Serpents's Heart

“Our luck seems to have soured.”

It was warm out, and the sun was high above us in a clear, blue sky. It was refreshing, after spending nearly a week locked in a basement. There was a slight breeze that felt just so delightful. It was certainly a wonderful change from the stale air of the building.

“I guess we’re supposed to find our own transportation back out then,” Virginia noted as we exited the library. “Where exactly are we to go?”

“That is a good question,” I replied, pulling out the paper. It was a small map of the general area, with a red circle drawn around one of the buildings illustrated on the map. “I think this is where we’re supposed to go, but I’m not sure how we’re to get there.”

As luck would have it, the very same black car that escorted us here once again pulled into the grounds. The bishop exited the vehicle with a smile. “Please pardon my late arrival. I had to return and retrieve a vehicle. I’ve been asked to escort you back to the airport, Doctor, and was hoping I was going to be here waiting for you when you came outside.”

“That’s not a problem at all, thank you very much. While we’re on the subject, would you take us to this building?” I asked, handing the map to the bishop. “We’re supposed to receive our compensation at this location.”

The bishop nodded. “Of course, that would be no problem at all. That’s an administrative building, and it’s on our route out of the city.”

It took some time, but we reached the building. We were told there would be a cab that would take us the rest of the way. The bishop approached me and extended his hand.

“Thank you for your hard work, Doctor Hunter,” he said with a smile. “Your knowledge was invaluable to us.”

I nodded, and shook the man’s hand. “I appreciate the chance to actually work on something so rare.”

“I’d like you to have something.” he pulled out of his pocket a small, purple satchel with a black pull string. “This is a token of our appreciation aside from your compensation, Doctor Hunter. Think of it as a souvenir.”

“Thank you,” I replied. I honestly wasn’t too keen on taking it. Probably a religious trinket and something I wouldn’t really care to keep. However, to save face, I smiled and put it into my back pocket. “I’ll take a look at it soon, once I get everything in order. I’d really much like to get home.”

“I understand. Take care, Doctor Hunter,” the bishop said, pulling away in the vehicle.

I sighed and entered the building. I left my possessions with Virginia at the entrance, asking her to keep a look out for the cabbie. The administration building was a hustle and a bustle of activity, it appeared it also doubled as a visitor’s center. I approached the counter near the middle.

“Welcome to Vatican City!” a bright eyed woman greeted me. “What can I do to help you?”

“My name is Doctor Robert Hunter, and I’m here to collect payment for services rendered,” I said.

“Oh yes, we were expecting you,” she said. “Please wait one moment and I’ll have everything ready.”

She smiled and walked away from the desk and I took a moment and looked around the building. There was a waiting area nearby with one of those twenty-four hour news stations, and I figured I’d watch for a moment to see what I’d missed while I was sequestered. Not surprisingly, I didn’t seem to have missed much. I sat down, and I remembered about the token I was given by the bishop. I took out the satchel and just held it in my hand for a moment. My natural curiosity eventually won out, and I opened it.

Inside, however, was something I never expected. As I opened the satchel, I opened my palm and let the contents fall into my hand. It was a large ruby: gorgeous, and shining in the light. It seemed like such an expensive gift. I assumed it wasn’t real, and was just a nod to the translation, though I couldn’t tell anything until I could get it appraised when I got home. I wondered how the bishop managed to give me such an expensive souvenir, but it is the Vatican. Possibly it holds a ton of wealth we have never seen. However, I wondered for a moment… Could it actually be what I think it is? But eventually my logical side took over and I laughed at the notion. I took the ruby, and held it into the light, and watched it dance within the gem. Beautiful.

“This is breaking news from Russia!” The anchor for the news station quickly grabbed my attention with his frantic reading. “Reports are coming in… there was a large explosion heard in northern Siberia. No one is sure what has happened, but there are reports of a massive crater. Scientists are speculating several things from a hidden super volcano to a meteor strike.” The anchor paused for a moment, placing his hand on his ear. “I’m being informed of something now… A village was reported to be swallowed by the crater… Officials fear that there are some two hundred or more who may have been instantly killed. Many more could be injured or missing. There’s apparently a thick… fog of some sort that is hampering any rescue or aid efforts in the region. No one is sure what the gas or fog is, but it’s apparently toxic to a degree, and experts are saying long term exposure could be deadly. What’s more, the Russian government is barring aid from several countries… for reasons that have not yet been revealed. Please stay with us as everything unfolds.”

“My God…” The only words that I was able to muster. I noticed the woman coming back with my check, and I quickly thanked her and ran to Virginia.

“Doctor, did you hear what happened in Siberia?!” she said as I approached.

“Terrible tragedy,” I lamented. “So sudden. I’d have to say, personally, I don’t believe it was a ‘super volcano.’ We would have known if that part of the world had one.”

“So you’re betting on an impact from space?” she asked.

“Either that or a massive explosion from a nuclear plant. It would explain the toxic fog in the area, I suppose,” I answered. “Nonetheless, I’ll start worrying about the impact once I’m back home.”

Our destination at the moment was the Da Vinci Airport in Rome, and from there we had a flight back home. On the way, the cabbie turned on a news radio, and the situation in Russia started to turn grim quickly. From what I understood, the Russian people, upon hearing the President was refusing international aid, started riots around the country thinking it was an inside job perpetrated against his own people. Government buildings across the country were being swarmed by people, many erupting into violence. It’s like madness inflicted the people there like a disease.

I looked out the window for a moment and I saw what looked like a small group of four or five men, wearing identical brown trench coats on the side of the road. I looked back after a moment and they were gone.

“Something wrong?” Virginia asked as I sat back down.

I shook my head. “No… it’s nothing. I just thought I saw something.”

Not long after we arrived in Rome, the skies started to thunder with the sound of an approaching storm. The radio indicated it was a sudden shift in weather patterns, with an expectation for it to be sunny for the rest of the day, but it all didn’t matter to me. Soon I’d be in the air, and then I’d be home. I usually enjoy my travels, but for some reason this one tasked me a bit more. I was exhausted, and all I wanted was the feel of my comfy bed accompanied by a good night’s sleep.

While we were removing our belongings from the cab, a loud clap of thunder startled me. I looked up, and on the roof of a nearby building stood another group of men in trench coats. They weren’t the same men, either, and this time I could tell their eyes were fixed upon me. A sudden chill danced along my spine.

“Virginia, do you see that?” I asked, turning to her. “Up there on the roof.”

“Hm? I don’t see anything,” she replied.

Impossible. I turned my back for just a moment and they were gone. I must have been going daft. The stress of dealing with the church and the documents must have been a little too much. Generally I sleep more when on assignment. Lack of sleep will do things to a man. I brushed it off, and we hurried into the terminal. The door shut behind us just as the clouds opened up and the rain poured. The building was packed. In front of us was a line of disgruntled travelers. And with good reason, Virginia pointed out that all flights had been delayed or cancelled.

A lovely tone rang across the intercom. “Attention all passengers, we apologize for your delay here today, but the strong winds and rain have made it impossible for flights to take off. There is also a tornado warning for our immediate area in affect for the next few hours. Until further notice, all flights are grounded. Please bear with us until the weather clears. Thank you, and have a pleasant day!”

“Our luck seems to have soured,” I sighed.