Selected of Illèa-A Selection Fanfiction

16

"What?" I ask , unable to process this information. Hundreds of questions were rolling through my mind. Did she get kidnapped? Did she run away? How long has she been gone? Is she alone? If she ran away, why?

As if Lucas was reading my mind, he answered most of them, "Rachel left after tea, and she's not the only one gone. Officer Webb mysteriously left his post soon after. We believe she is with him, but in no way can this go public. Right now only the Illean royal family, Officer Leger, Commanding Officer Leger and you two know, and it is critical we keep it that way. If word gets out to the press..." I finished his sentence in my head. Rachel would be ruined.

"So, why did you tell us?" I ask, confused beyond belief. He bounces Evelyn in his arm and looks up at me, "She left a note on my bed. Under the note was two envelopes with your names on it." Francesco and I, completely baffled, take the envelopes he's holding out.

Julie's eyes only. I open the envelope to see a single piece of lined paper. I unfold it.

Julie,

S7, R4, B5, P312

Can you do me a favor? Hold my carved box, empty it's contents and keep it safe. Find Lucas, he will know what it is and where to find it. Evelyn will want it when she's older.

Every day will be hard without all of you. Even with Sebastian, Officer Webb, I will still miss my family and friends. After we get married it might be a bit different. Besides, at least I'll have you in my memories. I hope you are happy no matter what the future will hold. I know you will be amazing at whatever you want to do.

♡Rachel

P.S. Don't forget about the great inventor Garrett Morgan.

Confusion flits across my face. What the heck, Rachel! But now I understand exactly what the first code meant. Shelf 7, row 4, book 5, page 312. But I know better than to act on it now.

I open my mouth to ask about the box, but Francesco talks first. "My envelope has nothing but a small note saying goodbye and a piece of confetti from the celebration when we..." he turns bright red and continues in broken English, "when we celebrated new years together." I remember the picture from that. It was in a magazine Ashlie showed me a couple years ago. They were found kissing at midnight of the new year.

I turn to Lucas, "Do you know about a carved box?"

♢♢♢

Lucas pulls a carved box from behind a picture in Rachel's room. It's covered with dust so Lucas blows it off to reveal intricate patterns. "Rachel inherited art skills from my mom. She carved this herself. She is very proud of it," Lucas tells me as he traces the patterns with his finger.

"It's beautiful!" I exclaim sincerely. I take it carefully, knowing if will be very delicate. I want to open it now, but I know I should wait until Lucas is gone.

I don't like keeping this secret from Lucas, but I know if Rachel wanted him to know, she would've told him.

I thank Lucas and take the box to my room. I open it to find a very intricately designed key. I put it on the chain with the other key. I wonder why is important or what it goes to.

I reread the letter, perishing at the p.s. Why did she mention Garrett Morgan? He invented the traffic light and the, uh, hair straightener! I rush to my vanity to my hair straightener where I find a note.

Open the cardboard box in the drawer.

In the left hand drawer, a small cardboard box with a ribbon sits. I open it to find a cellphone. I eagerly search the contacts, but there isn't anything. I'm definitely missing a piece of the puzzle. There's only one more thing I can think of. When in doubt, go to the library.