It worked out so well. It's just that we never got the invitation to the President's birthday party. So how do you go to a party you helped plan but were never invited to? You sneak in. Patrick rented a fishing boat to use on the Potomac as a cover. Ben and I were covered in scuba gear before disembarking to our destination via water. It didn't take long for security to find Patrick and say that he was in restricted waters. I hid behind a bush as I removed the scuba suit. I pulled down the dress and emerged to see Ben in his attire.

"Maybe one day I'll wear this thing to a party I was actually invited to."

"Same here. But this is made for parties I'm not invited to, so it's redundant."

Ben chuckled. I slipped on the heels and we made our way to the party. I strode with confidence up the path to the party. I wasn't sure how to compose myself when seeing the President. Ben was carrying a bottle and 2 glasses as I carried my black clutch. Ben took my arm and looped it around his, my hand gripping his arm.

"Nervous?"

"Gee, what do you think? I'm about to commit the crime of the American century. How do you think I feel?"

"Well, let's not worry about that and just enjoy the night."

"Yeah. While it's still young and innocent."

It wasn't long before we reached the slope leading to the party. Ben set up his mood for the excuse he needed to give.

"Hey. You didn't happen to see a cute brunette wandering around? Went to get a drink, she disappeared."

"No, sir."

Man. Talk about stiffs.

"I've got no game tonight."

"C'mon, uncle. Let's see if she made it back safely," I suggested.

Ben and I made our way up to the party without raising suspicion. I felt quite relieved at passing the security guard. Ben briefly greeted the guests and I did the same before seeing the President. Time to set the plan in motion.

"Happy birthday."

"Thank you."

Busy man, indeed.

"Ben Gates. The Templar treasure?"

"Oh, right, Ben Gates. Yeah."

"We won't keep you."

The men that were with the nation's leader left to enjoy the rest of the party. Hook, line, and almost sinker.

"And you are?"

Shoot. I totally forgot.

"Esther Livingston. I'm a friend. Ben was kind enough to let me be the plus one."

"It's very nice to meet you. You wouldn't happen to be a descendent of Robert Livingston, would you?"

"I just so happen to be that girl."

I looked to Ben, letting him know that he needs to do the talking.

"I can't tell you what a thrill it is for me to be invited here tonight, sir."

"Yeah, you must have the Secret Service hopping about now."

Uh…

"Sir?"

"Considering your discovered lineage."

"Oh, yeah. Oh, that..."

I chuckled the matter off, realizing we had nothing to worry about. Yet.

"Carry on."

"I beg your pardon, sir, but I know what a huge admirer you are of George Washington. I thought you might want to take a look at this. Have a look at that."

Ben opened up an old piece of parchment and handed it to the President.

"This is a map of Mount Vernon drawn by George Washington himself."

"Mr. President, that is exactly what it is."

"I was an architectural history major at Yale."

"I did not know that."

Yeah, right.

"It belonged to my great uncle. Got it from the granddaughter of a slave, Charlotte."

A man came by to wish the President a happy birthday, interrupting Ben's statement. He was drunk, that's for sure.

"Charlotte, who lived here and worked here at Mount Vernon. And we're standing right here, sir. This line is an underground tunnel, an escape route that was never found."

"I wonder... I wonder if it's still there."

"Well... Only one way to find out, sir."

"Maybe we should take a look."

"Are we allowed to do that? I mean, I know you're allowed to do that. You're the president. Can I come with you?"

We made our way to the tunnel with the President. I adjusted the dress to the right position for active work. I excused myself from the pair and slipped on ballet flats with thicker leather soles. The guards didn't notice my feet as I slipped by to join Ben in the final part of the plan.

"You guys are just everywhere."

"Yes, sir."

Okay, I'm having a talk with Teacher about these guys being stiffs. This is ridiculous!

"Give my friend your flashlight."

"Thank you. According to this map, it should be... It's one... two. In here. Yeah, should be in here."

"May l?"

"Absolutely."

"Alright."

I followed Ben in, stealing a glance from him. He gave me a curt nod, reinforcing my confidence.

"You know, Craig, I appreciate you doing your job, but I have no enemies down here. In the cellar. In this tiny little room."

