BK Chapter Four: Seeing is Believing
Everyone stood up and we hugged, praying to life to rest Vanessa's soul. We knew that wherever she was, she would always think of our adventures and the crazy things we did during the exchange.
We had dinner, agreed to dress up as fairy tales, not to tell a soul about our costumes, and then went to our rooms. Tomorrow would be a new beginning for everyone, and we agreed that we would spend the day laughing and forgetting the past. Welcoming new projects and good wishes. Returning to that time when we were happy.
I went to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, took a shower, and combed my hair. Took my clothes out of my suitcase and prepared my dress for tomorrow. Everyone would be amazed by my costume; everything would be excellent. I was about to go to bed when I forgot I had to prepare something for tomorrow, maybe an activity or a little gift for everyone, but I didn't know what I could give them. I got out of bed and went to my backpack. Without realizing it, it was open, and my wallet fell on my foot. It fell and made a mess on my bedroom floor. Everything was spilled on the floor… money, candy, my headphones, my cards, my apartment keys, and… a group photo we took in Greece, the day before… what happened with Vanessa.
It was October when I arrived in Greece. After so much time locked away at boarding school, I wanted to discover new things, have adventures, make friends, study what I loved. I was so distracted thinking about what I would eat first or which museum I would visit when I bumped into Phoenix, the first person I met from the group of foreigners who would become my family.
-"Excuse me, I didn't know where I was going," she said as I bent down to pick up her books.- "It's just that I just got here, and I've seen so much culture that it's filled me with thoughts. I want to try everything and visit everything."
-"Don't worry, I'm looking for some friends for dinner. We're leaving campus and want to get something to eat."- Phoenix replied excitedly. "Are you coming to the Classical Language and Literature exchange too?"
-"Yes! I'm so excited!"- I said.
-"Do you want to join us?" she asked.
She didn't let me answer; in a second, she dragged me toward a restaurant. She had a vibe as strong as fire, full of life. She stopped, and we arrived at a table with nine people waiting to be served. They all looked at me strangely since they didn't know me, but they made me feel welcome.
-"Guys! I bumped into her, and it turns out she's also in the Classical Language and Literature course! Her name is…" She pauses.- "Oh! You're going to think I'm rude," she laughs as she introduces herself. "I'm Phoenix Samandar, I'm from Mexico. And these are…"
They interrupt her and begin introducing themselves one by one. I put my suitcase and backpack on a chair while they wait for me to introduce myself. I'd never heard so many nationalities in one place… at one table, and everyone introducing themselves to me.
Long story short, we studied together, had many adventures, and enjoyed life for two long years that felt short when we graduated.
During the last six months of the program, Vanessa began to change. She was no longer a studious and polite young woman. Now she was blank-eyed, talked to herself, and became sarcastic. She argued with Jamal and Abril. She began to secretly take our things, private things: she cut a lock of Marla's hair, she stole a crystalline diamond medallion from me, and she talked about mystical things as if it were the only topic that existed. She spoke of mystical places and said we were all connected by something greater than just a simple exchange.
Her appearance changed, and her aura became somber. It felt heavy to be with her, yet we didn't leave her side; we thought we had family problems, and that was why we changed.
On the last day of our graduation, Arturo took a photo to remind us that even though we're far away and separated, we'll always be a family. The 11 of us were there… but… a green flash lit up the sky and a terrible gale blew in. Vanessa screamed, wishing this would happen. We all ran, but she stood there, as if nothing had happened.
-"Come and get me! We're here! Let's all get back together!" Vanessa shouted toward the storm as if she could talk to the weather.
-"Vanessa!" I ran toward her, and everyone followed me to stop me. "Please, go inside the restaurant. We have to go to the storm shelter."
-"NO! IT'S MY DESTINY! IT'S OURS! COME, DRAGON, AND JOIN ME!"
The storm began to create a funnel. When it hit the ground, the entire place shook, and the pavement began to crack. A huge tornado started moving towards Vanessa, when Videl tried to grab Vanessa.. a black shadow came out of the tornado and tried to grab Videl, we all went to try to help and Vanessa grabbed him by the waist as he was lifted off the ground by the suction of the storm. We focused on helping and separating him from Vanessa, we saw a light emanating from us and it ejected Vanessa into the tornado. She screamed and the storm exploded.
