(Excerpt from a novel in progress)


Flashing lights…wailing sirens! Wee, Woo! Wee, Woo!

“We have the place surrounded!” yelled a deep voice into a megaphone. His accent was unmistakably German. “Exit the building now or we will open fire!”

“They’re here, INTERPOL, they’re here,” whispered Evey, her voice trembling.
“Don’t worry. We’ll get out of this. We always do. Just remember how important this mission is…how important this is for your family,” Jude whispered back reassuringly.

The two outlaws came out of their hiding place behind an enormous tapestry. The tapestry was a painting of the Last Supper by Leonardo De Vinci. It was a copy, of course.


The ceilings of the “Catholic History Museum of Bethlehem” have to be at least twelve feet above our heads, and Jude is 6’3”. There’s no way we would be able to reach that window in the top corner of the hall if we had to try and escape without the seventh key-

How did I even get into this mess? Just two months ago I was a normal 17-year-old girl at Beacon High School in Manhattan. Well, maybe not so normal. At the age of 11, I received my pilot’s license. I’ve also got my SCUBA license and have been trained in Kung fu since I could walk. Some other things that put me in the “abnormal” category are I have taken defensive driving courses, I am trained in many other defensive skills, and, oh yeah, I’ve got a necklace that holds the power to unlock the keys of time.

That mess started about ten years ago, though I can remember that terrible night like it was only yesterday.

“Evelyn VanderGraf, listen to me,” Dad (Donald VanderGraf) told me. “Take this necklace. You must never take it off. It is incredibly special. You will be the next guardian.” Then he vanished. All I have left of him is that necklace and his Knights Templar ring.

A couple of months later, my older brother, Will VanderGraf, disappeared too. At the time, Jude Wattson was just some kid my brother babysat. Now, he’s one of the most important people in my life-


“This way,” said a voice, interrupting Evey’s train of thought.

“Huh?” she blurted, being jerked back to reality. It was Jude.

“Do you want to activate the 7th key, or do you want to stay here and enjoy the scenery while you get shot to death by INTERPOL?” he said back with slight irritation.

“Oh, sorry,” she said embarrassed. “Let’s go!”

Dodging the security cameras, Evey and Jude made their way to the “Birth of Jesus Room.”

There, only three feet away, was the manger of Baby Jesus (his cradle). The only thing between them and the 7th key were five inches of bullet proof glass. The teens just stood there, mouths agape, in amazement.

“It’s beautiful,” Evey managed to let out.

“Yeah,” said Jude.

Pounding footsteps.

“Oh, no!” yelled Evey. In a panic, they rummaged through their packs for Jude’s ruby laser gun. He grabbed it, turned it on, and began to carve into the glass like it was a stick of butter.

“Hurry up!!” his partner screamed frantically.

“I’m trying!!!” Jude snapped.

“Got it!” he said triumphantly.

Hands shaking, Evey felt around the cradle for the special carving.

“I can’t find it!” she shouted starting to freak out again.

“Keep trying,” Jude said back to her.

“I can’t –“

“Got it!” she exclaimed, relieved.

Just as the International Police Officer bulldozed through the door, Evey shoved her necklace into the carving. Whoosh! Evelyn VanderGraf and Jude Wattson vanished.

«««»»»


Waa! Waa! As Evey and Jude’s eyes adjusted to the darkness, they could make out a stable that contained three men in fine clothing each carrying a gift in their hands and a man and a woman leaning over a cradle that held a beautiful baby boy.