What shines in darkness? 05/15/2013
Chapter one.
The meeting had begun. The meeting, of course, comprising of the members of The Mysterious Benedict Society. Each of whom possessed peculiar yet remarkable abilities. Four years had passed since the imprisonment of Mr. Curtain and his malicious troop of Ten Men. Although held captive, vigilance was still of paramount importance. Government officials would proclaim, with a flourish, that with their very presence, there was nothing to fear. This, of course, did not offer the slightest bit of reassurance to the four members now seating quietly in a circle. No one new better of the power and unpredictable ways of Mr. Curtain than these four. It made absolutely no difference whether he was incarcerated or not.
Reynie and Kate were now seventeen. Sticky was eighteen. Constance was six. A tangible Silence pressed on all of them. Perhaps it was due to the fact that they haven't seen each other for a month. A month ago, each of the members went their separate ways. (Mr. Benedict, who thought they were all of the appropriate age – except for Constance, had sent them off to different parts of the world in hope to get encouraging reports that the de-whisperers had completely wiped out the effects of the whisperer). Now here, in a city called Stonetown, on the second floor of an old, grey-stoned house, the members sat in a menacing silence.
Kate and Constance stared hard at Sticky's scalp which had unbelievably grown a few strands of fine hair. Sticky, very much aware of the intense scrutiny, slowly began to reach for his glasses. As Kate and Constance continued their thorough examination of Sticky, Reynie had his eyes fixed onto Kate. He stared intently at her. Among the members, Kate was perhaps the one who had gone through the most change (Surprisingly even more than Sticky with hair). Kate's flaxen hair had grown much longer. It now proved to be a terrific embellishment for her entire frame. Her once neglected bangs had now transformed into a lengthy willowy fringe which curved down the side of her left cheek. Reynie also noticed how long her eyelashes had grown. They were marvelously curved, a resplendent feature for it accentuated the beauty of her deep oceanic blue pair of eyes, which, to his great surprise, was now staring right back at him.
"So – " Reynie quickly voiced out as quickly as he shifted his glance away from Kate. However, before he could even go on to his next word, he was immediately cut off "I've missed you guys too!" yelled Sticky in an unbelievably high pitch. He then slapped his right palm over his mouth as his face flushed into a great crimson. With this, the four members burst into a loud guffaw. That was what they needed. A break through of the uncomfortable ice.
"Well Sticky, I've missed you too." Replied Kate in a muffled voice for it was apparent she was still busy fighting off her laughter. Kate's voice, as expected, unleashed a delightful aura of mirthfulness and warmth. Constance, who made a poor attempt in trying to conceal her laughter, cleared her throat " So, any good news?". This unfortunately caused Kate, Reynie and Sticky's head to drop almost simultaneously. " The people of Spain are insisting they still have got voices etched into their minds." Replied Reynie sounding somber and contrite. "Same for Greece." Continued Sticky. "Same for Italy." Continued Kate. The members then let out a depressing sigh. All except for Constance who's countenance now wore a frown, though they all knew it was sad news to her as well. Bad results of the countries meant more work. More work meant more individual missions. And ultimately, it meant more separation of The Mysterious Benedict Society.
"Well, at least we get a week off. That ought to be enough for us to catch up." Said Kate who offered a thin smile.
The very next day, the Kitchen was bustling like good old times. Constance was on high alert for candy. Kate was busy tossing raisins and impressively catching them in her mouth, not missing a single. Reynie and Sticky were busy contemplating about the effectively of De-whisperers. Soon after, Mr. Benedict came to join them. He offered the members a smile. Reynie, however, didn't fail to notice the tinge of worry in his eyes. "Welcome back. This house certainly needed you people. The ambience was …. Well horrid doesn't even begin to cover it. " said Mr. Benedict. "I require all of you in the study room after this" he continued, with apparent reluctance. Upon hearing this, Kate, Reynie and Sticky slumped their shoulders, while Constance's expression turned nasty.
They made their way to the study room and braced themselves for all that was to come. "Now children, I know you've just arrived. But it is crucial to know that efficiency is of vital importance and time waits for nobody." Said Mr. Benedict. "Oh just get to it! " Scowled Constance, though her eyes were riddled with sadness. "I apologize dear Constance. But duty calls, and your reports have given the government overwhelming evidence that the effects of the Whisperer still exist. Officials have even begun to suspect something akin to that of the whisperer has emerged. Since Mr. Curtain is behind bars, I suppose one of his Ten Men is at it. " Continued Mr. Benedict.
"More missions." Said Kate in a solemn tone.
Mr. Benedict, with great effort, managed to control his emotions and successfully stayed awake. He cleared his throat and went on "Rhonda and number Two have also done their research and we seem to be caught between two places of where the effects are alarming".
This left Reynie befuddled. How could a device similar to the Whisperer emerge again? A Ten men couldn't possibly have constructed such a complex device. Only someone as intelligent as Mr. Benedict himself could. Would this mean more missions? Would this mean no more time for his friends? What if the danger was worse than at the institute?
