Neotropolis Chronicles: Threads of Mystique

CHAPTER 3 : Unexpected Alliances

Geoff, with a playful grin, remarked, "What's now, Max?"Max, slightly exasperated, replied, "Nothing, Geoff. I'm going home. I missed my breakfast because of this damn green stuff."Geoff chuckled, "Oh, really? I was thinking the same. You're going home, good for you."Max sighed, "Yeah, and bad for me. But who will do the further investigation?"Geoff teased, "Yup, and bad for you."Max questioned, "Yeah, sure. But why?"Geoff grinned, "Because we are going to your house."Max, raising an eyebrow, asked, "When was that supposed to happen?"Geoff, ever the witty one, replied, "Now. Let's go. Take the keys of my car."Max, somewhat surprised, said, "Oh, really."As they reached Max's house, Max went ahead to open the door and noticed a letter. It read, "Do not investigate further. This is your last and first warning. If you care about your family and loved ones, do not involve."Geoff, in his usual joking manner, said, "Oh, shit. His warning is useless, bro. You don't have a family. Hahaha."Max, with a twisted look, glanced at Geoff. Geoff, realizing his misstep, corrected, "Oh, sorry. Okay, okay, let's go in."As they sat down for breakfast, the doorbell rang. Geoff went to answer it, and a girl popped up."Can I come in?" she asked.Geoff, being Geoff, replied, "Yes, you definitely can. You have legs. But why?"The girl, examining Geoff's humor, said, "I meant, can I come in?"Geoff questioned, "Why?"The girl turned towards Max and exclaimed, "Oh, hi there! Breakfast! I was looking for this only."Max, a bit puzzled, said, "Oh, really, Geoff? Why did you invite your crazy friends to my house?"Geoff, equally confused, replied, "I don't know her!"Max, looking at the unfamiliar girl, asked, "What? Then who is she?"Geoff, trying to make sense of it, said, "Hey, listen. At least tell us your name."The girl, introducing herself, said, "Ohh, sorry, sorry. Myself Merry. You know, Doctor, I am his daughter. He told me to meet both of you and help you in this case."Max and Geoff simultaneously exclaimed, "What? But why? We didn't call you."Merry, looking at the warning letter in Geoff's hands, said, "Yes, I know, but my father did. By the way, what is that in your hand?"Geoff, showing the letter, replied, "Oh, this? A useless warning letter."Merry, with a swift move, took the letter from Max, placed it on the table, and declared, "No use, man. It can help you find your destination. It's a damn clue."Max, whispering to Geoff, remarked, "She's not as stupid as you, Geoff."Merry continued, "We can examine this writing. Also, if the person touched it, we can get the prints. By the way, it says they can harm your family, Max."Geoff, with a mischievous grin, added, "He doesn't have a family," and burst out laughing at Max's expression.Merry, not finding it amusing, commented, "What an advantage. But it wasn't funny, I guess."As Max received a call from the museum, Merry suggested, "Max, come fast to the museum. Something is not right. We need help."Max, calling the police, and accompanied by Geoff and Merry, rushed towards the museum.