“It’s over now.”

“That was a rough quake.”

“Is everyone ok?”

“I believe so, Head Mistress. We’ve managed to get the children out safely.”

“Thank goodness.”

The people of Greenwich Orphanage were gathered outside in the clearing where there was nothing overhead that could fall on top of them if another earthquake was to occur. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured during the 3-minute shake. They all survived the calamity in one piece, however, a part of the building’s structure was damaged along with a few appliances.

One of the ladies on staff wiped her brow with a dry cloth and said among her co-workers, “What is going on today? Are the Gods upset? Two consecutive earthquakes are very frightening.”

“I agree with you. Let’s just give thanks that no one was hurt.”

Close by where these people were conversing about the shaking events that occurred a short while ago, the detectives were having a serious discussion as it relates to the Megaminx Rubik’s Cube.

“Denise, what the heck was that?” Rebecca was shocked to her core, she was in major disbelief about the prior proceedings that almost toppled Greenwich Orphanage.

Staring at the Rubik’s Cube in her partner’s hand with her eyes open wide, Rebecca asked, “Did this puzzle really cause the earthquakes?”

Denise answered straight away, “What more proof do you need? The earthquakes occurred right after the boy solve these 2 rows.” She glanced at the portion of the Rubik’s Cube that had matching faces. “It is almost finished. I wonder what we will uncover when the puzzle is completed.”

“Hey, Denise you can’t be serious.” Rebecca was surprised when she listened to what her partner said. “Are you suggesting what I think you are? Do you want to continue solving this puzzle? What if it is the cause of the earthquake? Don’t you think that a natural disaster might hit Clown City if we keep this up?”

Despite what she had been told, Denise was prepared to go all the way. “We’ve learned something incredible about this Rubik’s Cube. It turns out my hunch was right. If we can understand more, we might be able to prevent monsters from destroying our city.”

“I think that might happen by what we’re dabbling in. Just look around you. Look at the damage that thing has caused already.”

“Hmm?” Denise took Rebecca’s advice and started looking around her environment. While she was observing the distressing feeling being passed among the survivors, her eyes came across a familiar vehicle pulling up in the driveway. “There’s Lewis.”

“What the heck happened here?” The first thing Lewis observed after he came out of his vehicle was the fallen trees, the large cracks in the ground and the frightened children who were being looked after by Greenwich Orphanage’s staff members.

“The heck…?” Lewis became more confused as he walked around the compound, seeing more of what the earthquake had damaged. He was glad to identify 2 familiar faces close by.

“Detectives…” Lewis quickly made his way over to where Rebeca and Denise were standing. The first thing he asked about was pretty obvious. They had no choice but to share with him their findings about the mystery of the Rubik’s Cube.

“Are you shitting me with this bullshit, Morgan?”

Hearing his blatant disbelief, Rebecca said to him, “It’s no bullshit, Lewis. She’s telling you the truth.”

Lewis wasn’t buying the truth they were selling. Giving his upsetting gaze to Rebecca, he hollered, “She has you convinced too, Rebecca? I thought you of all people didn’t believe in superstitions.”

“I don’t. But this is different.” Rebecca touched the Rubik’s Cube and added, “There is something weird about this puzzle. When the boy solve parts of it, it created an earthquake.”

“I’ve heard enough of this crap. Both of you are supposed to be doing real detective work, but instead, you’re both here being delirious.” Lewis was getting ready to dismiss Denise and Rebecca's rants in the garbage heap when someone of high stature and beauty approached him from behind.

“Those detectives aren’t being delirious.” Story Book Fairy reveal her glistening presence to Lewis. She let him know that what Rebecca and Denise spoke of was pure facts. Andy Smart was by her side to silently corroborate her story.

“This brilliant young man is Andy Smart. I watched along with those detectives as he unlocked the mystery of that Rubik’s Cube. Without a doubt, I believe it was the cause of the earthquakes that damaged my orphanage.”

