Aurora in the Late Nordic Era

 

Church notes - June 2025

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Church notes - 29th June 2025

 29th

Acts 8:26 - 40

Acts 16:11 - 15

Baptism Sunday

A response to believing the Gospel

Ethiopian Eunuch

- A response to belief

- Declares a changed heart

Lydia

- The LORD opened her heart to respond to what Paul was teaching.

- A way of telling the world 'I'm following Jesus now!'

Why get baptised.

Because we believe in Jesus

Because we want to show that He has changed our hearts

Because we want to make a strong declaration that we we are taking after Him.

Deuteronomy 32:4

Spider Quinn 17 Tempestuous Origin of Mysterio Part 5

 

“Daria Morgendorffer, please report to the principal’s office,” Ms. Li announced straight after Homeroom.

 

Daria sighed. She knew that was going to happen.

 

 

“How are you feeling?” Ms. Li asked when Daria had sat down.

 

“My best friend has been kidnapped! How do you think I’m feeling?”

 

“Mrs. Manson is ready to talk if you…”

 

“No!” Daria said. She didn’t want to deal with that quack of a school counsellor.

 

“Are you sure, Ms. Morgendorffer?”

 

“Of course I’m sure, Ms. Li. The best way for me to keep from thinking about what might be happening to Jane is for me to be in class doing schoolwork.”

 

“I see that you have made up your mind on that.”

 

“Yes,’ Daria said as she took the hall pass off the principal’s desk.

 

 

At the same time, as she went to her first class, Andrea looked for one of the students she knew had at least one sibling at Lawndale State.

 

She soon sighed one of them. “Tania!” she called out.

 

Tania Ashworth turned upon hearing her name. “Yes, Andrea?”

 

“Your brother is at Lawndale State, right?”

 

“He is,” Tania answered. “What is this about?”

 

“Ninja Talon and SpiderGirl asked me to help search for Jane.”

 

“And how would my brother be able to help with that?”

 

“He could give me access to one of the computer labs,” Andrea answered.

 

“I see, you want to access camera footage,” Tania surmised.

 

“Yes, I still have dial up at home.”

 

“I’ll if I can contact him at lunch.”

 

“Then that is what I’ll tell Ninja Talon later,” Andrea said as she left.

 

 

“Wait…” Tania said as Andrea disappeared into the distance. ‘Does she know who Ninja Talon is?’

 

She thought about it more. ‘Quite likely, but I’ll keep it to myself. Besides, I need to focus on the play tonight.’

 

 

Agent Leung returned to the Lawndale Field Office, where he typed up his notes and started writing on the whiteboard in the office. He started with the timeline. “Quentin Beck. Arrived in Lawndale on Saturday, 17^th February, whereupon he goes to the Historia and is immediately hired by Quinn Morgendorffer as the theater’s special effects person.” There wasn’t anything suspicious there.

 

“Anything on the four business partners?” One of his fellow agents asked.

 

“Daria and Quinn Morgendorffer, sisters who have recently lost their father,” Leung said as he put up recent photos of the two, reflecting their changes in appearance. “Their mother, Helen, is associate in Vitale, et al.”

 

That brought about a silence. Jim Vitale’s reputation was well known in the field office.

 

“Daria is Jane’s close friend,” Leung added. “Thus she has no motive.”

 

“And the other two?” the other agent asked.

 

“Joseph Green and Robert Allen, cousins who are also nephews of the Historia’s former owner. All four are students at Lawndale High.”

 

“Could Angela Li be a suspect?”

 

“Unlikely. There is no impact on the school from the Historia opening. The Morgendorffers grades appear to be unaffected by their involvement in the theater. Quinn won the spelling bee, the day before the theater opened,” Leung said.

 

“And the cousin’s grades?”

 

“Steady,” Leung said as he turned back to the timeline. “Sunday, February 18th. The first rehearsal for Tempest. And later, Kalina Ondrovick says it’s amateurish on radio and Daria calls in to argue with her. That’s the first time the play is mentioned on the radio. That’s the main connection. That the play was mentioned on the radio.”

 

He continued through the timeline up to Jane’s abduction.

 

 

“But one thing is eluding me,” Leung said when he was finished. “And Peterson too. Motive. What reason does Quentin Beck have to disrupt the play.”

 

“Jealousy?”

 

“Quinn said that he was condescending of her age.”

 

“Which is?” the other asked.

 

“She turns 16 next week,” Leung said, and wrote her birthdate in late February of 1985 beneath her photo.

 

“And Daria?”

 

“Seventeen and half,” Leung added, writing her birthdate in late July of 1983 beneath her picture. “The cousins are 16, born in late 1984.”

 

They continued their brainstorming.

 

 

Between classes, Quinn caught up with Anna and Ben. “We have to do the mentoring at the Historia, rather than the Library,” she said.

