VIRIDIS

“There weren’t always dragons in the valley”

“Excuse me?”

“For working at a museum of this standard you really are bungling this portion of the tour aren’t you. I said there weren’t always dragons here but there were once upon a time”

“This isn’t a tour, I am escorting you to the security room. For the final time dragons are not real, that TYRANNOSAURUS REX you were using as a jungle gym is a fossil and a historic artifact. You’re going to get in enough trouble for what you did to it, breaking into a secure facility, and desecrating an exhibit so if you’re trying to claim your crazy when the boss gets here keep up the dragon talk girlie. There are no such things as dragons.”

He rolled his bulbus eyes, exasperated at the audacity of this woman. How did she get up there? How did she even get in HERE? The museum was expecting a shipment from Egypt last night, the security team has doubled over the last week in preparation. He had come in early, good to impress the boss since he’s in town for the installation. If he hadn’t, no one would have seen this woman up there, doing what exactly? He couldn’t quite make sense of it all yet, just a small woman with curly auburn hair slipping out of the messy bun she had piled on top of her head, the freckles on her pale skin were bright as stars in the night sky and those eyes. Almost purple but they would be called dark grey in his report, strange to have purple eyes, this isn’t a fairy tale, and right now those strange eyes were glaring at him. When he walked into the main entrance movement had caught his eye, and there she was. Almost floating in front of the breast plate of the dinosaur. He was gob smacked long enough to watch her move up towards the spine, gliding as if she was flying. The snip of the wire is what brought him back to himself and he called out, that’s when she almost fell.

IVY

The girth of the security guards middle pressed against his white shirt so tightly when he took a deep breath and shook his head, I thought one of the buttons would pop right off as he gripped my arm to “escort” me away from the skeleton dangling from the ceiling and down the hall. This room always sends chills down my spine. The elegant mix of the old world and the new was a magic all its own. The glass double doors flanked by stained glass looks so much more elegant next to the sleek stainless steel welcome desk. The ceiling was a domed glass panel, replicas of the constellations dangled amongst the other exhibits.

A shiny gold rectangle that read “Ask me about history… Chuck” rode with pride over the starched white shirt on the security guard’s breast.

“I’ll be needing my bag, Chuck.”

Chuck collected my bag grumbling, though the main entrance to the door adjacent to the museum curator’s office, I have walked by this office many times the last 3 years during my graduate work. He opened the thick white door, a glass panel reading SECURITY was smudged with fingerprints. He pointed to a metal chair behind the plain desk “sit”

“Yes sir Mr. Chuck sir.”

Chuck scowled at me while I looked around the room, nothing much had changed from my last meeting in this room, all shelves and white brick walls. He picked up the phone. After a few rings, the other line answers “Yes sir this is Chuck in security, I’m afraid we have had a break in…. No nothing was stolen, one of the dinosaurs has been tampered with though sir…. Yes, I have the culprit in custody….”

Chuck darts his eyes to me, covered the receiver with his hand.

“what’s your name girl?”

“Iverson Yulane MacDuff- O’Connel Chuck pleased to make your acquaintance”

Chuck doesn’t seem to find me amusing, he turns back to the phone talking under his breath, waits a beat then gently puts the phone back in its cradle.

“The boss will be here shortly. Then we will call the police. You stay here in that chair until they arrive. I’m locking you in. I have to go finish my rounds to see if there’s any more of you”

There is no one else in the building, I checked before I started. I did get a little ahead of myself. I shouldn’t have moved the bones to their correct position. Not yet. I was wrapped up in my panic and I let it get the better of my judgment.

Chuck took my bag off the desk and put it in the drawer, locked it, put the key in his pants pocket and with a sideways glance he shut the heavy door behind him with a thud. I heard the lock click into place. It would take me 15 minutes to get out of this room. Consequences come as they may, this is how far off course things have gotten in the last 12 hours. Everything is so screwed up, but this is my job. I must get home, the anxiety of the last message that drove me here last night is growing with every moment I sit here. I pat my pocket, feeling the outline of the folded paper I shoved in there before I ran out of the flat. I have work to do. I have places to be. I need to leave. But I just have wait.

Chucks gravelly voice and three sets of footsteps sound in the hallway. “Good morning Mr. Thompson, Mr. Spencer thank you for coming so quickly.”

“Of course Chuck you did the right thing calling me, why don’t you tell myself and Mr. Thompson here what happened.” Mr. Spencer said. I can picture him in my head. Average height, sandy blond-hair, a man in his 40s with military haircut. A gold tan and a comforting voice, with a slight southern drawl. He is head of security for the museum. I know he spent time in the army, how much I’m not sure it is not something we have discussed in detail.

