The Adventures of the Holmes Club

Chapter 1: Meeting

***Penny***

"I officially call this meeting of the Holmes Club to order at 3:15 pm." Louis said.

"I think we should talk about how few episodes there are." Sophie said.

"What are you talking about?" Louis asked.

I tapped Sophie on the shoulder, "Soph, this is Holmes Club, not Sherlock Club. We aren't talking about Sherlock, as gorgeous as BC might be."

Sophie's face fell, "Oh. Well, I guess I'll stay anyway."

"Okay, let's start." Louis said, "Since I'm the only one who's not a freshman, we should all get acquainted. I'm Louis and I have seen and read everything ever created that referenced Sherlock Holmes."

Sophie was next, "My name is Sophie and like anything that starts with an S."

After the waves of laughter subsided, it was my turn, "I'm Penelope, but you will call me Penny or I'll shoot you. I'm a certified genius."

An impressed silence followed, tinged with nervous laughter because they weren't sure if I was serious about the shooting thing.

The next person went to end the silence that was rapidly becoming awkward, "I'm Alina, and I play the trumpet." The girl had her short black hair in a ponytail, and she grinned as she spoke.

The boy after her was tall, with light brown hair and green eyes, "I'm Max, and I really like ice cream." He said, and licked his soft serve cone. No one wanted to ask where he got it.

"I'm Nadia, and I like dancing and gymnastics." Nadia was a short brunette, with dark hair and brown eyes. She was also really thin.

***Sophie***

I ran a hand through my long brown hair, I was really disappointed about the club situation. I really wanted it to be the Sherlock Club.

***Louis***

Sophie is weird, I'm a little hesitant to keep her in the club. I guess I need her as a friend because of everything that happened last year. Chloe is going to be happy I finally have some real friends.

***Max***

Yum, ice cream...

***Alina***

C C C C D D B A G C D B A G F F F F...

***Nadia***

I wonder if we're going to have elections for the other officer positions. I hope I don't get nominated.

***Penny***

If the transversal of line x forms a 45 degree angle with line y and line x is perpendicular to line y, then angle 5 equals-

***Louis***

"GUYS!"

"Oh, sorry." Penny said, "What were we talking about?"

"The officer positions, I'm President, but we need a VP, secretary, and treasurer." I replied, "Does anyone want to nominate someone for a position?"

Sophie raised her hand, "I'm nominating Penny for treasurer because she's really good at math."

Penny glared at Sophie and raised her hand, "I'm nominating Sophie for VP, because she has fantastic leadership skills."

"Great."

"I'm nominating myself for secretary because I can type really quickly." Max said before the glares Penny and Sophie were giving each other broke something.

"Awesome. Let's take a vote. Who thinks Penny should be treasurer?"

Everyone raised their hands, except Penny.

"Okay, who votes for Sophie for VP?"

Again, everyone raised their hands.

"Now, who votes Max for secretary?"

Everyone voted for Max.

"That's great. So, now we have our officers. Who wants to discuss dues?" I asked.

Penny looked up at me, "I would like to discuss why this club's moderator isn't here."

"That's fine. He's not here because he couldn't come today, he's sick. He'll be here next week."

***Penny***

"So, does anyone know the answer to number 13?" Mr. Anderson asked.

I raised my hand.

"Penny."

Before I could answer, the door opened and one of the students who spent free period in the attendance office walked in. She handed something to Mr. Anderson and walked out.

He looked at the Hall Pass and held it out, "Penelope Johanssen."

I stood up and took it, "Thanks."

I looked at the slip, Mr. Browning. Who is Mr. Browning?

"Where's Mr. Browning's office?" I asked.

"It's in the faculty house, at the end of the hall on the left. His name's on the door."

"Thanks." I left the room and walked through the quad and the 100 wing to get to the faculty house. At the end of the hall on the left, I found Mr. Browning's office. I knocked on the door.

No one opened it, so I did. The office was dark, and no one was inside. The desk was completely bare except one sheet of paper.

The Homes Club was written in green ink on the front.

I sat down in the chair. A few minutes later, someone knocked on the door, then opened it.

Louis entered the room, "Mr. Browning? You're back already?" he switched on the light, "Oh, Penny, it's you."

"Yeah, Hall Pass?" I asked.

"Yes. Why?"

I held up the letter and he looked at it. Then he turned and left the room, "I'll be right back."

Five minutes later, the PA system crackled, "Pardon the interruption, could all members of the Holmes Club please report to Mr. Browning's office in the faculty house immediately?"

Five minutes after that, all six members of the club were in the office.

"We received a letter." Louis said, and handed it to Max, "Please read it."

Max opened the envelope,

"Dear Holmes Club, thanks for signing up to play the game. You have two months to find your teacher or he dies. I promise he's still alive right now, here's your first clue: At half past five, plenty of time, you'll find your next clue. Look for something hard, that you can wear." Max shook his head, "Well, that doesn't make any sense."

Louis shook his head, "No, it makes perfect sense. Mr. Browning has been kidnapped."