"I'll just wait here, then."

Ben shined his flashlight on the panel in the wall.

"Over here."

The President joined us.

"That's the mark of George Washington."

"Only it's slightly different."

Yep.

"How?"

"These axes, the angle's off. For it to correspond with the ones on the map, it should form a perfect V."

Ben adjusted one of the axes to fit the image on the map. The sinker part was almost there.

"OK, what else?"

"The arrowhead... is sideways."

The President turned the arrowhead faced down and the wall shifted. I stood back a bit.

"We're all right. Don't worry."

They pushed aside the part of the wall that moved to reveal the tunnel. The President entered the tunnel first, "shooing" away the cobwebs. Ben gestured me to go in next and he soon followed after me. It didn't take long for him to close up the wall. I removed the skirt and stuffed it into my bag, a stuff-sack I hid in my clutch.

"Gates, what are you doing?"

"I'm sorry, Mr. President. I need to ask you a question, which I know you can't answer unless we're alone."

He looked at me, shocked. I was in my black covert outfit: knee-high leggings, halter tank, and flats. I also had my bag with shoulder straps to make it easier for travel.

"Did he drag you into this?"

"Nope. I went along with it."

Shocker, right? We made our way through the tunnel to the exit. Ben was never planning on keeping the President hostage. He just wanted a few minutes alone with him and nothing more.

"Mr. President, sometime between 1880, when the Resolute desk was placed in the Oval Office, and now, one of our presidents found a secret compartment in the desk. Hidden inside was a plank with Native American writing on it. A treasure map to Cibola, the legendary City of Gold, sir."

"All this just to ask me about a treasure map?"

Surprise!

"That map is a key to proving Thomas Gates' innocence. I know for a fact that the plank is no longer in the Resolute desk."

"You've been in my desk too?"

Weirdest thing. We found a clue leading to the Resolute Twins, meaning the Resolute desks. So, yeah!

"I believe the whereabouts of that plank is now hidden... in the President's Book, sir. The book known only to our presidents. It contains all of our nation's secrets."

That's when the hammer fell.

"That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard."

"I saw the seal in the desk, sir. I know the map exists."

"You're not going to tell me how to get out of here unless you get what you want."

"The way out is that direction, and I'll show you."

See? Told you! That's how it was. Ben was never one to discuss hostage situations while I was an expert in scaring the heck out of my prisoners. But I knew better than to put the President in such danger.

"You don't negotiate very well, do you?"

"No, sir."

I giggled at the truth. The President looked at me.

"What's your story in all of this?"

"I have some very unique gifts that people would either kidnap or kill me for. And I'm probably the last one."

"What kind of gifts?"

"I can see the dead, so I'm a medium. I can travel into the past in my dreams but not affect the real time stream, so I'm also a past seer. One night, I traveled to the day of Lincoln's assassination and witnessed Thomas Gates' death. I can't tell people that because it's biased, impossible, and will put me in a ton of danger. Does that make any sense?"

He remained silent, glancing between me and Ben. He was doubtful, but Ben seemed to give him a looking saying that I was truthful. I explained the basic details of the Society and he said that he knew about it after a gentleman by the name of Joseph came in to fill the President in on the matter. That's my Teacher for you: always making sure people know so that they can be aware.

"I don't get you, Gates. You do all this, you're willing to go to prison, just to clear your ancestor's name."

I jumped onto the railing and headed down the stairs.

"The way out is just down those stairs. Everything I am is because of my ancestors, sir. Thomas Gates gave his last full measure of devotion to his country to stop the KGC. When someone dies for their country, I believe they should be honored."

"'Last full measure of devotion'?"

"Lincoln is my favorite president, sir. No offense."

There was a brief pause before the President gave a small smile.

"None taken. He's my favorite too."

"Sir, I know the book exists, and my question is, 'Will you agree to let me see it?'"

The President stopped and turned on the staircase to face Ben.

"Even if something like that really did exist, why do you think I would actually just give it to you?"

"Because it will probably lead us to the discovery of the greatest Native American treasure of all time. A huge piece of culture lost. You can give that history back to its descendants. And because you're the president of the United States, sir. Whether by innate character, or the oath you took to defend the Constitution, or the weight of history that falls upon you, I believe you to be an honorable man, sir."

