Back in London, Jane woke up early from a nightmare and have decided to drink tea. Oliver had gone to a meeting with the upper-classmen. Jane tapped on her glass nervously. They have suddenly been given a letter in the middle of the night for Oliver to attend the meeting.

She has grown restless about it that Oliver advised her to sleep and he will tell everything in the morning.

When Jane woke, he was gone and started to do everything to distract herself with anything. Brook made it look so easy when she cleaned the house and have breakfast prepared before she and her father would wake.

After the "funeral" of her sister, she tried to go through the library and see the newspapers of that night, but it looked like they had disappeared completely out of the map.

She went up to the librarian but the old woman snapped at her and went back to read.

Jane left the library empty-handed and hoped for Oliver to find anything in the meeting. It was risky but she won't give up.

After drinking her tea, she dressed up and decided to pay a visit to her father. They haven't been able to see each other since Jane's wedding. They had it a few days before the funeral.

Bringing her umbrella, she crossed the street and walked to the familiar tall building.

She knocked and waited. She looked around and saw everything was normal. Women were gossiping over tea and Men in their suits having a cigar. The sky this day was awfully brighter than usual. It was slightly dimmed, but brighter.

She frowned as she knocked on the door again. She looked over her shoulder and turned the knob, seeing it was open.

She shrugged it off and entered. Jane blinked as the house was completely enveloped in papers and beakers. She had to evade them and walk to her father's study.

Her eyes softened as her father slept on his desk. He had a paper stuck on the side of his face. Chuckling, she walked to him and shook him a little.

"Daddy," she whispered.

But he was heavily sleeping. She shook him again.

"Daddy."

His voice muffled as he groggily sat up, rubbing the dirt off his eyes. He blinked and turned to Jane and grinned.

"Janey, dear! It has been a while!" he jumped off his chair and hugged his daughter.

Jane giggled, "It has. Although, it would take my mind off ease if you locked your doors, Daddy. What if someone came in and hurt you?"

"Nonsense!"

He walked to his kitchen and paled at his papers, "Oh, dear. I wasn't able to focus much. They are asking for studies of the flowers and plants that are not here! But never mind that, how are you, Janey?" He grasped her hands.

Jane sighed, sitting down in a chair. Sensing her stress, Professor started making tea for the girl.

"I can't find anything about that night. I went to the library and nothing. I can't ask anyone here because they would talk about Oliver. I would explode if I ask Vincent. Oh, Daddy. I don't know what to do," she sighed.

Professor frowned, "Yes. It has been a topic no one is allowed to speak of. The last time I went to the house, it has been burned to a crisp. Poor, girl. She cried for days. I attempted to speak to the neighbors but nothing."

Jane thanked for the tea as she leaned back and closed her eyes. "I wonder if she's all right..."

Professor smiled, "I'm sure she is. She's with that fellow Tarzan."

Jane smiled, "She does, doesn't she?"

His smile dropped, "Now that I think about it, all I have been hearing around are rumors."

Jane rolled her eyes, "Oh, Daddy. You know we are not supposed to listen to them."

"No, dear. I have been hearing rumors of Tarzan. This is concerning," he rubbed his chin in thought.

"What do you mean, Daddy?"

"I'm afraid if they are speaking of Tarzan, they would like to meet him. And who is with him?" he empathized.

Jane finally caught on. Her heart sunk as her eyes widened and dropped her tea to the table, "They'll find her. Then they'll really kill her."

She paled as started pacing. "You don't think...?"

Professor shook his head, "I'm not sure, deary. I know that boy will be there to protect her but for how long, I don't know."

Jane frowned looking around. Trying to find anything to help her think of an idea. She can't go back to the jungle. For starters, Oliver has to stay here as he took over his father's business. She won't leave without him.

She stopped as she looked down at the papers on the ground and on the furniture.

"Daddy?" she asked, picking up some of the papers.

He turned to his daughter and can tell the machinery rolling in her head. "What is it?"

"What if we can be there to protect her too..." she started.

He hummed, "It would be nice, but we still have our stuff in our homes. And Oliver is here too."

Jane shook her head, "Think about it. I can't leave without Oliver. I still want to know what happened to The Quinns. But you! You have an excuse to go!"

He blinked at her, "I do?"

"Yes! You go back to finish your studies and also protect Brook from any spies from here."

"Oh, well, I, um..."

Jane crouched in front of him, "Please, Daddy. I won't be able to sleep right if she were to get hurt. I will stay and figure everything out."

Archimedes stared at his daughter incredulously. But frowned at the thought. He looked around his home. Then to his daughter. He remembered that night perfectly.

He was unfortunate to accidentally stumble there and encounter the horrid sight of a bullet flying off a pistol.

He wasn't sure who shot the bullet, but he remembered vividly hearing a body dropping to the ground.

He will do anything in his power to protect his family. He may not be strong like before, but he would do anything to make sure his daughters were away from danger.

Archimedes smiled at his daughter and grasped her gloved hands, "All right, dear. I'll start packing. But please, do be careful. That man is a trickster. He will do anything to get rid of anyone who stands in his way. If he were to discover what you're doing, he'll–"

"That won't happen. I'll make sure of it," Jane interrupted with a confident smile.

Knock Knock

They stopped as they turned to the door. Jane exhaled in relief to see Oliver standing at the entrance.

"How was it?" she hugged him in welcome. He hugged her back and shook hands with his father-in-law.

"Good so far, except for the fact they won't stop talking about Africa."

"Did you get anything?" Jane asked.

He shook his head. "I just recently received my father's place. It won't take long until they tell me everything about that night."

She sighed and turned to her father, "Please be careful."

"You too, dear."

Published: March 7, 2022

Word Count: 1208