The Professor's Diary: Aztec

Daniel Waterworth

When the earthquake shook the ground, Daniel Waterworth was on his way to the grocery store. He had just passed the loch, and many noisy pubs and fight clubs just trying not to get caught up in everything. Often, in the town he lived in, people would insult him and try to use him as a punching bag. They would pull his dreads, and call him names. Chocolate was the mildest one he got. Because of this, he learned to fend for himself. He actively practiced wrestling and was considering martial arts.

When he got to the store, he grabbed some travel toiletries and juices. If he was going to the US, and Washington of all states, he needed to be prepared. He went home to his small flat and packed what he could.

He didn't have much, but it was enough for a stable life. He had graduated at the University of Glasgow with a minor in ancient architecture at a reasonable age and had had a stable job until a month ago. He wasn’t even sure what he had done, only that it was enough to, “lay him off.”

When Daniel was all packed, he checked his watch to see when he needed to leave for the airport. 10:58. He needed to leave in about 15 minutes if he wanted to make it on time.

He rubbed his blind eye and sat down, wondering how he was going to pay for the shuttle there. This job was his last option, he was running low on money, and settled for this expedition just so he could put more on his resume.

As he was resting in his squeaky armchair, some solid knocking came from the door. Sighing, he got up and looked through the peephole. There was an average sized suited man, with warm brown skin, standing outside the door.

Cautiously, Daniel opened the door.

“Hello, how can I help you?” Daniel asked politely.

The man glanced at the clipboard and asked if a “Daniel Waterworth was home?”

“Um, yes, I am Daniel. How can I help you?” Daniel asked again.

“Mr. Hyle wants you. Bring your things.”

Daniel’s head started swimming. The first thought that came to mind was relief that he wouldn’t have to pay for a shuttle, but then again, could he trust this man?

Having no other logical choice, Daniel grabbed his puny bag and went with the man. They got into a van, obviously intended for transporting cleaning goods rather than people and started to drive.

Realizing he didn’t even have this man’s name, he opened his mouth to ask. But before even a peep came from his mouth, The man said, “You want a name, huh? Well, just call me Carlos.”

Daniel closed his mouth, not wanting to seem rude to his new acquaintance. But he couldn't help but notice on his right forearm a tattoo of what looked like a bird, but because of the Hispanic nature of the image, he couldn't tell. It was definitely a small body with two wing-like protrusions, both somehow portrayed as moving quite quickly. Perhaps a hummingbird?

Daniel was snapped out of his thoughts by a bump in the road. When he got back to his senses, he and Carlos had some light, witty banter on the way to the airport. Talking about themselves, their jobs, and other small talk. When they finally arrived, Daniel didn’t know what to expect. He wasn’t sure if he should ask Carlos where their plane was, so he stayed quiet.

Eventually, they walked up to what looked like a freight plane.

“Are we going in that?” Daniel asked a little frightened. Carlos just laughed and gestured to a small private plane next to it.

“We will go in that.” He stated matter-of-factly.

Daniel calmed down a bit and stepped into the small plane that wasn’t unlike a sister to the one Cyprus took just hours earlier, other than the color of the wings.

After a few more boring hours, they finally made it to the mansion. The plane touched down, and Daniel stepped out to find yet another man in a suit. This one was more menacing, with a man bun and sharp enough pecs to grate cheese.

“Tui!” Carlos said with a smile. “You already are done with your fetch quest huh? Well here is Daniel. Daniel, Tui.” He tried to make this a friendly greeting, but Tui’s silence and overwhelming alpha presence just made the beta Daniel fear for his well being.

After that joyous interaction, he was escorted inside to find the man of the house, Mr. Hyle.

“Ah! Daniel, correct? Welcome to my home! You ate on the flight I assume?” Daniel nodded, but Mr. Hyle kept talking anyway, seemingly without caring whether he said yes or no.

“Well, your room is the one at the end of the hall up there. Be quiet though, your coworker is here and I'm pretty sure he's asleep.”

“Coworker? I heard I would be on an expedition with others, who is my coworker?”

But Mr. Hyle merely shooed him away and went back down the stairs to prepare to greet the final guests.

Marveling at the architecture and carvings of the mansion, he headed to his room. As he passed his supposed co-worker’s room, he debated whether or not to see if he could meet them.

Curiosity finally took hold, and he lightly knocked on the door then opened it ajar. Despite what Mr. Hyle had suggested, this man was up and about, sticking his nose into various books he presumably brought.

“Hello! My name is Daniel,” He said, opening the door a little wider, “Daniel Waterworth. Might I ask yours?” Daniel politely asked.

The man made a noise that sounded like a cough, or clearing of the throat. “Say again?” Daniel said.

“My name is Griffin. Griffin K. Cyprus. But you can call me Professor Cyprus.” Griffin said.

"You're really a professor?" Daniel asked curiously.

Silence hung heavy in the air (for 5.4 seconds to be exact) when Daniel tried again to make conversation with him.

“So, I specialize in more modern architecture, but I also have knowledge in ancient architecture as well. This is actually my first time on an expedition!” he said with an eager smile.

Again, silence until Griffin sighed then started to speak. “Great. Not only am I stuck with a team, but a newbie too.” he said, closing the book he was holding.

          Slightly taken aback by the statement, he excused himself with a small, “Well nice meeting you...” and retired to his room.

Daniel decided to have a cat nap before he met the rest of the party. And to sleep on this, ‘Cyprus’. He already seemed antisocial as is, but having to deal with him as a partner might prove difficult. Even though he never looked up from his books, Daniel could feel the annoyance radiating from the doorway where he stood just moments earlier.

Then, a slight knock on his door. A woman with hair down below her shoulders and whiter than a swan’s feathers poked her head through the door.

“Are you Griffin? Or Daniel?”

Daniel replied, only to have the head remove itself and close the door. He heard a bit of bickering behind the door, before a knock.

“Come in?” Daniel replied slightly confused.

A separate woman came in, with skin blacker than obsidian with even darker eyes.

“I apologize for my sister, she has issues.”

“I heard that!” came a voice from the other side of the door.

“Either way, my name is Nevaeh, and that is Heaven. We will be joining you on your expedition.”