 

“Any reason?” Ben asked.

 

“I’ll also be re-interviewing the previous applicants for the special effects position.”

 

“Because of what happened to Jane?” Anna asked.

 

“That’s part of it,” Quinn answered.

 

“Because Quentin Beck is responsible,” Anna surmised.

 

Quinn nodded.

 

“We’ll be there,” Anna said. “But what about Gerald? He won’t like it.”

 

“I know,” Quinn said. “He’ll be difficult to convince.”

 

 

At lunch, Tania went to one of the school’s payphones straight out of class. “I hope his in his room,” Tania murmured as she put in a couple of quarters. She then dialled the number.

 

“Yes?”

 

“Scott! It’s Tania.”

 

“Why are you calling me in the middle of the day? I have a class in twenty minutes.”

 

“Sorry about that. I have a favour to ask of you.”

 

“I’m already seeing the play.”

 

“That’s good but that’s not what this is about.”

 

“What is this about then?”

 

Tania then began explaining what Andrea had asked her about.

 

“You want me to allow this Andrea to use my account to try to find this Jane? Because of SpiderGirl and Ninja Talon?”

 

“Yes,” Tania said.

 

“I’ll have to think about it,” Scott said.

 

“Let me know before the play starts tonight.”

 

“I shall, bye.”

 

 

In the library, Andrea found Brittany hiding somewhere near the back. ‘She looks 100% the cheerleader she has been the past few years,’ she thought. ‘Apart from that time in the Zon when she had her hair dyed dark.’ She shook her head. That wasn’t what she wanted to think about. She saw that she was reading a book on the history of Lawndale. “Brit?” she asked.

 

Brittany looked up. “Hey, Andy,” she said with a slight smile.

 

She almost ignored the nickname. Brittany was the only one who could get away with calling her that. ‘Still is, it seems,’ Andrea thought. “I found Tania Ashworth. She said she would talk to her brother.”

 

“Tania. She’s in the play too,” Brittany acknowledged.

 

“I had heard about that.”

 

“I’ll let Spidey know, later.”

 

“Good, I’ll be off,” Andrea said.

 

“You don’t have to.”

 

“We’re still too different.”

 

“I’m in the play because I want to change,” Brittany said in a vulnerable tone.

 

“So, you’re a cheerleader and an actor, as well as a vigilante, not the imaginative girl you were.”

 

“I guess so,” Brittany said with a twirl of a pigtail. “But small steps?”

 

“Yes,” Andrea said with a slight smile as Brittany went back to reading her book.

 

 

Daria and Sandi entered the cafeteria at the same time. “How are you after last night?” Daria asked.

 

“I just needed to rest,” Sandi answered. “I’m fine now. Mother says that when she had overextended herself that way, it took overnight for her.”

 

“Does she usually search for people like that?” Daria asked.

 

“Not often. But she was active in Boston before I was born.”

 

“Meaning…”

 

“Exactly,” Sandi confirmed.

 

‘That’s something. I think Boston does have hero vigilantes occasionally. It happens more often in New York.’

 

 

They came to the usual table to find only Harry and Tania waiting.

 

 

“So, any clue as to where Jane is?” Tania asked, hoping that she get some clue to tell Andrea and Scott later.

 

“No clue, but probably near the lake,” Daria answered. “Also, the FBI are now involved in the investigation.”

 

“Not surprising,” Sandi commented between bites.

 

“But the play is going ahead?” Harry asked.

 

“Of course,” Daria answered. “The show must go on. It’s what Jane would want, and tonight is sold out.”

 

“That’s good,” Tania said.

 

“Are you ready?” Daria asked.

 

“I am,” Tania said. “Last night was a bit scary, but I’m ready.”

 

“You’re in the play?” Harry asked. “You haven’t said.”

 

“Yes, I’m playing Ceres, one of the muses.” Tania answered.

 

“But what if something happens again?” Harry asked.

 

“Not only would Peterson be there, but the FBI agent as well,” Daria said. “Besides the theater has been checked over many times.”

 

“So, it won’t happen?” Harry asked.

 

“No,” Sandi answered.

 

 

Quinn joined Stacy, Tori and Tiffany for lunch. “What’s up, Tori?” she asked.

 

“I’m fine,” Tori said. “But now the paper has mentioned the play.”

 

“They did have to report that something happened last night,” Quinn pointed out.

 

“That’s true, but what if Mom is targeted, even if it’s not her byline? Like, I know that being a reporter can be dangerous, even a local one. But with everything going on in Lawndale…” Tori said before shedding a tear.

 

“I’m sure she’ll be safe,” Quinn said.

 

“Safer than the critics and Jane?” Tori asked.

 

“Yes,” Quinn said. She looked at Stacy, who was fretting as she usually did. She took her hand. “It’s going to be fine.”

