Episode 2~Shield of Azunu

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My brows furrow in anger after reading it. Who does this person think I am? Weldon is a museum of the  tightest security, and he mocked something like that? Agent Jade starts taking pictures of the scene and I decide to get some fresh air. Dawn starts to creep into the sky and the scene is beautiful; I pull out my phone from my pocket and notice I have a few mew messages:

2 MESSAGES XAVIER

hey

do you wanna meet at the cafe today? If you aren't busy

I quickly respond with yes and meet up with agent Jade again. He types on his computer, probably adding to the case file. He seems quite peculiar, always so quiet and mysterious. My gaze was fixed on him until i noticed he was looking back; it wasn't long before I realised I was staring. I could feel my face burning red from embarrassment as I turn away and say sorry. He whispers something to me and carries on typing.

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Morning finally comes and the sun rays shone against my head. Apart from investigating mysteries and crimes, I also work at the nearby cafe. I quickly head back to my apartment to change into my uniform. The Aegean blue of my apron has a cinnamon brown coffee stain which brings my outfit together in an unflattering way and my hair gets worse as I try to fix it. I sigh and leave before I get late for my morning shift.

Xavier waits outside the coffee shop, in his usual manner. His hair blows in the wind softly like the main character of a movie. I wave to him and he waves back, his hand gliding in the air. A cloud of smoke circles mystically around both of us each time we breath out, the small air particles freeze mid-air like sparkles. The door chimes once we both enter the cafe,my face and skin thaw as I get adjusted to the temperature of the interior of the cafe.

"So did you have anything to ask me?" I question Xavier

"Not really, Its been a while since we have spoken. I know we all have lives and are busy but I miss you Lucile."

Xavier gives me a sweet smile and sits down at one of the tables. It hasn't really been the same between me and Xavier. When we were younger he was my childhood sweetheart but it couldn't continue since I had to move schools but I cannot remember exactly why. Eventually, I returned to the town and met some of my old friends who I had lost to time and become close to them once again. However, it was very awkward trying to speak with Xavier again because of the memories we had together and also because of the things he remembers which I don't.

I start serving the customers and my co-worker Maddie speaks to me to pass the time. My shift is nearly finished when I receive a sudden call."I'm gonna answer this" I say to Maddie as I head towards the back door.

"Who is this?"

"Its me,agent Jade, the thief has left behind a clue for the next artefact to be stolen."

"Oh its you, lets head to the location immediately. Lets ambush them before they get the next relic."

I bolt back into the shop and tell Maddie I must leave early. Xavier has already gone after having his morning coffee; I must have taken too long. I quickly send an apology to Xavier and start heading back to the mall to join Jade.

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Jade has his car parked in front of the mall this time. He leans against the side of it and types on his phone. I enter his car and ask him to drive to the location and he does so. It's the second trip I've taken and the day isn't even finished yet. In the glass of the mirror a new picture appears, another museum. Me and Jade exit the car and walk through the palace gates, well that's what it seemed like. I thought I was dreaming when I entered the place, the place was so elegant; It felt like I entered another era.

We both head towards an exhibit located in the centre of the museum. A high security glass case containing a beautiful shield, studded with precious gemstones. But its value wasn't located in the gems or price, but the story behind it. On the small museum label it read: The shield of Azunu was a gift created by a young woman to her lover who was sent to war, she wanted to reward him for his dedication. But before she could give him the gift, he died....hearing this news the woman was devastated and ended her life. Out of everything in the museum, why would the thief choose this? There were many jewels located at different exhibits with a much higher profit, but the thief chose the most difficult one to get.

Me and Jade decide to split up into the crowd. Both facing towards the glass case in case a robbery occurs. People come and go, but none of them seems to be a thief. Closing time is getting nearer and I feel that the thief was just bluffing. I feel exhausted, Jade seems like it too. I stare at the case and notice something different, a smile etched into the shield. Quickly I dart towards it and Jade follows behind to try to stop me. The shield is fake. We were too late.

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