December 14: Once a Sibuna, Always a Sibuna
"Excuse me?" Amber put her hands on her hips.
"Let me clarify, you are not allowed to leave," said Victor.
Jerome peered at Victor quizzically, "What do you mean by that?"
"There is a killer on the loose near town and so far he has killed three people," Victor stared at the kids with an expression that could only mean he was serious, "The school has decided that it is not safe to let you leave the school until the murderer is found."
"But our holiday starts tomorrow!" Patricia cried.
"I am aware of that fact Miss Williamson, but there is nothing I can do."
"That's absurd, our families are expecting us!" argued Fabian.
Trudy walked in, "Victor's right. None of you are allowed to leave the school grounds until he is caught." She continued, "Your parents will be contacted as soon as possible."
"I'm sure they would agree that safety is your top priority," Victor said.
"I don't think my Gran would let me stay if she knew how safe the crazy spirits and mental people obsessed with eternal life were," Nina mumbled under her breath.
"What was that, Miss Martin?" Victor pointed a stern finger at Nina.
"I said…how long will it take to find the killer?" she lied.
"I have no idea; it might take weeks to find the murderer!" Victor replied angrily.
Eddie groaned, "So we're stuck here until then? It's supposed to be Christmas break!"
"Why can't our parents just come and pick up us directly?" the always logical Mara suggested.
"The city is not letting anyone in or out until this murderer is caught. He has killed three people merely today in the city's limits and people have spotted him and he is still here. There are police stationed outside of major public areas, so right now there are police stationed outside the school's perimeter patrolling day and night. Anybody living within a five mile radius is advised to not leave their house until he is caught. This includes all of you," Trudy explained.
This news had certainly dampened the Christmas spirit and everybody was murmuring and complaining rather loudly.
Nina broke in, "Do we know any of the people's killed?"
Victor did not answer immediately, he merely looked at the window into the snowy night. After a while he said hoarsely, "I do not know who has been killed, only the number."
Nina stared at Victor suspiciously, not sure whether she could trust him.
"But some of us have plans for the holidays that we've been planning for weeks," Fabian protested.
"This is the first time in my life that my Dad is home for Christmas and Poppy and I are going to be forced to stay here!" Jerome shouted indignantly.
But Victor had heard enough. "You cannot leave until this man is caught and that is final!" Nina noticed that not only was Victor annoyed, but there was an underlying emotion. It was pure, unprecedented fear. Was he actually worried for their safety? He shook with not only rage, but also terror.
"So call your parents and cancel your plans," Victor went on, "because you are staying here until the madman is caught."
Everyone groaned and Victor walked back to his office without another word.
"Bahumbug much?" Alfie grumbled, kicking a stray wrapper.
"Children you can't blame Victor for this. The entire city is enforcing this on every school in the area. In fact, a detective is going to inform us more about the situation in the morning," Trudy wished everybody a goodnight and a happy Christmas before departing for bed.
"Daddy is not going to be pleased," Amber opened up her phone and began to make a call.
"Gran isn't going to be happy either," Nina agreed, "She's going to have a lonely Christmas until I get home."
"What are we supposed to do until he is caught?" Mick asked. Of course his mum would be worried about his safety but he would be safe here and she would enjoy her friend's house.
"Schoolwork?" suggested Mara.
Alfie made a retching noise, "Boring!"
"It could be worse, at least we're together," Joy was always the positive one.
Everyone mumbled in agreement but went back to their rooms in slightly less cheerful moods than before. They had to call their parents and tell them why they weren't going to be home right away.
They didn't know it, but this was just the start another series of unexpected and bizarre events at the Anubis boarding house.
This was just the start of another wild adventure.
They could never escape the true horrors of Anubis house.
But this time it was different.
This time the dangers weren't hidden in the cellar like the Cup of Ankh or in the library like the Mask of Anubis.
The time the dangers were lurking in the shadows, outside of Anubis house.
Waiting, like a predator stalking its pray. Watching silently, ready to pounce.
Fabian finally let go of Nina's hand as they reached her room, the news about the murders still sinking in.
"See you at nine in the library still? Nina paused, pondering for a moment, "I was thinking about cancelling it because we aren't leaving for the holidays yet but…"
"Couldn't resist sneaking out into the middle of the night?" Fabian grinned.
"You know me too well," she smiled guiltily, "Who knows what other mysteries might be waiting for us?"
