REVIEW RESPONSE
PurpleCobra247: It was only A's father that was mentioned. And you'll have to wait and see if they can discover his killer. Glad you like this.
Nightw2: Actually, the Brett this story is a different Brett but clever of you to spot either way. Switching between the two time periods isn't as easy as you'd think. I do hope you'll read the rest.
acosta pérez josé ramiro: Yep, the game this is based on is ideal for mystery fans. By the way, it's also called Trace Memory, Another Code was the name here in England. I don't mind that you compare my characters to others. I actually find it quite interesting.
The memory of Diana
Lola came back from the kitchen with two carrots, one for herself and one for Jessica. She gave Jessica her carrot before sitting back down.
"How do you feel now?" Lola asked.
"Much better, my head doesn't feel as hot as it did." Jessica replied.
"Should I take the ice pack off?"
"Leave it on for a few more minutes.
"For how long?"
"Until we do another recollection."
"Ok, I'm guessing that means you want me to continue."
"Of course I do."
"Ok." Lola sighed hevaily and then continued her story.
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The hidden door led to another hallway. This one looked much like the first hallway with four doors. Unlike the first hallway, this one had just a plain wall at the end, the doors were more in a zig-zag and none of them were locked.
"Dad, Rachiel, can you hear me?"I called out. There was no answer. I had a look around the corridor. As I did, I saw A with a strange expression.
"A?" I asked. A then had a recollection of another memory.
"It was here, in the art room." A replied.
""What's in the art room?"
"In there, we'll find Diana."
"In the art room?"
"First to your right."
"Ok." We went into the door on the right and found the art room. Most of the equipment was covered in white sheeets, however a desk, a chair, a storage box and an easel were uncovered. Several paintings were scattered around the room. I had a closer look at the easel and saw a picture on it. The picture was that of a female rabbit smiling. She had slightly curly hair.
"I knew it!" A exclaimed.
"You knew what?" I asked.
"This girl is Diana."
"So that's your Diana."
"Yep. It was drawn by her father."
"I see…"
"It was in the hallway back there when I first met her. Even though we had never met before, she gave me a big smile. I remember looking at my feet because I was embarassed."
"Ok."
"Then she just grabbed me and pulled me here to show me this drawing. She said that her father was a brilliant artist and said she'd ask him to draw my picture as well."
"And after that?"
"Then…I remember going outside and playing with a Kitten." A's description got me thinking.
"Listening to A talk about Diana makes me feel kind of strange. He knew the girl in the drawing. They were friends. It's hard to believe that he lived at the same time as Diana. She's either dead or an elderly lady by now. But in death, A has stayed at my age. The young boy who died was Diana's friend 57 years ago. But now, he isn't alive. But A has been as good a friend to me as anyone alive…"
"Lola?"
"Yes?"
"I remember now."
"Remember what?"
"I remember about the person who drew this."
"Diana's father?"
"Yes, that's why I remember now. He was my uncle."
"What was his name?"
"George."
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"George, as in one of the two boys?" Jessica asked.
"Yes, I think so." Lola replied.
"Wow that would make her A's cousin right?"
"Yep."
"So that's who Diana was, any idea where she was at the time?"
"None at all. There was no way I could know."
"She was probably dead."
"Why do you say that?"
"Just a guess."
"Ok."
"So, what happpened after that?"
"Let me think…" Lola then continued her story.
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After looking at the drawing, we went over to the storgae box. It was completely full of canvases, but there were also some other items. These included a Hammer, a gouge, a pallet and a roll of paper. I had a look at the paper and saw it was covered in drawings. Deciding that none of this was important, I closed the box and had another look around. We went over to the desk and saw a piec of drawing paper. It looked new and there was a drawing on it. The drawing was of two girls, one was a baby, one was a teenager.
"Any who this is?" A asked.
"Look, it's signed Robert…my father." I replied.
"Your father?"
"Yes, He must have drawn this."
