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Richard stood at the kitchen table, inhaled deeply, and haggardly maneuvered himself to a framed artist rendering of The Lost Jewel of the Euphrates. His knee pierced with each step – that always happened when it rained.

The Lost Jewel disappeared after the fire of the Great Library in Alexandria. For centuries many seekers theorized it’s whereabouts. Some believed it was lost somewhere in the Sahara Desert, while others believed in a less plausible explanation. Two Roman soldiers, during Julius Caesar’s occupation of Alexandria’s, rushed the blazing library in search of a magnificent artifact. As they battled the heat and smoke, they came to a purple walled room, and within rested a number of extremely rare artifacts. As the first soldier approached the glowing green jewel, he scooped it with both hands and embraced  its magnificence. As he turned, his green eyed compatriot plunged a sword into his stomach. “I’m sorry,” his brother whispered in his ear. As the soldier slowly slumped over to die, the green eyed man gracefully laid him to the ground and took the jewel. It would be a gift for his future ruler, Augustus, adopted son of Julius and heir to Rome. 

Rich, lost in the photo, felt his phone vibrate, jolting him back to reality. He pulled the phone from his pocket – the caller ID read Video Call: Dr. Marigold. 

“Dr. Marigold, tell me the good news,” Rich said with a half smile. Merigold did not return the gesture. 

Marigold sighed instead, “Richard, the labs were far worse than I anticipated. I’m afraid once you finish your last vial, or I suppose you’ve taken it already this morning, you will have no more than 24 hours with us. I called you with much urgency.”

After a long silence Rich let out a deep breath and told Marigold, “Life comes and goes, I am merely happy to have had a part in it.”

Placing the phone on the kitchen table and leaning on his hands, Rich squeezed his eyes shut as tears began to escape the clutch of his eyelids. He pulled a chair and sat – grabbing a sheet of paper and his grandfather’s fountain pen. 

My Dearest Charles… 

Scribbling the message to Charles, the phone on the table buzzed. Rich took the phone and saw an encoded message. Typing the passcode, Rich opened the message:

“Old friend/fellow seeker, I received information. I wanted to share before it is released to the community. It is now certain that the jewel’s last known whereabouts was with a hermit in the Ojai Valley, California. The man fled his home in the dead of night and now the jewel is unprotected; there for the taking. This message will go to the community in less than one hour – ACT FAST”

His heart raced. Rich snatched the letter and hastily scribbled a few more lines. His aging knee stabbed with agony as he jumped from the chair. Grimacing, he grabbed his satchel and bound for the door. 

Again the phone rang – another call from Dr. Merigold. 

“Dr. Merigold, what is it?”

“Rich, I made a few calls and was able to access drillium husk, which in roughly eighty-eight percent of cases, will completely alter your condition’s path. I think we have a solution. Don’t leave your home, I will have a messenger arrive with a vial within two to three hours.”

Rich hung up and considered his options. Staring at his phone, he tossed it onto the ottomon in the entryway and looked at the coat rack. Instinctually, he charged for his jacket, a conscious and fateful choice: the jewel for his life.  

Hours later Charles walked through the front door; the home disheveled; and the folded letter lay on the kitchen table. Charles then noticed Rich’s phone on the ottomen – 12 missed calls from Dr. Merigold. 

Concerned, Charles rushed to the table and opened the letter: