Chapter Text
Aurora Vale Mysteries: The Smuggler’s Den
Chapter 1
That fine May morning, most people in Aurora Vale Middle School once again noted the oddity that was the sight of Aurora Vale Middle School’s star football player, Tobias Johnson with his two friends, the biggest nerds in Aurora Vale Middle School. Namely computer and video game geek Jamie Townley and of course, Aurora Vale Middle School’s walking encyclopedia, Frederick Cosan. But even so, it was a familiar sight by now, seeing the three boys entering school and talking together.
“No way dude, are you serious?” Jamie was asking.
Frederick nodded. “I know, it’s crazy, but apparently it’s true.”
Tobias laughed. “That would be awesome, I’ve heard of that place, it’s supposed to be incredible.”
They were discussing something they overheard, a rumour true, but it was something that might actually be happening.
“But why all of us, do you think the others?” Tobias asked.
“Only one way to find out.” Jamie said. “Let’s see if we can find them.”
The others nodded in agreement and so the three boys made their way through the school, looking for their friends. It did not take them long to do so, or at least, most of them, one of their friends was not at the usual table. Seated there, already talking was Kazuki Hinata, Lara Bishop, Salama Al-Sadat, Spencer Richards and Savannah Matthews. They were already talking excitedly and the boys were pretty sure they’d heard the same thing they had.
Sitting down at the table they all smiled as the others greeted them.
“Hey.” Tobias said at last. “So...am I right in guessing you all heard the same thing we did?”
Savannah smirked. “I think so.”
As she said that, she and Savannah pulled out the same style of letter, the boys laughed and did the same, as did all the others.
“So, we’re all invited huh?” Kazuki remarked.
Spencer bit her lip. “Us and our families...most of our families.”
There was a pause after that as they all shared worried looks.
Salama recovered first. “Yeah, well, I’m sure she’ll be invited too, in fact that might be why the invites all got sent out.”
“Some sort of reward for dealing with the last case and to be there for Becky due to, well…” Frederick wondered aloud.
Lara nodded. “I think so, it makes sense. Speaking of, where is Becky?”
As she asked this she looked around, not noticing the side glance Frederick was giving her. Tobias was doing the same to Spencer but quickly recovered.
“Don’t worry, I know what you’re thinking, but she’s not alone.” He said. “See.”
They followed where he had gestured to and all smiled to see Becky approaching, along with the cheer squad, all of them chatting happily until they went their separate ways, the other girls going to talk to others while Becky came over to join her friends.
Taking a deep breath and approaching her friends, Becky sat down, biting her lip nervously.
“So um...do you guys know what this is all about?” She asked, pulling out her own invite.
The invite was addressed to each of them and their families, inviting them to an all expenses paid trip to a nearby resort, the perfect place to enjoy a small vacation during this brilliant beautiful May.
“I checked it out.” Frederick explained. “It seems to be a reward...for the last case we dealt with, to make up for...for the fallout.”
Becky’s face fell as she knew right away what he meant. She wondered who was behind it, Agent Malone, or his son, Damien. She was still reeling from the reveal that he had been working undercover for his father, to say nothing of the horrors she had dealt with, the reveal that her parents had been criminal masterminds and were now on the run while their former accomplices, Isaac and Laura Anderson were incarcerated and their daughter Angela now blamed Becky and was determined to get some sort of revenge on her.
‘Even so, this just doesn’t it…’ She thought before sighing. “I don’t know guys, this doesn’t feel right. How does this make things right?”
“I don’t think anything would make it right, Becky.” Spencer admitted. “But that’s not what it’s about...It’s about giving us a chance to recover, a consolation for what we had to deal with.”
“Yeah, you most of all.” Salama explained.
Becky sighed and bowed her head and the others shared worried looks, they knew she was still rather downcast over what happened but they were not going to let her wallow in self-pity.
“Becky, I know it’s hard but, but this could be what you need to help yourself.” Spencer said softly. “We’re all here for you and this will help all of us, I’m sure.”
Jamie agreed. “You’re right Spencer, we want to help Becky and I’m sure we can if we do this. It’ll give you what you need to relax and at least find peace.”
Becky couldn’t help but smile at her friends support and agreed, it would hopefully be just as they said.
“You know what guys, you’re right. Guess we need to alert the families, we’re having a little vacation, a much deserved one.” She said.
The others all smiled and nodded, ready to join her and hopefully have fun, in order to ensure Becky could become her old self again.