"Then logic follows that the girls in the picture must be…"
"Me, yeah I think so."
"But the teenager picture doen't look like you at all.
"It must be what he imagines me to look like."
"It must be."
"I hope he recognizes me."
"Lola."
"Yes?"
"Is that a DAS card next to the drawing?" I looked to where A had indicated and saw the DAS card.
"It is, a message from dad." I picked up the card and played it on my DAS.
"Dear Lola,
Thank you for coming here to find me. Come to the lab at the back of the house. I'll be waiting for you there. I can't wait to see you."
"A lab at the back of the house. That's where he is." I exclaimed.
"Lola?" A asked.
"Yes?"
"Was it a message from your dad?"
"Yes."
"What did he say?"
"He's waiting for me in the lab at the back of this house."
"A lab in the house?"
"Do you remember a lab?"
"No."
"If dad says there is, there must be."
"Lola, what was your dad doing here anyway?"
"What do you mean?"
"Don't you find it strange that he didn't meet you at the pier?"
"I know it's strange, bt I have no other choice. I'm trying to find him because I don't know why he didn't come to meet us." I was actually quite angry when I said this. I could see A flinch a little.
"Ok, I'm sorry." We decided to head to the other rooms. When we reached the door, a thought came to m mind.
"A?" I asked.
"Yes?" A asked.
"You're right, why didn't dad come to meet me?"
"Lola."
"Why won't he copme from the back of this house?"
"Lola." I made no response. My mind was in turmoil with emotion. I had no idea of why dad didn't come out to meet me.
We went to the door on the opposite side of the corridor. The door led to Richard and Melissa's room. There was a raised area immediately to the right. There were two beds and two sets of drawers. To the left was a row of wardrobes and drawers. At the far end was a sofa and small table. There were a couple of items on the table. The first was a photo of a happy family. The other was a glass bottle. It was green but sealed tightly.
"Lola, I think there's something inside that bottle." A said. I had a closer look.
"You're right, maybe I can open it." I replied. I tried to open the bottle but it was no good. After a couple if minutes, I gave up.
"No good, it's sealed too tightly." I muttered.
"Lola." A said.
"Yeah?"
"Remember that hammer in the art room?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"Why not use that?"
"Good idea." We ran back into the art room and grabbed the hammer from the storage box. I then returned and went back to the bottle.
"Now, let's see what's inside." I muttered.
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"I'm guessing that you used the hammer to break the glass." Jessica said.
"Yep, it was actually quite fun." Lola replied.
"Was it?"
"It was, but I don't want you doing anything like that."
"Why?"
"Because it's dangerous. A fragment of glass could fly into you and cut you."
"Did it happen to you?"
"I was lucky, but you may not be."
"Ok, but what was in the bottle?"
"Let me think…" Lola then continued her story.
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"That was fun." I remarked. The bottle was now in pieces. Inside was a letter and a key. It was a golden bird key. I put it in my pocket and had a look at the letter.
"What does it say?" A asked.
"I'll read it." I replied. I read the letter aloud.
"Dear George,
This will be my last letter to you. Ever since your grandfather died and your brother killed himself with grief, you have changed. I can't really tell how difficult this time is for you, but I can imagine though. I am sorry, but I cannot live and raised Diana in this environment. Your drinking and Violent outbursts have gotten out of hand. Do you even remember that incident when you waved that knife in front of me and Diana? You were like a possessed man. You did know that I threw out all the knives in the house so you couldn't hurt anyone with them. George, I don't know you anymore. I am leaving the island with Diana. I will never forget you or the love we once shared.
Melissa."
"Who is Melissa?" I asked.
"She was Diana's mother." A replied. We then went over to the raised area and had a look around. When we got there, we saw a vanity mirror. It was all fogged up. On one of the chests of drawers was an unusual box. The box had dolls lined up. Each doll had an instrument. There was a flute, a trumpet, a harp and some symbols set of instruments that I could not identify.
"How odd." I muttered.