 

“But, Jane? What if Mom’s in danger because she works there?”

 

“She hasn’t mentioned the play on radio,” Quinn said. “And I’m sure Jane will be found soon.”

 

“But she has been mentioning it in the café,” Stacy said.

 

“By SpiderGirl?” Tiffany asked.

 

Stacy looked at Tiffany. “Maybe. Or maybe Ninja Talon or this Dafoanairi.”

 

“Probably the fourth vigilante,” Quinn said. “Besides, I’m sure the vigilantes have been in the Historia as their secret identities.”

 

“Weren’t most of them there last night?” Tori asked.

 

“They were, but it seems that things happened too fast,” Quinn said. “But they will probably be prepared for tonight.”

 

“I hope so,” Stacy said.

 

 

Kevin looked around after he had got his lunch. Most of the students were as usual. He had heard about what had happened the previous night and hoped that Jane would be found soon. He looked around again and didn’t see who he wanted to see. He knew that something was going to change soon, but Brit had been a constant since they had started going out.

 

 

Mack saw Kevin sit across from him. “Hey, Mack Daddy, do you know where Brit is?”

 

“I don’t, and how many times I have I said not to call me that?”

 

“She’s probably preparing for the play,” Robert said.

 

“Oh yeah, that’s tonight,” Kevin responded.

 

“But I have seen her today. She is at school,” Mack said.

 

“But where in the school?” Kevin asked.

 

“You know where she will be,” Robert said.

 

“But Mom and I won’t see the play until tomorrow,” Kevin said.

 

 

Quinn caught up with Gerald after leaving the cafeteria. “Gerald!”

 

“Quinn?” Gerald asked as he approached the cafeteria himself.

 

“We need to do the mentoring at the Historia today,” Quinn said, and then explained as she did to Anna and Ben.

 

“I don’t think trying to mentor and do job interviews at the same time is a good idea,” Gerald said.

 

“I know, but I didn’t want to cancel, and besides the play is starting tonight.”

 

“Is that a good idea?”

 

“There will be police, and the FBI there, and maybe one or two of the vigilantes,” Quinn said. “Besides, Jane wouldn’t want the play to not go ahead on her account.”

 

“I suppose. I’ll be there.”

 

“Great. It’ll be in the bookshop.”

 

 

Quinn caught up with Brittany between classes. “What did Andrea say?” she asked after they ducked into a bathroom and made sure that the stalls were unoccupied.

 

“That she will be able to do it with Tania’s brother,” Brittany answered.

 

“That is, Tania Ashworth?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Interesting. But does she know when?” Quinn asked.

 

“Tania hadn’t got back to her yet.”

 

“She’ll probably get back to her this afternoon.”

 

“I’ll try to find out before school finishes,” Brittany said.

 

“You’ll know where I’ll be.”

 

Brittany nodded and headed out.

 

 

As school finished, Andrea caught up with Tania. “I told Ninja Talon that you would call your brother,” she said.

 

“I did,” Tania responded. “He said that he would get back to me before the play starts tonight.”

 

“Got it. I guess I’ll be waiting at the Historia, then.”

 

“That’s probably a good idea.”

 

 

Daria came to the Lexus to find not only Quinn, but also, Anna, Ben and Gerald waiting. “Just as well there aren’t more people,” she said.

 

“True,” Quinn said with a giggle.

 

“Let’s just get there,” Gerald said.

 

“Don’t worry, I’ll be driving safely,” Daria said as she opened the driver side door.

 

“You should have seen her on the way to Freemont,” Quinn said.

 

Daria sighed. “I never imagined that a crime I’ll be trying to solve would be Jane’s abduction.”

 

“Same,” Quinn said.

 

“Any clues?” Anna asked as she got in after Ben.

 

“Other than the stormwater system, none,” Daria answered as she turned on the engine.

 

“What did Ms. Li want to talk about earlier?” Quinn asked.

 

“Offering Mrs. Manson’s services,” Daria answered.

 

“And you turned her down, of course,” Quinn said.

 

“Yes. I don’t want a repeat of self-esteem class,” Daria said.

 

“Of course.”

 

 

Brittany and Andrea caught up in the parking lot after the Morgendorffers’ Lexus had driven away. “So, what did Tania say?” Brittany asked.

 

“She’ll get back to me before the play starts,” Andrea answered.

 

“I guess I have to wait at the Historia too.”

 

“Or you can come and go.”

 

“That’s true, but I’d be patrolling close to it,” Brittany said.

 

 

Daria and the others entered the Historia from the rear and saw Peterson in the lobby when they got there.

 

“How was school?” she asked.

 

“It went well,” Quinn said.

 

“But Jane’s absence was noted,” Daria aid.

