A Lost Mystery

“In 1914, War erupts in Europe. As allies from all over the continent band together after a dastardly assassination of the new heir to the Austria-Hungarian throne, Archduke Ferdinand. The United States implements that all ships were to sail with caution as Germany begins its U-Boat operations in the North Atlantic around the United Kingdom. During that time the technology was mostly revolved around steam power.” The history film narrator explained as the majority of the class was mostly asleep, except a couple of enthused students.

There was a young man named Randablitz who was an exchange student that was a total history nerd, apparently anything of,or relating to the past fascinated him. Sitting next to him was his long time friend Oasis Spring, who was on the verge of falling asleep, but somehow had the fortitude to push on through the movie. Not too far away from the two was Dark Obsidian, A sensible and knowledgeable guy when it came down to maritime or war history.

“As the top three Liner industries such as White Star, Cunard, and Gladiator Lines converted some of their finest liners into volunteers for the European conflict, it became extremely dangerous for oceanic travel as the German U-Boat Operations became unrestricted, leading to the sinking of Britannic of 1916 and Lusitania in May of 1917. However as Gladiator’s reliable ship, the RMS Saurotania was to take her next voyage of passengers to the safety of Scotland, she was reported missing after not arriving at her destination.” The film’s narrator continued as images of the Saurotania appeared in Baltimore on the day of her departure.

“I wonder what caused such a beautiful vessel like that to go missing without a trace.” Randablitz wondered to himself as he took some notes and made a couple of quick sketches of the ship in some classical wreck scenarios.

“To this day, Oceanographers have had no luck on pinpointing the ship’s final location, even famous Robert D. Ballard, discoverer of the RMS Titanic and German Battleship Bismarck gave up the expedition. Of the ship’s 2,690 passengers and crew had been on board, only 573 survived. However, the last known survivor had been found after fighting in WW2 and Korea, but unfortunately died in 1999, his name was Jonathan Glass. We may never know what happened to the Saurotania, but someday new evidence will emerge and the lost luxury liner will be discovered.” The film’s narrator said as the movie finally ended with the credits over the photo of the Saurotania appeared.

“Hey Dark, isn’t that the name of your late grandfather?” Randablitz asked as he looked over at his classmate’s stunned expression. “Dark? Dark? Hello Dark, are you there?” He asked as he waved his hand in front of his friend’s face.

“Why hasn’t he ever told us, was it really that bad, worse than PTSD after fighting two wars?” Dark questioned himself as he tried to alleviate this new and very surprising information. Before he could respond, the History teacher, Time Turner turned on the lights and was about to explain what was happening next.

“Alright class, hope you all had a nice nap, except a few. Time for the last project for this school year before summer vacation.” He said as the class groaned in frustration to this. “Now, what I want is a short essay on either Lusitania, Britannic, or Saurotania or a diorama of the ship’s wreck. Extra credit will be given to anyone that can find a device from that ship’s period like silverware, clothing, ship tickets, or even a toy. I expect this assignment to be due in less than a week and please don’t procrastinate.” Time Turner said as the bell rang after he explained the assignment and the school day was over. “Class dismissed.”

(School Hallway, Minuette’s P.O.V)

After the bell rang, I was relieved that Science was over, I had a hard time understanding some of the Periodic Table, but as long as I was passing with a B or higher, I could care less. I’m also quite relieved so that I can finally see my two friends and crush that I have had for the last month. I saw my two friends, Randablitz and Oasis at their lockers as always after the last class of the day.

“Hey you guys.” I smiled cheerfully as I approached them.

“Hey Colgate, how was Science?” Oasis asked with a smile as she used my silly toothpaste related nickname.

I rolled my hair back and exhaled deeply wishing she shouldn’t have asked about one of my most difficult classes. “Stressful as always, but as long as I maintain that high B or higher, than I could be better.” I replied.

“Sorry to hear that, but today in History we learned about the mysterious sinking of the Saurotania, and get this Dark’s grandad was the sole survivor of the whole ordeal!” Randablitz exclaimed excitedly as he pointed to Dark Obsidian, my crush. He was at his locker packing up and everytime I stared at his black and silver streaked hair, I feel all hot on my face, but what really struck was a member of his family survived a historical event, but I never understood why he never told his friends, it seemed so amazing.

“Dark didn’t seem to know about this, despite the fact that he and his grandpa were pretty close.” Oasis said as she looked at Dark with a concerned expression.

Then he got a call from someone and spoke to with whomever for quite some time before hanging up and closing his locker. I could tell we all had to be the nosy teens we were and get the details of what had just happened.

“So who just called?” Oasis asked curiously.

“Just my dad saying that it’s time to clean out the attic and sort through what Grandpa left me to remember him by. You guys can come if you want.” He said as he started to walk towards the front door of the school.

“You can count me in all the time Dark.” I sighed under my breath, but it didn’t go unnoticed by the two next to me with sly grins on their faces and Dark thankfully didn’t seem to notice.

(Dark’s P.O.V)

After my Dad called about cleaning out the attic, I still couldn’t get over the fact that my own Grandfather never told me about being the one of few to survive the Saurotania. I pressed my mind harder than being squished by Bulk Biceps. The assignment could be a breeze if I could find something in the attic because who knows, My grandfather may had been on the Lusitania or even Titanic.

With all those thoughts in mind, I still had to get home which was only a ten minute walk from school. I looked behind me and saw my friends chatting as we walked to my house and I smiled a bit. Not many people knew this, but ever since my break up with Roseluck, there has always been one girl on my mind, and that was Minuette. Her smile was the kind that could make every dentist have orgasms over how perfect her teeth were. Finally arriving a note was on the door from my parents.