"Lola, one of the dolls is missing." A said.
"Yeah."
"Where could it be?"
"I seem to remember a doll in the golden bird room."
"Was there?"
"I'm sure there was." We went back to the golden bird room and found the missing doll. It was holding a drum.
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"Let me guess, another musical riddle?" Jessica asked.
"Yeah, but slightly tougher this time." Lola replied.
"Was it?"
"Only slightly."
"And what did it do when it was solved?"
"Let me tell you, but you'll have to be patient." Lola continued her story.
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We returned back to the box where the other dolls were and I placedt he drummer doll back where the slot was. It did absolutely nothing.
"Ok, new returned the missing doll, now what?" I asked.
"Lola." A said.
"Yes?"
"This is a music box."
"Music box?"
"Diana would turn a key and then press buttons to mak music play."
"So, where's the key?"
"I don't know. It had a key when I saw it before."
"Well we'd better find it."
The next door along led to Diana's room. Her room was the smallest room we'd been in so far. To the right was a display case below a picture. To the left was a small table and chairs. We had a look at the display case and saw an old teddy bear.
"A teddy bear." I exclaimed.
"Diana's favourite." A replied.
"It certinly looks it." I was then reminded of that dream I always had.
"All of a sudden, I remember that dream I always have. It was the one about the night of my third birthday. I remember something on the table, a cake with candles and a teddy bear with a red ribbon. Mum told me that it was a birthday present from my father. But where was dad that night?"
"Lola, what's wrong?" A asked.
"Nothing, I was just thinking about my mum." I replied.
"Do you want to find her?"
"Yes, but I have to find dad first."
"Ok."
"Rachiel said something to me when we were on the boat."
"What did she say?"
"She told me that when I find dad, he will explain everything."
"Ok." We went up to the raised part of the room. We found a pink bed, a desk and a stand of some sort. On the desk was an old sketchbook.
"That sketchbook is Diana's." A said.
"What was she drawing?" I asked. I opened the sketchbook. On the first page was a woodprint of two rabbits, one boy and one girl, playing with a kitten.
"What a cute picture." I remarked.
"It is." A replied.
"A, is that boy you?"
"It might be."
"Hey, there's another print on the next page." I turned the page and saw a print of a frightened girl.
"The left side is blank, sad if you think about it." I said.
"It must be unfinished." A replied. We then had a look at the stand. It was of a unique shape, sort of a half pyramid. I noticed a wooden box on the bottom shelf.
"What do you think is in the box?" I asked.
"I'm not sure." A replied. I opened the box and found two stamps.
"Did Diana use these for her woodprinting?"
"Yes, it was favourite hobby."
"Hey, perhaps we can finish the picture."
"Perhaps." I took the stamps and went back to the unfinished picture.
"Now, If I remember, it's press down on the stamp."
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"So, you finished the picture?" Jessica asked.
"Yep, it was quite easy." Lola replied.
"Heh, stamping is." Lola felt Jessica's forehead.
"How are you feeling?"
"Much better. I don't think I need the icepack anymore."
"Ok, I'll take it off." Lola took the ice pack off.
"I think it's your story that is helping more than the ice pack."
"Probably."
"So, what was the finised picture?"
"It was a scary picture I'll tell you that." Lola then continued her story.
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"Wow, that worked out well." I exclaimed.
"But look at the picture." A said. The finished picture showed a man with one arm and with a mad expression on his face.
"Hmm, the girl crying is standing to a scary looking person."
"And the man is missing his right arm"
"Was it like Diana to make a print like this?"
"Not really, but that man is Diana's father."
"George, how do you know?"
"Because he was missing his right arm." We had a look at the bed. It was a soft bed with a pink duvet
"Look, there's something on the bed."
"It looks like a ribbon."
"One of Diana's?"
"Yes."
"What was she like?"
"Well, she was very sweet, but she could be impudent at times. She cried a lot but was quick to laugh."
"Go on."
