“Ancient cryptic box mysteriously gone missing: The said cryptic box recovered from the ruins of Alterian catacombs had mysteriously gone missing from the confines of the Handex archeological centre last week after lock up.
Police say there was no sign of forced entry and no trace of human interactions such as fingerprints, body fluid etc. Local police chief, officer Benson Jones says that “there was absolutely no sign of forced entry and the case where the box was was locked up and everything intact. It’s like the box just… disappeared or something”
The security guard on duty also seemed to give the same opinion, “I had checked the whole doors and windows and stood guard at the entrance with David and Tony my co-workers and we didn’t hear a single noise that night.
We checked the grounds from time to time because whatever was in that box was really valuable. We found out it was missing when we were exchanging duties”.
Police experts are still investigating the matter and assure us that they will get to the bottom of it. March 12, 1978.”
“Cryptic box?’ she mumbled to herself. “Why would they want to know about a cryptic box from another city?…’
Feeling confused she took another paper and read through it.
“17 year old high school student, Thomas Miller gone missing: First grade student and star boy Thomas Miller went missing after school hours on Wednesday 14 making today the fourth day of his disappearance. Police have spoken to his friends who showed no knowledge of his disappearance or his whereabouts on that Wednesday 14.
They had visited his supposed favourite places in search of clues but to no avail. They spoke with the principal of his school and the parents of the boy but have not come up with any information for the concerned public.
We spoke to the bereaved family “we don’t care what it takes or how the police would do it, we just want our son back with us. We can’t bear to think that something bad happened to him. We just want him back with his family”.
The principal also commented “even if he went missing after school hours, I still express great concern. Apart from being one of my best students, he is a very good boy and I’m willing to help in anyway I can”
The police and private detectives still comb the whole of Redwood Cove for clues of his whereabouts…”June 18, 1967
“This happened here?…” Isa said, flipping through the paper. The articles went on from making the first page to small articles until the news disappeared entirely.
God! Isa closed the newspaper feeling sad for the boy’s family. How are they dealing with their loss? Are they still living in town? If not, where are they? Questions kept flooding her mind until she heard the doorbell go. Why would Aaron press the doorbell when he could just walk in. Isa rested her head while thinking of what she just read.
Ding-dong…
“Hi neighbor” a cheery voice piped up. A girl around her age in a yellow shirt and denim jumper with blond hair tied up in a ponytail and brown eyes and a cute face smiled at her. “I’m Campbell Garcia, what’s your name?’ Surprised at her sudden appearance, she fumbled with her words”I… I’m Isabella… Isabella White but you can call me Isa”
“Hey Isa, nice to meet you” she eagerly stretched out her hands which Isa took with a smile. This was unexpected but… she seems really nice…
“Nice to meet you too Campbell”
“So I know I came here so suddenly but I was really excited and curious to see you because it’s not everyday you see a new person in Redwood Cove and you would obviously be going to my school because it’s literally the only school in this town and I was wondering if we could be friends.
Sorry, that was also really sudden, I shouldn’t be asking you that right now but I did and I’m sorry and I’m probably talking too much and haven’t allowed you to say anything for a while now but I talk a lot; I’m actually a talkative but I prefer chatterbox coz it’s more appropriate and I only do this when I’m real nervous like right now but it’s because I think you’re really cool and I was wondering if you would like me and all that but I don’t know…”
“Hey!’ Isa grabbed her by the arms and shook her a little. “Breath ok. Just calm down for a moment” Isa laughed. She already liked her plus she’s super nice and honest… and quite funny.
“Sorry. Nerves” Campbell smiled, scratching her head. She wasn’t good at controlling herself when she’s nervous. It was embarrassing.
“Alright. Why don’t we take a walk and get some air” Isa suggested.
“Totally, we could also get some ice cream. It’s a bit hot this afternoon” Campbell said, brightening up.
“Awesome, let’s go” Isa said and turned to close the door when Lucky came out.
“OMG, your dog is so cute!” Campbell gushed, squatting to Lucky’s level and petting his head. He in turn leaned his head against her arm enjoying the attention.
Looks like they’d already bonded.
“What’s his name and what happened to his foot?’ she asked. “His name’s Lucky and his foot got mauled by another dog” Isa replied.
“O poor thing… he’s coming with us right?” Campbell asked hopefully.
Locking the door, Isa replied “of course he is”
The girls spent the day licking ice cream and getting to know each other better like how Campbell never got to see her Grandpa in person but only in pictures. He died before she was born. Her brother’s in college and her parents live somewhere else while she lives with her grandma and they only visit them during Christmas.
Isa tells her that she never knew her grandparents and she lost both her parents when she was seven and was taken to the orphanage with her brother. It was a hard time for them trying to cope with the sudden loss of their parents. The only family she had left was her brother.
