previously on adventures on Awe Island.
Still not speaking to JJ and Christian after their disagreement.
Marie hit major roadblocks as she tried to solve the riddle.
She was shocked to learn that Sophos had quit working at the library and the book she wanted to borrow had been taken out by someone else.
Luckily she remembered where she'd seen another dragon that resembled the figurine that was part of the buried treasure.
To her amazement, She discovered that both dragons also had the same strange symbol on them.
Welcome to Adventures on Awe Island.
Chapter 3.
X Marks the Spot.
Part 3.
When Marie met up with JJ and Christian the next day at lunch, she started by repeating her apology.
"'I'm sorry for not listening,' she said.
"'I was just worried that you were right.
What if this mystery is unsolvable' especially since we don't even know what the actual problem is or who was asking for help?
Then she paused, giving her friends the space to talk, just like her dad had suggested.
I'm sorry too, JJ said, looking her friend in the eyes.
I didn't mean to give up so quickly.
I was just really frustrated that we had so little information and I was scared it was already too late to find any answers.
In his usual style, Christian summed things up.
Well, we still don't know who was asking for help or what the problem was.
And maybe we are too late.
But whoever buried the treasure put a lot of work into hiding the riddles and things, knowing they might not be found for a long time.
So I say we keep trying.
We could still solve this.
I hope so, Marie said.
She paused a moment.
She wanted to ask about the library book, but did not want to sound accusatory.
After all, JJ didn't know that she had intended to borrow the same book.
So you checked out the secret spot?
Marie asked, carefully keeping her tone friendly.
Yes, JJ replied.
When we found another riddle in the treasure and still didn't have any answers, I thought maybe the book would have more clues to help us out, since that's where you found the map.
Help us out?
Marie repeated JJ's words with a smile.
Does that mean we're in this together again?
JJ grinned back at her friend.
Yeah, we're in this together, she said, holding her thumb out in a thumbs up.
Marie mirrored the gesture, glad their fight was over and nothing more needed to be said.
Christian watched the girls for a second, then raised his thumb too and held it out towards theirs.
Their three thumbs met in the center.
Relief bubbled in Marie's chest as she pressed her thumb in with theirs.
And suddenly, all three of them burst out laughing.
It was as if their argument hadn't happened at all.
So you found another riddle?
Marie asked, unable to contain her curiosity.
Yes, JJ said breathlessly.
At first, I thought there was nothing there when I flipped through the book, she explained.
Then I found this.
She took the book out of her book bag and carefully slid off the dust cover.
On the inside, written small and faintly in pencil in the same handwriting as before, was another riddle.
The symbol is the key you need, the thing to find, the thing to see.
Where to find it, you may ask.
Observe and think, that's the task.
The oldest on this island home, that's the place for you to roam.
There you'll find the gift that's best for you to continue on your quest.
The symbol, Kristen said.
The riddle from the buried treasure mentioned that too.
Do you think it's the symbol from the treasure bag?
The hairs on the back of Marie's neck prickled.
She had a strong suspicion that was exactly the case.
It has to be.
That weird logo.
Sophos had it on his handkerchief and his ring.
Then I found it on the linen bag holding the treasure.
And... Marie paused for dramatic effect, reaching into her backpack.
It's on both of these, too.
Marie drew out the metal dragon figurine and the small dragon stuffy.
Turning the stuffed dragon over, she showed them the logo stitched on its bottom.
Then she flipped the figurine, revealing the tiny etched symbol on its underside.
Whoa, JJ exclaimed, taking the dragon stuffy from Marie.
Where'd you get this?
The lost and found at the library, Marie stated.
She explained how she'd seen it when she'd gone to get her lost hoodie the other week and how the metal dragon figurine had looked strangely familiar.
But she couldn't place where she'd seen something similar until she remembered the dragon stuffy at the library.
Just then the bell sounded.
Lunch period was over.
JJ quickly put the dust cover back on the book and tucked it into her book bag as Marie returned both dragons to hers.
There's more, Marie said hurriedly as they got up from the lunch table.
Want to get ice cream after school, she asked.