"That's the thing though, what else is there for Sibuna to do?" Fabian inquired.
Nina's smile faded. She had been worrying about that very thing. What was the point of having Sibuna meetings anymore? Nothing unusual had been happening since the Mask and their gatherings had been pointless. Was it really time to disband Sibuna?
"I don't know," she answered honestly, "While I love having a quiet life some small part of me wishes we could have maybe…"
"Another adventure?" Fabian grinned.
Nodding, Nina smiled. He always understood her.
"Near death experiences and adventures are my weakness, but all joking aside Fabian…there's honestly nothing else for Sibuna to do. We've uncovered every clue and solved every mystery. I feel…oh gosh this might sound crazy," said Nina,
Fabian laughed, "Nina if you haven't realized by now that I'm good with crazy then we've certainly got some serious things to discuss."
"Alright. Well, when we were searching for the Cup of Ankh or the Mask of Anubis the house felt…alive."
"Alive?" Fabian asked uncertainly.
"It was like the house wasn't just bricks and cement, it was an actual person; a person that I had a connection with. The house would breathe and whisper things to me."
"I believe you," Fabian said carefully, "But what has that got to do with stopping Sibuna?"
"I don't feel the house anymore," Nina explained, "It's quiet now because I think that it's showed us all of its secrets."
"That's why you think there's no use to Sibuna anymore? Are you sure, though?"
"No Fabian, I'm not sure. Maybe I'll consult with the house though, just to be safe." Nina replied sarcastically.
Fabian let out a short laugh, "Don't you get witty with me now. But this house is so old and creepy. We've seriously found every scrap of paper with Robert Frobisher-Smythe's handwriting, discovered every secret tunnel underneath the school, and successfully assembled every Egyptian artifact?"
"I'm afraid so."
"Well then tell everyone tonight at the meeting that there's nothing else Sibuna can do anymore."
"It's not that simple!"
"Yes it is, I'm sure they'll understand."
"Are you kidding me? Fabian are we talking about the same people? They won't want to quit Sibuna!"
"They're not quitting, they're letting it go."
"Well then they won't let it go! No matter what I say!"
Fabian put his hand on Nina's shoulder, "You're Sibuna's fearless leader and even though you need to end it they'll understand."
"You really think so?"
"Of course I do," Fabian added, "You've always lead us in the right direction and if the right direction is ending Sibuna then so be it."
Nina's heart swelled with affection for Fabian and she threw her arms around him, "You always know what to say. It should be you telling Sibuna the news, not me!"
Fabian chuckled and as they let go of the hug he asked, "So you'll be telling everyone about your decision tonight?"
"I think so," Nina said.
"Good luck."
"Who needs luck when I've got you?" Nina grinned at him and departed into her room.
He watched her smile as she closed the door. He felt so lucky to have her in his life not only as his best friend, but as somebody who would love him. After the events of last term, things had changed. He had asked her to be his girlfriend again and he had vowed to make sure things went right this time. For once, everything had been going perfect.
"You've got it good mate," the sound of Mick's voice broke Fabian from his thoughts.
He looked up and saw Mick standing in the hallway looking solemn.
"Thanks man, but what can I say? I really like her," Fabian said, "She's the one."
"How do you know?"
"How do I know what?"
"How do you know that she's the one?"
Fabian looked at Mick and sadly remembered how Mick still felt about Mara. He still felt guilty watching Jerome and Mara. Mara had never quite ended things with Mick but he had caught her kissing Jerome and the abruptness of it all broke Mick's heart. Fabian felt sorry for his best friend.
"I just know. Whenever I'm around her, we kiss, she smiles at me, we hug or I look at her I feel like I'm where I belong."
"Just as cheesy as ever Rutter."
"It's the truth," Fabian shrugged, chuckling.
Mick looked up at him with hopeful eyes and Fabian smiled sadly back.
"I feel that way about Mara but is she the one?"
"I think that when you find her, the one, you'll know. No matter where you are, she's always on your mind. But," Fabian added, "She has to love you back, because the one-sided lover is the cursed lover."
"That's the thing, I don't know if Mara loves me back or not."
"So ask her."
"That's what Joy said to do."
"She's right, it can't hurt. But what exactly do you want to hear? That she still loves you or do you want to have an actual breakup?"
"That's the problem mate, I don't know what I want," he sighed, "Joy's right, I should get closure and get over her but my heart still pounds in my chest whenever I'm near her."
"Maybe you do still love her, but you're going to be miserable. You just need to peel the band-aid off and get over her and closure is the first step to that."
They both knew it was never that easy to get over someone you loved. But deep down Mick knew Fabian was right.
"Since when did you become such an expert on love?"
"Ah," Fabian chuckled, "Amber..she er.. coached me last year when I was having problems with Nina."
"Problems?"
"We broke up and were both unhappy alone. But we had obstacles along the way that stopped us from getting back together."
Their minds both immediately went to Joy. Fabian felt a twinge of guilt for thinking about her in that way and Mick experienced a sense of bitterness know that he knew how she had felt.
"You seem to be pretty okay now though, right?"
"Yeah, but Amber poured her infinite wisdom of love into me and it's still stuck. Hey, maybe you should ask her for help!"
"Last time I tried that, I ended up in pom-poms. Never again," groaned Mick.
"Actually that's not a bad idea! All we need is another shirt that says Mara we need closure, more pom-poms, and a spiffy new cheer routine!" Fabian joked.
"That's your advice to me? I want my money back!"
"Sorry, no refunds. As your erm…dating…" Fabian contemplated his title.
"Consulting dating guru?" offered Mick.
"Yeah—wait no!"
"Fabian Rutter, consulting dating guru, kind of rolls off the tongue, doesn't it?" teased Mick.
Laughing, Fabian bit his lip and shook his head regretfully, "Perhaps I'll leave that bit off of my resume."
It had been a while since they had done this, acted like best friends. Last year Fabian seemed to have no time for friends outside of Sibuna and had been preoccupied in the search for the mask.
"I'm glad you're back Mick," Fabian sighed happily. But his unsaid question still hung in the air between them But for how long? They both knew Mick would eventually have to leave. But there were complications in Mick staying: Mara, his family in Australia, school, and more. Was it worth it though, to be among his best mates once again? Mick would have to ponder his decision, luckily he had a lot of time on his hands now.
"Good to be back mate," Mick grinned and then the two set off for their respective bedrooms.
However, only one planned to go to sleep.
"Pssst!"
Fabian glanced around, hoping to identify the sound's location.
"Pssst! Fabian!" he recognized it as Amber Millington's voice.
She stood in her doorway, looking impatient while brushing her impossibly long hair.
"What is it Amber?"
"You should take Nina on a date tonight!"
"When would that be, exactly?"
"Perhaps after the Sibuna meeting tonight?" she suggested.
"It'll be late, I'm rather sure she will be exhausted."
"Oh come on, you know her; Nina won't mind staying up late!"
"Alright" Fabian mused, considering the idea, "What will we do for our date?"
"How should I know? You're the one who usually comes up with that cheesy rubbish that Nina likes."
"Rubbish?!"
"You know what I mean!" Amber said defensively, waving her hairbrush at him.
"Erm, well we could go for a walk in the moonlight perhaps?"
Amber considered the notion for a moment and then nodded, "Perfect, it's so romantic!"
"That's me, ever so romantic Fabian. Thanks for reminding me that we need more proper dates."
"As your dating guru it's my pleasure. As you friend, however, why haven't you taken her on more dates?"
"We've gone on loads dates!"
Amber arched her eyebrows, "Name one."
"Well we er..we went to the movies a while back."
"That's it? Are you kidding me Rutter?" Amber put a hand to her forehead as if she was suffering from a pounding headache.
So what if he hadn't taken Nina on a lot of dates? She wasn't the type to be artificial when it came to dating, at least he didn't think so. She never seemed unhappy around him. Perhaps they would have to go on more dates. But what kind of things would Nina like to do with him?
Amber interrupted his thinking, "You're so lucky you have me."
"I guess I am," he admitted, "Thank you Amber, for all the dating advice with Nina. I guess I was a little skeptical at first but you've turned out to be pretty helpful."
Beaming Amber inquired, "Does this mean I get to help you plan more dates?"
"Of course," he sighed dramatically, "If you must."
She squealed happily and went back into her room.
Fabian laughed as he walked back into his own. As he entered the room, Eddie was blasting some sort of screamo music.
"I can barely hear myself think over this loud ruckus," Fabian mumbled to himself.
Eddie lay on his bed, shoving crisps into his mouth, "Dude I had a genius idea for a date with Nina," he yelled over the music.