Just then, Reynie felt a hand on his shoulder. Kate. He gave her a quizzical expression. She simply replied with a genial, reassuring smile and gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze. Not a very elaborate gesture, yet Reynie realized it had completely annihilated his overwhelming concerns. It even sent an unfamiliar feeling travel through his body. How odd. Thought Reynie.
" Anyway –" Mr Benedict cleared his throat. "I'm afraid it's a race against time, and all of you can't possibly be two places at one time. Therefore, after much deliberation, I have decided that groups of two ought to be the best."
Upon hearing this, four pairs of eyes widened. Never once had they thought of the idea of travelling in twos. Reynie felt excitement along with guilt. Excitement due to such an unexpected prospect, guilt due to not having upset as they very first feeling as the Mysterious Benedict Society was, in a way, about to get split up again. How odd. Thought Reynie again.
"Sticky and Constance shall board the train to the next Town. Tickets have already been purchased. Check your handouts for more information."
"As for Reynie and Kate… Egypt." Announced Mr. Benedict. "EGYPT?!" exclaimed both Kate and Reynie. Kate was so surprise she jolted, sending her bucket flying into the air. It landed on the ground with a prodigious impact sending all it's contents (mainly tools) scattering around the room. "That's incredulous." Said a clearly flummoxed Kate.
"But that's the only logical reason why countries around the world are experiencing this havoc. The two locations have to be far in order to reach over a greater boundary. " Said Reynie.
Upon hearing this, Mr. Benedict tapped his nose in satisfication. "You have been doing your homework, child. Anyway, you guys will be leaving tomorrow. Plane tickets have also been purchased already, you will find it together with your handout.".
It took the Mysterious Benedict Society less than a minute to get chased out of the study room and ravenously devour the contents of their handouts. It then became known that the handouts received by Reynie and Kate differed from the ones Sticky and Constance had received.
Here they go again.
The next day, Kate and Reynie found themselves in the nearest airport. It took them much longer than an average person would to board the plane for there was much dispute between Kate an the airport officers about her metal bucket of 'Wonders'. Kate had eventually agreed to keep it inside her luggage with great reluctance.
Reynie got the window seat, while Kate sat beside him. Her expression did not carry it's usual buoyancy.
"Its's going to be alright. It's just a few hours and you can be reunited with your bucket." Surmised Reynie. Kate shot Reynie a perplexed expression and soon giggled, "It's not about the bucket Muldoon. It's about this. Our situation. The handout had already stated that this is very likely to be out last mission. I mean… I don't know if I'm too happy about it. Ever wondered what will happen to us afterwards? To Sticky? To Constance? To the Mysterious Benedict Society? What if we were told to lead our dreadful normal lives… what if there isn't going to be anymore meetings…"
Reynie was stunned. He then berated himself for having thought he was the only one who worried over the future. He sighed and replied "Well. With Mr. Benedict around, I don't suppose there's a need to fear. Surely things will go as we want it with his help." This offered a fragile moment of peace. Yet it was enough to brighten up Kate's expression. She gave him her signature smile. "Besides, our task seems pretty forthright. It's just getting information out of several suspects and placing De-whisperers around Egypt." Said Reynie.
"Simple but time consuming." Corrected Kate.
"That gives me more time to relish our time together then." Replied Reynie who flushed into a light shade of pink realizing how that came out as. Kate stared in amusement for this was the very first time she had laid eyes on a bashful Reynie.
"You've changed a lot haven't you?" said Kate. She continued "Much taller. More built. Hair now in a tousled mess. I always knew you would look better with messier hair.".
Reynie was taken aback by this. "And since when did the great Kate Wetherall tolerate mess? I've changed a great lot? Look at yourself Kate! Back in StoneTown I wouldn't have recognized you if not for your voice and usual clothes."
"Well... I didn't have time to take proper care of my hair. Missions nowadays, sucking the life out of me, had no choice but to let it grow." Replied Kate.
"Kate. I know neglected hair when I see neglected hair" replied Reynie, clearly unconvinced.
"… Fine. Milligan. He wanted me to be more feminine. He said I was seventeen, so I should be looking like a proper lady." Murmured Kate who was now blushing. Reynie's heart rate accelerated, Kate looked adorable when embarrassed.
There was a long pause.
"Hello there. My name is Reynarld Muldoon. Pleasure to meet a beauty such as yourself." Said Reynie, finally fighting off the silence. Kate instantly broke into a wide smile. She vividly remember those where the first words he said to her when they first met.
"Why, who wouldn't feel privileged to have the prerogative to speak with the great Wetherall." She replied with a haughty tone.
As time marched by, their conversation went on and on. It was considered a rapid make up for a month. Kate bragged about how she threw a good punch at a Ten Men which rendered his face concave. Reynie, on the other hand, brought up his concerns about how Constance must have felt leaving without Mr. Benedict. Their conversation brought about much happiness. However, It didn't last long enough for the entire flight. Slowly and then all at once, the two members fell into a deep and delicious slumber.