are haunted by their pasts, which influence their actions and emotions.
- Obsession: Henry's single-minded pursuit of the truth about Lily has consumed his life, leading to his decline. Alex, meanwhile, is obsessed with escaping their past and proving themselves.
- The search for truth: Both characters are driven by a desire to uncover the truth - Alex through their writing, and Henry through his investigation.
Character Interactions
- Alex and Henry's relationship is strained, with Alex feeling resentful towards their father for leaving them and Henry feeling guilty for his past actions. Despite this, they share a deep bond, with Alex feeling a growing sense of responsibility towards their father.
- Alex meets Lily's mother, who is still grieving for her daughter and provides Alex with new information about the case.
- Alex encounters old friends from their childhood, who remind them of their past and offer support as they delve deeper into the mystery.