“Oh, absolutely!” Grandpa said. “The Elves were the heads of the criminal underworld, way back in the day. They often placed traps to protect their stolen goods, and the lairs that they hid in.”
That probably meant whoever placed the traps long ago had been damn good at making them. This wasn’t going to be easy.
“So, I found evidence of traps Elves might have placed on Darke Island,” I said. “Do you think you can help me interpret what they are?”
“Let’s hear it,” Grandpa said in a jolly way. “I’m sure we can work it out.”
I told him about the phrases I’d found written into the stone— though I fabricated that I’d researched about them in a book instead. I could hear Grandpa scratch his stubble as he said, “This certainly wasn’t in any book I’ve ever read about the Elves, and I’ve read a lot of them. Written a few, myself.”
“Yes, we are all aware of your academic achievements, Elliot,” Grandmother Eleanor said tiredly from across the room.
“Those bastards at the Supernatural Anthropology SocietyknewI deserved that award!” he shot back sourly. “Instead they give the prize to Professor Woolly for his essay on magical mushrooms.Mushrooms, dammit! I didn’t survive the Hawkei Civil War to write my manifesto on supernatural races, only to be beaten out by fungi.”
“Grandpa, focus.” I pulled his attention back. “What does this all mean?”
Grandpa made a musing sound. “These riddles could mean anything,” he began. “But, what’s important for you to know is that to get around them, booby traps always leave clues as to how to escape. Difficult to find when you’re currently trying to escape one, but there isalwaysa way out. I’ve found that often enough when I’ve had to squeeze my way out of being impaled on spikes in ancient temples, you know.”
My grandmother scoffed, and I smiled. Daddy had gone on an expedition with my grandpa once, and had ranted often how he’d nearly been flattened by rolling boulders and charred by fire traps while my grandfather was aimlessly poking around. I thought Grandpa had avoided all those traps by dumb luck, but maybe he really did know what he was doing.
“Are Elven traps unavoidable once you set them off?” I asked.
“Well, when people place booby traps, they do so in order to prevent the wrong people from finding the treasure within,” Grandpa said wisely. “Which means the only people who will be able to pass the tasks are either the ones who set the traps, or the ones whom the trap makersintendedto get through the traps in the first place.”
“What else would an explorer look out for, while journeying through Elven ruins?” I asked, taking mental notes.
“Well, when wandering through any place you’re unsure of, you have to use your surroundings. Try analyzing and evaluating the space before you walk in. Useallyour senses, and not just your eyes— they can be deceiving. When in doubt, think as the trap makers would— in this situation, as the Elves do. Does that help?”
“Yes, more than you realize,” I said excitedly.
“A paper you’re writing, is it?” he asked.
“Yes,” I said, but my heart sank. I hated lying to anyone in my family, but Grandpa was especially hard, because he was just so gullible, and that made it even worse.
“I’m soproudof you that you’re following in my footsteps! You’re going to make a wonderful anthropologist someday,” he gruffed.
“It’s your fault.” I laughed. I’d had the exploring bug ever since he’d given me my first headlamp at five years old.
“Of course it is. Someone has to keep up the work after I’m gone,” Grandpa said warmly. “Who better than my granddaughter?”
I didn’t like talking about Grandpa dying. It hurt. The phone pinged, telling me my five minutes were up. “Thank you so much, Grandpa. This is really going to aid my research.”
“Anytime, Ava. You know my wealth of knowledge is at your disposal,” Grandpa said.
“Hmph. More like your endless foolishness,” Grandmother quipped.
“I’m writing a letter!” Grandpa raged. “Let’s see what the society board thinks aboutmeafter I tell them exactly what I think of the situation!”
I hung up the phone with a giggle. I skipped down to lunch— because I was in a good mood due to making so much progress, so why not? Before I entered the cafeteria, I heard someone shout my name.
“Ava!” Ivy came tearing up the hallway. He grabbed my hands and began jumping up and down. “I did it, Ididit!”
“Did what?” I didn’t know what was going on, but I began bouncing with him anyway, because his enthusiasm was contagious.
“I asked Chancey to be my boyfriend, and he saidyes!” Ivy gushed. “I just took charge, and told him how I feel. And he said he felt the same way!”
“That’s amazing, Ivy!” I gave him a tight hug. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Isn’t it the greatest?” Tears beaded in Ivy’s eyes. “We’re going for a walk around the prison yard tonight. I just can’t wait.”
