Page 2 of Double Dragon


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“Now then,” he continued, “I know this isn’t the ideal situation for you and I apologize for that. This isn’t the way I like to conduct myself, but the fact is that without the money the Mapother brothers provided for this expedition, it probably wouldn’t be happening.”

“Then find other investors! You were looking long enough. There must be alternative options.”

“There aren’t any Amber. I’m sorry to say but most people don’t feel as passionately as you do about this expedition. The mystery of Dragon Island has been out of the public consciousness for so long that most people are happy enough to shrug their shoulders and carry on with their lives. You know very well that archeology is struggling. People don’t seem to care about the past anymore. They’d rather invest their money in technology, in the future, so if you really need it to be made plain then here it is, this expedition is not going to go ahead without the money from the Mapothers, and they’re not going to provide the money if they’re not allowed to go. So you can cancel the trip if you want, but I think it’ll be a case of spiting your own face by cutting off your nose.”

I huffed and glared at the floor, chewing my lip nervously.

“I hate this. I hate being beholden to other people. I hate having to depend on other people to get anywhere in life. It’s not fair.”

“No, it’s not, and I’m sorry it’s been sprung on you like this. I have tried to talk to them, to persuade them that it’s too dangerous for anyone without experience to go, but they won’t be dissuaded. Their single-mindedness to go on this expedition reminds me somewhat of you. I know it’s not ideal, but they’re good people and they’re passionate about our profession. I know you probably think they’re just rich boys looking for a thrill, but they do have pedigree. I’d give them a chance Amber, because without them you’ll be stuck here cataloguing artifacts for the next few years.”

I looked around the dreary office and knew that I couldn’t stay here. It was a fate worse than death. I had to be out there, exploring Dragon Island, finishing the work my parents had started. I hated to admit it, but Professor Ford was right; most people didn’t care about my story. To them, my parents were just two fools who went somewhere they shouldn’t and got killed by an unfortunate accident. With everything happening in the world, people weren’t easily swayed from taking care of their own lives. Who had the time to worry about some mysterious island when there was so much else to worry about?

It disgusted me, but I had to accept. I wasn’t proud enough to dismiss this opportunity. I had to get to Dragon Island by any means necessary.

We walked back into Professor Ford’s office.

“I’ll be happy to have you along. I’m sure that we can all learn a lot from each other, and I wanted to thank you personally for funding the trip. I hope you know how important this is to me on a personal level,” I said, trying to prevent my words from sounding forced. I wasn’t entirely sure I succeeded.

The Mapother twins inclined their heads at me. I was still unsure about them, but I decided that there was little else I could do than come to terms with the situation.

“I have a few bits of paperwork to tie up here,” Ford said, “why don’t you go and get everything ready. A car will be waiting to take you to the plane whenever you’re ready,” Ford said.

I nodded at the three men and then took my leave, glad to be out of there. I was itching to be on Dragon Island and put all the bureaucratic nonsense behind me. As I left the office, I placed my thumb on my locket.

I’m coming, I thought.

2

Dani fell into step with me as I went to my smaller office and checked that everything had been gathered properly. I explained to her what had happened and she offered me her sympathies, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose.

“I have to admit, I’m a little jealous of you.”

“It’s okay, I’m sure that one day you’ll be on an expedition of your own,” I said.

“No, not because of that. I mean, you’ll be stranded on a deserted island with those two. I can’t think of many other places I’d rather be,” Dani said, with a dreamy look in her eyes. It was impossible to hide the smirk from my face at imagining the demure, petite Dani being such a lusty person.

“I’ll have much more things to worry about. Don’t worry, I’ll put in a good word for you and maybe when we get back, you can have your pick from them,” I joked.

“Please do, I can’t imagine actually dating a handsome billionaire, it’s the stuff dreams are made of,” Dani said. I shook my head and could only laugh. Something like that was way low down on my list of priorities. The only thing that mattered to me was finding what my parents had gone to Dragon Island for, and then when I was back, perhaps I would pursue a romance with Bobby.

“You can have your pick. They’re not my type anyway.”

Dani looked at me as if I had gone crazy. “Amber, they’re everyone’s type.”

We went through the inventory together. It helped distract my mind from the curveball I’d been thrown. I still didn’t understand the details of the situation as the plans for them to go must have been made in advance, yet I was only hearing about it the day we were leaving. Perhaps it was Ford’s doing, or more likely it was the brothers living up to the stereotype of the wealthy; always expecting anything to be done on their schedule, not caring that other people had to be considered.

I tried to put them out of my mind, because whenever I thought of them, I instantly became angry. Dani didn’t help, going on about their sparkling blue eyes, their height, their manly builds, and the way they smelled. She acted as if they were gods.

“See them again when we’ve just waded through a swamp in the heat of a jungle. I think your perspective of them will change somewhat,” I said.

Dani scoffed, not letting anything could dampen her opinion of them. Once everything had been checked and was ready I pursed my lips and nodded. It was finally happening, and nothing was going to stop me from succeeding where my parents had failed.

“I’m actually going to do it,” I said.

Dani squeezed my hand. “I can’t wait to see you when you get back. You’re going to be famous. They might even make a movie about this someday. I know why you’re doing this Amber. Your parents would be so proud if they were here.”

If they were here, I wouldn’t have to go on this expedition. I didn’t correct her though. I merely embraced her tightly and held back tears. Dani had become an integral part of my life and part of me wished she was coming with me, but she didn’t have the training or the expertise. It would have been irresponsible for me to take her, but I was confident of returning.

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