chapter 1

                                    

                                          
''Please just go and take the car to go somewhere safe where Salazar cannot find you and Y/n.''
''I am going to be just fine I promise.''
- Present day
I slowly open my eyes as the morning sunlight casts a somber glow through my window.
As I wake up, the ache of missing my mom hits hard.
The thoughts of my mother waking me up for breakfast flood my mind, making it hard to even get up. But before my alarm even has a chance to disturb the silence, I know I have to face the day.
I drag myself to the kitchen, I long for the comforting scent of my mom's pancakes. But as I reach for the ingredients, the reality of her absence hits me hard. With a heavy sigh, I settle for a simple cup of black coffee, its bitter taste mirroring the ache in my heart.
Heading back to my room, I'm met with chaos. My clothes are scattered on the floor, books piled high, and papers everywhere. I haven't had a chance to clean up, my focus has been on studying.
My dream of joining the FBI's cryptanalysis unit drives me. consuming my every moment. I never knew my father, but my mom's stories painted him as a puzzle-loving mystery solver. It's the only glimpse I have of him, but it's enough to fuel my own passion for puzzles and codes. 
I'm taking a shower first and I'll sort this mess out later.
Under the warm water of the shower, I luxuriate in the comforting scent of my vanilla-infused products, letting the aroma soothe my senses. Once refreshed, I towel off and get dressed for the chilly weather outside. I'm wearing my favorite cozy sweater, leggings, and boots, so I feel both comfortable and stylish.
I reach for my go-to perfume Goddess by Burberry, a sweet and uplifting vanilla scent that never fails to boost my mood as a finishing touch.
*Text from Liz<3*
Liz<3: Y/n I am outside your house.
My mother just texted me that my grandfather is in the hospital, and he might not make it.
I know that he would love to see you as well.
Y/n: Let me grab my bag and I'll be down in a second.
Me and Liz have been inseparable since we were kids, our friendship weathering the highs and lows of life together. When my world shattered with the loss of my mother, Liz and her family were there without hesitation. 
They provided unwavering support, a shoulder to cry on, and countless moments of laughter to chase away the darkness. Through it all, Liz remained a constant source of strength and understanding, her presence a beacon of hope in my darkest days.
The air is colder than expected and I'm glad I grabbed a warmer coat, when I walk out of the building I can see Liz leaning against her car with a cigarette in her hand.
I greet Liz and give her a big and long hug before I step into the car, and we immediately drive away.
''Did you just hear the news about your grandfather this morning, what has happened?''
''Y/n I don't know, my mom didn't tell me the whole story but it might be complications from his last heart surgery because he has been complaining about heart pain the last few days and I told him to see a doctor as soon as possible but you know him and he said it will be over in a few days'' Liz explains with tears in her eyes.
After a fast drive we arrive at the hospital and her family was waiting for us outside their faces etched with worry.
Liz's heart sinks as she hugs her parents tightly, a mixture of fear and sadness coursing through her veins. With tears in her eyes, Liz's mom gently breaks the news—her beloved grandfather's condition is deteriorating rapidly and he has only a few hours left to live.
Liz's mother told us that her grandfather has something important to tell us so we both walked to the elevator and clicked on the second floor button and went to see him in his room.
I let Liz walk in the room first to say her goodbyes in private, but she came out sooner than I expected.
''I don't know why Y/n, but he asked for you' Liz says.
With a heavy heart, I gather my courage and step into the hospital room where Liz her grandfather lies.
"Y/n glad to see you here, I have something for you" he says as he gives me a paper with something written on it.
''This is for you Y/n, this holds a clue to a treasure of utmost importance, and I don't have much time anymore so I need to share this with you, the secret cannot die with me and I believe you can solve this Y/n, but you have to know about your past" he says.
''So, this is a sort of treasure map but I'm not even a treasure hunter I mean I love puzzles but this goes a little far" I say.
I sit by Liz's grandfather's bedside, Suddenly, the grandfather's voice breaks through the silence, filled with a sense of urgency. 
''I have met your father once and he told me that he loved solving puzzles and everything about mysteries and that he and your mother would share that passion with you and it seems that they succeeded.
You have a thing for history as well so this is what you must do'' He said.
''I will, thank you for trusting me with this clue and telling me about my father" I give him a hug and walk away with the clue to a treasure in my bag.
Back at my house, me and Liz settle in for a cozy Netflix binge, surrounded by snacks and laughter. After a few hours, I feel the need for a break. As I reach into my bag for my phone charger, my fingers brush against something —the clue that Liz her grandfather gave her. It falls to the floor, with the rest of what's in my bag, I swear I'm the mostly clumsy person in my friend group.
Liz and I lock eyes when she hears the stuff falling out of my bag.
''What is that paper, you did not have that with you before we went into the hospital' Liz asks.
''Okay so how do I explain this, your grandfather gave this to me, and he told me that this is an important clue that's part of a hidden treasure" I tell her not knowing if I should laugh or be serious.
''That's sounds absurd, but you must open it'' she tells me enthusiastic.
''Okay I will' I say while opening it. I expected a map in this envelope but it's not.
''Liz, this is not a map, it's a picture of your grandfather and a few people I've never seen".
"Let me see" Liz says. "I've never seen those people in my life but look there is something written on the back of it" She points to the back of the picture.ay while showing her the picture.
As I examine the clue, a rush of emotions washes over me. The picture of Liz's grandfather surrounded by unfamiliar faces raises questions, but it's the message on the back that leaves me even more confused.
To Y/n,
There is no greater treasure than time.
I hope one day you can find it in your heart to forgive your mother.
''Liz this makes no sense at all why is this addressed to me and why would I need to forgive my mother she has not wronged me in any way I know.''
''I don't know why my grandfather would write this, they must have known each other before we even met and maybe it has something to do with treasure hunting, that is the most logical explanation for now" Liz explains to me.
''Your grandfather told me that he met my father back in the old days and that they used to talk about my mother and about puzzles and mysteries but what if my father was a treasure hunter and that's why my mother never told me about him" I look at Liz.
''Y/n I know this sounds crazy but what if we would actually follow up on this clue, I'm so interested in this right now.''
''Okay fine let's gather the rest of the group and go on the hunt for this treasure" I happily tell Liz.