Battle Against Sphinx

Chapter - Eight

Miles

I typed Linda Xanther on the key pad and then again those screeching sounds erupted. We were again in a small pathway but this felt different. I couldn’t right away point out the difference though.

We sat in a circle and read the riddle again. The life of π starts here.

We thought a lot but couldn’t get it. Life of π . What could be the life of a mathematical symbol? This was the only thought that was running in my mind. After what felt like hours I felt tired of both thinking and sitting. I stretched myself and stood up.

“Guys, did you notice that we have a clock here?” I asked as I noticed it was placed behind me when I sat. “Yes, we saw it . It’s been almost two hours since we have been sitting here.” Paxton said in a tired voice. “Julia, do you remember? We had a painting in the previous space which was the clue and answer for the first riddle ?” I asked her and she nodded. “I know, I thought of it earlier but I couldn’t make out the relation between the riddle and the clock” she said.

“Did you just say we have been here for two hours ?” I asked her and she nodded . “What is running in you brain miles? Did you get the answer?” Paxton asked curiously making the other also look deep into my eyes as if they were searching for the answer there.

“Not quite but kind of. Look the clock shows 5:15 now, then two hours before it must have been 3:15. The numerical part of pi is 3.14 so, what if there is some sort of relationship between the two?” I asked. They went into deep thinking. “Ok, let us keep it that way itself , maybe the host wants to catch up on the clue of 3:15 and 3.14. But how is it related to the word ' life’ and it is written that 'its life starts here’.” “ That is the part which I don’t understand.” I admitted it.

“But I do have an idea. Why don’t we just write the word 'clock' . Like last time the clue and answer were the same. What if he has a pattern. I don’t think there is any harm in trying” I said. All of them thought for a while and then agreed.

Paxton typed CLOCK on the keypad and it was completely silent for a whole minute. Suddenly we heard a loud siren and red light illuminating around us. It was horrible and I was wrong. There is harm to our ears if we put up a wrong answer. After a whole five minutes it stopped and we were very tired by then.

“Never put up an answer unless we are sure about it. This will be our prime rule from now on” Paxton said and I shook my head vigorously in agreement. “Umm guys , I wanted to ask something, but I hesitated till now” Zara said fidgeting with her fingers. “Ask away” Julia said.

“What is that symbol?” she asked. Wait, was she for real?. “Ms. Smarty, are you asking this question after two wholesome hours? Did you just pretend to think all this whole time?” I asked her out of frustration. “Miles, enough. I know you are frustrated , even we are. But there is no need to mock her” Julia said sternly. “Ok mother” I waved off and sat down.

“Zara , pi – the symbol given in the riddle- is a mathematical symbol. Numerically , its value is 3.14. That is all I know about the symbol.” “Other numerical is 22 divided by 7” Paxton said. “Oh thanks. By the way is it spelled P I E , pie?” she asked. “No, it’s spelled P I pi” Paxton corrected her .

Suddenly a thought occurred to me and instinctively I saw towards Julia and her expression indicated the same. “Are you thinking what I am thinking ?” I asked her and she nodded. “Bakery” we both said it together.

“What?” Paxton asked and Zara looked confused. “The pi in the riddle is actually P I E pie” Julia explained and I took over. “and the life of a pie starts in a bakery”

“Your doubtful brain have us answer Zara . Good contribution . Love you” I said kind of mocking her and gave her a flying kiss .

We all went back to the keypad and were eager and ready for any type of sounds to erupt. Paxton glanced once at all of us and we nodded for him to do it. BAKERY he typed and then for once o was happy to hear the screeching sounds.