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It was a sweltering night in Barton Town. Even more so for someone like me. I tugged at the collar of my Tuxedo as I sat in my office in South Barton, as the fan I placed on my desk turned at full speed.

"I really need to get some AC..." I muttered as flipped through the papers on my desk.
My office was my own private center of investigation. Cans of Zurg Energy drink and Red Bino lay on the shelves next to Alien Probes and Tin Foil hats. The Book Shelf was lined with books on Gaian history. Photos of various individuals lay scattered around my desk. Files on Labtechs, G Virus symptoms, various things. It was a hobby more than a profession. My desire to uncover the mysteries of the Gaian world has been indulged many times before. But now, on this summer night, nothing was happening. Every lead to anything interesting was useless, or fake.

"I just wish something would happen..." I said, as I slumped back into my chair.

"Hey, you've got: 1 Message."

I turned towards my laptop, the yellow envelope Icon was illuminated.
"Who could be messaging me at this hour?"
I said as I clicked the envelope.

A dialog popped up.

"Decrypting Message... Please Wait."

"Decryption? Who would send me an encrypted message?" I said as I stared at the dialog box. After a few seconds, it vanished, and the message popped up.

"Edmund? It's from Edmund? Did I forget to pay for something?" I said as I read who had sent it.

It was a very strange message. In essence, It asked me to come to his store, in total secrecy. The Message deleted it self as soon as I closed the window.

"Finally, something to do..." I said as I grabbed my hat and cape from the rack by the door. "But why would he need me to visit?"

------------

I lived within cycling distance of Durem. It's roads didn't allow cars, and it would have been a waste of time to take the train. It wasn't long before I had passed through the City gates and was pedaling through the historic streets of Durem.

Durem was always a beautiful City, with it's elegant architecture, beautiful art, and elegant feel. I had always loved to visit there, either to shop, or just to wander the streets. It was a always a lovely city. It had only recently recovered from the damages of Tower Day, when the titanic tower of Gambino had fallen on top of it's buildings, causing massive structural damage.

I stopped for a moment as I passed by the Gambino Mansion. It was the only building that didn't really match the architecture of the rest of the city, having literally Crushed the Von Helson Mansion. I remember going to parties there as a child, before Marie and Anna Corinne transformed it into a Preppy Paradise. They were always a bit bratty anyway. Though I always get a bit upset when I think about there deaths. We did know each other and all.

I was born into a well-to-do family. Though they aren't really around anymore, my parents were really good friends of both the Gambinos and the Von Helsons, back when they used to get along. And Every holiday, we'd all visit whoever was holding the party, and while the parents went down stairs to socialize, we had our own little party in the nursery. It was a small party of course, myself, my sister, Marie, Anna Corrine, and Louie, and Little Gino, who was the youngest of all of them, just below myself.

Of course, after my family dropped out of the picture, and Vladmir died, and irreparable rift tore between Marie and Anna Corinne, and Mr. Gambino. I still don't know whatever happened to Louie. I just found it tragic that people I had known for the longest time had gone and gotten into such a massive feud.

It wasn't long before I had reached H&R Westley. The bell jingled gently as I walked inside. Edmund appeared to be busy with the inventory.

"Good Evening, Welcome to H&R Westley." He said with out turning around. "How may I be of service?"

"Hello Edmund, you contacted me a bit earlier about something, Is something wrong?"

Edmund appeared to perk up at the sound of my voice.

"Young Mr. Bisclarvet, you seem to have gotten my message. I'm glad you've arrived. You see, I have a task of the utmost importance for you."

"And what would that be?" I asked curiously.

"I'm afraid I can't telly you why, but I absolutely require some cloves of Garlic, and a Few Black Orchids. I believe the flowershoppe in Barton Town has them."

"But I just came from Barton, why didn't you tell me in the letter? Or Get them yourself?"

"Mr. Bisclarvet, I'm afraid I couldn't. Every move I make is being watched. You, on the other hand, are an innocent civilian, and therefore would garner no suspicion from my pursuers. Please just hurry." He said, a sense of urgency in his voice.

"Okay..." I said, feeling a bit confused. "I'll go then."
I turned to go exit the shop.

"And Tell no one!" called Edmund as the door shut behind me with a jingle.

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After a brief trip to Barton Town, I returned to Durem with a basket full of Orchids and Garlic, the pungent odor wafting through the night air as I entered H&R Westleys again.
Edmund was pleased with the offering I handed him.

"Thank you so much for you goodwill Mr. Bisclarvet." he said as he took the basket.
"These will assist me greatly."

"You're welcome Edmund, they were pretty expensive though." I said, My pockets feeling considerably lighter.