"And, in one way, like you."
"Huh?"
"She hated being alone."
As we were leaving the room, A recalled another memory.
"A, what is it?" I asked.
"Lola, I've just remembered something."
"Yes."
"I've just remembered what Diana called my father."
"What did she call him?"
"Uncle Richard."
"So your father was Richard."
We left Diana's room and went to the room opposite. It led to George's study. The room was fairly large. In the centre was a table with a sofa and an arm chair. There were also some instruments that I had never seen before. I could tell that two of them were speakers but I was not sure what the third one was.
"What is this?" I asked.
"You listen to records on it." A replied.
"I don't have records."
"Don't you like music?"
"I do, but we don't play music on records anymore."
"Oh, what do you listen to music on now?"
"CD's and Casette tapes."
"What are they?"
"Err, it doesn't matter." I then noticed a picture frame on the table. It was empty but there were markings in the frame.
"I can't make out these pictures, maybe if I look at it at a different angle." I thoughht to myself. I picked up the frame and looked at it from different angles.
"Hmm, there's a key, a book, a bird, an apple and some odd shapes." I thought to myself.
"Qany ideas?" A asked.
"None, perhaps the reflection will tell me something."
"Like what?"
"Anything that may help." We then had another look around. There was a line of bookshelves stacked with several books. There was also a desk and chair. I then had a thought.
"Perhaps there's something in one of these books." I said to myself. I started picking up books and flicking through them but found nothing. After a couple of minutes, I gave up.
"It's useless, there could be anything in any of these books." I said in frustration.
"What do you mean?" A asked.
"Ok, I'll emphasize my point." I picked out a completely random book and opened it. It was a large book in the bottom right corner of the rightmost shelf. As soon as I opened it, I found a square cut out in the book. There was a small key in the cut out section.
"Erm, book of chance?" I muttered.
"I think you have a lucky touch." A joked.
"Probably.
"Well, there's a key in the book."
"Is that…"
"Yes, it's the key to the music box."
"Ok." I grabbed the key and we went back to the music box.
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"Heh, lucky pick." Jessica joked.
"Very lucky pick." Lola replied.
"So I'm guessing you went back and pl;ayed the music box."
"Yes. I had to turn the key and then press buttons under the dolls for the music to play."
"Did anything happen?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because I pressed too many buttons." Lola then continued her story.
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"Ok, music's playing, now what?" I asked. The music from the box was actually rather irritating. I was just able to refrain myself from smashing the box to pieces.
"Lola, I remember now." A replied.
"Remember what?"
"Diana told me that if you play the music of the angels a secret door opens."
"The music of the angels?"
"I think there was a picture of angels in the study."
"I didn't see it."
"Well, let's go back and check." We went back to George's study and this time, I saw the picture of the angels. It was hanging above the fireplace on the far side of the room. We went over and had alook at the picture.
"So, the angels are playing a flute, a harp and the symbols." I said to myself.
"So, we go back and play those instruments." A replied.
"Ok." We went back and played the music instruments shown on the painting on the music box. Immediately, nothing happened.
"What did I do wr…" I was cut off by a rumbling sound.
"What's that?" I asked
"I think something moved." A replied.
"From where?"
"The study room I think."
"Ok, let's go!"
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"What was that rumbling?" Jessica asked.
"Well, when we returned to the study room, the whole fireplace had moved." Lola replied.
"WOW!"
"And there was a hidden room behindit."
"What was in it?"
"Let me think…" Lola then continued her story.
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The room behind the fireplace was some kind of storage room. There were several crates around, and behind one of them was a Basketball.
"Hey, there's a Basketball." I exclaimed.
"Cool, I love Basketball." A replied.
"So do I."
"I used to play with my dad."
"I play with Rachiel, but she's no good."
"It seems we have a lot in common."
"It's such a shame that you aren't alive."
"Huh?"
"It's nothing." We looked around the room again and saw a suitcase on a ledge near the roof. The ledge was too high for me to reach.