 

“I have heard from Leung. The local field office has started a search of the Creek between the Jefferson Bridge and where it flows into the lake,” Peterson said.

 

“That’s great, isn’t it?” Anna asked.

 

“It is, Ms.”

 

“Coultard.”

 

“Coultard,” Peterson repeated. “It is, as you put it, great. It means that something is being done.”

 

“Thanks for the information, Ms. Peterson,” Quinn said. “But we need to start our session now. I have a busy afternoon ahead of me.”

 

“Of course.”

 

 

Officer Peterson waited until Quinn and the others had entered the bookstore. “I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to make your own search of the area, but if you do be sure to keep out of the agents’ hair.”

 

Daria sighed. “I wouldn’t, although the temptation is there. It would take me too long. Dafoanairi is remaining downtown this afternoon. Besides, I need to prepare for tonight. You know that I’m the director, as well as the playwright.”

 

“Of course.”

 

 

“Now, write about your experience with Shakespeare’s works, or adaptations of it,” Quinn said. “The first of the previous applicants should be here in five minutes.”

 

“Including The Tempest?” Anna asked.

 

“Of course,” Quinn said with a giggle. “But the play doesn’t count.”

 

 

At the same time, Brittany, Andrea and Tania arrived at the Historia separately. Brittany went over to Daria. “How are you holding up?” she asked.

 

“Well enough. Peterson told me that the FBI is searching downstream of the Jefferson Bridge.”

 

“I see,” Brittany said. “I’m sure that she will be found soon. If not tonight, then, tomorrow.”

 

“We can only hope,” Daria said with a slight smile.

Aurora in 1025

 

The Youngest Barksdale - Part 9

 

It was disappointing that there wasn’t anything she could use against Ms. Li in what Quinn had told her, Daria considered as she entered her room. But she was sure that there was something else she could use. ‘Just not right now.’ She had to settle into Lawndale first.

 

 

“Daria?” Helen asked. “You talked to Quinn?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“And?”

 

“Nothing I can use against the principal, just the modelling agency,” Daria explained.

 

“I expected that,” Helen said.

 

“It’s going to take a while,” Daria said. “Probably longer than with the previous schools.”

 

Helen wondered what those other schools were like.

 

 

The next day, Daria met Scarlett and Andrea before school.

 

“So, what did you find out?” Scarlett asked.

 

Daria then told them of what her sister and niece had said.

 

 

“Nothing new then,” Scarlett said when Daria had finished.

 

“That’s right,” Andrea said.

 

“And so, we’ll need to find out other stuff,” Daria said.

 

“I agree,” Andrea said.

 

“Same,” Scarlett added.

 

 

The day was as usual, although rumors about what had happened to Val spread. Daria did her best to ignore them. However, Quinn and her friends came up to her as school let out.

 

“Quinn?” Daria asked.

 

“I should let you know, um, Daria,” Stacy said.

 

“Let Quinn say!” Sandi interjected.

 

“Sorry!” Stacy said.

 

“What?” Daria asked with a glare at Sandi.

 

“Rumors about what happened to Val,” Quinn answered.

 

“I see, although I should say that it was Andrea and Ms. Li who were actually there,” Daria said.

 

“I know that,” Quinn said.

 

“So, what are these rumors?” Daria asked.

 

“That you had sabotaged Andrea’s chances,” Sandi said.

 

“And how would I have done that?” Daria asked.

 

Sandi shrugged and looked at her pedicured nails.

 

“Well?” Daria asked.

 

“Like, I’m not sure how, but that’s what I heard,” Sandi answered.

 

“Or are you spreading them yourself?” Daria asked.

 

“Dar-i-a!” Quinn exclaimed.

 

Sandi was aghast. “Of course not!”

 

Daria could see that she was telling the truth. “Then it was someone else who started it.”

 

“I have some idea,” Sandi said.

 

“Which is?”

 

“Tori Jericho, or someone she’s friends with,” Sandi answered.

 

“Tori is well known for repeating anything she hears,” Stacy said.

 

“Then let’s find her,” Daria suggested.

 

“OK,” Quinn said.

 

“But we have to be quick. She leaves rather quickly when school lets out,” Sandi said.

 

“Got it.”

 

 

They quickly walked out of the school to the front entrance.

 

They looked around, but they didn’t see Tori. “So, she’s blonde, right?” Daria asked.

 

“Yes,” Quinn answered.

 

“To her shoulders, usually worn loose,” Stacy added.

 

“Got it,” Daria said. “But I have noticed that there are many blondes at the school.”

 

“Like, we’ll see her,” Sandi said.

 

“Got it.”

Church notes - 22nd June 2025

 Matthew 3:13 -17

Jesus's baptism

Look at it in context.

Bringing the message of who God is.

The start of Jesus's Ministry.