"Oh, yes. I almost forgot." He reached into a small drawer and produced three elegant brooches in the shape on an Orchid.

"This is a Black Orchid Brooch. It's a symbol of my cause. I'd appreciate it if you'd wear one. You can keep these two as well."

"Wow, Thank you!" I said as I looked at the piece of Jewery. The Leaves were cut from a elegant purple Gemstone, and the stamin of the flower was cut from a brilliant crystal. I pinned the brooch onto my lapel. It must have been from his best stock.
"No wonder your stuff costs so much..."

"I've already lowered the prices enough Mr. Bisclarvet. You can go home now if you wish, and Thank you for assisting me."

"You're welcome," I said as I went to leave." and thank you for the brooch!"

-----------------

I decided to take a back alley shortcut to get back to Barton. The City lights of Durem didn't seem to reach there, and it felt rather decrepit.

"Who ever owns this building really needs to clean up this alley..." I said to no one in particular. "It's really creepy..."

I slowed down as I pedaled through the alleyway, It was really creepy. No one could see anything going on back there. In fact, the steady pedaling of my bicycle was met with another noise.

"Is that... laughing?"

A Devious giggling seemed to echo around the alleyway. I jumped off my bike and looked around nervously.

"Who is that? Who's there?" I called out.

"Ohohoho..."

"Don't tell me you've forgotten us little Cubey..."

I felt the bottom of my stomach drop out.

"How do you know my name? Who are you?"

"Oh dear Marie, It seems he doesn't remember us." said one voice with mock sadness.

"Well it has been a few years since we've been on the scene Anna Corrine, with that tower incident." said the other.

"Wait, I recognize those Voices... Marie and Anna Corrine Von Helson?"

"You do Remember us!" the voices spoke in unison.

"Not that we're that easy to forget." said Anna Corrine.

The twins steps out of the shadows, illuminated only by the faint moonlight. They seemed a bit worse for the wear. Their once well maintained hair had lost it's shine, their expensive clothes were torn and tattered, and there skin was a pasty white.

Marie seemed to take the biggest hit. A Scar ran down her face and thigh. It looked as though she had been stitched back together like a ragdoll.

"Oh Cubey, it's been so long." Said Marie.

"Yes, I haven't seen you since I was a child."

"We had always assumed you were-"

"Dead?" I interruppted. "No, no, Just in hiding for a while. You know, I though the same thing about you after that tower fell on you."

"Oh, we wer-"

Marie was silenced as Anna Corinne elbowed her ribs.

"Shut up Marie!We were just recovering from our gruesome injuries." she said.

"Yes, that horrible smelly old Gambino dropped his nasty tower on us."

"And now," Said Anna Corinne, with tears welling up in her eyes. "We're... POOR!"

"We're Homeless, and hungry! And we're afraid that nasty old man will try and hurt us again."

"I'm really sorry about that..." I said, staring at my feet. "You know, they have that free Housing Commision down in Aekea." I said. "I could talk to Josie for you, and we could..."

"We can't go to Aekea."

"What, Why not?"

"We can't cro-"

Anna Corinne elbowed her sister again.

"Durem is our hometown. We simply can't leave. However, there is a way you can help us."

"Really?" I said. "What's that?"

"You can give us some gold for a bite to eat."

"[Please Cubey? For old friends sake?"

"Pretty Please?"

"Well... All right, I'll give you some gold." I said reaching into my pocket to pull out my wallet. One of the brooches in my pocket fell out as well.

"What is that hideous thing?" Said Marie, looking at it with disgust.

"Oh, that's a Black Orchid Brooch. It was a gift." I said picking it up."I've got two extras. You can have them if you'd like."

"No thank you." said Anna Corrine.

"Why are you even wearing it? We've got something way better."

Marie reached into her pocket and pulled out a dark red Brooch.

"You can have this pretty Blood Drop Brooch."

"It would look so much better on you." said Anna as she took the coins from my hand.

I looked at the Brooch in my hand. It had a vaguely sinister feel about it.

"Well, Thank you. I guess. I actually prefer this Orchid Brooch a bit more."

"Hmph, Well suit yourself Cubey. Come on Marie, let's go get a bite."

"Thanks for the Gold Cubey." said Marie as they walked off into the shadows.

"Well... that was weird..." I said as I absentmindedly fiddled with my Orchid Brooch.
The Blood Drop Brooch was a gorgeous Gemstone, but something felt odd about it... as if there was something... evil about it. I slipped it into my pocket and climbed back onto my bike. It was getting late, and I really needed to get home.

"I wonder how those two managed to survive that though..." I wondered to myself. "The only way they could have is if they had risen from the dead..."