"How do we get that suitcase down?" I asked.
"Why not use the Basketball." A suggested.
"Good Idea, I'm good at Basketball. It should be easy. I picked up the Basketball and began throwing it at the suitcase. It took a couple of hits but it finally fell down. Unfortunately, the Basketball got stuck on the ledge.
"Darn, I liked that ball." I muttered.
"At least we got the suitcase." A replied.
"Yeah, now let's see what's inside." I opened the suitcase and found an old shoe.
"What's a shoe doing in here?" I asked.
"Lola!" A exclaimed.
"What is it?"
"That is…my shoe."
"Your shoe, what's it doing here?"
"I don't knmow, but I've just remebered something."
"What?"
"That shoe is from a pair my father brought for me."
"Go on."
"We were going to see my sick great grandfather. He got me those shoes for the occasion. I was really happy. I told him that I'd take care of them. He then said that he'd buy me a better pair later, any pair that you want."
We had one final look around the room and found some stuff on one of the crates. There were two photos and a box of matches. I picked up the matches and had a look at them.
"Hmm, these matches are dry. Perhaps I can use them." I thought to myself. I picked up the matches and we left the room. We went back to the corridor but there was nowhere else to go. At the far end of the corridor were a couple of Candelabras and an outline of a doorway, but it was a brick wall.
"A dead end?" I asked.
"Lola, I think there may be some other rooms beyond this hallway." A replied.
"Hmm. Hey, I've just remembered those pictures."
"What about them?"
"Theyw ere taken of this place."
"Hey, let's go back and have a look." We went back and had a closer look. One was of Diana in front of the area as it was at the current state. Two of the candles were lit. On the second photo, two different candles were lit and the doorway was open.
"That's Bugs." A said.
"But look at the pictures, I think I know how to open the doorway now." I replied. We went back to where the candles were.
"Now, if I light the candles that were lit in the picture where the doorway was open, the path ahead should open." I said.
"It's worth a try." A replied. I took out the matches and lit the appropriate candles. It took a while to remember which ones to light but I eventually lit the two correc candles. The outline of a doorway moved to one side and the doorway appeared.
"YES! A hidden door." I exclaimed.
"Congratulations." A replied.
"I'm sure that dad will be waiting just beyond here."
"Hopefully."
"A, let's go." We then walked through the hidden doorway.
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"Mum." Jessica said.
"Do you want to remember what's happened up till now?" Lola asked.
"Yeah."
"Ok, let's give it a try. While we were trying to find mt father and A's memories, we entered the Art room. There was an old drawing of Diana in the room."
"That was drawn by her father Henry."
"Yes. A said that Henry had drawn the picture."
"Now there was another drawing in the art room. Who was that off?" Lola asked.
"That was of you, and it had your dad's signature on it." Jessica replied.
"Yes, it was of what he imagined me to look like."
"Much different to what you did look like wan't it?"
"Yeah, now. I read dad's message on the DAS card and began searching for his lab. When we were in Diana's room, want did I learn?"
"The name of A's dad. It was Richard wasn't it?"
"Yeah after that, he began to remember things little by little."
"Now, in the bookcase in George's study, we found the key to the music box. I used the angel dools to trigger a secret door in the fireplace of George's study. There was a small room behind it. There was a suitcase there. Inside, what did we find?" Lola asked.
"One of A's shoes." Jessica replied.
"Correct, though we had no idea of why the shoe was hidden."
"I'm guessing the nexh hallway will have the answer."
"Well, you'll find out."
"Mum, can I have a drink?"
"Sure, what would you like?"
"Just water please."
"Ok, I need a drink as well." Jessica laughed at this.
"I'm not surprised with all the talking you're doing." Lola giggled a little before standing up and heading into the kitchen.
(A/N: Ok, I hope you enjoyed that. I'm curious as to what you guys think of things so far. Like, who is Dave? And who killed A's Father? Anyway, please review.)