Dedicated to my many English teachers who have inspired me
for years on end and my parents who have encouraged
me to follow my dreams no matter what.
Introduction
In a small museum called City Wonders, a tour was being held. None of the teenagers that were 'listening', however, seemed to have any interest, except for one. "She sat in a corner every day at recess gazing at the sky muttering under her breath something about forgiveness….she never talked to anyone and didn't seem to care for her classmates too much. Never once was a comment made within our school- not a question, just, nothing. The strange thing is, even without listening to our teacher's lectures, she aced every test and quiz given to her. I found it rather odd…" The tour guide stopped reading. "This is just a single section of a journal found in a dilapidated house about five blocks from the abandoned factory!" The clock on the nearest wall struck 3:00 pm, and the young teenagers herded out of the museum with much anticipation. All, but one was left staring with awe and amazement at the journal, which was being put back inside it's glass case onto it's beautiful maple wood podium created by a famous craftsman. She went up to the case to touch it. "So Maggie, did you like the tour?" Maggie jumped back away from the case, startled. "Are you kidding? Your tours are always amazing Ms. Mullens!" Ms. Mullens blushed a little. "Really, they're no big deal. I know it like the back of my hand I've done it so many times!" Maggie giggled. "This museum's my life," Ms. Mullens began, "Ever since I was your age, I longed to figure out the mysteries of this small world after my first visit to this museum. I first came to work here when this journal arrived here six years ago." Ms. Mullens turned to face the exhibit. Her ocean blue eyes were intent on the beautiful journal. Her face was bright, but it seemed that something kept it from shining brighter than a northern star. "No one knows who wrote the journal or whom the journal was describing. Scientists and archaeologists looked for clues all over the remains of the house where it was found, but there was nothing. There are no dates or specific names mentioned within the contents of the journal. There aren't even any traceable fingerprints on the journal from what they can see." Ms. Mullens faced Maggie. "I believe that people like you, Maggie, have the potential to solve these mysteries even without fancy machines and technology. There's no limit to what you can do with a great mind." Maggie stood there speechless. "Mullens to tour station immediately! Mullens!" the PA blared. "I'm sorry Maggie, I have to go. See you soon!" she winked at Maggie then ran toward the front of the museum and took a left turn. She turned to get a last look at the intriguing artifact, sighed, and headed to the front door. As she walked, time seemed to slow down, like in a dream. She thought of the past tours she had taken with her parents here, times she came to research for history projects and the last couple of times, including today, that she had come with her classmates. Maggie was, at that moment, inspired. "If I have the brain Ms. Mullens says I do," Maggie thought. "and this mystery is baffling everyone else in the world, why can't I give it a try?"