Puzzles

Codes, dials, numbers, words

The base is just a massive maze. It has twists and turns, codes and dials and dead ends. Luke says it's so the enemy don't know how to get in.

"But how would you remember if you lived here, like you and the others?" I ask. He shrugs.

"I don't know. You just kinda...do. Going through it every day, you start to recognise the patterns and symbols. Oreno's army search for our base all day every day, but when they find it, they can't get out of it, like this dude." He points to a skeleton clawing at the walls. "See? They just die."

"But surely, after being here so long, they would start to recognise patterns and stuff that you know?"

"Nope. Because the symbols and patterns are the same thing. One word."

"What word?" He shakes his head.

"Can't tell you here. Too open, anyone could be listening, the army send people in the maze with sound speakers that pick up everything you say. Sorry Oreno! Not today!" He shouts the last part. I'm impressed that they would think of that.

"Clever. You've certainly got it all figured out."

"Sure have." He winks. We walk for several more minutes.
"So," he begins "you believe me now?"
"About what?"
"Everything. Everything I said last night." I hesitate. I kind of do but I don't think it had sunk in yet.
"A bit,"
"What does that mean?"
I don't reply because my eyes meet with something so strange, words fail me. A great big building stands in front of us. It is entirely made of glass, yet I can only see the reflections in all the windows, I can't see inside.

"Wha-?."

"Let's go in."

The entrance on the outside is glass (obviously), but there is also what looks like a scanner. It is a dark blue pad. No numbers or dials on it. Luke presses his hand on the pad. A red light scans over his hand. A seconds pause then the pad flashes green and Luke pushes the door open. The inside is completely different. It is a large room with many doors. At the end of the room is a huge desk where a short, bald man, wearing huge glasses sits. He is not paying attention. He seems to be fiddling with something in his hands, it looks like a computer chip. Luke walks up to him.

"Clive, this is Thalia. She's the next queen." He laughs but stops when I threaten his nose again. The man called Clive, peers at me through his glasses.

"Hmm, yes, I see..." It annoys me how judgemental he seems. "Well, she'll need a DNA scan, I'll call Jennifer." He picks up the phone and mutters some words into it. Moments later a young women appears through one of the doors. She has blue eyes and blonde wavy hair. She is wearing a lab coat and some goggles.

"Hello Thaila, my name is Jennifer Moore, if you'd come with me please I-"

"What's going on?" I turn to Luke. "Was this your idea?"

"I'm not that bad you know! Jennifer's just going to take a DNA scan, it's so you can get in the door and other stuff." I narrow my eyes at him. "Fine, just do it quickly, I came here to find Janet." Jennifer nods.

"I will be as quick as possible."

She leads me through a small door and into a huge laboratory.

"This place is full scientists. We are all anti-Oreno!" She laughs and starts searching her drawers.

"So you created the maze and the glass building and the scanner and everything else?" I ask.

"Yes! We do a lot of thinking! At first we weren't sure about Oreno, but then we met Luke and his friends, did a bit of research, in other words hacked his computer and discovered a criminal. Nobody believed us, so we created this secret organisation and did things our own way!" She pulls out a very long needle. My eyes widen in horror. I hate needles, always have done, always will. But all my panic drains away as she puts it back in the draw. Instead she gets a small plate and spreads some hot wax onto it.

"Now dear, please place your hand on this." I look at it, unsure. "Don't worry, it will be a little warm, but it won't burn you." So I place my hand onto the sticky wax. It feels horrid. Like I've placed my hand in warm goo.

"Ok, that will do." I release my hand and stare at it. There is no trace of wax. I frown at her back as she puts away the plate.

"Well, that's all. You may go back to Luke now." She is smiling slyly. I give her a glare before I leave.
"Oh and dear," she says as I reach the door. "The word is puzzle."