Valeria's stomach growled as the smell of chinese food wafted into her nostrils. She took a large swath of noodles on her fork and devoured them like a ravenous bird. She juggled the fork in one hand, the bag of ice in the other. It stung like hell, but she could handle it.

"Ooh," Frank said, pointing at the television screen. "Inside Man, huh?"

With her mouth full, Jada nodded. Valeria turned away from her and inspected the movie title and its description on the screen.

Inside Man. (2006)
Denzel Washington.
Clive Owen.
Jodie Foster.
Directed by Spike Lee.

"Isn't Inside Man was one of your favorite movies?" Valeria asked, recalling one of their conversations from long ago.

"Yeah," Jada said, her lips pulling back into a smile. "This movie and the original Aladdin are two of my favorites."

Hearing this a second time, Valeria made a mental note. Back at the detention center, she had unlocked guard's wifi passwords with this type of information. She could use it to unlock Jada's laptop, or better yet - this information could help with her Midas Vault research. She watched the movie like a cyclops; one eye remained closed as she balanced the icepack across her face.

Inside Man depicted a complex bank heist orchestrated by Clive Owen's character. While things seemed out of his control,  the main character retained a calm, collected demeanor, and kept  reassuring the audience that, "he had executed the perfect bank robbery."

She enjoyed the movie's plot, pacing, and dialogue, and paid attention with relative interest. But her attentiveness spiked as he recited a familiar quote. "I did it for the  money," he narrated to the audience. "But it's not worth much if you can't face yourself in the mirror. Respect is the ultimate currency."

The icepack hit the floor with a thud. She froze, staring at the screen with her mouth ajar. Respect is the ultimate currency, she repeated in her mind. She knew this phrase; the same line was repeated verbatim in the clue at the Midas Vault. She didn't have her notes readily available, but Valeria remembered the vague summary of the clue.

A man inside will help you? Something about his number?

This had to be it. She looked over at Jada, trying to conceal her excitement. She was unknowingly about to give away the secret to unlocking the Midas Vault. She didn't know Valeria had found the entrance. She couldn't have known, right?

Valeria decided to ignore her thoughts and focused on the movie. At the climax, Clive Owen reveals his ulterior motive for the bank heist - revenge - which rests in vault 392. The three digit number flashed across the entire screen multiple times throughout the movie, leaving her speechless. She couldn't be a hundred percent sure that was the code, but what else could it be? She remained calm as the movie finished and the credits rolled.

Turning to her, Frank asked, "What'd ya think?"

"It was pretty good, I guess."

Laughing, Frank continued with, "It's one of the best modern heist movies. I still prefer the older ones though."

Jada kissed his cheek. "That's cause you're old school. It's what I love most about you."

"Alright," Valeria said, rolling her eyes. "I'm going upstairs if you two are gonna be all lovey-dovey." She ascended the stairs, ignoring Jada's command to 'finish her homework.' She entered her bedroom and sat at the computer, her hands trembling with excitement. She might know the code to the Midas Vault, but there was another thing she wanted to check.

Opening the laptop, she did a google search for Aladdin. The first search results involved the live action version that premiered in 2019. Not that one, she thought. Modifying her search, she typed: original Aladdin. This time, the top search result read: Aladdin (1992 Disney Film).

Valeria snapped her fingers. The year 1992 was attached to one of the names at the Midas Vault - Vault of Wonders. A summary of the plot described how Aladdin explored the Cave of Wonders, where he found the magic lamp. Okay, she thought, that can't be a coincidence. The Cave instructed Aladdin to touch nothing but the lamp. His pet monkey disregarded these instructions and almost got them killed.

She considered this narrative a moment, as the story reinforced a familiar theme. In the Midas myth, she read that everything Midas touched turned to gold - including food and water - which led to his downfall. What was the other name for the Vault again?

Jada's sign had given the vault a new name. The sign was entitled,'The Strange Vault: 2011.' Could it be another movie? she wondered. Turning back to the laptop, she searched for the top selling movies of 2011, and shook her head at the top result.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.

While most of the details were hazy, she remembered they were searching for a horcrux at the goblin bank. They entered a vault in that movie and almost got killed after touching its contents. Not just any vault - they went into the Lestrange Vault!

Laughing, she realized the clues all pointed to the same basic warning. She should 'recall the vault's name clearly' because it was warning her to not touch anything inside. Puzzle solved - mic drop.

Erin would probably geek out over this, but Valeria decided to wait and discuss her findings with her tomorrow. She still had a ton of homework left to complete, and it was getting late. When finished with homework, she brushed her teeth, changed into pajamas, and collapsed onto the bed. Content with solving the Midas Vault riddle, she drifted off to sleep without remembering the diary she stole from Brigitte earlier that evening.