“Well, you see I was doing my morning rounds when I heard a rustling above me. It sounded like wires snapping so I looked up to make sure all the hanging displays were still in order and that’s when I saw her. It sounds crazy but it looks like she was floating there right alongside the tyrannosaurus rex and that’s when I saw the wire cutters.” Chuck said, as he handed said wire cutters to Mr. Spencer with a smug look “She was snipping the arm off the dinosaur, then she tried tying it back on in the wrong spot. I called out and it looked like she almost fell but she caught herself on the bottom of the ribs and used them like monkey bars to climb down the leg and jump the rest of the way down.” Chuck gave a shake of his head and scrunched his face in confusion. “When I asked her what she was doing up there she said she wanted to ride a dragon! I told her there are no dragons in the San Diego valley and there have never been dragons, that is just make believe on tv, in video games you know.” He nodded his head, “you know what she said to me? ‘There weren’t always dragons in the valley.’ I think maybe she’s crazy, she even told me I didn’t know my history, after working here for the last 20 years I believe I picked up a thing or two.” Chuck patted his name badge assuring himself.

Chuck looks so proud of himself, he had both of the big bosses listening to his every word. This is the most power he has had in his entire life.

Mr. Thompson reached out and patted Chucks shoulder. He has the kindest smile and can hold so much sympathy in his eyes.

“Thank you, Chuck, where have you put her?”

“she’s in the security office, I’ve locked it so she can’t get out”

Mr. Thompson smiled again “please return to your station Chuck you’ve done excellent work today, could you call the cleaning department and ask them to make the necessary repairs to the exhibit before we open?”

Chuck beamed a smile, shifted his belt then hustled down the hallway with an air of superiority. Maybe he would get a raise or a plaque. He’s never had a plaque before, security guard of the month even. Oh, his mother would be so proud telling all her friends at bridge club.

Mr. Thompson and Mr. Spencer collectively sigh and look at each other.

“You ready Collin? “Mr. Thompson asked Mr. Spencer.

“As ready as I can be” he replied

They opened the door and Adrian Thompson stepped though first. It always surprises me how well put together he can look on a moments notice. Dressed in his dark blue suit pants a pressed white shirt and matching over coat he looks like he just walked off a magazine cover, dark hair expertly shaped to make him look every inch the professional, but the glasses make him look qualified to run this museum. Without them his high cheek bones and sharp blue eyes would look more qualified for a spot on the Batchelor than on the review board for doctoral students. That is where I first met this man, presenting my thesis for my doctorate in history.

Collin Spenser follows, he towers over Adrian at 6’2 to Adrian’s 5’6. Collin shuts the door behind them, and they both move to the desk opposite from me, sit on the edge crossing their arms in unison and fix me with a glare.

“Hello lads how may I help you today?” I smile

“Ivy, what the hell were you doing?” Collin asks first “climbing an exhibit? You could have fallen, hell you cold have died! You know, Chuck thinks you’re crazy talking about dragons, what’s gotten into you?”

The look of concern on their faces touches my heart. They have been my closest friends. Even if the relationships started by selfish means. They granted me access to the museum after hours for privacy. They took me in like family. I hate that things have gotten to out of control. I wish we had more time.

“Ivy, you didn’t tell me you needed access to the museum for your research, I could have arranged something for you. Why did you break in and rearrange one of my most predominant and profitable exhibits?”

The calm of Adrian Thompson matches the worry of Collin Spencer. They are half-brothers. Growing up in the same house. I met their mother Susan only once before she died. But the wealth of knowledge behind her eyes will stick with me forever, and for me forever is much longer than it is for most that I know here.

“Well?” Collin asks, his temper flaring.

“I needed immediate access, it was an emergency I did not have time to wait for arrangements to be made. I am deeply sorry for the inconvenience lads.”

The look of confusion etched on both of their faces, Adrian’s blue eyes mirrored on Collins face, told me a dance around the truth was not going to cut it this time. I must finally tell them the full truth.

“An emergency to do with a dinosaur that died a few million years ago? Not going to cut it Ivy, the police could’ve been called. Thankfully, Chuck’s ego is bigger than his brain some days and he called me first. What was so important that you could not have waited to study history on a dinosaur.” Collin narrowed his eyes looking for the truth.

“Is this to do with your paleontology paper Ivy?” Adrian asked, always searching for the logical answer first.

