Find Violet Hyde: Secrets In Space

Lies

Mr. Hubert locked the door to his office and strode over to the painting behind his desk, franticly feeling for a latch behind the frame. He touched the dark screen hiding in the wall three times and spoke his name. "Archie Hubert."

He found a message from Madame Lucille. Sweat dripped off his nose and his hands shook. He took a deep breath and began reading; hands lingered over the screen for half a minute, lips moving along with the words. "The Confero has been spotted near Earth." He nodded to himself and whispered, "Shit! I need to find Violet and Zia, and they can't get on that ship."

Mr. Hubert slammed the painting back into place, unlocked his door, and half ran down several flights of stairs. When reached the Library, he threw open the doors and bellowed, "Zia!" He paced between the shelves and found the hallway leading to Zia's closet office. He threw open the door to a high-pitched scream. A slim young girl with sandy hair sat wide-eyed in Zia's chair, holding up a book as if to throw it.

"What's your name?" Mr. Hubert gasped for breath and clung to the doorpost for support.

"I'm Frida, sir." The girl's hands shook as she placed her book on the bed. Frida gulped.

He nodded and leaned forward, eyes narrowed. "Where is Zia? Tell me now and save yourself from trouble." He spoke softly.

"If I knew I would tell you. She left a note with your name on it." Frida slid an envelope across the desk. "She told me to sit in here until morning or until you came in. And you're here," she started to stand, "so I'm going to leave if it you don't mind."

Mr. Hubert snatched the note off the wood and put his hand up to stop Frida. She sat back down, defeated. His eyes skimmed the paper and after a minute, he cursed and crumpled it into a ball. "They're at Violet's shed. Come with me, we have to go at once. Up, up! No one is going to hurt you." He stretched his hand out to the girl.

"Is Zia in trouble?" Frida whispered as she took Mr. Hubert's hand and left the office.

"Yes and no, little one, but she isn't the one I'm worried about." Mr. Hubert took a deep breath and quickened his pace.

-

Mr. Hubert shook the locked door to Violet's shed and cursed. He looked down at Frida. "Is there another way in?"

The girl looked deeply uncomfortable and led him to the side of the shed, pointing to a window. "There. She might have left it unlocked." Frida looked down at her shoes while Mr. Hubert peered into the window.

"Empty, both gone. Why're they doing this?" Mr. Hubert ran his hand across his whiskers, cursed again. He tapped his chin. "Do you think you could fit through there?"

"Do you want me to look for clues or something?" Frida's eyes started to light up.

"Sure, call it that. I'll have to break the window, step back." He took off his jacket and wrapped his fist with it. "One, two...," Mr. Hubert's fist flew through the glass and shards rained everywhere, "Three!" He smiled down at Frida after brushing the glass from the windowsill. "I'll lift you over."

Mr. Hubert carefully placed the girl on the inside of the shed. "Unlock the door, now." He paced back to the front of the shed and tried the door when he heard it click. He had never been in Violet's shed, but it looked to him like the perfect place for her. Cozy and warm, the scent of flowers and tea filled the shed. He couldn't help but smile, "Violet Hyde always knew how to make the best of her situation."

"Um, can I ask what we're looking for? Why do you need Violet and Zia?" She finally looked him in the eyes.

Mr. Hubert looked out the window at the sky. "I don't have time to explain, you just have to trust me. I want to protect them, but those girls are making it difficult. We need to hurry." He checked under the bed, unsatisfied. Mr. Hubert tried the cabinets by the sink.

Frida went to Violet's desk and opened the drawers. Inside the smallest drawer sat a note with Mr. Hubert's name scrawled across the front. "This is for you, I think." She handed him the letter and went back to the desk, leaving him to read it. She turned around, her eyes flicked across berry colored concrete floor, finally resting on a long piece of glass from the broken window, right next to Mr. Hubert's shoe. "What does it say?" Frida walked up slowly beside him.

"She is running away, she doesn't want to be here anymore." Mr. Hubert spoke with a hollow voice, his eyes still on the note, blinking back moisture. "We need to go to the woods; I know that is the next place they would be. No one thinks I know their hiding spots, but I know much more than people think." He looked down at Frida, ready to leave the shed. Then he screamed.

Frida had the glass held out in front of her, as if she was ready to use it, "I also know more than people think." She started to walk backwards, towards the door. "I'm sorry, I am so sorry." She whispered her apology.

"Put that down, you don't want to do something you can't take back." Mr. Hubert stood frozen, with a look of utter shock.

"I don't think you want to, either. Zia told me to slow you down; she knew you would come after them. Can't you just let them go?" Frida almost touched the door now, her hand stretched behind her, feeling for the knob.

Mr. Hubert let the words out in a single frantic stream. "I need to warn them, Frida. Tonight Violet is going to...change. I know things about Violet no one else does, not ever herself. She isn't from here or even completely human. There is a woman who wants to take Violet back and those creatures coming for your friend want to take her far away. Do you know what tonight is?" His voice had raised, nostrils flared.

"Violet said the aliens are good... and what woman are you talking about?" Frida looked uncertain now. She began to lower her glass wielding hand. "Tonight is Violet's birthday, but how is she going to change?" Frida's voice quavered.

"Ugh! I don't have time for this." Mr. Hubert threw his hands in the air and suddenly lunged at the girl, startling Frida just enough to make her drop the glass. He marched past her, sensing the girl's fear, and swung the door open. "Come along if you want, just stop interfering in something you know nothing about!" He called over his shoulder, meeting Frida's eyes.

Frida hesitated, taking a step towards the door; she didn't want to give up so easily. "Fine, but I'm only coming to keep an eye on you. I want to see if you're telling the truth." She walked out of the shed and caught up with Mr. Hubert. "Zia is going to be pissed." Frida muttered to herself, struggling to match Mr. Hubert's long strides.

Did either character surprise you? If so, how?

Who do you think "won" this chapter?

Did you learn anything new or interesting?