Knight in Sneakers

Chapter 55 'Who is Beth Anees.'

Entry 46 continue

Clarke Augustan

"Five men. I can't understand." Hedge whined as he left his monitor in anger. I could understand why everyone were feeling so dejected all of a sudden, when you finally come close to unravelling a mystery but it just takes you even deeper.

"It sounds impossible too." I added as I let out a frustrated sigh.

"It's kind of not. It's just like the old myths and legends. Where one ruler had three people who look exactly like him but was kept a secret. So when it gets impossible to win during wars or if there was an ambush, the ruler goes into desolation hiding himself for safety while the other 3 are just used as pawns. So even one if of them dies, the rumour of their ruler's death will spread and the war will be stopped until the ruler comes out from hiding in a good state to fight again or just lives in hiding until death. It's sickening to live like that but the myth has it." Franz's piece of information sent me shuddering at the idea of living such a cowardice life.

"So you are saying that, one of these five people is the real Ethan while the rest are imposters?" Hedge asked after five minutes of silence.

"How?" Leon asked.

"Mostly plastic surgeries." Franz answered for her, "But I don't know how to find out who the real Ethan is." He said.

"The only way would be to catch them all and examine their biometrics individually." Mike cut in with a tired voice. All of a sudden Hedge let out a giddy laugh which immediately vanished the tension in the room. Because we all knew there was something utterly stupid going to come out of his mouth.

"We just sounded like Pokemon right now. So cool." Hedge added making me laugh at loud. I could see the faint smile on everybody's face and they tried to control their laughter. Even Franz looked relaxed for the first time the whole day.

"I say we take this info to the Chief right now and then see what Captain Parker has to say." Richie suggested and we all agreed to it.

"We'll leave then. Richard got the printout?" Mike asked as he got up and soon everyone else followed his action. Richie nodded and got all of them into a file. Franz and Hedge got up to turn all the computers and gadgets off while Aaron helped Mike pack up.

"We'll get a meeting as soon as possible with Captain too and see what he'll decide." Hedge added. I had a feeling Chief Charles would be pretty happy with the successful news after so many years but sad or disappointed that I was officially involved now. He was always scared for me which was pretty understandable. He was my mother's best friend. Charles and Emily were the best duo out there back in the times. He always mentioned how I reminded him of my mother, and how he always promised her that he would take care of me if anything happened. He was the most angry with my father when he left us and did his best to keep Mike and me happy for the lack of parental role in our lives.

"Clarke, are you coming with us?" Mike asked me as he grabbed his jacket from the chair next to him. I felt Aaron softly tense next to me at the question. I genuinely wanted to stay with Aaron for a bit more longer but I knew I had overstayed my welcome here.

"Uh-Yeahh-" I began but Aaron immediately cut me off before I could say anything.

"Mom wants you to stay for Dinner." He answered quietly while the whole room silently looked at us with knowing smiles. I could feel the blush rush towards the tip of my ear, making it hard for me to have eye contact with anyone. "Uh-I mean, you all should stay too for dinner- uh- it's pretty tasty-"

"I'm in." Hedge yelled excitedly which resulted into Leon hitting his head hard.

"No, Hedge is coming with me." She gave him a glare trying to communicate with him through her eyes. But Hedge was pretty oblivious to it.