Exerpt II

Mystery

By Enchanted Etymologist

Prologue-


Eric’s breath came in short rapid gasps. His dark cell was melancholy and dank, his depression rolled over him like a tidal wave. This was not supposed to happen. Whatever happened he wouldn’t give it to them. His resolve strengthened, they couldn’t have it. Bail was a good man. He smiled when he thought of his friend finding the clue he had left him. Yes, he’d be out of this wretched hole soon.

A Good Beginning

“Cait! Over here!” called Carolyn Bail, waving to her friend.
Carolyn, Carol, for short, was a beautiful seventeen-year-old, Golden-blond with a pretty form and sooty-black eyelashes covering her deep jade colored eyes. Carol had just seen Cait, her best friend; at the Collinville Mall (Carol had been friends with Cait ever since Kindergarten).
It was strange to see this bold energetic girl being friends with Cait, a meek, shy girl (though she had no trouble making herself heard with those she knew well) Cait was however quite conscientious of strangers. The mall was full of people. Walking through the press of shoppers was not easy, but Cait finally joined her friend. Cait was lovely; she had a dark brown wavy hair that fell well below her shoulders, twinkling blue eyes and a beautiful creamy completion.
“Hey, great to meet you here busy today isn’t it.” “Yeah,” Carol said. “I thought I might find you here today. Shopping that’s usually the first thing you do after schools over,” She said, rolling her eyes, “Well I just got here but it’s,” she consulted her watch, “Twelve-thirty, want to eat lunch?”
“Fine with me, I’m famished.”

They made their way to the food court, got food, a booth and settled down for a nice chat, “So,” Carol mused, “Where are you thinking about going to College Cait?”

“I don’t know,” Cait replied, a slight frown between her brows, “I have all summer to think about it though,” she said, her frown vanishing. Though both girls were supreme students, Cait was at her strongest in the sciences and had always thought about being a nurse or doctor. “Where are you thinking about going?”

“I’d love to get into Oxford,” Carol said with a fiery passion, “But my Daddy’s got a great school.” Carol’s Dad worked for the County College. “Are you going on a Vacation this summer?”

“I’m not going anywhere,” Cait said, “I’ve decided that I need to stay here to get ready for College in the winter. I can’t believe we’re done with high school. What about you, you going on a vacation?”
“No, I’m staying home with Daddy,” replied Carol. Carol, who had lost her mother at the tender age of seven, to a catastrophic car accident was an intriguing person, and though she was always laughing, she had a serious and mysterious side as well.
“Want to come to my house,” asked Cait, “I’m beat and I want to show you the new dress that I bought.”
“Okay, fine let’s go,” Carol replied.
They left the mall and went to Cait’s house.



“Oh,” said Cait. They were in the living room, and Cait was twirling around in her exquisite new dress. “Oh Carol, just look at it,” she exclaimed, rubbing the fabric between her thumb and forefinger.
“It’s beautiful,” Carol replied, “and I bet Adam will like it too.” Adam was Cait’s “knight in shining armor”, or, to put it more frankly, her boyfriend. Adam was a blonde haired, blue eyed, nineteen year old, who was crazy about Cait they did everything that they could together even down to cleaning the garage. They began dating each other a year ago when they first met. It was a courtship that began as a blind date by Carol. Carol had met Adam at a function for her father’s school and thinking he would be perfect for Kate had introduced them.
“He probably will,” Cait laughed. “He’s taking me out to dinner tonight.”
“Oh,” Carol exclaimed, thinking she’d better not overdo her welcome, “Well, tell him I said hello. I’ve got to go.”
“Want to go to lunch tomorrow?” asked Cait.
“Sure,” Carol answered. “I’ll see you then.”
Carol got into her silver convertible Volkswagen Beetle and went home. She got out of the car, went into her pretty, yellow house and walked straight into the tidy, well-kept kitchen. She got out some steaks, vegetables, and a frying pan and started supper.
Carol’s father was a professor of philosophy at Collinsville College.
“Ding Dong,” it was the doorbell.

“Hey Dad,” Carol said as she saw him on the other side of the door. “Daddy, what’s wrong?” Carol said as her Dad looked at her out of concerned and disquieted eyes.
Professor Bail was tired and pale. “Carol,” he said. “Professor Eric Stanford is missing.”