"People don't believe that stuff anymore."

"They want to believe it."

He turned to face me.

"Do you believe it, Miss Livingston?"

"With every ounce of my American pride, sir. And I'm sure that the whole nation will as well in due time."

It wasn't long before we reached the exit. I kicked open the wooden door and shoved the shrubbery out of the way. Ben helped the President out into to the forest clearing.

"Nearest highway is that direction. You'll understand if we part ways here."

Ben and I began to walk away.

"Gates."

We turned around.

"Sir?"

"The following conversation never happened. The book exists."

"Where is it?"

"Where else do you keep a book? In the Library of Congress. X, Y, two, three, four, seven, eight, six."

"Thank you, sir."

"You'll also need to know three, seven, nine, four."

"Got it."

"And, Gates..."

Ugh, what!? We have a ton of guys in suits looking for us!

"Sir?"

"Two hundred people know you held me against my will. I can't tell them why. Unless you find what you're looking for, you'll be charged with kidnapping the president. You know what that means."

"Yes, sir. Very much so, sir."

That's what Betsy was telling me. Since I committed a crime, the Society will be staying out of the way. They will not help nor delay the search for me or Ben.

"I want you to do something for me."

"It would be a privilege, sir."

"Page 47. Just have a look at that."

Ben made his way down the hill and pulled out his phone. I looked at the President one last time.

"Livingston."

"Yes, sir?"

"Joseph told me about a promising student of his to lead the world in the future. He said that the student had qualities he never saw in any other individual that would secure the Society."

"Is there a point in all this, sir?"

"I'm glad to have finally met that promising young adult, Miss Livingston."

"Thank you, sir. It was a privilege to meet you in the process. Farewell."

I gave a curt nod and dashed in Ben's direction to Patrick's car. We soon arrived at the Library of Congress. We headed up the stairs to meet up with Riley and Abigail.

"Hey."

"Hey. We're close."

Abigail led the way into the building until we reached the center.

"Where do we start?"

"XY is the book classification code."

"Stands for special collections, which means very special books. Where are they?"

"This way. We'll have to sneak in."

We followed Abigail to who knew where in the library to reach our destination. Climbing up the stairs, I realized that we were on the top floor of the building.

"Here we go. XA... XM..."

And around and around we go! Soon we went around a corner into a back section. Turned out to be where XY was. Abigail tried opening the door, but no cigar.

"Look. Do you have a code?"

Ben stepped up and punched in the code on the door handle.

"Three-seven-nine-four."

We entered XY and waited for the number.

"What did the president say the number was?"

"Two-three-four-seven-eight-six."

We all dispersed to look for the book, but I knew better. It was a lot more hidden than most people would think.

"Here."

Ben found the shelf and Abigail started counting from the opposite end until they came to a crack between two books that didn't have the number.

"It's not there."

Uh, it is. You just haven't figured it out yet.

"Maybe someone checked it out."

Thank you for being the running gag of the gang, Riley!

"Why send us here if there's no book?"

"He probably wanted us to get caught."

Chances were that he didn't. I'm pretty good at telling who's lying, and the President would only be a little bit better than Ben at bluffing. In any case, the cops and feds were on their way. Ben was about to put back a book he pulled down when he saw it. He handed the book to Riley.

"Here."

He pulled over one of those fancy wheeled ladders and climbed up. One by one, he handed books to Riley to get a better view of what he saw.

"What is that?"

"It's a six-dial combination lock. The location is the combination."

Ben dialed in the number.

"The location is the combination."

Click! The compartment opened up and the book was revealed in all its glory.

"I was right."

Ben climbed down the ladder.

"Well done, Mr. Poole."

We gathered around a desk. Riley put down the books in his arms as Ben untied the string around the leather bound journal.

"Eagle and the scroll."

Don't you just love the jitters that you get when you're about to learn a secret and you're dying to know it?

"Area 51!"

"Shh!"

"Kennedy assassination!"

"Shh! We don't have time."

"Yeah, it's true."

Thank you for actually thinking, Riley!

