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Getting used to the cryptic was going to take some time. I just hoped he was right.
The squiggles were curved and surrounded by random numbers of dots. It was unclear if it was to be read from right to left, left to right or up and down. The Higher Power was a turd. The harder I stared, the more the symbols blurred. I didn’t give up. I wasn’t a quitter.
“Not working,” I muttered.
“Should I hump it?” Moon asked.
I didn’t answer her, but Ophelia did with a left hook.
“Guess that’s a no,” Moon said, nursing her cheek.
As I continued to stare, the dots began to rise off the paper. A tingle of excitement shot through me. I wiggled my fingers and coaxed the dots further from the page. They appeared to obey as they began to reformulate into words. I gasped, observing the ancient message as it began to take shape and become something I inherently recognized.
“Oh my God,” I whispered. “I can see it.”
“Speak it aloud,” Abaddon insisted tightly.
“Taking notes,” Cher said, pulling out an eyeliner pencil and grabbing an empty pizza box.
A chilly wind danced through my living room and diamond-like crystals appeared as the letters lined up.
I cleared my throat and read the words.
“The vessel breathes. The box is within. Find it. Open it. Hope will win.”
The dots popped and dropped back onto the page as I read the last word. The silence in the room was loud. I’d read it but had no clue what it meant.
“Anybody?” I asked.
“Nope,” Cher said.
“Let’s break it down.” Abaddon looked over Cher’s shoulder at the notes she had taken. “The vessel breathes suggests that it’s a living entity of some kind.”
“A living box?” I asked.
“You know,” Moon said. “Box could also mean vagina. Vaginas are alive as long as they’re connected. It’s a possibility that we’re searching for a sentient cooch.”
“What the actual fuck?” Ophelia snapped as Moon dove behind the couch to avoid another punch to the head.
“I’m going to stop you right there, Moon,” I said, pressing the bridge of my nose. “While I truly appreciate the input, my gut tells me we’re not looking for a vagina.”
“Alrighty then.” Abaddon scrubbed his hands over his jaw to hide his expression of disbelief. “Moving on. The box is within most likely means it’s hidden inside something.”
“Makes sense,” I said.
“The rest is obvious,” he stated. “We need to find it. Open it and let the one thing Pandora hasn’t let out of it win.”
“Hope,” I whispered.
Ophelia snapped her fingers. “Bingo, bitch!”
“We have the key.” Closing the book, I stood up and repeated what Lilith had told me. “The truth can shift. In the Darkness, the seed of hope awaits. Behind every smile lies a dark secret. What you see is rarely what you get. Some bridges are meant to be burned. Embrace what is repugnant to discover the beauty that lies beneath. Often the answer has been in front of you the entire time.”
“The key doesn’t seem to fit the lock,” Cher commented. “It’s a lot like trying to force a square peg into a round hole.”
“I have to believe it fits…somehow,” I replied. “We just haven’t figured it out yet.” I needed more help than my current crew could provide, which meant… “I need to take a trip.”
“To?” Abaddon asked.
