The silver key

Confusion

Nicole stood confused at Erik's expression as Minerva slowly made her way to the tea cabinet and began making herself a cup of tea.

" You are the woman who was with my mom aren't you? " Erik said so softly, that it was almost a whisper.

Minerva started boiling hot water and putting together her tea, after seconds that felt like hours she replied, " yes...", Nicole and Leo exchanged glances.

" what were you and my mom talking about ?" Erik asked.

Minerva sighed, " I didn't expected Sarah to send you but, my answer remains ... I know nothing of your father's death"

" How do you even know him? " Erik asked getting up and put his hands into his pant pockets.

Minerva stayed silent for a moment analysing the boy in front of her, "A friend from college... "She said, adding the last of her special ingredients.

" Who's Rachel ?" Erik asked.

Minerva stared down, not willing to reply.

" That's my mom " Nicole said hesitantly. Erik frowned. Minerva switched off the kettle and turned towards Erik.

" I honestly have no idea what she has to do with any of this.... Though, If I were you, I won't listen to that mother of yours, she is kinda .." Said Minerva in a rough voice circling her finger near her head. The lady like calmness of Minerva disappeared. Erik looked slightly taken aback by the sudden change.

" She always was a stupid, over emotional woman! Can't even take a small death, now she's stuck in a hospital for going insane.. Serves her right!! " Minerva said smirking.

" WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?" Erik yelled angrily . " My mother is in the hospital because you wouldn't answer her, Bloody bitch" Erik took a step closer to Minerva, but Leo stepped in between them..

" THAT'S MY MOTHER YOU'RE TALKING TO, ASSHOLE " Leo said glaring straight at Erik. Leo maybe younger than Erik but it didn't make him look any less intimidating, especially since the angry in his eyes showed exactly how pissed off he was.

" Don't you dare get.."

 " EVERYBODY CALM DOWN! " Nicole interupted.

"Erik, I get that you want to find out who killed your father but accusing people is gonna get you nowhere" she said quickly in a single breath and silence followed.

" The rain must have stopped by now, I'll get you your clothes" Nicole said and ran to get them. She was confused on how her long dead mother had anything to do with Henry and his death, even thinking about it gave her a head ache .. The mom she doesn't even remember ..... She took Erik's clothes that were half dry, went back and saw Erik standing near the entrance . Minerva and Leo were nowhere to be seen, Nicole presumed that they were still in the kitchen.

" Here you go! " Nicole said with a completely out of place smile. Erik frowned and took the clothes , his dark blue eyes looked troubled.

"Erik, I am not telling you not to investigate, just.... Everyone is on the edge at the moment, you may get some answers on a better day" Nicole said.

"Do you know how your mom is involved in all this?" He asked slowly.

" I don't know, my parents have been dead for a really long time, over 10 years now"

" oh! Sorry... Um have I met you before?, you look familiar."

Nicole chuckled "Oh yes , yes you have! "

___________________________________

The next day morning Nicole got ready for school. She was getting the homework that lay on her desk.

Nicole heard Leo's voice "Nicole, are you alive ? We have to leave now!! " he cried from downstairs.

" Just a minute !" She said frantically trying to sort the papers. She quickly put the papers in her bag but before she left, almost instinctively, she opened the cabinet on the side of her desk. The key she had found in the lake, sat inside the cabinet. She felt drawn to take it with her. Deciding to not go against her instincts, she took it and stuffed it into her pocket. When she went down, she saw an impatient Leo and her uncle sleeping on the couch, his wounds had started to heal. Nicole could not help but feel annoyed at the lack of explanation. After Drake had come home beaten black and blue, Nicole, Leo and Candace were forced to go to their rooms and the only thing Minerva would tell them was that Drake got mugged, but Nicole knew that there was something more.Nicole and Leo got to school and went to their respective classes. During lunch, Luciana , Jessica and Nicole sat eating and chatting peacefully but were interrupted.

" Nicole, can I talk to you for a moment?" Erik asked.

Nicole nodded, Jessica started giggling. Nicole glared at her before following Erik. They went and sat in the library which was almost deserted.

" So, what do you want?" Nicole asked

" I want you to see this " Erik said reaching down into his pocket. He took out an old photo. One of the corners were burnt but, the faces of 5 people were clear.

" Is that your mom?" Erik said pointing to the woman in the middle. Nicole nodded , it was not just her mom , there was Minerva and Drake as well but, they looked very different. Minerva wore small shorts and a black tank top. She had a tattoo on her right shoulder, her hair was cut till right below her ears. The Minerva now had nothing in common with the one in the picture. Rachel looked the same way she did in all the pictures that Nicole had seen her in, with long brown hair, sharp features and a snobbish smirk. Drake looked way different. He was stick thin unlike the fat business man he is now.

" Who are these two people ?" Nicole said pointing to the two people she couldn't recognise.

" That's my dad" Erik said. Pointing to the man with ginger hair. He had a big smile and was the tallest among the 5. " I don't know who the other man is." Erik said. The blonde man seemed uninterested in the picture, and looked like he would walk away if it weren't for Henry holding onto him.

" Where did you find this?" Nicole asked, continuing to stare at the photo.

" Well.. Leo's mom said that she was his college friend, so I went to my dad's old house and dug up his college things. This is all I could find other than old books. And by the looks of it, someone tried to burn it " he said touching the burnt corner.

" And this is all purely based on your mom accusing mine?" said Leo from behind, startling both of them. He walked over and sat down opposite to them.

" What do you want?!" Erik snapped.

Leo shook his head " I don't want or need anything, it's you who needs my help " he said.

" And why is that ?" Erik asked.

Leo smiled, it was genuine smile much to the relief of Nicole " Because I can get you information"

Nicole and Erik gave confused looks. " You both look like twins with that expression" he said.

Nicole rolled her eyes " Just get to it"

" I am not kidding, I'll get you information.. I have my ways " Leo said.

" And why will you help me ?" Erik asked.

" Because..." Leo paused and thought about it for a few seconds " you are trying to avenge your father's death and that sounds super cool?" He said.

" That makes no sense " Erik said.

" Any how , I'll only help you under one condition, you do not offend my mother again, EVER " Leo said.

" Sure" Erik said with a smirk.

" It's so weird to see you both become friends " Nicole remarked.

Leo and Erik striked her with a deathly glare. Nicole burst out laughing only to be yelled at by the librarian.

_____________

Hey! =D

sorry for any mistakes!!!!!

Thank you for reading!

VOTE AND COMMENT =D