“What?” Lewis observed Story Book Fairy resting her feet alongside the female detectives. Judging by the serious look in her eyes as well as factoring in her background, he knew that she wasn’t an individual who would just lie for Denise because it fit her schedule. Which meant that there had to be some truth to what they were telling him. Still, he wasn’t 100% convinced.

“If what you ladies said is true then I will need to see hard evidence.”

Listening to this statement, Denise immediately interjected, “I’m afraid we can’t do that right now. Especially not in a place like this where so many children are.”

“I agree with her.” Rebecca added, “We need to find a suitable place where there aren’t any civilians or buildings around that could potentially fall over. The first earthquake wasn’t so bad, but the second one lasted 3 minutes and almost destroy this orphanage. So we need to take proper precautions before we attempt to solve the puzzle again.”

“Where do you have in mind, Rebecca?” Inquired Denise.

“The old sector over by Vendu should be adequate.”

“I don’t know. There are still a few people living there.” Denise was second-guessing this option.

Lewis voiced his opinion. “Yeah, but they are squatters. They are irrelevant people to society.”

“How could you say something like that?” Both ladies were triggered by the statement Lewis made.

Story Book Fairy listened to them making plans before she interrupted them and said a few words of her own. “I would like to say that it won’t be that easy detectives. For I will not put Andy through that experience ever again.”

“What are you talking about, Melinda?” Denise wasn’t expecting Story Book Fairy to go against them. Entering her zone, she glanced at Andy and said, “It is so obvious that this boy wants to finish solving the puzzle. His hands are itching for it. If I hadn’t dragged it away from him back there he would have completed it.”

“I am aware of that. But my answer is still no. You won’t be getting Andy to touch that cursed Rubik’s Cube ever again. I’m sure you can find some other genius to solve the rest of it.”

“And how long will that take?” Denise waited for an answer.

“Again, that is none of my business. Come on, let’s go Andy.” Story Book Fairy turned away and started leaving with the boy. He wasn’t thinking the same way the Head Mistress was. He had a burning desire in his gut to solve the puzzle, however, he had to do what he was told, otherwise, he risks losing the rest of his cool toys.

Watching their major chess piece getting further away, Rebecca said to her partner, “What are we going to do now? She’s taking the boy away. Without him, we might as well cancel our plans.”

“I don’t know.” Denise had nothing else to come up with.

“Hmm?” Lewis saw their reaction and was very disappointed. “Who the hell do you think we are, ladies?” He increased the bass in his voice then called out to Story Book Fairy. “Wait right there!”

“Huh, what is he doing?” Denise and Rebecca watched as Lewis caught up with Story Book Fairy.

“Hand over that boy to me.” Without waiting for the Head Mistress’s approval, Lewis reached out and grabbed Andy Smart away from her.

“Hey! What do you think you are doing? Give him back to me.” Story Book Fairy was upset by the way Lewis was behaving. He acted ill-mannered and controlling.

“I don’t have to listen to you. I am the law around here. Do you see this badge?” He showed off his badge and said, “I can do whatever the hell I want. Now I am taking this boy with me. Try and stop me if you can.”

Lewis was straight-up badass in that Orphanage. He showed Story Book Fairy zero ounce of respect by ignoring her command. He lifted Andy Smart and carried him to his vehicle. The boy began crying out loud. The entire orphanage saw him but they were too afraid to approach an armed officer of the law.

However, Denise wasn’t scared. “Lewis, what the hell do you think you are doing? Since when have we become kidnappers?”

“Kidnapping isn’t illegal when I do it. Besides, this was your idea. You wanted the boy. Well, here he is. Now get in your car and let’s go. Don’t worry about the repercussions. I’ll take full responsibility.” Lewis put Andy in his car then drove away.

Before leaving with Rebecca, Denise apologized to Story Book Fairy for Lewis’s behaviour and promised that no harm will come to Andy. “I’ll make sure he gets back safely. I promise.”

A bitter taste was in Story Book Fairy’s mouth as she watched the detectives leaving her compound. “So that’s how you cops want to play it. Very well. Two can play that game.” Her frown instantly transformed into a cunning smile.