Mysteries of Aurora - The Manuscript Part 6

 

Janara and Olivia were looking at the information on the remaining manuscripts. “Most of these are from the same era,” Janara said.

 

Olivia togged the audio function on the catalogue terminal.

 

“…These manuscripts date from a time when Aurora hadn’t yet expanded to the entire island.”

 

“We’re going to need someone who studies the period,” she commented.

 

“They shouldn’t be hard to find,” Talia said.

 

“Then I’ll go and find someone,” Olivia said.

 

 

Freya and Alexia returned after Olivia left.

 

“You found something?” Janara asked.

 

Freya nodded enthusiastically and showed her the rune in the book.

 

“I don’t read Auroric.”

 

“Oops,” Freya said.

 

“This is the Auroran version,” Alexia said as she showed her the page on the other copy.

 

“…Said to provide protection,” she murmured. “It kind of reminds me of some of the lore in some of the RPGs I play.”

 

“Which would those be?” Alexia asked.

 

“There are a few,” Janara said. “Mostly Quests of Alanara. It was developed here in Aurora.”

 

“I might have heard of it,” Freya said.

 

“Same here, put in passing,” Alexia added.

 

“There should be a game book, in one of the more modern sections,” Janara said.

 

“Back to the Information Science Section then,” Freya said.

 

“They may be near the Computer Science Section,” Janara mused.

 

“I’ll go to the Information Science Section,” Freya said.

 

“Aren’t we being distracted?” Talia asked.

 

“Maybe,” Janara admitted.

 

“Not really,” Freya answered. “This is how I work things out; by using tangents.”

 

“I suppose so,” Talia said.

 

“Come on,” Freya said as she twirled around.

 

Talia rolled her eyes.

 

“I’ll go with her this time,” Janara said.

 

 

“So, what does that say?” Janara said as the left the Ancient Section into the Late Roman Section.

 

“It’s the same as the Auroran version,” Freya answered.

 

“I guess so, but sometimes I listen to Auroric songs as I game.”

 

“I’ll read it and translate it.”

 

“And your translation will be different,” Janara said.

 

“That’s obvious.”

 

“I’d like to hear it.”

 

“Sure,” Freya said. She opened the book again as she walked. “The rune was used as protection in the pagan traditions brought by the Viking settlers in northeastern Aurora…”

 

 

They soon came to the Information Science Section.

 

Freya flipped open one of the Library catalogues. “Game Design… In the Post-Modern Section.”

 

“On the other side of the Grand Atrium from here,” Janara commented.

 

“That’s good,” Freya commented as she flipped a page. “Looks like it’s near the back.”

 

“Next to the information on board games. That makes sense.”

 

 

Only several other students were in the Game Design area as they entered.

 

“The games should be listed by genre,” Janara said.

 

“You said it was Real Time Strategy?” Freya asked.

 

“One with RPG elements.”

 

“Then we’ll start with the Real Time Strategy.”

 

 

The RTS books were arranged on a middle shelf between Turn Based Strategy and Platformers

 

“Here it is,” Janara said.

 

“Quests of Alanara game guide, Auroran edition,” Freya said with slight disappointment. She had wanted to find the Auroric edition.

 

Janara grabbed it. “Lore…” she murmured as she turned to the index.

 

Freya continued looking for the Auroric version.

 

“Here it is.”

 

“A rune of protection,” Janara said. “There are many such runes.”

 

“It’ll go quicker with both books.”

 

“Sure.”

 

 

Olivia wandered through the History Department. The faculty offices were all over the place and the signs were often not in a font she could read, so she had to rely on the online directory. “Up on the third floor. Why?” It was one disadvantage of the University being so old.

 

 

She eventually found the office she was looking for. “Professor Hrafsson?” she asked.

 

Professor Harald Hraffson responded. “Who is it?” he asked as he stood from his desk.

 

“Olivia Marcus. I’m a first-year student.”

 

“Why are you here?”

 

 

Oliva finished explaining about the missing manuscript and what Freya had found.

 

“I am not an in expert in the Mid-Ancient Era or the Nordic Era, I’m afraid.”

 

“But you are an expert in the Late Inter Roman-Nordic Era, right?” Olivia asked.

 

“Yes. But what did this Freya find again?”

 

“That the outline of the university buildings from that time match a rune.”

 

“I can’t help you there,” Hraffson responded.

 

“But you were only one person I was looking for.”

Spider Quinn 17 Tempestuous Origin of Mysterio Part 4

 

Linda had felt Sandi’s search for Jane and thus knew what had happened when she opened the door to find Daria holding up her daughter.

 

“I know about her powers, Mrs. Griffin. I promised to keep them secret.”

 

Linda took Sandi into her arms. “You know everything, I suppose?”

 

“Not everything,” Daria said. “She did tell me about her powers and that the ESP only works within Lawndale, or very close to it.”

