Jury

by David Dada

  Right now, he had his mind set on trying to figure out two things. OakCreek College still used bells and he always wondered why they could not be like other universities and just let everyone use their watches and clocks. He always felt like he was in high school every time the bell was rung. The second thing was why Spanish had been made the compulsory foreign language for this semester. He had no problem with the occasional Spanish, but having to take exams on it was just an added burden that was unnecessary. The teacher was already approaching the class so Taylor walked into the room and headed for his seat. This is why I hate Tuesdays, he grunted and took his seat.

  “Good morning class.” Ms. Reina, the Spanish teacher, set her things on the table in front of the class. “Anyone miss me?”

  Taylor scoffed as different people in the class shouted “YES” like elementary school students. He just sat in the corner silently and hoped the next two hours would zip by quickly.

  “Well, I missed you all too.” Ms. Reina smiled and sat on her table. “I also heard about the mess some of you got yourselves into. Mike, Taylor and Emily, what were the three of you thinking?”

  Taylor hated it when she spoke English for too long; she was fluent, but her accent always made him cringe. He, however, liked her as a person, especially because she was the only teacher who allowed the students address her by her first name and she told funny jokes too. Right now, Taylor could sense she was about to make one of those jokes at his expense, so he put his best poker face on as he stood up.

  “Well Ms. Reina, I felt it was a good opportunity to show off and so I took it. Everyone has been a good sport and so it really is not any trouble.”

  “Is that so?” Ms. Reina walked up a few levels and stopped halfway to where Taylor was seating. “You sure are confident.”

  “A little confidence never hurt anyone.” Taylor smirked.

  “Well, if you are so confident about your abilities and your “intelligence”, how about a short test.” Ms. Reina walked back down to her table and sat. She crossed her legs and placed her hands on them. “I’ll give you ten words, I can switch from Spanish to English, and you have to tell me the translation.”

  Taylor cringed again and this time, it was not only because of the accent, but also because she had openly challenged him to a duel that he doubted he would win. He could feel everyone staring at him and he knew if he backed down now, he would not hear the end of it.

  Taylor gathered his courage and smiled. “What is the first word?” He saw Emily smiling and he suddenly felt like he could actually come out of this one alive.

  Ms. Reina set down her glasses and Taylor was mesmerized. She looked different without the glasses as her blue eyes were a lot more visible. She was young, in her mid-twenties, blonde, not too tall, not too short; she was just perfect. She rarely ever used makeup; just a little powder and lipstick was enough for her to take your breath away. She used the Everbloom shade of the L’Oreal Colour Riche Lipstick and it did the job. Yes, he knew what lipstick she used because May had mentioned it in passing. His memory was perfect and he was sure Ms. Reina’s luscious lips were permanently etched in his mind.

  “Your first word is “school”.” Ms. Reina brought Taylor back to the present.

  That was an easy one. Taylor already guessed that she would start with the easy one and then make it harder as he progressed. He knew he was stupid for accepting the challenge, but it was too late to turn back now.

  “Colegio.” Taylor saw Ms. Reina smile and it was not the “I am proud of you” smile but the “Game on!” smile. This was definitely not going to end well.

  “Very good. Quickfire round.”

  “Already?”

  “Scared?” Ms. Reina smirked.

  “You wish.” Taylor said, knowing fully well that he was just making matters worse. Quickfire just made it easier for her and harder for him. He started mentally sorting through all the areas they had covered in class, hoping she would pick the next words from them. “What is the next word?”

  “Silla.” Ms. Reina’s eyes had this laser focus and they were set on Taylor. She knew he was bound to make a mistake very soon.

  “Chair.”

  “Ladder.”

  “Escalera.” Taylor smiled as the class started applauding.

  “Aguja.”

  “Needle.” Taylor answered, still smiling. “Try making it harder.”

  With a smile on her face, Ms. Reina stood from her desk and walked all the way to Taylor’s table. “Are you sure you want harder words?”

  Taylor was awed by her beauty and he wondered how one person could be so beautiful. He gave himself a mental reminder not to think of her in that way. He could not speak so he simply nodded.

  “Your funeral.” Ms. Reina said. “Grind.”

  “Gira.”

  “Supply.”

  “Suministro.” Taylor cocked his head to the right and smiled.

  “Dread.”

  “Tremor.”

  “Bruja.”

  “Witch.”

  “Wrestle.”

  “Luchar.”

  Everyone was applauding and Taylor felt like he deserved it. He hated Spanish class a lot, but he still studied either way. He had gotten all nine correct and he could not help but smile. He was still enjoying the round of applause when the next word slapped him in the face. He was not sure he had heard it correctly.

  “Please can you repeat the word again?”

  The smirk was back on Ms. Reina’s face. She simply nodded and repeated the word.

  “Himitsu no ejento.”

  He noticed that everyone was looking at him except Emily. She was now fiddling with her phone.

  “I do not think that is Spanish, Ms. Reina.”

