Double Take

Double Take-Chapter 8

Chapter 8

          I was startled awake with pain in my head that intensified above my left ear. Pressing my hands on either side of my head, I held them securely until the pain gradually faded away. Yesterday’s realization felt like a dream, like it never happened. Running my hands through my hair, my alarm clock suddenly shrilled, jarring my thoughts and shaking the tiredness out. I stretched for the clock and slammed the snooze button down. I then turned off the alarm altogether to see what time it was. 7:15 glared back at me, and I set the clock back down.

          I groaned and lounged on my bed. I didn’t want to get up this early, but sleep was out of the question. I stood up, and felt no muscle failure, unlike yesterday. Just to make sure, I opened my door, went to the back of my room, and ran out the door. Out in less then a half second, I nearly flipped over the banister. It must’ve been a dream. Feeling relieved that I still had my powers, I went back into my room and stepped on something. I glanced down, and the gold ring was lying on the floor. Picking it up, I located the symbol again. I went downstairs into our junk room. 

          Throwing the door open, I flicked the switch up and stepped in. Looking for our old microscope, I began rummaging through old books and other objects that I couldn’t identify. I dug for 15 minutes before finally seeing the black microscope pop into view. Pushing everything else away, I pulled it out and coughed as the dust irritated my mouth and eyes. I backed out of the room and closed the door.

          Walking into the kitchen, I wet a towel and wiped off all the dust. I pulled the ring out and turned on the microscope light. Holding the ring so that the image was under the powerful lenses, I placed my eye in the scope and adjusted the zoom and position. When it finally became clear, I saw the picture perfectly.    Enlarged by the microscope, the outline of a 2D dagger filled my vision.

          The dagger resembled one used in the Medieval Times, yet it still had a sense of originality. The dagger would’ve been close to a foot long, if it had been real. There was a half oval at the bottom about 2 inches, where a person could grasp it with one hand, and the other half of the oval was missing, replaced by the hilt. The hilt was normal and simple, a plain rectangle another 2 inches long. Protruding from the hilt was the 8 inch blade, thin and dangerous. The blade was smooth on the left edge, until the center point. There, the blade jutted outward a half inch, and slanted to the end point. The same was true for the opposite side. A barely visible line ran down the middle of the blade lengthwise. The blade pointed skyward, shimmering in the light generated by its surroundings. Flowing around it as a puddle of some liquid. It enveloped half the handle and was impossible to identify, for there were no colors or any other hint to the substance.

          Lifting my head away from the magnifier, I wondered about the image what it meant, what it signified. Was it just a random thought by someone? Running quietly upstairs I shuffled through my books on my shelf and found my drawing notepad. Taking a pencil with me, I returned to the ring and drew the dagger and puddle as best to my abilities.

          I returned the microscope to it’s home and kept the ring with me. Not knowing what to do next, I thought about what I could do to find Kenni. An idea formed in my head, I rushed to the phone. I flipped through the phone book and found the number I was looking for.

          I grabbed the phone, and dialed. It rang just once before a burly voice answered, “Police department.”

          “Can you transfer me to Detective Chase Parker?” 

          “One moment please,” a long pause followed, and I wondered if he had forgotten about me. Soon the voice came back, “He isn’t available now, but can I take a message?” He sounded bored and wanted me to get off the phone.