The Ring in the Coffin

Chapter Five

.:Henry:.

I walked down the empty school hall way, after a nice shift in the DOUM rooms. I liked the school when no one was here. It was peaceful in an odd way. Of course not as peaceful as when I meditate, but as peaceful as it can get here. As I turned the corner, I saw Annie on the floor crying. I hate crying people. People need to smile, especially Annie. She was beautiful when she smiled. Swiftly, I ran to her and sat down next to her. I sat there stupidly for a minute… I really wasn't sure what to do. Like I said, don't like crying people. Suddenly, I remembered this movie Maggie forced me to watch and fumbled to wrap my arms around Annie. She wrapped her own arms around me and buried her face into my shirt. I sat there in silence, hoping I was helping. She pulled apart, wiping the final stray tears away from her face.

"Thanks Henry," She whispered. Smiling slightly, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. I didn't like it.

"No biggie," I smiled. A question lingered in the air. I didn't dare ask… she'd tell me if she wanted to.

"You want to know why was crying," She mumbled. She can read right through me. At the moment, I couldn't tell if that was a bad thing or not.

"Only if you want to tell me, I won't even ask." She took a deep breath. I think she was contemplating whether to tell me or not.

"Maybe another time, I'm not ready yet. Besides I've only known you for what? A day? Gosh, already crying in your arms. I normally don't do that till the third day." She laughed. Normally I hated when people laughed at their own jokes (dad), but when she laughed I didn't mind. Her laugh was contagious and pretty soon we were laughing hysterically. My sides literally started to hurt. "Laughing till our sides hurt. Drat that's the fourth day! Slow it down, Henry. You're totally ruining my list to making friends!" We laughed again. I glanced at the clock hanging on the wall.

"Hey, we should probably get to your house."

"What? Oh yeah, the thingy-ma-bobber,"

.:Annie:.

"This is hopeless!" I muttered. We had inspected every inch of the stupid basement! And guess what we found! Nothing! Ding-Ding-Ding-Ding!

"Someone's optimistic!" Jasper retorted. Maggie and I giggled at his terrible joke.

"No Jasper, I think you meant pessimistic!" Henry tried to correct. Jasper rolled his eyes. I could tell he was about to blow up on him.

"Henry hun, Jasper was being sarcastic. It's like saying the opposite of what you meant to make a joke." I explained in my 'babysitter' voice.

"Oh… Ha-ha-ha! That's funny!" He smiled. "Hey, Annie… what's that?" I followed the direction of his finger.

"Oh, I don't know. I'll go check it out… Hey Henry pass me that flashlight. "

.:Jasper:.

Henry handed Annie a flashlight. "Hmm, seems like a bunch of junk to me!" Annie said disappointed.

"Gre-e-eat! Come on out Annie. This is probably just a waste of time." I sighed. To be honest I was bored. I know Jasper Bartlett bored on a freakin' fantastical Henry Adventure! Yeah, well I'd much rather be at home watching pointless infomercials than be here. I'm not jealous that Henry has joined the group if that's what you're wondering! It's just that I like boring and mundane! I can handle that. Fun and crazy… eh not so much.

"Yeah, you're probably right Jasper." Annie replied.

"Aren't I always r-"A piercing scream interrupted my geniusness. "What's wrong Annie?" She ran out covered in cobwebs and other… stuff.

"There's a coffin in there!" She sputtered. Coffin? Yep, I'm out!

"Jasper, come help me!" Henry was already trying to pull the darn thing out. I groaned, but helped. 'Cause that's me… Helpful, Doting Jasper. Gag!

"Guys open it! Wait no don't… wait okay yeah! In the name of history open it! I can't watch!" Annie babbled.

"We can't, it's locked! Oh, Annie the key! We solved it! The key opens the coffin! Alright! Go-o-o-o team! Let's go, Ms. Hurchawitz assigned that huge math test and we should probably be studying." I said.

"Jasper, we can't just leave it there! The mystery is still unraveling! Here's the key! Open! Open!" She began to chant. Maggie giggled and joined in. Henry smiled up at Annie and her face turned beet red. Just like that time Joseph Weekly looked at her that one time. Oh, my gosh! Annie has a crush on Henry! Ew, gross!

.:Maggie:.

Annie squealed with delight as Henry slowly opened the coffin. "What is it?" I asked, inching closer. I was slightly scared to see what it was… like a body. Dead people, not my thing. I looked over and saw nothing. "Nothing?"

"Not nothing," Henry smiled. Annie smiled.

"Okay, fill us in. I don't see any… oh, false bottom!" Jasper exclaimed. He smiled, smiled the classic Jasper smile.

"Wait, who makes a coffin with as false bottom?"

"Mobsters. Ha-ha, mobsters! Oh my gosh, mobsters!" Annie squealed. She had this thing about mobsters. Don't ask.

"Yeah, okay but why?"Jasper asked.

"Back in the twenties, mobsters would use fake coffins to export cash, alcohol, drugs, or other bodies. They would put a body in the coffin then stick other stuff in the secret compartment. Slip it right under the fuzz's nose. Oh, this is so-o-o-o exciting!" She began to jump up and down.

"Henry, is there anything in there?" Jasper asked. Henry nodded and pulled out a diamond encrusted, sapphire ring.

Yay! Sorry about my lagging in updating. Let's just say Fanfiction is not number one on my list of a billion things going on! Any who… those coffins exist! Yeah, I'm a bit like Annie and have an obsession with mobsters! History Nerd! Okay, that's it… bye!

PS – Next chapter as soon as possible! : )

Disclaimer: I do not own Unnatural History. I only own my original characters and my plot.