The Hidden Treasure (on hold)

Chapter 4-The Golden Key and the Surprises

“Another map and a key with it.” Said Clara clapping her with glee. “But where is it pointing to?”  To this question the children were puzzled with quizzical looks on their faces. As, the children were exhausted, they agreed to meet tomorrow morning for a brainstorming session about the key and the new map. Back at home, Paul put the box, key and the new map into a drawer and locked it up. The next morning, Julian started the session by asking a very important question which was a possibility. “Do you guys think the key is a treasure?” “I personally don’t think so.” Said Clara “as there is a map also so I don’t think so.”  “Hmmmmmm. Look at this,” said Paul who was examining the key. “Did you notice that the holes in this key are a bit different? It’s in black! “Shit dude! You are right!” exclaimed Julian. “It looks like there is paper inside it.” Julian was right. The key’s holes were covered in black paper. Paul put one of his fingers into the holes and pushed it to the right; he did this until the paper just fell out.  Julian carefully picked up the paper. He immediately understood it was a coded message. It was written:

T   T   A   R   S   D   N   T   J   N’   A   P  

H   R   S   E   H   D   I   H   O   S   C   I  

E   E   U   I   I   E   N   E   H   B   K   T  

 Julian and the others couldn’t make any sense of it. Paul of course, was the first one who came up with a suggestion. Just before, he was going to say it, Paul’s mother called them downstairs. Surprised yet excited they went downstairs. To increase their excitement apart from Mrs. John, there was also Mr. John, Mr. and Mrs. Kirrin. All of them looked at their children with excitement. All the kids returned their gazes with a hint of excitement and sheer curiosity together. “What’s up Mum?” asked Eve. Mrs. John replied saying, “Well, we have a huge surprise for you, but unfortunately we can’t tell you until it’s confirmed. Suddenly RING RING RING RING RING, Mr. John picked up his iPhone 5C and spoke to someone in timid voices. “Ok children the wait is over well, for the first one as we have 2 surprises for you.” Said Mr. John “Follow me” The children followed him almost jumping and when they saw what awaited them, they were speechless. They had reached the sea which was a 5 minute walk from the John’s residence. There was a small area reserved only for fishermen. It was commonly known as ‘Fishermen Wharf’. The kids looked at each other in surprise. “Oh dear! Look at that beautiful motor boat over there. It looks out of place here with all these other boats here.” Said Clara “I wonder who it belongs to. The person is an idiot to just leave it there as it’s so gorgeous. “Why don’t you go see whose names are written on the boat?” said Mrs. John with a huge smile on her kind face. To the children’s surprise it said:

JULIAN KIRRIN

PAUL JOHN

CLARA KIRRIN

EVE JOHN

“Are you kidding me? Is this lovely, amazing OHHHHH just look at it Paul!” said Julian stuttering. “Is this a joke?” asked Paul. “Nope, it is completely yours!” said Mr. Kirrin. At hearing this, Clara and Eve started screaming and hugging each other. Julian and Paul started bump fisting each other. Over the next few weeks, the children learnt how to handle the boat beautifully. The felt at home when they were in it. The excitement of the motor boat erased the investigation of the coded message from the children’s mind, but they were soon to be reminded. After some weeks, Mrs. John came into Paul’s room looking quite cross. “Paul, start cleaning up your room at this moment, otherwise no TV and videogames for 2 weeks!” threatened Mrs. John. Paul was clearly annoyed as he was disturbed while playing the new series of Halo 4. “Ok whatever! Mom I will do it.” said Paul. While he was cleaning up his drawers, he found the map and the key with black paper with the coded message on it stuffed inside the key. Suddenly the happenings of last month hit him. His hands shook with excitement as he called the Kirrin’s villa. Julian and Clara came running screaming and shouted “Paul and Eve, oh dear! Paul, Eve! We have a surprise!”After the children had some Oreos and a cup of milk each, they sat down in front of the coded message. Paul explained, “I think I know, look! It is written in columns but if you read properly it says ‘THE TREASURE IS HIDDEN IN THE JOHN’S BACK PIT’ and I am sure ‘back pit’ means a backyard. “Hey! Wait isn’t that our backyard!” said Eve. “No! Idiot! Our parents have been married for 16 or 17 years. I am willing to bet my new Halo 4 that this message is at least 20 to 40 years old.” Said Paul. “Yep, that makes sense.” Said Clara. “Julian say something!” said Paul with a funny look on his face. “Wait, did you say, you have the new Halo 4 and you did not even tell me. Clara and Eve, stop gaping of course Halo is way more important than treasure” said Julian all in one breath. “Sorry! Anyway let’s go and enquire from Granny and everyone not a word to Granny about the treasure!” said Paul. On their way to Granny’s house, Eve asked Clara “Oh by the way! What surprise were you both talking about when you walked in?” “Ummmmmmm!” said Julian. “Well, WE ARE GOING TO RED ROCK ISLAND FOR 1 WEEK AND WE HAVE 4 TICKETS.”