JJ and Christian both agreed, and the three friends parted ways to go to their classes.
After school, the trio walked to Amato's ice cream.
Along the way, they talked about the symbol and what it could possibly mean.
Marie still felt it looked like a sun atop a butterfly, with some extra swooping lines.
How do you know it's a sun?
Or a butterfly, even, JJ said.
Marie shook her head.
I don't.
I have no idea, she acquiesced.
Could be a four-leaf clover, Christian suggested.
It could, Marie said with a sigh.
If it is, I hope it gives us a lucky break soon.
They arrived at Amato's immediately greeted by the intoxicating scent of waffle cones, toasting and melted chocolate as they stepped inside.
Marie's attention went immediately to the end of the glass case, where the specialty flavor was.
And her mouth watered as she saw what she'd been hoping for.
Creamy vanilla swirled with crumbly cinnamon streusel and those bright red mystery berries.
When it was their turn at the counter, they greeted Madame Amato, who smiled warmly at them.
Back so soon, she said with a chuckle.
One scoop of vanilla Viseberry crumble in a cup please, Marie said cheerfully, already anticipating the sweet tart bursts of the Viseberries.
I had a feeling you might like more of this, Madame Amato said to Marie as she scooped a generous ball of the decadent ice cream into a cup.
As JJ and Christian ordered theirs, Marie brought a spoonful to her mouth.
It was just as delicious as she'd remembered.
If this flavor stayed, it might just replace peanut butter cookie dough as her favorite.
After paying, the three friends headed out front to one of the white patio tables to eat and talk some more.
As they sat.
Christian suggested they ask Sophos about the symbol, since it had been on his handkerchief and ring.
It was then that Marie shared the news that Sophos had quit working at the library.
Oh no, Christian groaned.
He has to know something.
How are we supposed to ask him now?
Maybe we'll see him at the park again, JJ suggested.
It was a good point, but Marie wasn't so sure that would happen.
Sophos always seemed to appear on his own time, whether they were looking for him or not.
Still, as she sat eating the vanilla-visiberry crumble ice cream, Marie's determination grew steadier than ever.
True, it was frustrating that Sophos was gone from the library Deep down.
She was confident they could solve the mystery anyway.
They still had the latest riddle to follow.
Let's re-examine the third riddle, Murray said, changing the subject.
Maybe we can pick up on more clues in it.
Between bites of ice cream.
JJ took out the book and read the third riddle out loud to see if they could glean any further information from it that would guide them on what to do next.
She stopped when she reached the lines.
The oldest on this island home, that's the place for you to roam.
Oldest what?
JJ wondered aloud.
A building, maybe?
And we'll find another symbol there?
Christian set down his ice cream.
That makes sense, he said.
The riddle says the symbol is the key we need to find, and it's got to be somewhere at least 25 years old.
What building, though?
He glanced towards the ice cream shop thoughtfully.
Hey, maybe Madam Amato knows.
She's been here forever.
Great idea, Marie agreed.
Madam Amato had lived on Awe Island so long, she felt like everyone's adopted grandmother.
If anyone knew the island's history, it was her.
As if on cue, the door to the shop jingled open and the kindly old woman stepped outside to tidy up the tables.
Madam Amato?
Marie called gently to grab her attention.
Yes, dear, the woman said, turning to the trio.
What is the oldest building on Awe Island?
Marie asked.
The oldest building?
Madame Amado repeated.
Hmm.
May I sit with you for a moment while I think?
Yes, please do, Marie replied eagerly.
Madame Amato pulled out a chair and sat beside them, considering the question.
The oldest buildings on Awe Island were the original library, park pavilion, civic building, my shop and a few early houses, she said.
Marie's mind raced through that information, unsure what to make of it.
Nothing jumped out particularly.
They'd already spent a lot of time at the library and the park and she figured they would have noticed if they'd seen the symbol somewhere on one of the other places.
Marie let out a heavy sigh.
What's wrong, dear?
Madame Amato asked, reaching out her hand on the table and resting it near Marie's in a gesture of comfort.
Marie hesitated to answer.
They had been so protective of this mystery up until now.
It was their secret.
