Previously on Adventures on Awe Island, Marie JJ and Christian visited the Historical Society but did not find the blue tile.
They're hoping for better luck at the Civic Building.
Welcome to Adventures on Awe Island.
Chapter 9.
The Chosen Three.
Part 3.
After having had no luck finding the blue tile at the Historical Society nor the library, it was starting to look like the Civic Building was going to be unsuccessful too.
The main lobby floor tile was a glossy gray.
Marie took a slow breath as she reached the doorway to the side room.
The moment Marie, JJ, and Christian passed through the doorway, they all looked down at the floor.
They saw the same plain gray tile that had been in the main lobby.
Christian groaned.
Then JJ gasped and pointed.
There in the center of the room, amongst the plain gray tiles, were alternating gray tiles emblazoned with the strange butterfly clover-looking symbol.
To anyone unfamiliar with the symbol, it might have looked simply like a decorative design element.
But to Marie, JJ, and Christian, it was like a beacon.
It almost felt like the unofficial symbol of their quest.
It had been on Sophos' handkerchief and ring and on the metal dragon figurine from the buried treasure, and it was on Dragon's Cave, as well as the fly-up letter from Sophos.
Why didn't we notice this the last time we were here, when we were actually looking for the symbol?
Christian said incredulously.
Marie thought for a moment.
There was an area rug in here covering most of the floor.
And there was seating on top of it and refreshments along the wall.
It looks really different being empty now.
I didn't even notice the floor then.
We were primarily looking at the walls, Marie noted.
As she said this, she looked up and her words trailed off.
Oh my gosh, she said, eyes drawn to the ceiling.
JJ and Christian followed her gaze and collectively gasped.
Above the walls, a dome-shaped tiled ceiling rose overhead, glittering like a brilliant, star-filled night sky.
Marie remembered that the ceiling was fancy-looking, but she hadn't paid much attention to it.
After all, they had been searching for this symbol the last time they were here, not blue tile.
JJ slid her bag off her shoulder, reached in and took out their tile with the riddle on the back, holding it up in the air to compare it to the ceiling tile above them.
It was a perfect match.
Each star on the ceiling was a random white gold fleck embedded within the deep blue tiles.
This definitely is the place.
But now what, JJ said, exasperated.
I don't know, Marie replied.
She turned in a circle looking around the room for any additional clues or information that would be helpful to them.
Aside from the decorations on the ceiling, walls, and floor, the room was completely empty.
The last time they had been here.
Marie had studied the walls most carefully, looking for the symbol.
They were the same as she remembered them, looking like they were skillfully carved out of stone.
And she also recalled the polished stone pillars in each corner of the room, as if they were holding up the domed ceiling.
On every pillar hung a banner, each displaying a symbol for one of four elements water air, fire and earth.
For quite some time, the three stood in silence, looking around.
Finally, Christian spoke.
I don't get it.
Just because we found the tile in this room.
What are we supposed to learn from all of this if this is the place to score, like the riddle says?
He sounded irritated.
No idea, JJ said.
She was staring at the riddle on the back of the tile in her hand.
What history is the riddle referencing, she wondered aloud.
Then in frustration, she shoved the blue tile back in her bag.
There was an old woman at the information desk who was helpful last time, Marie said.
Maybe she's there again today.
She headed towards the doorway with JJ and Christian following.
But when they reached the lobby, the desk was occupied by someone new, a young man with bright orange framed glasses.
Excuse me, what can you tell us about the history of the room over there?
Marie asked, pointing to the room they had just come from.
Not much really, the attendant replied.
But I can tell you about different services and classes we offer, he added warmly.
No thanks, JJ replied, just as her mom approached.
Did you find what you were looking for?
Mrs. Young asked.
We did, JJ replied, glancing back at the doorway to the side room.
You don't sound too happy about it, Mrs. Young replied quizzically.
We just don't know what to do next, JJ explained to her mom, letting out a big sigh.
We're ready to go.
The three friends didn't have much to say in the car ride home.
The mood was undeniably low.
As Mrs. Young pulled into Marie's driveway to drop her off first, Marie finally broke the silence.
I'm going to go to the library.
Darius said he would have the chosen three ready for me to borrow today.
The book has to have something to help us, she said resolutely.
I hope so, JJ replied.
Marie climbed out of the car and headed into her house, feeling deflated.
What was supposed to have been a very promising day had been disappointing thus far.
She glanced at her watch.
If she was going to go to the library, she'd have to do it before dinner or convince one of her parents to go with her after.
Her mom wasn't home yet from work, but she found her dad in the kitchen measuring spices into a pot.
How was your field trip, he asked when she entered the room.
Eh, okay, Marie responded a bit listlessly.
Can I go to the library and pick up a book Darius set aside for me?
He said I could pick it up today.
Her dad looked at the clock.
Okay, but make sure you're home in time for dinner.
There's something important we need to share with you.
Oh no, Marie thought to herself, feeling even more pessimistic.
That kind of conversation was usually about something big, and she wasn't in the mood for it right now.
But first things first, she had to get to the library.
Thanks, I'll be home in time, she said as she turned to leave.
On her way to the library.
Marie tried to look away from the ice cream shop as she walked past, but she couldn't help but glancing at the door.
The note was still there and the building was dark and desolate.
Luckily, the library was right next door and she quickened her pace.
The automatic doors slid open and she stepped inside, grateful for the bright lights and bustling space full of patrons.
Darius was alone at the information desk.
She walked right up and greeted the librarian as soon as he looked up at her.
Hi, Darius.
I'm here to borrow the Chosen Three, she said, voice bright with anticipation.
She was eager to bury herself in the book for the evening.
The next clue they needed had to be hidden inside.
She was sure of it.
But the frown Darius gave her immediately sank her spirits.