 

“And about her mentor?”

 

“I think it might be you, Mrs. Griffin. I’ll keep your secret as well. You didn’t look that surprised when you opened the door.”

 

Linda sighed. “Come in.”

 

 

“Will Sandi be OK?” Daria asked after Mrs. Griffin had placed her on the couch.

 

“She just needs to rest,” Mrs. Griffin said as she went over to the kitchen. “Yes, I am her mentor and I have had similar experiences in the past.”

 

“And I suppose you still don’t approve of her being the fourth vigilante?”

 

“No,” Mrs. Griffin said with shake of her head. “She’s being rebellious, challenging my authority, going through a phase. But at least she’s accepting my advice. But what about your mother? What does she think about what you’re doing?”

 

“She’s supportive,” Daria answered. “She’s worried, of course, about both of us taking on too much with the Historia and investigating what’s going on in Lawndale. But otherwise, she’s still working overtime and coping with her own grief.”

 

“Good to hear,” Mrs. Griffin said as she turned on the kettle. “Cocoa?”

 

“Sure,” Daria answered. ‘Better than the energy drink I got earlier.’

 

 

Daria stayed just long enough to have the cocoa, to be sure that Sandi would be fine and to tell Mrs. Griffin about what happened at the Historia. There was a lot she wanted to ask Mrs. Griffin about, especially what she thought about the recent events in Lawndale since SpiderGirl appeared, but she decided that it could wait until after Jane was found and the opening weekend of the play.

 

 

Linda watched Daria go. ‘I’m certain that she will keep the secret. She seemed very sincere about that.’ She turned back to where Sandi was sleeping on the couch. ‘I hope she has learned something from this, but I also hope that Jane and the critics will be found soon.’

 

 

Daria changed to Dafoanairi as soon as she was out of sight of the Griffin’s place. She then headed back home through the back alleys, keeping alert for anything that might happen.

 

 

At the same time, Quinn arrived home.

 

“Quinn, what happened?” her mother asked.

 

Quinn then explained what had happened at the theater.

 

 

Daria entered the kitchen as Quinn finished explaining what had happened.

 

“Daria! Are you alright,” her mother asked.

 

“I’m fine,” Daria answered. “Concerned for Jane and determined that the show must go on, but fine. It’s Trent that you should be worried about.”

 

“Good. I will call Trent shortly,” her mother responded.

 

“That would be a good idea,” Daria said.

 

“And the show will go on?” her mother said.

 

“Of course,” Quinn said. “It’s what Jane would want.”

 

“Of course,” their mother said. “I haven’t heard back from the PI about the other theaters. They could still be behind the abductions. They could have hired Beck themselves.”

 

“That’s a possibility,” Daria allowed.

 

“Or Beck could have been approached by people in Oscorp,” Quinn said. “Those illusions couldn’t have come cheap. And how would he have knowledge of the stormwater system otherwise?”

 

“That’s a good point,” Daria said. ‘The others would have told her about the stormwater system,’ she thought.

 

 

“Stormwater system?” Helen asked.

 

Daria then explained about what the vigilantes had found.

 

“Oh my. It is unlikely that someone new to Lawndale would know how to use it without help. But Oscorp would have to have Council files.”

 

“I wouldn’t put that past them,” Daria said.

 

“Good point,” Helen said. She then wrote that down. “But it’s still far from proof.” She decided to call Trent.

 

 

Trent was in the kitchen, wondering how to go about searching for Jane when the phone rang.

 

Jesse picked it up. “It’s Mrs. Morgendorffer,” he said as he handed it over.

 

‘Of course,’ Trent thought. “Hello?”

 

“Hi, Trent. How are you holding up, with what happened?” Mrs. Morgendorffer asked.

 

“I’m worried for Janie, but otherwise I’m fine.”

 

“That’s good to hear, but you’re welcome to come over if you want someone to talk to.”

 

“Thanks. I might take up that offer.”

 

“I’ll be up for a while.”

 

 

Trent hung up. He knew what he was going to do. He wasn’t going to mope around. But he wasn’t going to the Morgendorffers either. “Time for the Shadow’s off sider to look for her.”

 

“Offsider?” Jesse asked.

 

“I’m sure that’s what either SpiderGirl or Ninja Talon called me in Middlebury.”

 

“Right.”

 

 

Trent then suited up as he had when the cheerleaders were rescued and went to the garage.

 

“This is the Shadowcar? It looks like an ordinary car,” Nick said.

 

“It’s been modified,” Trent said. “It will help me find Janie.”

 

“But where are you going to start?” Nick asked. “Are you just going to drive around Lawndale aimlessly?”

 

“To start with,” Trent said. “Be ready to follow with the Tank or the Plymouth.”