I need to get home, explaining myself will take longer here in this little room than it would at my loft where I can freely demonstrate what I came here to do. I do not have the time it would take to go into as much detail as Adrian would need nor do I have the physical evidence Collin would like to believe me.

“This is a story that demands a dramatic change of scenery lads, my flat will do. Shall we?”

Collin grumbled and planted his feet. a physical response that mimics his stubborn mindset, Adrian noticed, and shifted putting a hand on Collin’s shoulder. “If we can get to the bottom of this simply by changing location, I believe that is easily enough accomplished brother. Better to bend with the wind then be blown down by a hurricane, yes?” the play of emotions across Collin’s face always amuses me. He is such a closed off man to anyone else. But to Adrian he is an open book. Collin is the face of security for the Thompson group, the wealthiest investment group that is still family owned on this side of the country. He is not someone to be messed with. Not many people know he is part of the Thompson family. The only family resemblance is the eyes.

“Fine, but we have to make a show of this. I am going to have to cuff you Ivy” he shifts his gaze to Adrian, “and we will tell Chuck we are taking her to be evaluated. He already thinks she is crazy it wont be hard to get past him. But as soon as we get there, I want to full story Ivy, I mean it.” Collin said pointing his finger at me.

“Yes, Ivy I want to know more about this dragon theory?” Adrian said as he went to unlock the door, Collin moved behind my chair and lifted my arm to help me stand, he pulled both arms behind my back and clinked the metal cuffs around both wrists. They were loose enough I could slip them off myself without the key… oh yes, the key!

“My bag is in the drawer, Chuck put the key in his pocket. I’ll need my bag all my research is in there.” Collin cursed under his breath and moved over to the desk drawer, with a swift kick to the side of the desk the drawer rattled open. He produced the tattered bag stuffed with books paper snacks and my water bottle. A cross body satchel with gold leaves embroidered up the strap. Collin handed my bag to Adrian.

“Is this everything Ivy? The book you borrowed from the exhibit last week is that in here?” Adrian, the picture of polite etiquette asked.

“No that is at the flat Adrian, thank you again it was a such a help. That is everything I will be needing from here let’s go gents.”

We move down the hall, toward the main door. I walk Infront of the brothers who are side by side in step as usual. They are so in sync I would almost think they could read each other’s minds like twins. There are 12 years separating them. Susan told me, the only afternoon I had spent with her, of Collin’s father. He had died in the war, but he was the love of her life. They were so young when they got married, Collin was so young when he lost his father. When he turned 10 Collin told his mother that she needed someone in her life that would love her when he grew up and left for the Army. He’s always been a stubborn one she had told me pure love filling her eyes. Collin gave her away when Susan married the senior Mr. Thompson, and a short while after, Collin was the first to hold his baby brother Adrian when he came into this world. Their bond is bone deep and it is a beautiful thing to watch.

When we get to the main entrance, I can see maintenance repelling from the roof repairing what I had done early this morning in my haste. I was reckless I see now, so many people are affected by my decisions. I can hear them talking amongst each other as we walk by.

“Why would anyone do this?”

“isn’t it odd how the arm fits in the joint this way as well”

“It’s too early for all this work I haven’t even had breakfast yet”

I smirked. At least some people are not sheep when you put the evidence right Infront of them.

Collin breaks off to have a quick word with Chuck in private. The look of triumph on Chucks face makes me roll my eyes. Adrian leans over to whisper in my ear,

“Knock it off Ivy. Play along would you, at least look indignant rather than like you’re enjoying this.”

I’ve never listened to directions well, I blow an air kiss to Chuck and a wink as Collin grabs my arm to lead me out of the building. Adrian lets out an exasperated sigh.

The town car waiting outside sets off for my flat as soon as the door closes. It is not a far drive in this early morning traffic. 35 minutes of silence while the boys work on their phones. I am sure Adrian is replying to and sending emails clearing his morning. He may be the curator of the Natural History Museum, but this is a pet project for him. He is the second in command working directly under his father, Fredrick Alexander Charles Thompson. Frank for short. The only person I have ever actually heard call him Frank was Susan. I have spent considerably more time with the Senior Mr. Thompson than I had the chance to spend with Susan. He is a driven man, busy, fair and above all practical. He does not understand why Adrian has such a passion for history but does understand the monetary value of owning a museum. He was incredibly happy the first time the acquisitions department surprised him with an actual Viking ship which was recently retrieved from deep on the shore of Sweden. He indulges Adrian if there is a profit. I could not begin to name all the companies they own, but I do know they are heavily invested in the Louvre, and they exchange exhibits with the British museum often.