But with Sophos gone, they needed help from someone else.
Someone who really knew the island.
Someone to give them a nudge in the right direction.
Her eyes darted between Christian and JJ, silently asking for permission to share.
Christian gave a tiny shrug.
JJ looked uncertain.
But after a second, she nodded.
Marie took a deep breath.
We've been working on something, she admitted carefully.
It started when I found a paper hidden in a book at the library.
Madame Amato raised her eyebrows but didn't interrupt.
Marie found that as soon as she started telling the tale, the whole story came tumbling out like a bursting dam.
How they discovered the paper was a map.
How Sophos had helped them find the buried treasure.
How he had continued helping them.
But now he'd quit his job at the library and seemingly disappeared.
Just as JJ found yet another riddle that, like the second riddle, also mentioned a symbol that Marie wanted to ask Sophos about.
Sophos had a symbol on his handkerchief and his ring and it's stitched on the linen bag.
The buried treasure was in.
And it's on these two dragons.
Marie explained as she took out the two dragons from her backpack and showed Madame Amado these and pointed out the symbols.
So we think it is the symbol the riddles are talking about.
As Madame Amado examined the dragons, Marie stole a glance at JJ and Christian, who both looked shocked that she was divulging every bit of their secret adventure.
She mouthed a sheepish, Sorry, to her friends, before turning back to Madame Amato.
The riddles are so vague, Marie added, her voice low with frustration.
We have no idea what to do next.
When all was said, a long silence settled over the table.
Madame Amato looked from Marie to Christian to JJ, then back at Marie.
Her expression was hard to read.
Was it shocked?
Perhaps.
Resigned?
Perhaps.
Uncertain?
Perhaps.
Perhaps.
She said nothing for a very long time.
Her gaze drifted down to her wrinkled work-worn hands, as she clasped them together and kneaded them a bit.
A few times, she opened her mouth as if she were about to speak and closed it again.
Marie, JJ, and Christian exchanged uneasy looks as they waited.
At last, Madame Amato spoke.
Saphos and I go way back, she said, her voice trailing off, eyes distant with memory.
Marie leaned in eagerly, waiting for Madame Amato to continue.
You know Sophos, she whispered, hoping the kind old woman would share more with some gentle prodding.
I do, Madame Amato said softly.
Her voice suddenly sounded much older and weaker than usual.
There was still warmth in her voice, but something heavier too.
She looked up at the trio once more.
And I can help you, she added.
They stared at her in stunned silence.
Nobody moved for the longest time.
The moment was broken, however, when Madam Amato abruptly stood up, energy returning to her voice.
But I need to get back to work right now.
Can you come back tomorrow morning at nine o'clock before the shop opens?
We can talk more then.
She headed into the ice cream shop without looking back or waiting for an answer.
After she was gone, Marie, JJ, and Christian looked at each other.
Christian raised his eyebrows pointedly and spoke first.
I don't know about you two, but I definitely will be back here at 9 a.m. tomorrow.
Me too, JJ added.
Besides, I have to return the library's book.
I'll be here, Marie agreed.
With their ice cream finished, they decided to head home.
The friends walked in silence, each deep in thought.
Marie half expected them to ask why she had told all their secrets to Madame Amado.
But no one said a word.
She didn't know how she would explain it anyway.
As they'd eaten their ice cream, she'd just abruptly had a feeling like Madame Amato was a safe person who might be able to help them.
They reached Marie's house first since it was closest to the library.
"'See you tomorrow,' Marie said, waving as she headed inside."
JJ and Christian continued down the street toward their homes.
Marie closed the front door behind her, taking a moment to process all that had happened.
Adam Amato knew Sophos, and she was willing to help.
Thank goodness tomorrow would be Saturday.
Marie had no doubt she would be wide awake tonight thinking about what Madame Amato might reveal to them.
One thing was certain, she'd be back at Amato's at 9 a.m. on the dot.
Marie JJ and Christian can't wait to talk to Madam Amato and find out what she knows about Sophos and how she can help them solve the riddles.
What will she reveal to them?
Find out when the adventure continues in our next episode of Adventures on Awe Island.
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