Silence. No tornado. No storm. No gray clouds. No… Vanessa. We fell to the ground with a crash. We were all stunned. Where did the storm come from, where did that light come from… was it magic?
The police arrived, they interviewed us all, we all gave our version of the story. "So a white flash?" the officer laughed. "That was lightning that blinded them, that's normal." She closed the case, or so we think. They didn't want us there anymore. She was an orphan, no one claimed her body… in fact, they never found her body. It never would have happened if we had tried to talk to her more, or ask what was going on… but she really distanced herself, wouldn't talk to us. We said goodbye and promised not to bring it up again until now…
"Vanessa Crowe" I said out loud. Where have I heard that last name? Crowe… I think my aunt used to mention that name angrily.
Maybe there's something in the library about someone named Crowe. I get up from the floor, put on my robe, and walk toward the library. I leave my room and hear Frank and Diana arguing; I try not to listen, but I hear my name. I stop in front of the door. They're still arguing, and I feel a hand on my back. I turn around and see Phoenix behind me. He covers my mouth so I can't scream. She moves in next to me, and we can still hear each other at the door.
-"I'm not stupid! I know exactly how you see her! This isn't the first time I've seen you staring at her. Or did you think I didn't know about the calls you were making?" Diana shouted while throwing something, probably pillows.
-"I told you that was a thing of the past, before I started dating you, but that's why we're dating! Because I knew I didn't have a chance…" Frank replied, not realizing what he was saying. "I mean…"
-"So I'm easy prey, and you preferred to be with me than keep fighting over Aurora!"
Phoenix and I stared at each other with eyes as wide as saucers. We heard footsteps and ran to the library. The only light in the room was the moonlight. We heard Diana come out of her room, slam the door so hard it sounded like the house was going to fall apart, and run down the stairs.
-Aurora, what are you doing wandering the halls like a ghost? Phoenix asked.
-I could ask you the same thing, flamey.
-I went out because I was bored and couldn't sleep because of Vanessa. And you?
-For the same reason, I remembered what happened that day, and I think I remembered my aunt saying the last name, but in anger. Maybe there's a book about something with the last name Crowe.- I replied.
-Crowe? What does that have to do with Vanessa?- Phoenix wondered.
-That was her last name, Vanessa Crowe. I remember it from when we went to the police station where they interrogated us all. Obviously, it might not be related, but I have nothing else to do, and I want to look for that book.
-I'll help you, just to do something. But anything related to Vanessa's accident scares me. How do we find it? Or rather, what are we looking for?
-A book that talks about someone with the last name Crowe. There must be a cabinet with all the information on the books, but I don't know where it is. I look up and see a desk on the second floor.- They might be there, but I don't think the elevator works.
Phoenix walks over and finds a lever near the elevator. He pulls it, and the room starts to vibrate. Dust falls from the shelves, and the power goes out. It's like if there were an earthquake in the room, a shelf would open and reveal a rather old and rickety safe.
-What did you do?- I try to speak, my mouth slightly open, trying to control my nerves.
-Nothing, I just pulled a lever… I assumed it would make the elevator move. Did you know your aunt had a safe?
-Not at all… Should we open it? -I ran to see the safe, and it was open. The only object in the center was a wooden key. "A key… thanks, Aunt! It's a one-bedroom house we're in.
-Your aunt was so strange… a wooden key… in an open safe. No, wow! What security! What a treasure! -Phoenix continued sarcastically.- Come and tell us what it opens! Show yourself, Aunt!
A cold gust wind blew down my neck, as if someone were whispering behind me. The library doors swung open with such a loud bang that it echoed through the mansion. A figure entered the room, shuffling and awkwardly raising its arms. A wail like an animal's was heard, and the head pointed toward where Phoenix and I were standing. We started to shake with nerves. That thing got closer and closer until the light came on. It was Videl.
