The only thing I own is my character... that world belongs to Daniel Handler

Before The Beginning

Shock fills my brain, I don't really understand what he wants me to do. I review the letter and make a decision. The first thing I have to do is find the bag my father spoke of; but where could it be? He said it was located underneath the desk; but how is that possible? Okay, Okay, there has to be a way to find the bag. Maybe if I moved the table. Before I even should think about moving the table I get up and close the curtains, can never be too careful. Once the outside world is no longer a problem... I walk around to the other side of the desk, after all it is much easier to push things than to pull them. Pressing my full weight against the desk I push... and push... and push. By the time my body begins sweating I manage to have pushed the desk half of the way towards the window. They typewriter is slightly shifted. The cassette tapes! I check to make sure they are alright. Father would never forgive me if they broke. Ok... Ok.… Take a deep breath. They seem to be alright. Just as I am about to pull the desk back something catches my eye.

A floor panel that looks different from the others. I push it off... wow it doesn't look that heavy. A safe, crap... Ok so what might it be. Perhaps my birthday, no, no that would be too obvious... How about hmm... What could it be? Maybe the survival guide will have some information. I sit back down in the chair, and pick up the book. Turn to the table of contents.

Chapter 1-What is V.F.D? - Page 1

Chapter 2 - The history of V. F. D. - Page 3

Chapter 3-Which side are your parents on? OR Which side recruited you? - Page 15

Chapter 4 - The Schism - Page 35

Chapter 5 - Vernacular Focus Device - Page 40

Chapter 6-Escape And Evasion - Page 45

Chapter 7-Very Fine Disguises - Page 55

Chapter 8 - Hiding Places - Page 60

Level 2

Chapter 9 - Secret Codes and Cyphers - Page 65

( I stopped reading after that.)

I know I was probably skipping important parts but I need to fulfill my fathers wishes. Ah, Here we are. Page 65, A picture of a circle with another circle was on the cover... What is that? Oh, well not important. I turn the page. A sticky note is attached with the message:

Once upon a time, there were Five sons. Their mother came up to them and said, it is Seven 'o'clock time to go to bed.

From: Ley Monet Snikkit

Brilliantly done, I mean I understand that it was put there from my father. Ley - Monet would be Lemony and Snikkit is really just Snicket. But what could he possibly mean by that passage. I re-read it:

Once upon a time, there were Five sons. Their mother came up to them and said, it is Seven' O'clock time to go to bed.

Things started to stand out, the once, the five, and the seven... but what do those numbers mean?

Could they go to the safe?

I turn the dial to the right on the one, then to the left on the five, and the right on the seven.

It opens, and the backpack is inside the safe!

Okay, Now to find the map. Did he make it this difficult on purpose? Honestly who does he think is going to steal his lives work; who would be so cruel as to take a dead mans possessions. I place the backpack on the table. Maps are plasterd all over the walls; but which one would it be. It turns out it was none of them, why have maps if they don't offer anything. I take them down anyway and place them in my bag. I go over to the bookshelves, the smell of old parchment and paper fills my nostrils. The bookshelf I am currently looking at lists them by title. I head to the other side, nope still not there; as not to bore you how many bookshelves I looked through I'll skip to when I found the right shelf. Mapping with Mysriah, no, The Nautical system nope, Ah here we go Mapping your path. I take it down and a map is sticking out of it. Why would he put it in a book? Another note :

Only those who read can know their Destiny.

From - Ley Monet Snikkit

I take the note and put it in the bag; now lets look at this thing. It displayed where I was, almost like It knew where I was, I moved over to the table and the dot moved. (Borrowing the idea of Mauraders map from harry potter but this isn't a crossover.) Cool! So I place the map in the bag as well. Now what do I do? Oh yeah now I remember. I try and open the desk but it won't budge. Not Again! Okay, so I need a key. Now where would that be?