The secret that's been kept
Felicia Pokta, Group 4: Fiction, St. Margaret's Co-educational English Secondary & Primary School
OM!!! WE’VE GOT MAIL!” John’s voice echoed across the house.
“
Can’t you just get it yourself? We haven’t had mail for ages and it’s probably
going to be an advertisement anyway,” Sarah replied, a bit irritated.
“
Fine…” John answered, rolling his eyes, walked out of the house unwillingly
across the yard, to the mailbox, took the letter and placed it on the dining table, not
interested.
“
John.” Marley whispered, her voice filled with excitement, fear and curiosity.
“
Yah?”
“
Isn’t this… Dad’s handwriting?” she pointed to the words on the right top corner, where their address
was written. John snatched the letter from his little sister’s hand. He stared into the handwriting, written by a
man that left his home, leaving his wife, an eight year old son and 5 year old daughter behind eight years ago.
“
What does he want? After all these years we struggled for a living and now all he does is just sending us a
letter?” He hesitated before opening the seal.
Inside, there was a picture of beautiful lights reflected around a large room and a paper with scribbled
handwriting on it, which looked like he wrote it in a hurry.
“
Dear Sarah,
I’m sorry for not contacting you for a long time. I can’t imagine how messed up my life is now. I need
help.
They are catching up. I think my cover has been blown. By the time you read this I might have been
captured already.
Please contact head of NVH, tell them you’ll replace me from now on. Attached is a clue. It’s taken at
Hagia Sophia, of Turkey. One of the 7 wonders of the world. Please find other clues from the rest. My guess is
you should take photos of each place that symbolizes the wonder.
I know you can’t leave the kids alone, maybe you can leave them with my brother, Chris first. Don’t
worry about me yet. I love you.
Zac”
“
What’s NVH?” Marley asked.
“
What’s this WHOLE LETTER about?” John replied, puzzled and angry at the same time. He knew his
parents were hiding something from them, and he didn’t like it.
“
NVH means National Value Hunters. And, I’m sorry John, I shouldn’t have let you go get the letter.”
John and Marley turned around. Their mother stood behind them. They must have concentrated on reading the
letter and didn’t notice her.
“
In the meantime, let’s figure out what dad’s hint is about, the reflection of the lights…” John said,
holding the picture Zac sent them.
“
First thing we must know is the church was built to celebrate their might and glory of their victory
over the rebels of Nike Revolt," Sarah said.
"
But what would the clue be telling us?" Marley asked. "Maybe they will all end up to lead us to the
last clue which will lead us to the treasure? Or maybe to where the next clue may be!"
“
Anyway, go back to your rooms, I’ll arrange your stay with Uncle Chris and I’ll be leaving soon,”
Sarah said.
“
For how long? Eight years? And end up being caught by these unknown enemies?” John said.
“
I promise to come back as soon as possible.”
“
Mom, don’t go please,” Marley said, her eyes were tearing up.
“
No. She has to go. It’s important isn’t it? Besides, if she doesn’t go, dad would still be in trouble,”
John concluded. Marley and Sarah looked up at him, shocked at how fast he changed his mood. However, he
hadn’t finished talking.
“
But we’re coming with you.”
“
I can’t believe I made this happen.” Sarah exclaimed, with John and Marley by her side.
“
Well at least you let it happen!” John said, grinning, glad that he finally persuaded her mother to book
tickets for three.
“
Egypt, here we are,” Marley squeaked, as they departed the plane.
"
Mom, I sure do hope you thought correctly about our last clue... Or else we might end up going Egypt
for nothing," John said, a bit worried.
"
Don't worry. I'm confident. After calculation, I figured out that all the light rays bend at a curtain
“
M