The Start of Pain

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

“So... the answer is underneath Uncle Alistair’s... hospital bed?” Amy asked slowly as she ogled at the map laid out in front of her. She still couldn’t believe that the most vital lead they have proved to be so simple, so easy. Too easy.

Sinead studied Amy for a long second before saying, “I know what you’re thinking and I thought of that, too.” She let out a huge breath, sending strands of her auburn hair upwards. “Aside from the riddle, Uncle Alistair said that his people’s answer lies underneath. Meaning, underneath the answer to the riddle, that’s where he hid whatever it is that he hid. Also, if you think about it, the riddle is from an 1897 nursery rhyme book. I’m pretty sure I saw that in his library the last time we visited. Although, I can’t be sure,” she admitted sheepishly. Amy kept her guarded look so she continued quickly, “We could go there and check...?”

Amy started, looking at the guilty look Sinead’s wearing. “No, no, no,” she said while chuckling, waving a dismissive hand. “I’m sure you have the right answer. It’s just that... it’s too easy.” She frowned at the map dotted with dark green spots, supposedly trees, and the clear trail that Sinead marked with a red Sharpie.

Sinead looked confused. What was wrong with things being easier? Oh my gods, she sounded so much like Dan. “Okaaay...?”

Amy traced the Xs on the map absent-mindedly. “If the answer is this easy, how come the Vespers didn’t figure it out yet? All they had to do is check Google,” she murmured, her eyes taking a troubled look. She chewed on the inside of her lower lip.

“Oh...” Sinead realized, getting Amy’s logic. “So, you think this is a set-up?” Her voice fell sadly, not expecting this outcome at all. Sinead had really hoped that they could investigate further especially since this cost them Uncle Alistair and this is the only lead they have on finding the killer.

She needed to weigh things out first before they go ahead and attack. “No,” Amy said comfortingly, hearing the disappointment in Sinead’s voice. Sinead’s features brightened immediately. “Although, I think we should take extra care.”

xxxOOOxxx

Dan felt the beckoning vibration in his chest. Another text from ‘The Helping Hand’. He pretended not to have felt it and kept his eyes tightly shut. Ian is operating the plane on his own and he seems to know exactly what he’s doing because they’re not dead yet. Ham and Jonah are flocked on their chairs, snoring their heads off. It’s pretty dark outside, so it must be ten past something in their current position. Hamilton and Jonah are cool with the turn-out of things (the whole Dan-is-Boots-sneaks-in thing) and Ian can do nothing more than oblige. Ian wisely said that ‘it’s not like we could do something now’ and ‘not like we could kick him out’, and just proceeded on pretending that Dan doesn’t exist.

There was another vibrating buzz and this one, if possible, sounded more demanding. Dan squirmed in his seat, scratching the side of his head.

“Are you not getting that?” Ian asked from somewhere in the cockpit. “It’s getting rather persistent.”

Dan’s eyes flew open at that. “How did you...?” he trailed off, looking at the back of Ian’s seat in wonder.

Ian chuckled amusedly. “Just check your phone, Daniel, and no more irritating noise while I steer,” he said simply, leaving Dan in silence after that slightly bewildering encounter.

Dan made a disgusted face. This incident is just one of the many proofs that Ian Cobra is not human. Probably a robot or something. With a heavy sigh, Dan fished his phone out of his pocket. He opened the first message.