The Keeper. Part 1. An Invitation - страница 15

‘What?’

‘Yes, you said that we tried to open the box. Who was the other person with you?’

Shooting a look at the cat, who’d just jumped up onto the windowsill, he blushed.

‘No one. Sorry, there was no one else there. So, anyway, when I couldn’t open it with tools I… I began to think about the words written on it, you know, about wanting to know things and having to say “open” three times.’

‘And you worked that out by yourself, did you?’ asked Peter, rubbing his chin.

‘Well, yeah… I guess.’

‘Good. And that’s what you did?’

‘Yes, I said “open” three times.’

‘And then what happened?’

‘Well, everything went really bright and then really dark and the room I was in turned into, like, a floating map.’

‘A floating map?’

‘Yes.’

‘And why do you think it was a map?’

‘I don’t know. I mean, it looked like a map—like a star map. Like something I’d seen at the planetarium with my dad.’

‘And did you recognise any of the planets?’

‘No,’ he said, shaking his head.

‘And can you tell us anything more about this map?’

‘Not really. But I remember that some of the planets were just kind of spinning, and some of them were grouped around what looked like suns.’

‘And that’s it?’ asked Peter after a lengthy silence.

‘Yes, I think so.’

The head of research leaned over and whispered something into the general’s ear, causing him to frown slightly and nod.

‘OK, well then, I think we’ve got everything we need,’ said the general, rising. ‘We don’t want to take up any more of your Sunday.’

‘No, hang on—wait!’ said Arthur suddenly, as the others stood up and followed the general over to the front door. ‘Actually, there was something else! There were like these symbols. Some kind of writing. I couldn’t understand them, though.’

Peter put down his coat and quickly took out his phone again.

‘Can you describe these symbols?’ he asked.

‘No, I’m sorry, but—’

‘But?’

‘But I remember that they were only next to one group of planets, and not any of the others.’

This time Peter nodded to the general.

‘Good. Thank you, Arthur. Now, if you could please give us a moment alone with your parents, there are a few things which we need to discuss with them.’

‘What? But why? I thought I answered all of your questions?’

‘You did,’ replied the general. ‘You have been very helpful indeed.’

‘Arthur, go and wait in your room,’ said his mother anxiously.

When Sasha and his mother came in a short while later, he could tell right away that she’d been crying. His stepfather was looking very serious.

‘Arthur,’ she said tenderly, sitting on the bed beside him. ‘The general has just informed us that there’s a problem with that box you found.’

‘What kind of problem? I didn’t break it or anything, if that’s what they’re thinking—honestly!’

‘No, it’s nothing like that. In fact, the problem, from what we can gather, is that you appear to be the only one who is able to open it.’

‘Me? But it’s easy, just say “open” three times. Anyone can do it.’

‘If it were that easy, I don’t suppose that they’d be here asking for your help, would they?’ said Sasha, handing him a piece of paper.

‘What’s this?’

‘Look for yourself.’

Arthur unfolded it.

TOP SECRET

To: General Hammond

From: The desk of the Minister of Defence: David James Mills

Subject: URGENT Directive T8-A89–21

General Hammond,

Due to the extreme importance now being attached to the opening of artefact A1–01 at the highest levels, you are hereby instructed on behalf of the Prime Minister of Great Britain and in full agreement with the President of the T8 council to use all means necessary to ensure that this is achieved. I am sure I don’t need to remind you that this is a matter of both national security and international importance. If this boy is indeed confirmed as being who you think he is, you are authorised to bring him to the T8 facility for further testing.