                                      #

Valeria awoke refreshed the next morning and casually went about her morning routine. She made sure to get dressed, pack her bag, and fix her appearance in the mirror. With so much to do, she almost forgot about the diary she stole from Brigitte again.

Almost.

Valeria reached for her jeans on the floor, emptied the pants pockets and found the diary.  She casually flipped to the most recent entry and skimmed it over.

             "Thursday:

             Plans: Stop by the Pipino residence to train their bratty protégé. Make sure everything is in place for tomorrow.

             Friday:

              The Master's Plan."

Valeria looked over the page again, trying to make sense of it. Who was the Master? And what was their plan? She started reading the entries backward, eyes widening after select passages.

"Monday: Tyrell protégé confirmed. Hit the Pipino protégé with my car, and the boy healed her. It makes sense why he never ratted her out. He clearly wants to get in her pants."

"Saturday: Met with the Master. Received current orders – follow the Pipino protégé, she's close with the Tyrell protégé. I'm to kidnap the Tyrell protégé and use them as leverage in the war against the Celestials. The Master will meet me with the Tyrell protégé at Coterel on Friday, and we will finally claim the Artifact. "

Valeria closed the diary in a mad panic, realizing Brigitte planned to kidnap Sai today. Sai wasn't the Tyrell protégé, but Brigitte didn't seem to know that. The diary entries indicated she was taking orders from someone, who must be Dontrell. Frank had said he wanted a war with the Celestials, and capturing the Tyrell protégé would be a good way to start one.

If Dontrell and Brigitte kidnapped Sai, they would learn he wasn't the Tyrell protégé. And once that happened, they would surely get rid of him. I can't let that happen! she thought with fists clenched. Pocketing the diary, she ran downstairs and found Frank sitting at the table scooping up cereal from a bowl.

"Morning, kiddo –"

"Where's Jada?!" Valeria blurted out. "I need to tell you both something! Now!"

"Whoa," Frank said, sitting at attention, "calm down. What's the emergency?"

She slammed Brigitte's diary onto the table in front of him. "This! Brigitte's going to kidnap Sai today! Look at this week's entries!"

He picked up the diary and flipped through the contents, eyes widening as he finished the last few pages. "Holy crap! Doesn't she realize he's not their protégé?"

"It doesn't matter! Once they find out he's not their protégé, they'll kill him! Where's Jada?"

"She had an early flight," Frank said, massaging his chin, "supposedly on her way to Moscow to meet with her brother."

Valeria shook her head. "It's all a trick. Dontrell tricked her! He's Brigitte's master!"

"Listen to me, kiddo. I'll send loyal Rogues over to your friend's house and the school. Brigitte won't get anywhere near him. I'll go to Coterel later on while you're in school and make sure everyone is on the lookout. It's gonna be okay."

"Are you sure?" she asked, her breaths shallow.

"Trust me," he said, "you just go to school, and try not to panic, alright?"

Valeria took another deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. Frank walked over to the cupboard,  removed a protein bar and handed it to her. "If you won't eat breakfast, at least take this on the way to school."

"Promise me nothing will happen to him," she pleaded.

Sighing, Frank said, "I'll do everything I can. Go on, you'll be late for school."

After saying goodbye, Valeria burst out the front door, hopped on her bike, and pedaled toward the school with urgency. She got there in record time, and hoped to find Sai waiting at the bicycle rack with his bike, but neither were there. Maybe he's running late, she thought.

She unlocked her bike and walked around to the front of the school. She had arrived earlier than usual, and watched as the students arrived by bike, bus, or carpool.

"Hey, V," Roberta said, approaching from one of the school buses in front of the school. The skinny red headed girl walked up to her with a curious grin. "You're here earlier than usual."

"Yeah," Valeria said, trying to keep calm, "I wanted an early start today. Was Sai on the bus with you?"

Roberta shook her head. "No, he usually rides his bike here."

"What's up, suckas!"  James yelled over his dirt bike's sputtering exhaust. He combed back a  lock of long curly brown hair and said, "What are y'all doing out here?"

Tapping her foot, Valeria said, "Waiting for Sai. Have you seen him?"

"Not today," he replied. "I usually see him on the bike ride here since we live nearby."

"Hey guys," Jon said, pulling up beside them with his bike.

As her friends exchanged greetings, Valeria felt a lump forming in the back of her throat. No matter what happened, she wasn't going inside until Sai arrived.

"Are you okay, V?" Roberta asked.

"Yeah," Jon added, "you look like a nervous wreck."

Sighing, Valeria said, "I'll feel better once Sai gets here."

"Why?" James asked.

Valeria didn't answer. A familiar fancy black car had pulled up alongside the school, stealing her attention. Erin stepped out of the car and smiled as she noticed them all standing there. "Well good morning, everyone."

