Trouble in paradise (official)

Chapter 61 "Put it back!"

"So, what exactly are we looking for here?" Derek inquired as he rummaged through a cluttered cabinet, filled with old files and documents. "Is there something specific we should be searching for, or am I just going through this shit blindly?"

"Look for any notes, documents, or records related to the mirror, Derek. It's not that complicated," Koha snapped.

In Midori's house, the four of them scoured her father's study for answers. Derek and Midori were busy checking file cabinets and drawers on one side, while Koha and Uncle Oda were meticulously searching through the other. They hoped being here could bring them closer to finding some answers.

"Um, Oda?" Koha asks, looking through the titles of different books on the bookshelves.

"Yes?"

"You said you and Rui built this together, right? So, off the top of your head can you give us any type of information? Basic things that could maybe help us? Like why or how this mirror was created?"

"Uh, it was so long ago but I'll try my best to remember." He says. "Before I was drafted to the war, Rui and I would often visit some islands off the coast of Florida. He was always trying to explore, learning about everything this country had to offer. Me, I was always just there for the ride and of course it was fun to travel. We came across this island in the Caribbean that had these huge caves. I mean they stretched for miles. We often used to get lost in them, but somehow always managed to find our way out. In this one cave I remembered in particular, it had abalone shells that lit up the entire space on their own."

"Wouldn't sunlight have to hit those shells for them to shine?" Derek asked.

"Yes, that's the same thing we thought as well. But as we ventured deeper into the cave, it was as if they were lighting up on their own."

"So, weird. This is my first time hearing about his story too." Midori said.

"Not only that but when we ventured inside the cave, we felt this peculiar heaviness, as if something was humming in our chests, an inexplicable sensation we couldn't shake. It was unlike anything we'd experienced in any other caves we explored. I remember how this place didn't sit right with me, but I couldn't let my friend go deeper alone; I had to be by his side. Rui, on the other hand, became utterly obsessed with the cave. We returned several times that month. On our last trip, he insisted that we take some of those glass-like shells with us. He was determined to unravel the mystery of their enchanting glow. I, however, firmly believe you should never remove items off of sacred land. It could bring you a lot of misfortune."

"What do you mean by that?" Derek asked.

"As a visitor, you should always respect the land. As tempting as it may be, you should never remove or take things from it." Koha states. "It's the same as on my island. Pele, the goddess of fire and volcano, enacts a curse on anyone who steals items from off the land. She considers the rocks and sand as her children and will do anything to protect them. The curse is only lifted when you return the stolen item."

"It's giving 'return the slab!'," Derek grumbled.
"What kinda fucking folk tales are they telling you back in Hawaii, hula boy?"

"It's not a tale, it's real you asshole."

"Yea, real fucking stupid."

"Don't fucking disrespect my homeland like that, I'll fucking kill you!"

"Guys! Guys, please don't fight! Not here in front of my uncle." She says looking over to Oda closing his eyes and covering his ears. Koha looks over to him and sighs.

"Im—-I'm sorry about that, continue please."

"No, it's alright Mr. Koha. Um—- so, he started smashing the shells and analyzing them. We boiled the abalones down into a liquid, and then applied a thin coat of mercury to the glass. We then coated the glass with aluminum, so we could get a crystal-clear reflection. And that's how we ended up building the mirror. After that, a lot of weird stuff started happening to Rui."