"Wait, how did you know I was going to take Nina on a date tonight?"
"I overhead you and Blondie talking about it," Eddie replied.
"How in the world did you hear us talking over this music?" Fabian asked, bewildered.
Ignoring him Eddie said, "So you'll need a goat, some watermelon, and a bucket of paint-"
Fabian rolled his eyes, "Though I'm sure your inspired date was magnificent but I already have one of my own planned."
"You? Plan a date?" Eddie said sarcastically, "What is it, a midnight walk with only the bright moonlight to guide you?"
Fabian's ears went bright red and Eddie burst out laughing, "Are you kidding me? I was joking! I didn't even think you could plan that tacky of a date!"
Scowling, Fabian muttered, "It's not tacky, it's romantic."
Eddie laughed, nearly choking on his food, "What did Nina have to say about this date?"
"Well er, I haven't told her yet. It's going to be a surprise."
"And if she doesn't like it?"
"If Nina doesn't fancy the date then I suppose I will ask her what she would like to do."
Eddie guffawed, "You need to man up Rutter, you're supposed to wear the pants in the relationship!"
"Nina isn't like that, we are equal in our relationship," Fabian retorted.
"Dude you are like the biggest pushover I know," said Eddie.
Fabian groaned, "Why does everybody say that? I am not a pushover!"
"I don't know who you're trying to fool Rutter," Eddie shook his head and laughed.
"Okay fine I might be a little bit of a pushover," Fabian snapped, "But Nina likes me just how I am."
"Gee that's so sweet! You two accept each other how you are, I am so jealous of your perfect little relationship," teased Eddie.
"I'm sure you are. But what about you and Patricia? She bosses you are like none other and quite frankly, she seems to be wearing the pants in that relationship," Fabian shook his head in mock disapproval, "You need to be a man."
Eddie snorted, "I am a man and also, what goes on between me and my girlfriend is none of your business."
"Wait a minute!" Fabian sputtered, "You were just invading my privacy involving me and Nina, yet I can't bother you about your personal life?"
"Exactly," Eddie grinned smugly.
"Hypocrite."
"Pushover."
Joy's eyes snapped open.
Her best friend, Patricia, was leaning over her bed and shaking her violently.
"It's nearly time to go!"
Sure enough, Joy glanced over at the clock and it shone the time: 8:51
Groaning, she rolled out of bed and the two crept out silently, sneaking past the sleeping figure of Mara.
Joy shut the door to her room as quietly as possible. She and Patricia started to tiptoe towards the library when she slapped her forehead.
"I almost forgot the food!"
"Hurry up and get it-oh never mind I'll just head down by myself," whispered Patricia impatiently, making her way to the front door.
Silently, Joy walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge but it made a large squeaking sound. She heard footsteps and covered her mouth, sliding down to the floor so she was out of view. Someone turned the light in the kitchen on and Joy was sure that Victor was going to catch her.
"What are you doing in here, Mercer?" Mick stood in a pair of pajama bottoms and an old, worn gray t-shirt, holding a box of cereal. His blonde hair was slightly disheveled and oddly enough, Joy found the sight of him somewhat endearing.
"You scared the life out of me!" Joy stood up and smacked Mick on the shoulder, "I thought you were Victor!"
Mick laughed and poured the cereal into his mouth.
"That's not sanitary you dummy," laughing, she snatched the cereal box out of his hands and began to get a bowl from the cupboard.
"You're avoiding my question," Mick saw Joy struggle to reach the top shelf where the bowls were and opened it for her, "Shorty."
Joy bit her lip, jokingly scowling at Mick and began to pour the cereal, "What are you doing here?"
"Getting a snack obviously, I'm starving!"
"But the party was only two hours ago, how are you still hungry?" Boys. Always hungry!
"I'm convinced there's a black hole in my stomach, sucking everything I'm eating," he continued, "So no matter how much I eat I'm still hungry."
Joy giggled, "Everything makes sense now," she grabbed some milk from the refrigerator and poured it into the bowl.
Mick grabbed a spoon and stuck it into the bowl.
"Thanks for all of the help," Joy told him sarcastically, peering into the fridge for food.
"Hey, I never asked you to do it for me," Mick shoveled cereal into his mouth, "Also, you never answered my question," he pointed out.
