Chapter 2

It is now the year 1897 and I have received an odd letter from my sister who is aboard the Helios and has been on it for three years now. My mother died about a year and a half ago and I just finished working on a case in New York City. Now I am on an airplane headed to Paris, France to meet up with my sister to join her on the Helios. I’m in first class with a shattered knee cap trying to recall how I ended up on a plane at 2:15 in the morning without my roommate Ella. As I recall this night I remembered that I was just returning to my apartment when my roommate announced, “Your sister who is aboard the Helios has sent you a letter and a package.” I was puzzled at first because she hadn’t sent me a letter once in the last three years. At this point, I was freaking out and ripping the letter open. Concerned that she was being held, hostage. I asked my roommate with concern, “Ella when did this letter arrive?” 

Ella replayed with excitement, “ Three days ago. Then two days ago this package arrived from your sister! I can’t wait to meet her. What is her name?”

“Her name is Antoinette, but I call her Ada. Now I must go to our bedroom to read this letter and open the package. Then I will make us some dinner,” I tried to say that with confidence but instead I was shaking from my nerves. I went to our bedroom and opened the letter to find three pages of writing, two of which looked to be maps, diagrams, and instructions. I was on edge while I was reading. 

          Dear my beloved sister Rose,

               I am so glad that you are finally going to receive a letter from me. I would’ve liked to write sooner and not under these circumstances, but Ella, you and I are in danger. I do read your letters and I am so happy for you and Ella. I’m sorry I wasn’t there with you when you graduated or when our mother died. I would’ve written but Monsieur Tesla has kept me extremely busy. Tu me manque.

             I wish I could write more about how much I loved reading your letters. I wish I could tell you about how it is going and what I am doing right now aboard the Helios and will find out when I À bientôt. Now before you down this letter please continue to read I don’t want to lose you too. Please open the package it contains a very important piece so that I can À bientôt. It holds a communication device that when you return to Paris, France, and board the Helios that is docked at Lac Daumesnil. Rose, I need your help I can’t save hundreds of millions of people without your help. Monsieur Tesla has created something deadly and I am afraid of catching it please sis you’re my only hope. 

               I will be waiting for you aboard the Helios. I know you maybe are having trouble with deciding whether or not to come, but the world is going to die soon if we don’t do something. I know I didn’t give a lot of information, but I hope it is enough for you to believe what I am telling you is happening and come. Right now France is the only place in the world that is sharing information about deaths, cases, and recoveries. Here we have had around 1,915,428 cases of this thing and 42,599 people have already died from this strange pandemic. 

Love lots,

Antoinette Harper Sparks (Ada) 

I couldn’t believe that this was happening. Monscier Tesla couldn’t have created a pandemic that has already killed that many people in France. I decided to put all of these thoughts to the side until after I had enjoyed dinner. Then I would bring it up with Ella. She will be able to understand what was going on, even if I couldn’t. As I headed to go make dinner the room felt like it was spinning and I collapse to the floor.