Chapter 399 It Must Be Clarified
Pearl sat by the window, staring out at the tarmac, which was tiny, less than a third the size of an international airport.
The concrete was marked with wide white lines and fenced with wire mesh.
The plane dropped suddenly, making Pearl's stomach churn. She felt a wave of nausea and dry-heaved.
Barbara, startled, sat up and put a hand on Pearl's shoulder. "Hang in there, Pearl. It'll be over soon."
Barbara had professional training. She used to grab helicopter ladders with one hand, swinging in the air, way more intense than this. She was fine and even tried to comfort Pearl. "We're in first class, so we'll be off the plane soon."
"Okay," Pearl panted. She felt awful but could endure it.
Even in first class, they had to walk down the stairs and head to the airport. The place was smaller than a college basketball court, with plastic trash scattered on the lawn. A gust of wind blew dust into her eyes.
Barbara held her hand. "I'll get the luggage. You find a place to sit and wait. We need a translator to get to Eldorians."
"Okay," Pearl agreed.
Getting the luggage wasn't like back home with a carousel. They had to go to a counter and have it manually brought over. Luckily, they only had one small suitcase each.
Barbara returned with the suitcases. "How are you feeling? Need something to drink?"
Pearl shook her head. Was this even an airport? It was worse than a remote bus station back home, with rusty signs and creaky chairs.
"Let's find a hotel nearby. I need to wait for a delivery."
"Okay," Pearl agreed.
Barbara, worried about Pearl, chose the best hotel near the airport. But it was only as good as a business hotel back home.
Pearl lay on the bed, exhausted. She hadn't heard from Adrian or Oscar. Right, Adrian! She grabbed her phone and dialed his number. The call rang twice and hung up. Barbara took her phone, enabled international roaming, and handed it back.
"I forgot about that," Pearl said, embarrassed.
Oscar had promised to take her abroad, but it never happened. The furthest she'd traveled was to a neighboring city. She was too impatient.
Barbara said, "Rest for now. The hotel staff will bring your meal soon. After you eat, I'll get what we need, and we'll head to Eldorians."
"Okay," Pearl nodded, still trying to contact Adrian. The first call rang for a long time with no answer.
The second call went unanswered too.
Pearl clutched her phone, debating whether to text when Adrian's number flashed on the screen. She quickly answered.
"Hello," came the broken English of Joshua, the guy who had used Adrian's phone before.
"It's Pearl, the person whom Adrian wants to contact. I'm in Eldorians now. Can you give me an address? Or mail the phone to me? I'll reward you generously."
She needed to know the location. Adrian had left a recording to assure her he was safe. He was searching for the antidote for her, a debt she could never repay. Finding Adrian was her top priority.
She also needed to contact Oscar, to tell him to stop worrying. She wasn't a child anymore; she could handle things herself. Especially with those fragmented memories hinting at a connection with The Crimson Eclipse Society. She had to figure things out on her own.
"Sending things near Eldorians isn't easy. But I can give you an address, and you can pick it up. No need for a reward. We found the phone next to a trash can," Joshua said.
Pearl's heart sank. Finding the phone next to a trash can meant it wasn't the original location, making it hard to trace.
"Just keep the phone there, and I'll come get it."
That was her only option for now.
Joshua, in broken English, said, "Okay. Come to a clock shop on Maplewood Avenue. I'll send you the location."
"Okay. Thank you."
Soon, Joshua sent the exact location, where was about ten hours away. It wasn't convenient, but she needed that phone to use the GPS and find Adrian's last known location.
As Pearl hesitated, Barbara walked in with a woman in her early thirties, tall and slender, with a tanned complexion and wavy hair.
"Pearl, this is the translator I found. Her name is July."
"Hello, I am Pearl," Pearl introduced herself briefly.
July greeted Pearl warmly. "Hello, Ms. Harris."
Barbara added, "The payment is settled daily, either by card or cash. Here, take this." She opened her hand, revealing a small white pill.
July and Pearl were both astonished.
July asked, "What is this?"
Barbara replied coldly, "We need someone absolutely reliable. The payment we're offering is the highest you've ever received as a translator. If you're unwilling, you can leave now."
Barbara stepped aside, leaving the decision to July.
July's expression was calm. Thinking of the payment, she decided to swallow the pill. Barbara handed her a stack of foreign currency. "Wait for me outside."
"Okay," July said and left.
The next second, Pearl was stunned by what she saw in Barbara's hand!
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