  “Nine out of ten. Really sad, but then again you’re right about it not being Spanish. It is Japanese. Just wanted to see the look on your face when you realized you didn’t know the answer.” Ms. Reina walked back to the front of the class. “Anyway, the words translate to “secret agent” in English.”

  Taylor sat back down as Ms. Reina proceeded with the class proper. He could feel a certain tension as she said those two words. “Secret Agent.” He sighed and looked at Emily who had not looked up from her phone.

  Malia is right. I need to talk to Emily. Taylor made up his mind to do just that once the class was over.

  ***

  “Alright class. That’d be all for today.” Ms. Reina said as the bell rang again. “Don’t forget to do the assignment I gave you.”

  Everyone packed his things and left the class, leaving Taylor alone with Ms. Reina. Taylor quickly walked up to her as she was packing her things.

  “Oh hi Taylor.” Ms. Reina smiled. “You did great earlier. Sorry I cheated.”

  “Water under the bridge.”

  “A gentleman. I like that.” Ms. Reina picked her bag and slung it on her shoulder. “Now, what can I do for you?”

  Taylor put on a straight face. “Tell whoever sent you to fuck off. I am sick and tired of being treated like someone who needs help with his day to day activities.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Oh please.” Taylor scoffed. “Secret agent? Really? That was a coincidence uhn?”

  “I’m surprised it took you this long to figure it out.” Ms. Reina sat.

  “I did not expect them to send someone else after the first one, so I was not really paying it any mind.”

  “Who is the first one?”

  Taylor sighed. “You are not working for the same person that sent Bob, are you?”

  “I don’t think so but I doubt it was the same person who sent me.” Ms. Reina chuckled. “So Bob is your handler?”

  “Yes and he does not know I figured it out, so please do not say anything to him.” Taylor started leaving. “You all should really just leave me the fuck alone.”

  Ms. Reina just sat there and watched him leave. Luckily for you, I’m here for someone else.

  ***<
br />
  Could it be? Emily was sat in the study lounge, the contents of the brown envelope spread out on the rug. Himitsu no ejento. She had her suspicions and the articles in the envelope had cleared things up but now she was back to being confused. Does she know or was it just a coincidence? Does she know I …

  Emily’s phone rang, pulling her out of her thoughts. She grabbed her phone and looked at the screen. Taylor. For some reason, she did not want to answer the call. The call went straight to voicemail and she listened to the message Taylor had left.

  “We need to talk. It is important.”

  What did he want to talk about? She hated that all she had were questions and not answers. The feeling of hopelessness was one she had grown to dread; it messed with her balance and she was absolutely useless without her balance. She sighed and sent Taylor a message telling him where to find her.

  Five minutes later, Taylor walked in, sat on the rug and Emily slid down from the sofa, making herself comfortable beside him. She had cleared everything immediately she had sent the text. She did not want him to start asking questions she herself did not have answers to.

  “You wanted to talk?”

  Taylor nodded. “There is an important part of my life I have not told you about and I am sorry that it took me this long to decide to tell you.” He did not take his eyes off his shoelaces. “I know we agreed to not have any secrets and I went against that, so I am sorry.”

  Emily rolled her eyes. “Why so formal?”

  “I just said I am keeping secrets from you, something a best friend should not do and all you can say is I am being too formal?”

  “I don’t even know what it is, so there’s no need to be mad at you. At least not yet.” Emily chuckled. “I’d hate myself if I was mad and all you kept from me is that you still watch Power Puff girls or you are a Miley Cyrus fan.”

  Taylor started giggling and sighed in relief. “You make it hard for me to be serious.”

  “That’s because you’re too uptight.” Emily shrugged.

  “One of us has to be the serious one and seeing as you enjoy being silly and playful, that task is left to me.” Taylor shrugged too.

  “I just might get mad at you before I even get to hear what it is you have to say.” Emily crossed her arms. “Spit it out. What’s the big secret?”

  “I have a sister.” Taylor looked back down at his shoelaces.

  Emily stared at Taylor for a while and shook her head. “Baka!” She liked Japanese insults because she felt like they had this pinch to them. “You are one of the dumbest, smart people I have ever met. I had no idea at first, but you mentioned something about a sister when you told me about the accident. How could you have forgotten that?”

  Taylor chuckled nervously. He could not believe he had forgotten.

  “What’s her name?”

  “Malia.”

  “How old is she?”

  “She turned seventeen in August.”

  “You guys close?”

  Taylor smiled. “Really close that it is embarrassing at times.”

  “That’s good.” Emily smiled. “Could you call her. I would like to talk to her.”

  “I had a feeling you would want to.” Taylor took out his phone from his pocket and dialled Malia’s number. The call went through almost immediately and he put it on speaker. “Hello sis.”

  “Hello Cuddles.”

  “Cuddles?!” Emily broke into laughter.

  “What? I am a hugger.” Taylor shrugged. “Her nickname is way worse.”