"Here. 'April 1865. Queen Victoria sends Pike two coded missives. The first is received. Contains information regarding New World treasure. The City of Gold.'"

"Wait. The queen wanted to help the Confederacy?"

Didn't you know?

"Well, a divided America would have been weaker."

"And they needed cotton from the South. 'The second missive was thought to contain a Playfair cipher suggesting contact with Laboulaye, who'll hide clues before his death.' The cipher written into the Booth diary page that Thomas tried to burn."

"The one we have."

"Exactly. '1880. Resolute desk arrives in Washington, sent by queen to President Hayes.' Look at that."

Ben showed us an old sepia colored photograph of the plank from the President's desk. Judging from the coloring, I guessed that it was taken in the early to mid-1900s. Abigail took the photo to get a closer look at it.

"Missing plank from the White House. Wow."

"Here's the final entry by President Coolidge. '1924. I found a plank in secret desk compartment. Plank photographed and then destroyed. Borglum commissioned to destroy landmarks in sacred Black Hills Mountains.'"

Wait. I was in the Great Plains. And I was on a very large mountain… WHY DIDN'T I PIECE THIS TOGETHER SOONER!?

"Borglum. Mount Rushmore?"

"He carved Mount Rushmore to erase the map's landmarks in order to protect the City of Gold."

"Mount Rushmore was a cover-up."

Huh. I never knew Coolidge was educated in Ancient Native American. Or maybe he had someone else help him.

That's when the sirens went off. We were totally busted.

"What is it?"

Riley went to check out the view.

"There's my tax dollars at work, coming to arrest me."

Okay, that was good.

"Not coming for you, they're for me. Go to the car."

"No!"

"Go! I'll meet up with you."

Abigail led Riley out another way while Ben stayed behind.

"Gonna do that favor?"

"Can't, considering our predicament."

"True."

We soon left after taking a picture of the plank and page 47. What was on there, I do not recall. But we put away the book and shelved the ones taken out before exiting the way we came in. I checked over the stone railing to see Riley and Abigail making their way into the central area where they disappeared into the basement. It didn't take long for the feds to enter and spread out. I caught a glimpse of Sadusky as Ben moved away. I flashed the pin to him and fled the scene. We attempted to go down the stairs but feds crowded them so we had to back up and find another way out. Ben began dialing his phone.

"Dad."

You're going to call your dad at a time like this?

"Calm down. I sent a picture of the plank to your cell."

Oh, that was convenient. What else did you have in mind?

"Yes, I can do that. Did you get it?"

We hid under a metal grated floor outside. I took a few rocks just in case we needed a diversion.

"Look. Take it to Mom for translation."

That is the stupidest thing I ever heard!

"Ben, are you crazy?"

"Shh!"

I glanced up and saw a cop with a flashlight in his hand.

Great…

"Not my fault."

Alex! So nice of you to show up at the last minute! Is this going to be a regular habit of yours?

He didn't answer, but I saw him sit in front of me. The guard stood around for a bit so I took my chances. I tossed a rock in the opposite direction of our escape. The guy was a total dummy and followed the noise. I looked at Ben and gestured "after you" with my hand. We headed to a fire escape ladder and noticed the pair heading to the car. Abigail entered the driver seat as Ben and I climbed down. Ben didn't get to the car in time. A cop flashed a light before we could get in.

We're going to jail. We're going to jail. We're going to jail.

The trunk popped open. Abigail was going to floor it and then we would have to run with the speed of Hermes to get in. It was suicide, but we didn't have much of a choice. I glanced at Ben and we made a break for it as soon as Abigail drove off. We got in and closed the trunk door just as the police cars came our way. The whole thing happened so fast that I didn't even hear half of the things that were being said. After going over the barricade as it was coming up, I finally relaxed and climbed into the back seat versus sitting in the trunk.

"That did not turn out the way it was supposed to!"

"How'd they find us so quick?"

"I'll tell you how. The president is a tattletale!"

Fat chance.

"Sadusky. He was there. He knows more about the book than I thought."

"How'd the president feel about being kidnapped?"

"He was OK."

I laughed.

"I can tell you this. He probably didn't tell the police."

