"Why are you two reacting like you know this place?" Tiffy asked, curiosity dancing in her voice.
"It's the basement where Nick, Luca, and Elizabeth were rescued after we came to their aid. Didn't Nick tell you about it? Try to remember!" Jasmine clarified.
"Oh! I remember now—Nick told me that story. But don't you think the secret societies may have moved the gem and the puzzle book pages by now?" Tiffy responded, her tone laced with concern.
Elizabeth and Jasmine exchanged puzzled glances before Elizabeth spoke. "That's definitely possible. Mansoon basement was heavily guarded. Without Luca, we wouldn't have made it out alive. I even heard it borders a Navy base, which complicates everything further."
"But does anyone actually know how to get back there safely? From what I know, we had to escape without a clear direction before. We shouldn't take on another mission until we're sure we're not being followed. Once we confirm that, then we can plan our next move carefully," Tiffy insisted.
"Let's check on the boys," Jasmine suggested.
"We need Nick inside. I don't feel safe with the sandstorms looming over this Chillbi Desert," Tiffy added as she rose to find him. She walked for a while before climbing to where Nick was resting.
"Nick! I need you inside the basement. It's not safe out here. We just found our next clue—the puzzle box points us back to Mansoon basement where the second gem and more puzzle pages are hidden!"
Nick groaned softly. "I just feel... weak. I don't think I've fully recovered yet. And Mansoon? That place is dangerous. If it weren't for Luca, we wouldn't have survived. So what's the plan?"
"We decided to start by inventing carts and bicycles using the relics. We'll need those to cross the desert because we're almost certain we'll be pursued. Only once we're sure we're safe will we go after the second green gem—or others, depending on what we find," Tiffy explained.
"That's a smart plan. Okay, let's get to work on those inventions," Nick said, pushing himself up to his feet. He walked beside Tiffy back toward the basement.
As they walked, Tiffy confided softly, "It's really the sandstorms I'm scared of. I just want to keep you safe."
"Sandstorms? Are you sure?"
"Elizabeth and I saw one forming from afar during our online research. It was terrifying—a strange and powerful sight."
"Sandstorms can be devastating. Thank you for looking out for me," Nick said appreciatively.
"Of course. I get frustrated sometimes, but being near you is what truly matters."
"Thanks, Tiffy. Let's go help the others with the wheel inventions."
Together, they searched from room to room. Eventually, they found the rest of the team gathered in the ruined library, busy assembling bicycle parts.
"Wow, you're all here! What are you working on this time?" Tiffy asked, arms folded with interest.
"The library's been damaged beyond repair," Elizabeth replied. "We figured it made sense to use this space to rebuild the wheels."
"How did you even begin?" Tiffy asked.
"We scavenged relics—broken wheel-like parts. Before the earthquakes, everything was probably intact. The curators must've done a great job preserving them. We gathered tools: hammers, wooden nails, steel wires. Now we just need to piece it all together," Elizabeth explained.
"Okay, enough questions!" Nick interjected. "Let's pitch in and help."
"Wait—where's Jenny?" Tiffy asked, suddenly alarmed.
"Wasn't she with you earlier?" William replied.
"We forgot about her! I'll go find her. Keep up the good work!"
Tiffy hurriedly climbed back to the surface. "Jenny! Jenny, where are you?" she called out loudly.
"I'm in the washroom!" came Jenny's muffled reply.
"All this time? Are you serious?"
"I'm just… I'm depressed, that's all."
"Depressed? Why?!"
"I can't tell you."
"Please don't do anything drastic. I know how dangerous depression can be. We all care about you!"
"I'm not doing anything crazy—I just need space."
"Maybe those voices in your head are lying to you. We're your family, Jenny. You'll never be alone."
"I know loneliness is dangerous. A social life is important, but... it's not that."
"Then what is it?"
"I just… can't say."
"Come on. You need to open up if you want to heal. Wait—are you crying?"
A sob echoed through the door. "Yes. I just feel hopeless… How will I raise this baby if the father isn't around? I need to be near him—that's the only thing that would help."
"You're not alone in this. We'll help you raise the baby. We're family. I can even connect you with support groups, if you like?"
"I don't need celebrities or social workers. I just need the dad. That's all."
"Okay… then who is he?"
"I can't tell you."
"Is it Nick?!" Tiffy asked, stunned by Jenny's silence.
A long pause followed.
"No… it's not Nick."
"You're wasting my time. I'm coming in!" Tiffy burst into the washroom. Inside, Jenny sat on the floor, tears streaming as her baby wailed.
"Jenny, the baby's been crying nonstop. Have you fed him?"
"I have. He just wants me near, but I feel too overwhelmed to care for him right now."
Tiffy scooped up the baby gently. "He looks familiar… What's his name?"
"Billy Watson."
"That's a strong name. But Jenny, you need to pull yourself together. The hybrids will be coming soon. We're planning to escape once the bikes are ready."
"So you cracked the code?"
"We did. The second green gem is at Mansoon basement. But we're not going there yet. We'll escape first, then plan our next move once we're safe. Come with me—let's get back to the others."
Jenny wiped her tears and stood slowly. Tiffy carried Billy as they rejoined the group.
"What took you so long?" Elizabeth asked.
"Jenny was depressed. I found her crying in the washroom," Tiffy replied.
"And what's the issue?"
"She won't say who the dad is. But she says she needs him close."
"That's personal," Jasmine said gently. "But we're here for you, Jenny. You're part of this family."
"Thanks. Anyway, how's the wheel project coming along?" Jenny asked, eager to shift topics.
"Almost done," Nick said. "Just a bit of wiring left. Everyone will have their own bike, including a special one for you—with a luggage space and a little manger for Billy."
"That's really thoughtful of you, Nick. Did you design that?"
"Yeah. I just thought it'd make things easier for you and the baby. You deserve to feel special."
Jenny smiled through teary eyes. "Thanks, Nick. Billy's lucky to have someone so kind… Maybe a carpenter in the making?"
"Anything to make you feel cared for," Nick replied warmly.
"We all know how to ride, right?" Nick asked suddenly.
Everyone nodded, some sharing fond memories.
"Then let's finish assembling the bikes. We'll ride them out of here as soon as we're ready," Nick encouraged.
The group worked into the evening, piecing together their bicycles with determination. Once the final project was completed, they shared a moment of triumph and applause.
"We did it! Thank you, everyone," Nick said. "But I'm not sure we should travel at night..."
"Nick, we have no choice," Tiffy urged. "We must put distance between us and the hybrids. Jenny has a baby. We're running out of supplies—we need to find an oasis quickly."
"Then let's eat something first. We have a long road ahead," William suggested.
Inside the wrecked library, the group sat down for a small meal, rationing their food carefully.
"Tiffy, you really came prepared. I don't know how we'd have managed without your supplies," Elizabeth said gratefully.
"Just doing my duty. Still a girl guide at heart," Tiffy smiled.
Suddenly, Tiffy looked up and gasped. "Guys… is that what I think it is?"
The others looked skyward.
"It's a sandstorm—headed this way!" Nick shouted.
The group scrambled to pack up and mount their bicycles.
Nick led the way as they emerged onto the surface, the wind already picking up behind them.