Collin on the other hand is head of security for the museum, as well as the family companies, he owns and operates a security firm called Clear Mission. Their main client is the Thompson group, but they are not their only client.

The shipment of relics for the Riches of Ancient Egypt exhibit, was delivered last night. I saw the trucks leaving as I went in this morning. He will be sending emails and coordinating with teams as well. The exhibit will include rare gems, worth more than a billion dollars not to mention the immeasurable value of the rest of the relics. Mummies, sarcophagus, a very large display and a great security risk.

As we arrive at my flat, I peer up at the tall skinny building with mirrored windows. The privacy of this building is what drew me to it. I have a view of the ocean that reminds me of home. I press the last button on the lift to take us to the 8th floor.

My flat has extraordinarily little indoor space. High rises in this city at this price are typically small but this layout containing a one bedroom one bathroom and a small kitchenette had the one requirement I was looking for. A generous balcony the largest you could find in the city. I transformed the space into a slice of home. The small bedroom is my office. My books, charts, and research papers are in there with my desk and piles of academic papers in various stages of cpmpletion. I have manuscripts in atmosphere-controlled vaults, next to my desk, display cases for some of my personal artifacts both historical and prehistoric in nature. The original plan to become the worlds top ancient historian and paleontologist has worked well so far but time has run out. The rest of my flat is filled with as much greenery as I could managed to fit in here. The Livingroom has my shade plants, I grow most of my own food here close to the wall of glass doors, it is so much cheaper to grow your own food, and cleaner. Tomatoes, peppers, and many vine plants hang from the ceiling, pots line the walls, you can eat just about everything in this room. Both men have been here before for dinners and drinks. They make themselves at home, Collin grabbed some freshly made juice from the fridge and Adrian sat stiffly on the sofa training his gaze on my face. I make a long circle around my living room, touching the pot of lavender as I pass giving the room a thick floral smell to calm my nerves, giving me time to work out how to go about telling them the truth. I finally take my favorite seat, a plush over sized wicker chair with palm printed linen cushions, and square my shoulders, its now or never.

“We have accommodated your request Iverson, if you would be so kind, please explain why I am having very expensive repairs done to my very profitable dinosaur?” Adrian patiently drawls.

Collin just glares from the kitchen.

“Fair is fair. Let us start from the beginning. I am not from here. My home is extremely far away.” I take a deep breath matching both men stare for stare.

“Sure. You mentioned before you’re from somewhere between Scotland and Ireland, but your mother is more Norwegian, going back and forth. What does that have to do with the museum?” Collin said impatiently.

“It has to do with everything.” I said “I received a message this morning, my family needs my assistance, and I must return to them as soon as possible. I needed something from the museum to do so.”

“I am sorry to hear that, if you need to borrow a piece of an exhibit, I would happily arrange that, why wouldn’t you just contact me in the first place Ivy? If you need transportation, we can assist you getting to where you need to go, we have private jets. If its money you need, I am sure you know you are a good enough friend of ours that I would have no issues with supporting you. Is your family in trouble?” at that Collin is on his feet and moving toward me, “I can have a team assess the situation give me an address and I have people there within an hour. I have contacts in both Ireland and Scotland and a larger base in the UK, I believe we have an active team in France right now as well. Tell me what you need Ivy.” They think I needed something from the museum for money and now, see the panic rising on my face. I don’t think they will understand I will have to show them.

“That’s just it you cannot get there by any normal means of transportation. Yes, they are in danger and that is why I need to hurry. I do not have time to explain everything. I must start preparations and get going. I received a message from my mother last night.” I take out the folded piece of parchment I kept in my pocket. I smooth the creases and read aloud. “’My Dear, you must come quickly. We have lost contact with Quinn and Astrid. Isla is missing from her bed. I have a message from your father, it is not safe to transcribe here. Hurry.’ I got this from my mother last night. My brother and aunt are missing, and my sister has been taken. I must get home.” Tears start to flood my eyes as I fight for control over my panic. Collin and Adrian both move to comfort me, but I shake my head. “I have to finish packing” First Adrian has to know I would never steal from him. I reach out and grab his hand “Adrian, I would never steal from you, please know that”

With that I grab my bag and head out to the balcony. There is a wall of flowering shrubbery to section off the part of the balcony that bends around the side of the building, I made that section into my bedroom. A hidden door camouflaged by the trees opens like a pocket door and I step in. Collin and Adrian follow me through the door into my room with its walls made of shrubs, climbing plants, and greenery. This room has felt like my sanctuary the last 5 years. It is finally time to leave, not on the terms I would like but time all the same. I throw my bag on the bed. Neither Collin or Adrian have been in my bedroom before, and they are a bit staggered by the sight. This room has held some of my favorite work. Collin follows the climbing ivy up, and studies the chandelier that is being supported only by the branches of ivy making a canopy over my bed. The sun was just rising and sent rainbows dancing off the crystals.