"What? Do you have psychic abilities now?"

"No, but I know that the President wouldn't tell on us."

"And what makes you think that?"

"My gut, Riley. My gut."

I finally became too exhausted to talk and dozed off without a warning. I was in a gym, unsure of my surroundings when a figure suddenly comes to attack me. I quickly turn and pin the person down, restraining him or her of all possible recoil.

"Well done, Esther. Well done. You may let go of Betsy now."

I looked down to see Betsy underneath my weight. I couldn't recognize her at first because of her size. But when I looked at my legs and arms, I realized that I too was smaller. I stood up and moved away.

"Esther, perhaps you should take a break from all of this. Meet me in my office, please."

"Yes, Teacher."

The words came out of my mouth. I had no control. I was reliving an old memory of mine. This happened to me once or twice and I figured out that I couldn't control my words or most of my actions. I waited in Teacher's office. Very large and inviting, I sat in one of the leather armchairs he had. He soon entered the room.

"Thank you for coming. Esther, I want to talk to you about your gifts."

"What?"

"You told me about these unique gifts you have. Being able to see the deceased and traveling through time in your sleep without changing time."

"Oh right. I told you a few weeks ago."

"I know I wanted to talk to you about it sooner than later, but my schedule was filled with many things."

"I understand. You're the headmaster. So of course you have a busy schedule."

"Anyways! Do you know what you are by definition of those gifts?"

I shook my head.

"You are a medium and a past seer. A medium can see the dead."

"I figured that part, but what's with being a past seer?"

"It's a phrase the Society coined. A seer can look into the future. But you look into the past, thus you are a past seer."

"Is there someone who is a seer in general?"

"No. There are only past seers. You are one of the rare people in the world to have both of these gifts. Children that possess one or both of the gifts are most certainly part of the Society."

"So, what? Does that mean I'm royalty or something?"

"No," he laughed. "It means that you are an incredible young lady that has incredible gifts which could change the world. This also means that you're in more danger if people find out about this gift."

"But Teacher. I can't see the future."

"No, but seeing the past is just as dangerous. You are able to see the truth. You are able to see the treasures of the world and names of people who held power."

"Does that mean I need to leave forever?"

"No, child. It means that you must be able to know who to trust and who to distrust. As a medium, I assume you have someone to guide you, yes?"

"Yeah! I have Alex to guide me!"

"Very good. He is someone you can trust."

"Is that all, Master Crema?"

"Yes, it is. Go on. It's time for your Latin lesson."

I wandered into the hallways to where I would be having class soon, but stopped. The atmosphere felt wrong for some reason. I looked to the side and saw a large black shadow loom over me. I screamed and cried for help, but no one came to help me as I was consumed by the shadow.

"ESTHER! WAKE UP!"

I shot up from my sleep, gasping for air. Ben was right next to me on the couch and Patrick sat in a chair by my head.

"You okay?"

"What happened?"

"You fell asleep in the car, so I carried you in and put you on the sofa. Next thing my dad and I hear is you screaming."

"It all felt so real…"

Patrick put a hand on my shoulder. I slowed my breathing to long, deep pockets of air as I got a grip on reality and what was going on. Rolling my head side to side, I laid back down on the couch.

"What did you see?"

"I, um… traveled into an old memory of mine. Teacher explained to me what my gifts were and…"

Ben didn't press on, except with his expression.

"I was, uh, on my way to my Latin lesson when a, uh, very terrifying shadow began to consume. And that's how the dream ended."

I felt totally embarrassed. I told them about something extremely private and just plain awkward. Out of nowhere, Ben pulled me in for a hug. My arms snaked around his waist without any precognitive thought.

"You're fine. You know that, right?"

I nodded my head.

"I'll leave you two alone for a bit."

Patrick gave my shoulder a little squeeze before leaving the room. I don't know how long Ben and I stayed in that embrace, but it was a very long time before he did something extraordinary: he kissed my temple. It's something that appears to be insignificant to many but when a friend does it, then it really means something. Especially when the friend is like family.

"Promise you'll rest easy before we head to Mount Rushmore?"

"I promise."

Ben gave me a smile and headed off to bed. It was going to be a long day at the stone monument.