The Waterfall

It was in the same spot that Fendari waited, behind the two-way mirror in the atrium, head bowed. It wouldn't be long now... He wouldn't have to go through this much longer. He could hear her coming. She was in the hall outside the atrium, undoubtedly with the final crest in her possession. He would allow her to complete the alignment, to obtain the statue... the key. Then he would take her. His window was closing, though... the master would return at any moment. Fendari knew he was close now... he could feel the man's presence.

He watched as she entered the room for what would be the last time, the ever-present dog at her side. He could tell she was fatigued, weary... that would make things easier. He allowed himself to let out a quiet laugh of triumph. He watched her make haste to the altar, where she stood for some time, apparently talking to the dumb animal beside her. Finally she put it in place, and Fendari looked upwards. He wanted to see it happen again, it was fascinating in a way. But right at that moment, he knew... he knew when the mansion's main doors were opened. He could hear them. And he knew that his time had run out.

Daniella watched the spectacle with open-mouthed awe. The smallest pillar slid into place, opening its stone mouth, and shooting the water stream finally out into the smaller basin. At first, nothing happened, and Daniella had the painful sensation that she'd done all this for nothing. But slowly, as the pool filled with water, she heard the grinding of stone, and looked up to the balcony above, where the waterfall originated.

Water was pouring out of a circular area cut out of the balcony floor, which separated from the balcony itself and was now descending toward the ground. She watched as a magnificent spiral staircase sunk down out of the ceiling, the water flowing down it somehow weighing it down, and gracefully spiraled toward the ground, water cascading down off of it in a shining cylinder. It came down slowly to the floor, making a low boom when it hit the ground. Water flowed from it in all directions, flooding the blue stone floor around it.

Daniella simply stood there for a while, wondering how such a contraption worked. Somehow, when the water filled the pool on the ground, it flooded the overhead balcony and the hidden staircase, causing it to lead from the ground up to the balcony. Poppy, unsure what to think, jumped back when it hit the ground, growling, then just stared at the stairway confusedly. Whatever it was that she had been after... whatever it was they were trying to hide... it was through that single door on the balcony.

She began walking toward the flooded stairway, the flow of water streaming down it not showing any sign of stopping. Poppy stayed where he was, still not completely trusting it, and she had to call him to get him to come with her. The water from the stairway flowed around her feet as she got close to it, soaking her shoes. She walked through the cylindrical water curtain caused by water flowing off the sides higher up, and began ascending the stairs, by now completely drenched. Poppy, having quite a good time, stood in one spot lapping up the flowing water.

Daniella walked up the stairs, looking around her in wonder. It was very beautiful... but she wondered if there was any water damage to the room after something like this. She walked around and around until she reached the top of the staircase and walked out onto the balcony high above the room. Water flowed all along the balcony from some unknown source, falling to the floor in huge sheets. The room looked so picturesque from up here... the jungle, the waterfalls, the beautiful stone pillars, and the sky visible overhead. She watched Poppy reach the top of the stairs, where he shook himself off, but it didn't seem to help much. He obviously loved the water.

She turned her eyes on the single wooden door in the wall, and walked to it, calling the dog. No matter what she found there, she knew that she had worked hard to find it. She looked down at Poppy, who was still looking out at the room below.

"Well... thanks for all you've done, boy. We managed to get this far... and I know I couldn't have if you hadn't been there. Let's go and see what this place has to hide."

She'd made a habit of talking to him, because he was the only friend she had, and he always listened. And whatever happened, at least he would still be there. With this thought, she turned around, opened the door, and entered.

And in the room, far below, Agent Weston watched her do it.