  “You would not dare.” Malia said sternly.

  “What is it?” Emily asked.

  “Do not do it Taylor.” Malia warned.

  Taylor guffawed. “Fish. Of all the nicknames in the world, she chose Fish.”

  “I was five back then you prick and by the way, fishes are really cute.”

  The three of them burst into laughter.

  “Hello Emily. Nice to finally meet you, even though we have not technically met.” Malia said when she finally got control of herself. “I have heard a lot of good things about you.”

  “Nice to meet you too. I’ve heard next to nothing about you.” Emily chuckled.

  “Well, my brother is a knucklehead, so I am not surprised.”

  “I am still standing right here.” Taylor said.

  “Like we care.” Emily rolled her eyes. “Malia?”

  “Yes?”

  “What school do you attend?”

  “PineRidge College.”

  “That’s a good joke.” Emily had caught on to the stab at OakCreek.

  “She always does that.”

  “But really, what school do you go to?”

  “Grant University.”

  “That’s nice.” Emily nodded.

  “Yup.” Malia said. “Oh yeah Taylor.” She coughed and apologized. “My team beat The Perk seven-nil.”

  “I am so happy for you.” Taylor said with a straight face.

  “I scored four goals, Trish scored two, Susie scored two but it should have been three. Stupid ref called it an offside. The game was at the park around 2:00 p.m. So I was super energized.” Malia chuckled and coughed again.

  “A wise man once said…”

  “Yes I know. “I do not care”. You are never happy for me.”

  “Whatever. I have to get going. I have a case to prepare for.”

  “Bye Emily!” Malia said. “And you can get your goodbye from the wise man, Taylor.”

  Taylor snickered and ended the call.

  “She’s lovely.”

  “I know E. She charms everyone.” Taylor kissed her forehead. “I have to go. See you tomorrow.”

  “See ya.” Emily smiled and waited for Taylor to leave before picking her things from the floor. There was something Malia had said that had caught her attention. PineRidge. She just could not remember why it sounded familiar. She shrugged and left for her dorm room.

  THIRTEEN

  The cool late afternoon breeze was flowing in through the window of Emily’s room, Beethoven’s Für Elise playing in the background. Emily was a big fan of classical music and it helped her focus whenever her mind decided to start spinning out of control.

  Emily was at her study table reading a book. It was one of the contents of the brown envelope and the title had piqued her curiosity. Of all the contents of the envelope, it was the odd one out or that is what she had thought. Emily was sure “JURY” was a law thing and so she had run through the table of contents and found that it was not really out of place. She had read the first chapter and found it was the name of a council the government had created to help out with certain threats, determining if they were serious or not and then dealing with them; they were in essence: judge, jury and executioner.

  As she read, the words “PINERIDGE” kept ringing in her head. After all her efforts to push the word out of her head were futile, she went back to check the table of contents. Halfway through the list, she spotted it; it was the last item on the list. Emily quickly flipped to the page where it started and read.

  “You might be wondering why I sent this to you and who I am but do not worry,

  You will find out when the right time comes and when that time comes,

  You should be able to catch the message I am sending because I will

  Be coding my message. Here is a detailed step by step to breaking the code.”

  Emily smiled and quickly picked a book from inside the drawer and a pen out of the pen case on the table. She knew something was odd about that call earlier. She flipped to a free page and wrote on it.

  “My team beat The Perk seven nil”

  She was sure that was the message because it was only wise that if there was a message to be passed through a call, there would be a signal to alert the receiver that the message to be decoded had started and also when it ended. Malia had coughed twice during the call and Emily was sure that was the signal.

  Emily read on.

  “The first number to be mentione
d will signify the number of words in the

  Sentence and it will be the last word. The next set of numbers will

  Signify the number of letters each word contains. When a location is mentioned,

  Write it in full.”

  Emily giggled. This was getting good. She thought back to the call and started writing in the book. “Seven nil, four goals, two goals, two goals that should have been three, at the park, 2:00 p.m. That’s seven words.” She looked at what she had written.

  “_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ PARK _ _ 7.”

  The message had started taking shape. Emily read the next line of the paragraph.

  “Strike out the letters for the location from the coded message, starting from the end and group the remaining letters together.”

  Emily crossed out the letters p, a, r, k and grouped the letters together.

  “MYTEAMBETTHEE”

  She read the next line.

  “Divide the first number mentioned by two and if there is a remainder, add it to

  The first half. Now draw a table with the first half as the number of rows

  And the second half as the number of columns. Fill in the remaining

  Letters from left to right. Any remaining letter should be left outside the table.”

  The first number was seven so she drew a four by three table and filled the letters in.

  M

  Y

  T

  E

  A

  M

  B

  E

  T

  T

  H

  E

  E

  She read the next line.

  “The letters from the top left, top right, bottom right and bottom left corners

  Make up the first word. Write out the rest of the letters. The word before the