Adrian says “I didn’t know this room was here. Did you Collin?”

“No. never. You are more talented than I thought Ivy. I want you to come decorate my house. That little garden you planted on my porch last year is still doing good, I may be able to take care of a few more this year. How did you get the support for that light fixture up there with just plants? And my god that’s got to be an amazing view to fall asleep to! Nothing but stars. But what about when it rains?” I pointed to the retractable awning I had installed when I first moved in. “Collin, you have 6 cactuses that isn’t a garden, you do not need more plants you’ll kill them.”

Adrian’s chuckled, then his curiosity turned to the round bowl covered in moss at the other end of the room next to the small bookcase. It sits on a curved wooden pedestal, words training up the legs and around the basin, some call them runes. On top of the bookcase was a large tea pot with enough water to fill the bowl.

“Is this your sink? It is very ornate Ivy and beautiful where exactly did you find this?”

“It’s not a sink, I’ll show you in a moment please do not touch that.” I snap as he reached his hand out to trace the markings on the side. Thankfully he missed how the etched words glowed when his hand passed over them. I must get my emotions under control. I wish I had more time to explain things to them. It is important they understand and trust me, but we have run out of time. Opening drawers and gathering the last bit of books and clothing I needed I catch a glimpse of myself in the gilded mirror hanging over my dresser. I look tired. My normally pale skin looks almost translucent, the purple bags under my eyes almost match the deep purple of my irises. I shake my head, there is no time for a glamor. Throwing what I need into my bag I wrap it around me. I pat my other pocket to make sure the object I took this morning was still there. Its not stealing if you don’t plan to keep it. I hope this works.

Their attention shifts when I move to the bookcase. Picking up the teapot, slowly tipping it over the bowl and chant under my breath. Collin and Adrian are side by side again intently watching what I am doing. I read the written words carved on the pedestal under my breath. The water in the bowl begins to turn then glow a low blue color. As if a light had been turned on under the surface.

“So, how much do you believe in fairy tales?” I ask with a quick smile. Collin’s impatient face comes back, and he crosses his arms. Adrian having spent more time with me academically than Collin knows to indulge me rather than fight the story.

“As a basis of historical background there is academic thought in which one can perceive the morals and fears of those who lived in that era” Adrian placated. “I am not sure where you are going with this Ivy”

I reach out and take their hands and pull them close to me. The bowl is now a deep purple. I reach in my pocket and pull out the small bone. “I’m afraid when they are finished putting together your exhibit, they will find a piece missing Adrian.”

Collin looks sharply at me, “Ivy, does that belong to the museum?”

“Do you trust me?” I ask preparing for my next move.

They both nod in unison.

“Then let’s go save the worlds.”

I push both of them toward the bowl and jump in after them.

The earth moves. Spinning through time and space in a purple haze. Bubbles circle us as we tumble. I hear them scream. Waves of blue then green and finally we land.

It is night, stars dot the sky and the familiar sight of two moons slowly circling each other gives me such delight. I am finally home.

“What the fuck was that?” Collin yells

Adrian shakily gets to his feet running a hand through his tussled hair and trying to smooth the wrinkles from his slacks. We are in a meadow next to a large stone well. The same purple water swirls in the well.

“Iverson what was that?” Adrian says with a shaky voice.

Maybe I didn’t do this as gently as I should have, but I did what was necessary. I did my job. I brought them back.

“Welcome to the kingdom of Viridis. That was a portal. You may feel a little queasy and I do apologize for that.” I hand the bone to Adrian. “I did not steal this, I was just borrowing. I needed to touch a piece of the old world to collect enough magic to get us all here in one piece. I tried to harvest part of the giant’s tree in the desert but there was not enough left.”

Collin and Adrian looked at each other. “Magic?” Collin stammered to Adrian, at the same time Adrian mouthed “Old World?”. They both turned to me perplexed.

“After my mother’s message last night, I knew my timeline had to be moved up. I need your help. Both of you. My family is in danger.”

An ear-splitting screech and a whooshing sound came from above us. The outline of a beast larger than an airplane swooped past us over head. The smell of brimstone lingered in the air as it left.

“Oh, and dragons are real.”