"I just wanted a midnight snack," she lied, grabbing a platter of cupcakes from the fridge.
Raising his eyebrows suspiciously Mick retorted, "It's not even nine o'clock."
"Well actually it's a snack for…Alfie," it wasn't entirely a lie; the snacks were for Alfie…and Eddie…and pretty much everyone else in Sibuna.
"Alfie?" For almost a second, Mick felt a pang of jealously, but quickly dismissed the feeling.
"You know Alfie, always hungry," Joy continued, "He asked me to grab him a snack because he didn't want to get caught and have to clean with the toothbrush again."
"That's awfully nice of you."
"It sure is, isn't it?" Joy flashed a quick smile and stepped out of the kitchen.
Mick thought Joy was acting a little weird but he was impossibly tired form the plane ride and decided to let it go. He set his bowl in the sink and went to turn off the lights.
"Goodnight Joy and thanks for inviting me for the Christmas Party."
Joy spun around, "You're welcome. Too bad you're going to be stuck here for a while."
"I don't mind it," shrugging, Mick smiled at Joy.
Joy smiled back and waited until she was sure Mick was back in his room. She felt an odd sense of happiness with Mick back. She was now just realizing just how much she had missed him. When the lights in the attic, where Mick had been sleeping in, finally went, out she snuck out the door and began to descent through the cold night to the library.
Finally, all of the Sibuna members had been gathered in the library and Nina allowed everyone to eat some of the treats Joy had provided.
Clearing her throat Nina began, "Now that we're all here I'd like to bring up an idea I've been thinking about for a while. It might be time to…" she bit her lip nervously.
"Get on with it," Jerome muttered sleepily.
"If you can't handle the late nights then you can't handle Sibuna," snapped Patricia, "Also it's barely nine so unless you have a bedtime I suggest you shut it Clarke."
"Listen to me, Williamson-"Jerome began scathingly.
"Anyways, what were you saying Nina?" Fabian interrupted, his sympathetic eyes watching Nina carefully.
"As I was saying," Nina continued, "I think now it seems like we don't need to…well do Sibuna meetings anymore or anything Sibuna for a matter of fact."
She waited for somebody to say something, anything at all.
"What do you guys think about discontinuing Sibuna?" she asked tentatively.
"Oh come on, I just joined Sibuna. Now you're not doing it anymore?" groaned Joy.
"Don't you think you should've at least asked me first? I am the Osirian," said Eddie, his eyebrows raised and arms crossed.
"Think of this fantastic decision by yourself?" scoffed Patricia.
"You can't get rid of Sibuna! There are too many memories!" Amber cried.
Nina groaned, of course they would react like this. If they would just let her explain the reasons behind her decision it would all make sense…
"OI!" Fabian yelled and everyone went quiet, "You all ought to let Nina finish speaking."
A loud thumping sound interrupted the conversation and everyone jumped.
"That wasn't me!" Alfie exclaimed immediately.
"Way to draw attention away from yourself, doofus," Patricia muttered.
"Actually he's right," Joy said, holding up a book, "It was this."
Eddie took the book from her hands and inspected it. The cover was red and it was covered in dust and cobwebs.
"That writing looks ancient, what do you think it means?" Fabian asked.
"Well this is an impossibly old library so therefore it would have impossibly old books," Jerome commented.
"Uh, are you guys idiots? It says The Descendants," Eddie remarked, scoffing.
"No it doesn't Eddie, it looks like a bunch of scribbles to me," Joy stared at Eddie with a puzzled expression.
"I can read it too," Nina snatched the book from Eddie and examined it.
"Well of course the Americans can read it," Jerome spat.
"Nina, this is a clue! It was a message from Sarah! Sibuna is back on, right?" Amber asked desperately.
"Not likely," Nina tried rubbing off some of the dust, in vain.
"Isn't somebody going to open it?" Alfie asked eagerly.
Nina opened the book and flipped through the pages. The pages looked worn but they all were blank. It looked like some pages had been ripped out but other than that, nothing.
"Empty," Nina said, shrugging, "Sometimes a book is just a book."
"But it can't be empty! That means that it was only a coincidence and then Sibuna will be over," Amber frantically searched through the pages for something, anything at all but it was just a blank book.
Fabian plucked the book from Amber's hand, "Don't you all see though? We're all searching for ways to keep Sibuna alive but the mystery days are over. Senkhara and Rufus are dead, the cup of Ankh is useless, and the mask is harmless without the gem."