“Dear Dark,

By the time you’re reading this, we’d already left to the airport for our business conference in Beijing. We trust you can maintain the house for the next week we’re away and we know you can be responsible. We left a hundred for you in case you get hungry and expect us calling at least twice a day. We love you son.

Signed,

Mom and Dad.”

After reading the note, this had been a thing going on for quite some time for the last two years since my parents worked for Stotile, an industry that masters the art of strong and efficient iron that has been used world wide and my main guess was that they wanted to set up trade with China to help expand the company to one of the world’s biggest consumers.

“What’s up man?” Randy asked as he placed his hand on my shoulder.

“Parent’s left for business and I get this place all to myself once again.” I simply replied as I turned my house key into the lock and opened the door.

“Cool, are they cool with us staying here, ‘cause our folks won’t mind as long as we don’t end up partying, drinking, or making reckless decisions.” Randy said as he followed me inside to the foyer.

“Oh I’m sure they’re fine with it, I mean I had a small get together with some of my gaming buddies on their last trip and man we made a huge mess. Luckily we cleaned up after ourselves and I told my parents what had happened, they became fine with it and as long as the guests clean up after themselves, they’ll have no problem with company.” I a said as I locked the door behind everyone and headed up towards the attic.

Taking down the retractable ladder up to the attic and climbed up to find the dark attic. Upon entering, I turned on the light and the room to light up the room little to see where you’re going. “I really miss you grandpa.” I said as I picked up one his favorite photos of me and him out on the lake fishing one summer.

“Your grandad must’ve been a really great guy to have when things got tough.” Minuette said as she made her way up to the attic.

The area was cluttered with dusty old knick knacks that date as far back to what I believe the 1920’s. Hanging on a rack were multiple uniforms and by the look from one in particular was a World War 2 army uniform. The rank on the uniform was a Captain and the bronze nametag even said ‘Cpt ‘Spy’ Glass’. “Huh, so you had a nickname as well?” I asked as I wiped the dust from his nametag.

“So, why’d they call him ‘Spy’ Glass?” Oasis asked as she appeared behind me.

They called him ‘Spy’ Glass because he was the sniper of his group, and when their previous Captain was killed, he was the second in command. Well that and he had very good eyesight.” I replied as I remembered my grandpa’s explanation as to why he was called ‘Spy’ Glass.

Moving on, Minuette found some really old photographs in a box that was slightly opened. “Check it out, it seems like Your Grandad loved to keep memories.” She said as we all gathered to see many black and white photographs. However, one really caught our attention to see My Great-Grandfather, Great-Grandmother, My Grandfather as a baby, and a friend to the family, Rocky Mountain, A Scottish Immigrant who came to America visit his family and help out in their Scottish restaurant.

“Where was this taken?” Oasis asked curiously as she gazed at the photo. In the background, there was a large ship behind them and moored to the dock. On the right was a building that only read ‘Gladiator Lines’ as people were boarding the ship on the gangway. “I think this was before a ship’s departure somewhere.” I replied as we scanned the photograph for any specification to which liner it was.

“Why don’t we use the greatest search engine we have of all time, Google.” Oasis said in a smart ass tone.

“Wow that’s a great idea! Good thinking Oasis.” Minuette said with an appreciative smile.

“I was being sarcastic.” Oasis stated blandly.

“It’s still a valid means of research.” I said as I looked at the photo as we exited the attic.

(Randablitz’s P.O.V)

Dark began with researching which possible ship was in the photograph and was owned by Gladiator, Oasis and I began on the essay and like it never ceases for some teasing, Minuette is just staring at Dark from across the room.

“So, if you have any suggestions about our project, feel free to let us know.” I said to Minuette, startling her a little.

“Oh, uh right, I guess I did it again, didn’t I?” She asked with a sheepish smile and rubbing the back of her head.

“Hey guys, I’ve been looking at the picture for quite some and thanks to the research on multiple websites I could find, I have found out that this photo was taken in Baltimore, Maryland June 9, of 1917; The Departure of Saurotania.” Dark said as he put the picture on the table.

“Astonishing, but let’s look at the photo one more time because it looks like it was soaked in ocean water due to most of the color being gone, and it doesn’t feel like paper should, it feels slightly softer.” Oasis said as she lightly touched her index finger and thumb together with the ticket in between them.

“That’s right, but right now time to focus on an important matter, Who wants Mexican for dinner?” Dark asked as he headed downstairs.

“I do!” Minuette, Oasis, and I exclaimed simultaneously. We followed Dark downstairs as he phoned up his favorite restaurant for food.

Within fifteen minutes, the order was finished and Dark left to pick up the order. Obsidian found his 1988 Lincoln Continental. A classical car that he had refurbished and with some help from his dad since he was the original owner.

Swinging around the place and back to Obsidian’s home didn’t take more than five minutes since it was a little drives away. We sorted the food to who wanted what and we chowed down on some cultural flavor.

After some good dinner and sodas, we returned to our work for our history class. That was until the photo started to glow for a fraction of a second. I looked over and saw the photo just sitting on the table. “Huh, must be the sun reflecting off the table.” I said as I shrugged it off. Then the glow returned, but this time it glows for about two seconds then returns to its natural state. “Uh guys are old photos supposed to glow like this?” I asked as I looked at the photo with a concerned expression.

“What are you saying man?” Dark asked as he and the others turned to face me.

“I thought I saw this photo glowing… you know what nevermind.” I said as they too saw the photo glowing brighter for a couple of seconds. We stared at it for a few seconds in complete amazement, and shock unsure of what to think. “That is something you don’t see everyday.” Oasis remarked as we stood up and approached this glowing phenomenon.

“What the hell is going on….” Minuette asked as the glow intensified and consumed us in the light.