I am so sorry, Marie.
I don't have the book for you.
It needed to be sent out for restoration.
I knew it, Marie said emphatically, giving a shrug of irritation.
This is exactly what I was worried would happen.
I know.
I'm sorry to disappoint you, Darius said gently.
When will it be back?
Marie asked.
Well, that's the thing, Darius said.
I don't know.
It may be too damaged to restore.
Even though it looked reasonably okay on the outside, when I went to check the inside the pages were falling out of the binding
Some may have been missing, too.
It looks like the book was heavily used at one point.
Marie was stunned.
Too damaged to restore, she said?
What happens then?
If it can't be repaired well enough that the library can lend it out safely, the library will have to withdraw it from circulation.
That means it will be disposed of, Darius said.
What?
Marie gasped.
Not because she didn't understand what Darius said, but because she was shocked.
Darius explained further.
It's not written by a famous author or a collector's item.
So the library will only go so far to save it.
I'm really sorry.
I know this isn't what you were expecting.
Marie felt the panic rising in her throat.
Disposed of.
That would be the end of the quest.
The end of all their effort.
It was an unthinkable outcome.
Instead of throwing it out, could I have the book if it's not able to be restored?
Please.
Please. she asked, panic rising in her throat.
I could pay for it.
I've saved up my birthday money, she added.
I'm afraid, no, the book has already been sent away.
We just have to wait for the restoration service to let us know if they were able to save it or not.
By now, other patrons had queued behind her, and Marie didn't know what else to say.
She felt tears well up in her eyes, but blinked them back furiously.
Okay, thanks, she mumbled as she quickly turned away.
The news was so shocking and awful that as she walked out of the library and headed home, she felt almost like she was in a nightmare.
Marie wasn't hungry for dinner, but she knew her dad wanted to talk about something important.
So she picked at her food, waiting.
Before long, her dad cleared his throat, paused, then spoke.
I got an unexpected phone call the other day from a dean at my alma mater, the university I graduated from.
There's an open position for a botany field instructor in the botany and plant pathology department.
Because they know me and respect my research, they've offered me the job starting in the fall.
Her dad took a long pause, looking from Marie's mom to Marie.
Then Mrs Duguay continued this is an incredible opportunity for your dad and I can transfer to a position at the local hospital that I would enjoy very much.
We also looked into a school for you, her dad added.
There's an amazing academy that has a wonderful STEM program and an incredible arts program as well.
They also have a diverse student body from all over the world.
Marie couldn't have imagined the day getting even worse.
But this, this made it qualify for the worst day ever award.
You mean we might move away?
She said in horror.
Yes, her dad said plainly.
They needed an answer quickly, and we've decided to accept the offer.
Marie jumped up from her seat.
But JJ and Christian are here.
They're my best friends.
I don't want to leave them.
Besides, we have important things to do together.
By now Marie was nearly shouting.
She was so upset.
She ran to her bedroom and firmly closed the door behind her.
It was just too much.
Shortly after, there was a gentle knock on her door.
Even though it was not locked, her parents respected her space and did not come in.
Her dad's voice came from outside the door.
Marie, I understand this is difficult for you.
It's just that opportunities like this don't happen very often.
It means a lot to me to teach and inspire students who are as passionate about botany as I am.
Marie did not respond.
After a few moments of silence, her dad continued.
Don't worry.
You have time to spend with your friends and make peace with this.
We're not going to leave until the end of summer.
If you have any questions or want to talk more, we'll do everything possible to help you feel better about this.
Marie still said nothing.
After another long pause, she heard his footsteps retreating.
Marie stood in her room, trying not to cry, but tears came.
They were going to move far away from her best friends, from everything and everyone she knew.
This turn of events couldn't be more awful.
To Marie, it almost felt like there was a hidden force sabotaging everything.
She punched her pillow a few times, then threw herself on the bed and sobbed into it.
It was just so unfair.
Everything was wrong, and there was nothing she could do about any of it.
After a while, when no more tears would come, she tried to think of anything that would make herself feel better.
At least she had all summer with her friends.
And if only they could find a way to get their quest back on track.
Maybe they could complete it before she left.
But even that seemed hopeless at the moment.
She went to her desk and opened the drawer.
Picking up the photo of the teenagers, she spoke to it.
I'm sorry.
We failed you.
We're out of clues and nobody can help.
Sophos is gone.
Madame Amato is gone.
Even Xander is gone.
And the book is probably going to be disposed of.
We found the blue tile room at the civic building, but we don't know what it means.
And now I'm moving away.
After staring at the photo for quite some time, she finally set it down and picked up the paper with the second riddle on it.
The one in the original buried treasure that they still had not solved.
It felt like a long time since she'd last looked at it.
She gently unrolled the paper and read the riddle out loud.
Forward and back, we tried our best to use our skills and pass the test.
Friends to the end, without a doubt, we're out of time.
Can you help us out?
Find the symbol.
That's the key.
The Secret Club.
The Chosen Three.
Marie blinked, noticing something she had not noticed before.
The chosen three was capitalized, just like you would capitalize the title of a book.
It was right there, plain as can be.
Now that she understood it, it almost felt like the riddle was mocking.
Her answer had been pointing to the book the whole time.
The book that was missing.
The book that might be too damaged to save.
If the Chosen Three really did hold the key to the secret club, then without it.
Marie stared down at the paper in her trembling fingers.
Without the book, finishing the quest was impossible.
Everything was lost.
After her parents reveal that they are moving at the end of summer, Marie fears the quest will never be finished.
Is all hope lost?
Find out when the adventure continues in our next episode of Adventures on Awe Island.
Thanks for listening to Adventures on Awe Island.
Be sure to follow us on your favorite podcast player so you don't miss an episode.