Everyone greeted her except Valeria, who nodded without saying a word.

"Are you okay, Valeria?" Erin asked, her voice laced with concern.

"I'm fine," Valeria replied curtly.

"So uh," James began, "can we go inside now? We're gonna be late."

Biting her nails, Valeria's nerves were getting the best of her. "I'm not moving from this spot until Sai gets here!"

All four of her friends exchanged concerned looks.

"I can call him if you want?" James asked.

"Yes, please do."

James pulled out his cellphone, dialed, and held the phone to his ear. "He's not there. Voicemail."

Valeria bit her lip. She got him, she thought. I just know it.

"Maybe he's sick?" Roberta asked.

"He's not sick. He's been kidnapped!" Valeria blurted out, unable to control herself.

"What?!" Roberta protested.

"Kidnapped?!" Jon added.

"What the hell are you talking about?" James asked.

Her hand trembled as she pointed at Erin.. "They kidnapped him because they thought he was you!"

Erin looked mortified. "Who kidnapped him? People from your faction?"

"Yeah," Valeria said, eyes narrowed. "He's a Celestial too. And once they find out he's not you, they'll kill him!"

"Whoa-Whoa!" James exclaimed. "What are you two talking about?"

"Kill him?!" Roberta shrieked. "Are you serious?"

"We should call the police!" Jon added.

Erin's face flushed red as she glanced at each of her friends. "Maybe we should talk about this in private, Valeria. You're making your friends very nervous."

"We can't call the police," Valeria countered, "and I don't care about secrets anymore. I'm going to rescue Sai."

"You know where he is?" James asked. "If you do, we're coming with you."

Erin shook her head. "You have no idea what you're talking about. This is dangerous."

"She's right," Valeria added, "Sai's in trouble because of me, so I'll go find him. This shit has nothing to do with you."

"What?" Jon protested.

"No way," James added.  "Sai has been our friend longer than he's been yours. If he's really in trouble – we're coming with you."

"You're damn right," Jon added.

"Count me in," Roberta said.

They all looked over at Erin, who held up her hands. "If he's really at your headquarters, you know I can't go there."

"What if I offered an incentive?" Valeria asked. "What if I told you I know the combination to the Midas Vault?"

"You did it?!" Erin exclaimed with wide eyes. "You figured it out?"

"What are you two rambling about?" James asked.

Valeria ignored him. "We still have our deal. If you help me rescue Sai, I'll get you inside that vault."

"Okay," Erin said, taking a moment to consider her proposal. "Maybe this is fate, like I told you. I'm in. Let's do it!"

"Okay," Roberta added, "you two seriously need to fill us in on some information."

"I'll tell you on the way," Valeria said, a plan already forming in the back of her mind. "But first, I need to stop at the CVS for some supplies."

Smiling, Erin asked, "Sounds like you already have a plan to get us inside your Faction?"

"It's crazy as shit," Valeria said, "but it might work. Erin will ride with me.  Roberta can ride with James on his dirt bike."

Combing his hair with his hands, James said, "You can ride with me, little lady."

Roberta scoffed. "Don't get any funny ideas."

"Wait here," Valeria said. She ran around the corner to the bicycle rack and unlocked her bike. She wasn't surprised when Erin followed her.

"Are you serious?" she asked, eyes narrowing. "Bringing those normal kids inside your faction? You could get them killed."

Valeria shrugged her shoulders as she removed her bike. "I didn't make them come. They volunteered, and we could use all the help we can get." She hopped on her bike and pedaled next to Erin. "Hop on."

Erin's scowl morphed into a grin. "As much as I'd love to ride you, there's not enough room for two people on there."

Valeria studied her with an eyebrow raised. Did she just make a sexual innuendo? The thought distracted her for a moment, leaving her mind in the gutter. Her cheeks felt warm, her palms sweaty. She wanted to follow up with a witty remark, but Sai was in danger and there wasn't enough time. "Well," Valeria said, swallowing a lump in the back of her throat, "what would you suggest?"

Winking at her, Erin walked over to the bicycle rack, placed both hands on one of the locked  bikes, and whispered to herself. Her hands glowed with an intense yellow light, and the lock broke apart. She removed the bike, hopped on, and  pedaled next to Valeria.

"Well look at you," Valeria quipped, "stealing a bike. I thought I'm supposed to be the shady thief?"

"Shut up," Erin said, her lips pulled back into a smile. "I'm only borrowing it."

Valeria couldn't help but smile back, her nerves calming a little. "Seriously, thanks for coming with me."

"Don't thank me yet. We still need to rescue your friend. I hope you have a good plan."

Valeria nodded as they pedaled back to the group. She did have a good plan, and nothing would stand in her way. Don't worry, Sai, she thought to herself, we're coming to rescue you.