Hey, Butterflies! I'm back with Chapter 17! I hope that last chapter was fairly easy to follow, and I hope you all don't mind the surprise visit from Munya. Anyways, here's Chapter 17: Impressed

Disclaimer: The Secret Saturdays belongs to Jay Stephens and Cartoon Network.

Trigger Warning: Self harm mentioned.

The paper bounces off my leg with each step. I have to get inside before I freeze my tail off. The wind burns my face and makes my eyes water. Why don't I just use my powers to make this go away? Oh yeah, I can do that. No, I need to try not to use my powers. If Anonymous knows as much as xe has let on, I need to keep everything unnatural about me quiet. I don't want anyone else getting hurt because of my stupid powers. To be honest, it's not really worth it to try and get my powers. Yes, they make some things easier, but in reality, they are more a nuisance than anything else. They don't really serve much purpose, either. Even in the original Kur story, the hosts of my powers died before Kur fell; my powers never played a part in the fall of Kur, so I can't understand where this idea of me stopping Kur with my powers came from. Stars, I wish people had just left the dang Kur Stone in the ground, and I wish Doc and Drew had never even gone to Iraq.

In the house, I shake the snow from my boots and hang my coat up to dry. Then I pull the paper out from my pants pocket and retreat to the living room. Most everyone is there, waiting to hear if I've received any news from Anonymous. Munya left last night, much to my dismay, but I understand that he needs to keep moving. He is not exactly a welcome sight in some places. He had promised to return, however, so I feel better. The others, I can tell, struggle to understand my attachment to him. What they don't realize is that he took care of me as best as he could at WeirdWorld and became like a father figure to me. He was my friend, mentor, and role model for those six years, and now that those days are over, I am very protective of him. He, unlike me, is a grown man and expected to support himself, but I worry about him. I fear he may end up working for one of Argost's "partners" instead of starting a life of his own. And that's the last thing I ever want for him. I wonder if Mom will help him out if he does turn out to be her brother.

Unfolding the paper, I pull the pencil out from behind my ear. I smooth the paper out on the coffee table and begin to sketch. I've never been a big artist, but I figured now is as a good a time to learn as ever, and I figured it's a better coping mechanism than cutting. Everyone tries to act nonchalant, but I can tell they are trying to see what I'm drawing. It's not very good, but it's supposed to be the front gate. I roll my eyes at the group. I see Komodo and Zak eyeing my sketch and me carefully. Although they have eased up on their constant supervision of me, I know they worry about me. I can't say that I blame them. I wouldn't let me out of my sight if I were they. I know they are looking to see if my sketch has any warning signs that they need to see. I grab the paper and pass it around the group. Once the two are able to get a good look at it and decide that there is nothing alarming about the picture, they had it back to me.

"Anything from Anonymous, Lily?" Doc asks.

"No, not yet." Just then I take a good look at my sketch. There's writing on the other side. Alarmed, I flip the paper over. It's a note. "Actually, Doc, I take that back. I think we just got word." The note reads:

Dear Ms. Van Rook, December 19

I am impressed. You actually came up with the answer to the last clue. Of course, I know exactly how you did it, but I am impressed nonetheless. What does not impress me, however, is the fact that not a single one of you Saturdays has bothered to look up Indigne Albright before now. It certainly would have made my job much easier. Alas, you all were so incompetent, so here is your next clue. You have twenty-four hours. Bonne chance.

Flying far and wide, this city's airport is so festive that it can be seen from a mile high. This falls south of a golden dome with a lady atop. Find this city, find Indigne.

Sincerely,

Anonymous

I read over the note. Since when does Anonymous speak French? Oh well. I have bigger problems. I have no idea what city xe is talking about. Granted, I haven't seen many cities, but the clue is no help to me. I read the clue out loud to the others, and they think for a moment. There are a few suggestions, but no one can agree on anything. Doyle suggests looking up the name Indigne Albright into the computer, which seems like the most logical thing to do right now; plus Anonymous called us out on not having done so already, so now we kind of have to.

Komodo follows me into the computer room and helps me get set up. Once I have the search engine pulled up, I type in Mom's alias. It takes the search engine a few seconds to load the results. There are not that many, but there are definitely enough to make my life difficult. I write down all the results and shut the computer down. Then I return to the living the room and share the results with the others.

By the end of the afternoon, we have our prime candidate. We decide to spend the night at home and head out early in the morning. Doc called this Indigne's work and left a message asking to meet with her tomorrow. I take a deep breath. I really hope this is the right Indigne Albright. Je manque vraiment ma mère. I really miss my mom.

That's the end of Chapter 17! Where do you all think Anonymous is sending the Saturdays? Let me know in the reviews! Thank you all so much for reading! Don't forget to follow, favorite, and review! I love you all so much!