“I’m really sorry,” Campbell said. Isa looked at her and saw pity in her eyes and replied “don’t be. It’s in the past now”
Later, the two walked back home with ice cream cones in their hands and chatted lightly. Isa felt bonded with this girl and she was happy she made a friend in this new place.
Fatigued from her outing, Isa took a shower and went to bed.
Isa woke up feeling like she had slept for a hundred years. She felt really tired when she checked the time; 8:17PM. She mentally facepalmed herself “Gosh, I must have slept for hours. Aaron should be back by now”
She left her room in search of Aaron but immediately stopped in the hallway when she heard Aaron’s voice and another voice. A female voice which turned into laughter.
What woman does that voice belong to and why was she here?
Tip toeing silently, she came down stairs and entered the kitchen where the voices were.
“Hey Aaron” she said, taking her eyes of the beautiful woman with blond bob and blue eyes. Yes she was beautiful and she was smiling at Isa. “Hey yourself. You slept like a squirrel in hibernation. You wouldn’t wake up even if I yelled your name” he rolled his eyes and smiled.
She smiled back “soft bed, what’d you expect”.
Isa looked at the woman that was still smiling at her and smiled uncertainly. Her smile was making her a bit uncomfortable.
“Don’t you remember her? It’s Mrs Huerta, our neighbor” Aaron introduced. She observed her closely and it turned out she did look a bit familiar. She hadn’t changed a bit in the last eight years.
“Hey Mrs Huerta, nice to see you again” she greeted. Mrs Huerta put off the stove and hugged her. Not sure of what to do, Isa remained silent.
Moments later, she released her and said “you’ve grown up into a very beautiful young girl. It’s been so long since I last saw you, what… six, seven years? So long my dear. You look just like your mother… You’re just really beautiful. Ezra and Janet would’ve said the same.
Ezra and Janet White; parents of Aaron and Isabella White, friends and neighbors to Mrs Huerta.
“Thanks Mrs Huerta” I replied. “Oh just call me Martha” she corrected.
“So Martha, let me help you set the table. Isa, you can wander off to wherever that adventurous head of yours wills. Go enjoy yourself kiddo” Aaron said and ruffled her hair.
Ugh! He just won’t stop, would he?
She thought as she began to consider wearing ponytails at home now.
Fixing her hair, Isa left the kitchen and went to the library. She was actually grateful that Aaron didn’t make her stay. She wasn’t really comfortable with Mrs Huerta and her smile was creepy. Isa resumed her study of the drawers. She looked through a few folders until she came across one dated back to 1968.
There were pictures in black and white clipped together. She took up a picture and examined it. There were five kids that looked like junior high school students; Three girls and two boys.
The girl in the picture looked a lot like she did. She looked again and realized that it was her mum… with her dad and their friends. They looked so young and happy. Turning it over she read “last day in junior high school, 19 August, 1968.
There were other pictures taken in places like the park, a forest, carnival and… prom.
“Isa, come downstairs” came Aaron yelled from downstairs. “Coming” she yelled back and left the library. The aroma from the dinner had her taking the steps two at a time. After all, she’d had nothing to eat all day.
When they had all started eating Mrs Huerta said “Isabella, I’ve got a granddaughter that’s about your age. I wanted her to accompany me here so that you can have someone to talk to but I haven’t seen her all day. Her name is Campbell. She’s the talkative type but she’s very friendly”
“I actually met her this afternoon. We went out for ice cream together and yes she’s really friendly” I replied smiling.
“You met already and she didn’t tell you about me?! Silly girl” Mrs Huerta complained clearly offended by her granddaughter’s subtraction but in actual fact, Campbell did tell Isa about her. Unfortunately, Isa didn’t feel like continuing the conversation with Mrs Huerta.
Trying to cheer Mrs Huerta, Aaron complimented on the food, “Wow Martha, this tastes really good. You’re an amazing cook. You know Isa, you should have cooking lessons with Martha. Remember the time you tried to make pancakes, you almost… ow!”
Isa kicked Aaron on the legs and glared at him. Aaron would probably have died by now if looks could actually kill but he shamelessly grinned at her while rubbing his throbbing legs.
Mrs Huerta chuckled lightly and said “I’m sure that whatever Isabella cooks tastes just as good. But in case you want to explore a bit, Campbell is a good cook and would be more than willing to teach you. She’d probably teach you about desserts first. That girl has an unbearable sweet tooth”
At the end of dinner, Aaron and Mrs Huerta chatted for a while. She asked if Isa would be going to school tomorrow. Aaron told her that she would and the next five minutes were spent on giving her pre-school advice.
Isa could barely follow what she was saying as she was becoming really tired.
Fortunately, Mrs Huerta said her good bye obviously noticing Bella’s fatigue and for that Isa was thankful.
She sleepily went upstairs to bed.