 

 

A while later, Sandi awoke. She regretted it, as she still had a headache and was still woozy. “Ugh!”

 

“You shouldn’t be up yet,” her mother said.

 

“I searched for Jane…”

 

“Daria told me.”

 

“Of course she did,” Sandi groused.

 

“She also told me about what happened at the theater. It seems to be the same person who was at work.”

 

“That makes sense. How long does it take to recover? You haven’t told me that.”

 

‘You’ll feel better in the morning,” her mother said.

 

 

After midnight, Daria crept out onto the roof. She looked out over Lawndale, and wondered where Jane was being held. ‘It has to be somewhere close by.’ She took out a map of Lawndale County. ‘She said that Oakwood is too far for her locate ability to work. Five miles between Lawndale and Oakwood.’ She looked at the area south of Lawndale, and saw that Lake Lawndale was only three and a half miles from the center of Lawndale at the closest point. ‘Or maybe she’s being held somewhere there. But I can’t get there tonight.’

She then went down to try to get some sleep.

 

 

SpiderGirl arrived on the roof of the Historia in the early hours to find Ninja Talon waiting. “Hey.”

 

“Hey, Spidey. It was an interesting evening.”

 

“And complicated. I got the impression that the Enigma doesn’t like the civilian me personally. I’m not sure why.”

 

“I got to the creek with Trent and Dafoanairi but we were too late,” Ninja Talon said.

 

“They said that.”

 

“What happened with the theater?”

 

“There were no traps, and most of the other actors were still there. But you weren’t the only one who left,” SpiderGirl answered.

 

“Good.”

 

“Your secret identity is still safe.”

 

“I still took a risk,” Ninja Talon said.

 

“So did I.”

 

“And you still think Dafoanairi might be Daria?”

 

SpiderGirl nodded. “She had run off and said that she had gave chase to the abductor when she returned.”

 

“But she could have done that anyway.”

 

“That’s a good point.”

 

“But now we need to find Jane,” Ninja Talon said. “I have an idea.”

 

“We’re going to ask Andrea?”

 

“Yes. Either that or infiltrate Oscorp again to get the CCTV footage.”

 

“Andrea first,” SpiderGirl decided. “But would she be up?”

 

“We could go there anyway.”

 

SpiderGirl agreed, and so they headed in that direction.

 

 

As it turned out, Andrea was up, gaming, as she couldn’t sleep with everything that had been going on. She heard Ninja Talon and SpiderGirl enter the house from the back door. Just as well her parents were heavy sleepers. She met them in the hallway. “Why are you here?” she asked quietly. “You’re not asking me to hack Oscorp again, are you?”

 

“Maybe,” SpiderGirl said. “It’s to do with the missing critics.”

 

“I doubt Oscorp is responsible,” Andrea said as she lead them into her room.

 

“Jane Lane is also missing,” Ninja Talon said.

 

“I heard her interview about the play,” Andrea said. “Wait, are you saying that something happened?”

 

“Yes,” SpiderGirl said and explained what had happened at the Historia earlier in the night.

 

 

Andrea took it in. “I’m not sure what I could do about it. Even if there are cameras outside the Historia that might have seen this mysterious person take Jane into the stormwater system, trying to download the video over a dial up connection won’t work.”

 

“I see,” SpiderGirl said.

 

“But there could be a way,” Andrea considered.

 

“What would that be?” Ninja Talon asked.

 

“If I had access to one of Lawndale State’s computer labs, I would be able to do it.”

 

“I have no idea about that,” SpiderGirl said.

 

“My mother will refuse to help,” Andrea said to Ninja Talon, “But other students at Lawndale High have siblings at Lawndale State, could get back to you at lunch. What do you say?”

 

“That could work. We can meet in the library. But Spidey won’t be there!”

 

“I won’t,” SpiderGirl said.

 

“Relax. I still don’t want to know your identity.”

 

“Good. Then Talon can tell me later.”

 

Ninja Talon nodded.

 

“Then I’ll see you later.”

 

 

The two heroes didn’t leave immediately, rather they then swung up from Andrea’s window onto the roof  “What was that about her mother?” SpiderGirl asked.

 

“She’s a professor of Ancient History,” Ninja Talon responded.

 

“I see,” SpiderGirl responded. “Anyway, it’s complex.”

 

“I know, but I’m not sure what else we could do.”

 

“True.”

 

“I’ll make sure no one else is around as we usually do,” Ninja Talon said in a reassuring tone.

 

SpiderGirl nodded, and then yawned. “I need to get going. Daria and I will be talking to Joey and Robert. And I need to find a new special effects person before the play opens.”

 

“Good luck.”

 

“Thanks.”

 

 

Lawndale Sun-Herald

Friday, February 23, 2001

Abduction from Historia in the midst of illusions. Is Tempest Cursed?

