A Secret room

*Chris, I'm going crazy*

*No doubt about that*

How did he reach home before me? And why was he acting like nothing happened at all.

'Elias, what...

'Why don't you go to your room and change Harper. You must have had a stressful day'

'Yeah, I did. From being almost killed by some crazy player to being annoyed by you'

'What are you mumbling about? Forget it, just go'

'Are you telling me to go just so you can avoid my....

'Harper, you don't need to explain anything to me. I don't need it'

'Wait. Explain what? I don't want to explain anything, I want to ask you some questions'

'Oh. I thought you were going to explain something about what happened the other day'

'No, I have nothing to explain'

'So you're saying I don't deserve an explanation?'

'What? You're the one who should be explaining.....

'Explaining what Harper? I'm not the one who's trying to destroy us all'

'Stop! Enough please! Don't say anything more about this matter. Let it end right here'

'Of course, you can always escape the topic. I mean, you love dad the most right? That's why you're willing to destroy us for him'

He just walked away after everything he said. I was really angry. How did he suddenly change the topic?

*Are you okay Harper?*

*Yeah, I guess*

Just then, I felt something pulling my legs, it was Maisie and she had a sad look on her face.

'Harpie, do you really have to do this?'

'Yes honey. I want to get justice for dad but I also want to find that girl as well. I know in my heart that she is still alive somewhere'

'Okay. If it's really that important then, I'll support you'

'Thank you honey, thank you'

'Promise me one thing'

'What is it dear?'

'You'll always keep yourself safe. Pinky promise?'

'Yeah. Pinky promise'

I didn't feel sad anymore. Maisie's innocent face was enough to keep me happy.

Now, I just have to look for the next clue.

Aunt Samantha and Uncle mark had told me that my dad had been working on a case. Now, the government is not to be trusted and I have just two weeks to look for Sophie. I should have thought about it very well before promising to find her in two weeks, I'm such a fool.

*Chris, this is becoming hard. How do I level up now?*

*I told you before, I don't know anymore. It will come to you naturally*

*Ugh! *

I sat down at my desk and slowly lifted my head up to the ceiling. Now that I think about it, the ceiling looks a bit interesting. It looked different from the other ones.

*Chris, look at the ceiling. It looks weird*

*Listen to me Harper, this is not the time to be slacking off. You should be brainstorming on how to get Sophie back*

*Chris, listen....

*No, no Harper, you listen. If you don't find Sophie within two weeks then there will be trouble. You promised your aunt, remember?*

*Chris, the shape of that circle on the ceiling looks familiar*

*You know Harper, I keep getting a feeling that something bizarre would happen in two weeks apart from you getting Sophie back*

'That's it! I've seen that design before!'

*What design Harper?*

'Look up there!'

'Oh. Harper, doesn't that look like....

'The government symbol!'

I immediately took my phone to take a picture. How could I have forgotten that I've been staying in the biggest clues source.

This room was actually used by dad before. He had kept most of his personal things in here but mom must have disposed them.

I immediately called Uncle mark to tell him about it.

'Hello? Uncle I....

'Harper.....

Aunt Samantha was crying, again.

'What's wrong with Auntie now?'

'You need to come Harper'

'Why?'

'Sophie...

***THE NEXT MORNING

I made sure to disguise myself properly to prevent troubles for the couple.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

Uncle mark opened the door looking disturbed and I went inside.

'Uncle, what were you saying about Sophie? Did you find out anything?'

'Yes Harper, look at this'

Uncle mark showed me a picture. It was Sophie, their daughter and she was tied to a chair. Her mouth was covered with a cloth.

My blood boiled. Only a crazy person would treat a child like this.

'This means only one thing Harper'

'Yes uncle, I know'

'My daughter has been kidnapped. Someone had sent this to me but they didn't ask for anything in exchange for my daughter. Samantha is completely shattered right now'

'What could they possibly want ?'

'I don't know Harper, I'm completely confused right now. I wonder how my daughter is right now...'

Uncle mark kept on talking but I had come to realize something.

'Uncle, something just came to my mind'

'Huh? What's that'

'I have a crazy possibility in my mind about something. Can I have your phone uncle?'

'Sure. Here'

I collected the picture and brought out my phone. It had the picture of my room ceiling which I had taken before. I put the two together and brought out the threat letters as well.

'What are you trying to do Harper?'

'I've come to a realization, uncle. Please look at these pictures and letters as well and tell me what you noticed'

'Harper....

Uncle stared up at me in disbelief.

'How did you know this?'

' These pictures and papers have something in common, and that is the government symbol'

'Harper... are you saying —Sophie, your dad... it's all connected?'

"Yeah, Uncle. And everything points back to one place — the government."

'Who exactly is responsible for it? The mayor?'

'We don't know for sure but I'm going to find that person no matter what?'

'What now? How is this going to help?'

'Uncle. There's something else you should know'

'Tell me'

'I had told you that this symbols are the same right?'

'Yeah?'

'It's not actually a symbol'

'What?'

'Yeah. It's a word'

'A word?'

'Yeah. An incomplete word. I've been trying to put some pieces together and I just couldn't get it.

'What could it be?'

'I don't know uncle'

*Chris, help me out here*

*I think you're doing well. I mean, you even found something without me*

*Come on!*

Was he angry that I didn't tell him about it?

I can't tell him how I got to know all this. Not yet.

'Harper?'

'Yes uncle?'

'Look at this? If you flip these letters, look...

'Oh my God!'

C.O.D.E? 

The words written on the letters were C.O.D.E!

'Have you seen this word before? I wonder what it means'

*Harper, you can't tell him about it*

*I know Chris but is this not surprising for you?*

*No, it's not. It's all imaginary anyway*

Why do I feel like Chris is lying to me? This is clearly not imaginary.

I am beginning to have crazy thoughts.

What if code isn't actually....no, no, no, I can't be having these kind of thoughts right now.

What I should be concerned about right now is how to find Sophie.

***

I left for work after reassuring Uncle mark.

I was really disturbed. I just hope they don't harm the poor girl.

I went home really early after work and laid down on my bed, I need to think.

*Why is it so dark in here harper?*

Chris finally came out of his shell, aka, my body. The little ball looked like he was starting to grow arms and legs.

'Chris, are those arms and legs?'

'Yeah, I'm also levelling up when you level up'

'Really? That's great. Then, you can start living on your own'

'No, I can't. I told you, I'm a system. I can't survive on my own'

'Oh, okay'

'I should open the window a bit'

'Yeah, the moon is already out now'

Chris went to open the windows a bit and then, the light from the moon came into my room and a reflection was shown.

'That's odd'

'What's that?'

'I don't know Chris, let me check'

I went towards the place and then.....

'Chris look! It's a door. There's a secret door here in my room!'

'A secret door?'