Treasure Hunters: Book of Secrets

Eighteen: Safe and Sound

  "BEN!" Alex threw her arms around her brother. Then she pulled away and, still crying, delivered a hard punch to his arm.  "You stupid idiot! I hate you! Don't ever do that again!" 

No one needed to ask where Mitch was - it was clear what had happened. Maybe he hadn't been such a total jerk after all, in the end. 

No one said anything for a while, everyone standing there, waist-deep in water, catching their breath after the whirlwind of events, both good and terrifying. 

Riley turned to Alex. "Will you be my girlfriend?"

"Now?! Really?"

"We almost died - again."

Despite being completely soaked, cold, and scared, she chuckled and her face completely lit up. "What do you think?"

Riley smiled, uttering a short laugh, before reaching out and grasping her hand.  Then he turned to Emily.  "We haven't officially met." He extended his hand for her to shake.  "I'm Riley - Alex's boyfriend."

"Oh..." Emily shook his hand.  "Nice to meet you, Riley."

 "I knew it!" cried Patrick.

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Once they were out of the cavern - "DAYLIGHT!" Riley had practically screamed as they emerged - Ben called Agent Sadusky and the F.B.I. were keen to greet them. Ben had kidnapped the president, after all. 

They were not taken to the station, however, but instead to a hanger where someone special was waiting for them. 

"Look! Look, look, look!" Riley began poking Alex.  "It's the president!" he gushed.

"Yeah, I know, I can see that," she laughed at his utter excitement, shocked herself.

Indeed, the president himself stood before them, coming over to greet the group with a smile. "Give us a minute," he told his security guards. 

"Mr. President, this is the man who kidnapped you," one of the attendants informed him.

"As I recall, we were exploring a hidden tunnel, and a door closed accidentally, sealing us inside, and this man saved my life," said the president. He turned to Ben.  "Mr. Gates, I hear you and your family and friends made a special discovery."

Ben nodded.  "Yes, Sir. You've heard correct."

"On this day, after centuries of exploration, you have brought honour to your family and your country." He then addressed them all. "You've done this country a great service, and I thank you."

"Thank you," said the ladies.

"Ha," was all Riley could muster while in the presence of the president.

"I thought you might want to take a look at tomorrow's headlines." The president passed Ben a newspaper, baring the title, Thomas Gates Proved a Civil War Hero. The Gates siblings exchanged a smile. 

"Thank you, Sir."

"All of you, including Patrick Gates and Dr. Emily Appleton will receive credit for this discovery."

Ben looked at his sister, who nodded.  "And Mitch Wilkinson, Sir. He deserves credit too." 

"Is that so?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Very well.  Now, Ben, I am curious about the favour I asked you - anything to report on Page 47?"

Alex, Abigail, and Riley all exchanged a confused glance.

"I think you'll find it very interesting, Sir," Ben informed.

"So it's good then?"

"Life-altering, Sir."

The president, now grinning, gestured for Ben to follow him.

"Page 47? What's on Page 47? Page 47 of what?" rambled Riley. "Wait - are you talking about the Book?"

The president turned to face him.  "What book?"

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Once released with congratulations and thanks and no charges by the president himself, the group returned to the site to begin the excavation and preservation of the City of Gold. 

Emily was rushing about making sure everything was being catalogued, and correctly at that.

"You should have been there when we picked out our first couch," Patrick remarked. 

"So," Alex said, clapping her hands together. "Today has been a day of noble sacrifices, and I am very appreciative of that-" She then turned to her brother and boyfriend. "Benjamin Franklin Gates, Riley Alexander Poole, if either one of you pulls a stunt like that again, I will personally kick your ass. Am I clear?"

Both chuckled, Riley putting his arm around her. "Crystal."

(Haha! ;) I am super curious about what they had planned for Page 47 - oh please, oh please Disney make a third National Treasure film!

Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed - see you all next in the final chapter! :))