… 17 year old Jane Lane is the latest victim in the serial abductions related to Tempest being mentioned on radio.

 

Tori Jericho took the paper inside. “Mom!”

 

“What is it?” her mother, Penelope, asked. “That was entirely on Melinda. I don’t think the play is cursed.”

 

“No, but now the paper has mentioned the play…”

 

“Don’t worry. The paper has security.”

 

 

Daria was also reading the paper. “A curse?” she asked herself incredulously.

 

“What’s that?” Quinn asked as she entered the kitchen.

 

“Speculation that my play is cursed!”

 

“Of course there isn’t. It’s just one person out to get it.”

 

“Or more than one person,” Daria responded.

 

“Still, not a curse.”

 

“True.”

 

“Besides, ticket sales are still going up,” Quinn said as she grabbed some cereal.

 

“Or they were last night.”

 

“That’s true.”

 

 

After a quick breakfast, Daria and Quinn arrived at the Historia, where they found Robert and Joey waiting, along with Peterson and another man.

 

“Daria, Quinn, this is Agent Leung from the FBI,” Peterson said.

 

“Of course,” Daria said.

 

“Peterson has told me everything the LDPD has about the case.”

 

“So, the critics and Jane and what the vigilantes had found?” Daria asked.

 

“Yes. I will need to make my own search of the Historia of course.”

 

The four looked at each other and found they were in agreement.

 

“Go right ahead,” Joey said.

 

 

“Some good news,” Joey said after Leung and Peterson had gone on their search. “Tonight is sold out, and Saturday has 243.”

 

“That’s great!” Quinn said. “But we still need a special effects person, given that Beck has gone off.”

 

“He’s missing?” Robert asked.

 

“He hasn’t been seen here since Tuesday, when we talked to him about his backstage measurements,” Daria answered. “Although he was sighted here just before the rehearsal.”

 

“So that’s why he’s a suspect in Jane’s abduction?” Joey asked.

 

“Yes,” Daria answered.

 

“So, you’re just going to call the previous applicants?” Robert asked.

 

“Yes, I will be back here as soon as school lets out,” Quinn answered. “It’s going to be a long day.”

 

 

“Amazing,” Agent Leung said as he looked around the theater. “I thought it was crazy that teens were running this place after they convinced Osborn with a business plan.”

 

“The business plan was Daria’s,” Peterson said.

 

“I had heard that.”

 

“And what do you think now?”

 

“That they seem to be doing very well,” Leung answered. He then came to the end of a row. “You say that he used projectors for the illusions?”

 

“That’s what I saw when the power was interrupted last night.”

 

“There seem to be a lot of them.”

 

 

Sandi awoke again and saw that it was the morning. She felt a lot better. “I better get ready for school,” she said.

 

“How are you feeling?” her mother asked, as she handed her a plate with bacon and eggs.

 

“A lot better,” Sandi answered as she took the plate.

 

“And what have you learned?”

 

“Not much, other than that Daria is becoming a friend, much like Harry Osborn.”

 

Her mother smirked. “Just don’t expect me to accept a dinner invitation by Helen.”

 

Sandi nearly spat out some egg. She swallowed and said, “Of course not, Quinn would be there!”

 

“Anyway, what else have you learned.”

 

“That I know my limits. My perception didn’t even reach the Lake. Jane is being held further out than that, maybe even at the Lake.”

 

“Or maybe in Oakwood or Middlebury,” her mother responded. “You can’t jump to conclusions.”

 

“Of course not.”

 

“And you’ll take your brothers to school again.”

 

‘Of course,’ Sandi thought. It seemed to be a way of teaching her responsibility as well as a punishment.

 

 

Back at the Historia, Agent Ken Leung had examined the entire building, including the various apartments. There was nothing to indicate that Quentin Beck had been there since the previous night’s incident. “Other than the projectors, it appears completely normal,” he said to Peterson and the four teens.

 

“So, we’re still at square one?” Quinn asked.

 

“Not necessarily,” Agent Leung said. “There is what the vigilantes said. That he took a boat southwards from the stormwater outlet.”

 

“That’s true,” Daria said. “But that would be a large area, wouldn’t it?”

 

“True, but the Agency can concentrate their searches in the area downstream of Lawndale between the town and the Lake,” Leung said.

 

“I see,” Quinn said, appearing to be in thought.

 

 

The four then ordered breakfast and Quinn started calling the previous applicants.

 

 

“Done?” Daria asked Quinn as they left for school.

 

“Yes. They will meet here straight after school. Looks like I’ll be doing that at the same time as my usual session with Anna, Ben and Gerald.”

 

“I’m sure they’ll understand cancelling,” Daria said.

 

“True, but at this short notice?”

 

“Good point.”

 

“I can handle it,” Quinn said.

 

‘I hope so.’