-What the hell are you doing here?, Videl, I swear… -I yelled as I regained my composure.- You should have knocked the door! jeez, you almost scared us to death.
-Shit, I almost had a heart attack -Phoenix said, glaring at Videl.- We thought you were the aunt.
-Auntie? The dead woman… here. Don't be silly, those things don't exist -Videl commented, taking a brave stance- Besides, only idiots believe in those ghost things. Magic, fairies, and…
-WITCHES! -Marla shouted in Videl's ear. Videl fell so hard, and Marla started laughing at him.- What's everyone doing here? Are you talking about your costumes? We agreed not to talk about it. You're cheating. Besides, how much are you dragging? You're keeping me awake, with all the stuff you're throwing on the floor. I thought you couldn't get to the third floor… -Marla said, sounding tired.
We all stared at each other; no one had dragged anything. Unless I heard about the bookshelf, we definitely hadn't gone up to the third floor.
-We haven't gone up to the third floor. We tried to find a way, but we couldn't get up there -Phoenix replied.
-I have ADHD, I get distracted easily but I'm not stupid. You're up to something here, and I'm going to find out.
-Look, you're not distracted, and I'm not denying that I'm stupid. But, are you worried that we might have done it? After all, it's not your house -Videl responded rudely to Marla.
-I came to look for a book, but I can't find it, that's why Phoenix is here with me. It has to do with… with… with… something my aunt wanted to talk to Phoenix about -I said, not revealing what I would do or what we were doing. I really didn't know how the others would react to finding out we were looking for something about this subject.- It's already five in the morning. Let's go to sleep, because tomorrow we have a lot to prepare and celebrate.
-Get some rest, G! -Phoenix said as she left the library.
-Good night! Clumsy -Marla grumbled as she left.
-Yes, Aurora, good night… -Videl mumbled.
-Wait, Videl, I have to ask you something. I know you know a lot about carpentry and you're the wise man among the trees. - I grabbed Videl by the arm.
-Well, I wouldn't say wise, but I do know a few things. -Videl said proudly correcting his posture.
-Well, I need help with some wood. We found an open safe with a wooden key inside. Could you tell me anything you know about this key? Is it for a door or a drawer or…
-It can't be true, it's an inverter arbor… my grandfather told me about this type of wood, but I never thought I'd see one of these again.
-An inverter arbor? -I asked, confused- I'd never heard that word before.
-Only a craftsman carpenter knows it; that wood is mythological. Inverted arbor, also known as the inverted tree, represents creation as a downward movement. The spiritual seeds of the tree are found in heaven, in the divine world, and its crown extends over the world..
-While he continued explaining about the wood, we sat on the library mat, his eyes shining like two stars approaching the earth. He admired that key so much that you could say it was like a god to Videl- This tree, according to legend, is located at the center of the world, in the Omphalos. It's the central pillar, the central column, which supports the world. The stone here indicates duration and represents reality par excellence, indestructibility, the static. It's a skeleton key or a master key, but it's shaped to open anything, as long as the object's wood is made of the same wood as the key. From there, the soul returns to heaven; the key is the soul returning to its origin. -He stopped for a second- How did it end up in your aunt's hands?
-I have no idea, but after what you told me… I don't think it's a good idea to open whatever that key can open. Is there anything else you know?
-No, that's all. I only know that it's almost impossible to find that type of wood. My grandfather had a door made of that wood, and he told me it led him to extraordinary but also dangerous worlds, depending on the person who opened it, but that's pure fiction. He already had dementia at that time. He entered a nursing home. I think his last words were… - he fell silent, his expression pale- I forgot. You know, we better get some sleep… tomorrow is your birthday, and we don't want it to be ruined by sleepiness. Get some rest, Aurora.
He got up uneasily and trotted to his room. I must keep this key. I don't know what it can open, and I don't know who could be behind it. I got up, locked the safe, returned the lever to where it was, and walked to my room. I opened the door, turned around to close it… I felt an icy wind on my neck… something wasn't right… I turned around and saw my aunt at the window…
"Theseus, find Asterius, son of Minos. Daedalus knows where he is. Follow Ariadne's footsteps."
