Finding The Answers

Chapter 6- It's Just A Note

"Sooo..." Dani draws out spinning in her chair in the revamped room in the army base that now is her very own lab. She receives an unimpressed look by Simon Riley, the only way she can tell is because his eyes roll and are darker.

She pushes her lips together and opens the drawer that occupies the books. Flipping through her brother's a migrane carved its way into her brain, repeatedly smacking against her skull. She doesn't understand the symbols scratched onto the page but she can't tell Ghost that, she just needs more time.

"What have you got for me?" It's been two weeks since the movies and quite frankly Dani hasn't gotten any further, she knows the symbols mean something but she can't quite figure it out.

Her current theory is that it was some sort of ancient writing. Christopher often studied ancient texts and would often write his own messages and taught them to Dani but she can't recognise this one. This one is different.

"Currently studying it, I need more time to come up with the answers. They're here but they're hidden." She answers vaguely and Simon doesn't like the answer, he paces towards the desk and leans over it trying to take a glimpse at the words. Danielle quickly shuts the covers over and swiftly slides it back into the drawer. He raises an eyebrow at her and she crosses her arms annoyed.

"I need you to trust me Danielle." She scoffs, her tongue pressed against her cheeks so she doesn't say something rash. Trust? He's the one sneaking glances over her shoulder. She has been helping Adam Warner the local doctor the passed couple of days and he's been filled in on the mission but she doesn't trust anyone, not yet. How can she when she's hiding things from everyone? Including Simon, secrets no one can find out about.

"I do trust you." She mumbles quietly looking down and peeling the corners of her fingers back. Picking at her nails she doesn't answer his question until he clicks his fingers in her face.

"Dani, tell me what's going on please?" He adds the please as an afterthought perhaps remembering she's new to this place and not exactly accustomed to his bad manners. She bites her lip, fighting back tears so as to not make this situation even more awkward.

"Nothing's going on. I think uh- can you send Adam in please?" She doesn't look back up at him and he sighs taking it as a hint that she doesn't want to talk. The door slams and this breaks her out of her spell, running both hands down her face she slumps down her seat completely shattered.

She hasn't been sleeping, constant nightmares of her brother imprinted into her brain. She's been struggling, really struggling with things. Sure Alexia has been really helpful keeping her going when she comes home, introducing her to people so she doesn't feel alone.

"I heard you needed a little help," the familiar low rumble of her new favorite man's voice fills her ears with happiness. Subconsciously she lets out the biggest sigh of relief that he immediately picks up on.

"That bad, huh?" She nods spinning once in her chair before standing and walking back over to the flipped over board. Turning it onto it's other side she reveals the work they've been doing the passed week. Twisting the marker in her hand she scans her eyes over the symbols trying to pinpoint the origin of them.

She copied one from the book she retrieves from the drawer and taps it with the lid. She lets out one little laugh and spins around to face Adam. His eyes light up excited.

"Please tell me that's the look of realisation." She nods and he cheers.
"Okay hit me." He shakes his hands nervously, she paces infront of the board and scratches her head.
"Right that there squiggly thing," she points back to the letter that resembles something like a worm connected to an o.

"That thing, if I remember correctly originates from ancient Latin. But it's a different version, distorted by a group of warriors who had to hide their secret messages." Adam nods biting the end of his pen in thought, he traces out the letter onto a clean page.

"Okay what does it mean then?" She sighs and purses her lips together. He furrows his eyebrows saddened.
"You can't remember?" She shakes her head looking down to the floor embarrassed.

"I remember but it isn't a word. More so a letter." He nods writing down the letter A beside the symbol. Her hope diminishes but he quickly catches her arm as she goes to slump back to her chair.

"Hey no! This is great! We can go through the book and start inserting the letter." She rubs her eyes and rests her head against the table. Closing her eyes, she tries to sleep but he shakes her awake.

"No sleeping. We've got work to do." She casts her eyes around the room before it lands on a box on his desk.
"Is that what I think it is?" He smirks before shrugging nonchantly, unbothered.

"Perhaps it is," she jumps out of her seat and runs for the food in the containers. The taste explodes on her tongue before she realises what this is. Adam watches her and fills her in.
"Alexia sent it over, said something about you not eating properly or something." Danielle can't help but blush, the tips of her ears heating up. Adam catches on and raises an eye towards her.

"Is this what I think it is?" She frowns and the blush quickly retreats. He doesn't say anything with words but he raises his eyebrows in a suggestive manner and Danis quick to catch on.

"No! Oh my god!" She chokes on the food and spits it back into the box. Adam cringes and eyes it warily. Picking up his own box he opens the container and starts eating.
"Well what's with the message then?" She tilts her head looking for the note but can't seem to find it, she looks back and notices the smirk on his face.

"A can you give it to me please?"She reaches a hand out for the note and he shakes his head once.
"Nope," he pops the p cheekily and she sighs annoyed, he really was a child.

"For a grandad you're really childish," he laughs and pulls the note out of his pocket waving it. Danielle follows it with her eyes and clenches her jaw. He stops and sets it down beside him.
"Look kid, you've been really distracted lately and I'm worried it has something to do with her." Danielle's eyes widen and she stutters ashamed. She doesn't feel distracted but she hasn't been entirely focused either.

"It's not Ale's fault. It's just difficult without my brother," she draws out stumbling to a stop as a wave of memories flood her brain. Tears pierce her eyes and a lump the size of a tennis ball forms in the base of her throat.

"Sorry kid, didn't mean to bring up bad memories," she waves him off and he hands the letter over bringing a small smile on her face.

To El
The way to a girl's heart is through her stomach or some weird shit like that. I'm rambling, sorry. Was that cringy? Oh well, Jen also invited us to a party next week. If you maybe want to go? Anyway enjoy the food! I'm like your personal chef now.
Your Ale x

"Hello? D? Are you okay?" She snaps out of her daze after her eyes kept circling the kiss. Your Ale? What does that mean? Adam looks at her with a knowing smile before turning around in his chair with his food.

"You wanna share with the class?" He points to the note and she laughs sliding off the table she perched on while reading. Tucking it into her back pocket she shakes her head.
"No, it's not important. Just a note," she lies, trying to convince herself that it didn't mean anything.

"Well I guess mine got lost in the post then," he jokes searching for a second note knowing that he never got one since she went and hand delivered it to him.

"Ha ha, very funny old man," he places a hand mock hurt etched onto his face.
"Hey too far," he pouts and Dani playfully rolls her eyes apologising. They both go back to work sharing the odd joke as they scramble to decode the message and Adam tries to recreate some low level drugs. This could be her new home, she needs to make a real go of it though. Some real effort.