Disclaimer: I dont own LXG
When the story was finished our uncle sat as he often did when he had something to think about. His feet were stretched out in front of him and his fingers pressed together. I knew the look from the many times Angie had described it to me. He stood up rather suddenly, "I am sorry Mr. Quartermain, as far as I knew Moriarty had no superiors. This is dangerous and disturbing news…" he trailed off.
"Uncle Sherlock," I said. "If there is any chance that we can unravel this mystery we must."
"I admit I am curious to see how this plays out." He turned to Nemo, "Are you sure that it would be no hindrance to your work?"
"If anything they might be an asset," he answered.
"Then they may go," said our Uncle simply.
"Take a moment to gather up anything you may need we should leave as soon as possible," said Quartermain.
Angie and I went into our rooms to pack a few extra dresses and anything else we might need. I was carefully folding one of my dresses I had already changed out of the loose white shirt and britches that I had been wearing for quite a while. A knock at my door and my uncle entered.
"Ophira, this is for you." He handed me a small book, I flipped through the pages. "It is empty," he explained, "I need some sort of documentation of this case, and I can hardly expect to send Watson with you."
"I will do my best Uncle," I answered. "However why not simply have Angie do it. It would defiantly be easer to read."
"Because Angie would have no patience for it," He said simply. "I need someone who will continue with this after more than a week."
I nodded; Angie had never been able to keep a journal for more than a few days. I checked the room once more to be sure I had not forgotten anything. As I ran my hand over the top of my dresser my fingers clasped the music box my parents had given me just before they died. I slipped it into the pocket of my dress and lifted my carpet bag, from downstairs I head Angie and the rest of the league waiting for me.
I gave Uncle Sherlock a brief hug and followed my new friends back toward the Nautilus. No one said a word we were listening for the sound of pursuers or for anything that seemed out of the ordinary. However we made it back to Nemo's ship without incident and were soon on our way to Cairo.
"Why are we goin' to Cairo?" Angie asked when we found out about our next stop.
"Because of this," replied Quartermain handing us a small flat stone. "It was with the man you two were trying to kill in New York."
The stone was about three inches side to side and about half an inch thick. The edges were rough as if they had been chipped away from something and one side was covered with strange markings. Nemo called them hieroglyphics, a form of writing used by the ancient Egyptians.
That night I was sitting in my cabin working on the Journal when a presence seemed to enter the room. It had no physical shape and made no noise, it was little more than a shadow of a ghost. It beckoned me to follow it toward the door I stood and followed it unwilling to let this strange feeling leave. At the door I stopped the voice of reason in my head held me back. And then the presence was gone.
I returned to my chair to think about what my next move should be. For a moment I considered trying to find the source of the presence. No, I had no idea what this was, if it was dangerous or friendly, if the league knew about it or not, or if I were imagining things. If I were going after it I would need someone to help me. Who would help? If I told the league they might think I was afraid. If I told Angie she would want to go find it, but that would be snooping.
I wrung my hands nervously, this was awful, and I had nothing I could do and no plan. I stood and began to pace the floor playing every scenario out in my head. Each of them seemed more ridiculous than the last. "Enter," I called to the knock on my door.
Skinner pushed the door open. "Would you mind being not quite so loud," he said. "Some of us like to sleep. What's the matter anyway?"
Angie walked up behind him. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm trying to help a lady in distress!"
"What is this, a pajama party?" Sawyer hissed down the hall from the door to his room.
Angie pushed Skinner aside. "Is something the matter 'Phiri? You're shaking."
"It's nothing," I tried to reassure her.
"You've been pacing and muttering for an hour, how is that nothing?" Skinner asked.
"What's happening," asked Sawyer completely confused.
"Ophira can't sleep," said Angie.
The three of them were now looking at me inquisitively. "There was a presence."
"What kind of presence?" asked Sawyer rather sharply.
"It was human, but it seemed dim. No definite shape, and it wanted me to follow it…" I knew how crazy I must have sounded but both Skinner and Sawyer seemed worried by this news.
"Grey," they simultaneously agreed.
AN: whew another Chapter. Meaning...I win! It took a while but I'm quite pleased with the results.Anyway Jekyll plushies to all who review this chapter!
Samyo: Guv' is short for govener it was a term of repect for someone of a higer social status than whoever uses it. Gosh that makes me sound smart. Thanks for the review!
StriderX: LOL and now you'll have a Jekyll plushie to talk science with the Mina plushie
Faust: Yep! I'm so pleased that someone actually knew who that was! Kudos to you!
Caiden McBrien: Thanks for the review here's another Plushie for your collection!
Angie: About time you read it! I'm eagerly awaiting the 'sista fic' your slang usage is getting better all the time!