"And how is Scandinavia?" Betty asked, her sweet voice filtering through the phone.
"It's a bit chilly for me." Simon replied, "But I'll manage. I'm just a drive away from the address."
"I hope whatever those people found was worth it for you to rush off during our wedding planning." Betty said. Simon sighed, with a smirk on his face. His fiance was something else.
"I'll be back before you can say 'Petrekov', my dear princess." he said
"I love you Simon."
"I love you too Betty. Bye."
"Bye." With the final word, the connection ended. Simon put the phone back on it's receiver and left his hotel room. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a scribbled out address.
The man who called was frantic, making Simon frantic as well. He couldn't understand most of what the man said though. But the man kept repeating the same address over and over again. Considering they had called from Scandinavia during the trying times of today, whatever he found must have been the greatest find in history.
He drove along, glancing at the address. He turned the volume on the radio listening to a broadcast.
"... And there were no survivors. Unfortunately the president is inconsolable, with his parents perishing during the attack. China and Russia have denied the attack, but investigations are underway in the wreckage to search for clues." The voice said, "In other news, a woman who claimed she was an undead vampire was caught, draining a victim of their blood. However, authorities and witnesses say she turned into a a monstrous creature and flew off, screaming 'I'm not in the mood now. I'm just hungry and need food.' And we are still unsure of just what she meant by that." Simon shuddered.
"Vampires." he whispered, having always been creeped out by the creatures of the night. He lowered the volume and focused on his driving when he reached the street. He slowed down looking for the right number on the houses that lined the road. The buildings were all in various stages of disrepair, with gaudy decorations placed outside to make the property more pleasant. Overall, the street was a horrible wreck.
Simon stopped, having reached the house. He put his car in park and pulled the key from the ignition, going to the front door, and passing an empty small blue tub that had pool floaties in it.
He knocked on the door. There was talking and shouting, two men and one woman. The door opened and Simon instantly had to look down at the short man.
"Um, hello. I'm the antiquarian you called." he said. The man stepped aside, allowing him passage. Simon nodded and walked inside the quaint home. It reminded him of the apartment that he and Betty shared. It was humble and calm, and had the scent of home cooking wafting in the air. A man of Simon's height stepped up to him and held his hand out.
"I am Isaac. My father found the object." he said. Simon shook his hand. A woman looked around a corner at him. Isaac glanced back and said something in a language Simon didn't understand.
"Please sit." he said, motioning for a recliner. The short man sat on the stool next to it.
"Thank you." Simon said, taking the seat. "I couldn't understand your..."
"Father." Isaac said
"Your father." Simon nodded, "I couldn't decipher anything he said, but the address for your home. Just how did he find the... object?" Isaac's father started speaking to Isaac. When he stopped, the young man looked at Simon.
"He and his friend were fishing as he said," Isaac said, "when they hauled in the item. It was beautifully crafted, and they knew it would be worth a fortune. However, father's friend had recently lost his wife and family during an... An attack." The woman returned to the room, something bundled up in rags in her arms. She said something and handed it to Simon.
"So my father let him keep it. But after a few days, he noticed... Changes in his friend. He kept saying he saw visions of monsters and the apocalypse. Vampires, strange space lands with floating lumps, giant animals, and a kingdom of sweets." Isaac continued
"Visions? Sounds insane." Simon said
"He was certain he saw the end of the world because that item, and killed himself before he could ever see it with his own eyes." Isaac said. Simon gulped and looked to the saddened old man.
"I'm so sorry." he said. The old man looked up at him and started shouting at him.
"He says that you name your price, and you can buy it from him. This horrible thing must never see the light of day again." Isaac translated. Simon looked down at the bundle and carefully unwrapped it. As soon as the object was revealed, Simon was appalled at such beauty. The crown appeared to be gold, with three rubies lining the front of it. He held it closer to his face, examining every detail, trying to figure out where it might have come from.
"I'm sorry, but at the moment, I don't have much money with me." Simon said, placing the crown down at his feet and reaching into his pocket. He grabbed a bill and held it out, before digging into the other pocket where his wallet was. The old man snatched the small bill from his hand and said something.
"That will do." Isaac said, "But do not wear it, or your mind will be as poisoned as that of my departed friend."
"Thank you very much." Simon said, picking up the crown and exiting the house. In the sunlight, he held it up and smiled at his distorted reflection on the metal.
"Wait'll Betty gets a load of you." he said with a smile.