Everyone sat in silence after Fabian spoke, letting his words sink into their hearts and pondering over them.
"I know everyone wants another riddle to come along but it just won't. We don't even talk about anything special at these Sibuna meetings. So let's give up Sibuna. The times were great fun but now it's time to let it go," Fabian said.
Amber was the first to speak, "Once a Sibuna, always a Sibuna," she whispered sadly.
Murmuring in agreement, everyone nodded their heads, finally accepting the fate of Sibuna.
But then the silence was broken by a yelp.
"Something fell out of that book!" cried Patricia, kneeling down to the floor to grab a spare bit of parchment.
It was an old, worn down piece of paper with elegant cursive handwriting.
"RFS," read Patricia.
"Robert Frobisher-Smythe!" exclaimed Alfie.
Unfolding it, Patricia began to read from the paper. Clearing her throat she began,
"Reincarnation of she who makes magic
Her suicide by venom was tragic
But I must confess
The death of the pharaohess
Was not an accident after all
Listen to the true story of her final fall
Paper leaves and the king's toxic bite
The killer vanished into the night
With the red of the ruler
The man who had killed her
Was rewarded with eternal life
After a long strife
Of searching for glory
The moral of this story
Is to fix history before it's repeated
Or love and lives will be depleted
Her descendant awaits protection
Her life in the hands of those with a connection
On the night of her death
Thousands of years later the descendant is left
Vulnerable to the mental one
The connection will become undone
If they cannot find a way
To protect those they cannot save
Only one thing can fix all that will be broken
Start by searching for the token
Hidden in the arsenal of paper
You'll find clues to save her
The other ankh placed before journey's end
Will help you to send
A message to the goddess
But before you protest
Know that the hunt will be long
To find the song
The anthem that sings of safety
But leads to the final brew that protects this royal lady
Good luck on this journey
You'll find books are your key."
"That Robert Frobisher-Smythe was always one for rhymes and riddles wasn't he?" Alfie chuckled.
"Wait a minute, wait a minute," Joy held up her hands, "You just said Sibuna had no point? Then what's this? Another adventure?"
"You've got to be kidding me," Nina groaned, "I thought there were no more races to that death?"
"Maybe it's a joke?" Fabian suggested.
"It can't be, look at that handwriting!" Amber cried gleefully, "That's definitely Robert Frobisher-Smythe's! There's another adventure! Sibuna lives on!"
"Give that to me Yacker," Eddie demanded, snatching the paper from Patricia, "You guys told me about finding the cup and I obviously was involved with the mask, but I thought you said that was it?"
"It should have been," Jerome growled, "But apparently this guy just loves to leave nonsense riddles from the past for us."
"Well," Fabian mused, "We just have to dissect each parts of it bit by bit and slowly it will start to make sense."
"This was supposed to happen," Nina said angrily, "I don't want another year of racing against some supposed mental person again. I dealt with two of those types of people last year! I don't want to be in an obstacle course that my life depends on! I just want to have a normal year!" she sat on the ground and placed her face in her hands.
Fabian hesitantly put a hand on her shoulder and attempted to console her but she jerked away from him, "I cannot deal with another term of this! Last year I almost lost my Gran and my life!" she yelled, making every Sibuna stop with their excited re-reading of the parchment.
Eddie opened his mouth to speak but Nina cut him off, "The mental one? Save those they cannot protect? I don't know if it's just me, but that sounds like another crazy person trying to kill us for some stupid ancient Egyptian artifact and somebody's going to die or almost die! I cannot deal with that anymore!"
Before Nina could scream anymore Amber quietly approached her and placed a finger to Nina's lips, shushing her.
"Nina, you are Sibuna's leader. You've guided us through the worst of times and been with us through the best of times. But Nina you're not alone. You have Eddie to help you, I mean he's your counterpart! That's got to mean something, right? He's your co-leader or whatever! And then there's all of us Sibunas here to help you. You've got so many people on your side, and with Jerome and Joy Sibuna is bigger and better than ever! We're all going to deal with this and we'll do it without anybody getting hurt. We're Sibunas, we can handle anything," Amber said to Nina, unusually wise.
Nina opened her mouth and then closed it again.
Perhaps Amber was right.
"Maybe," Nina took a deep breath, "Maybe nobody's in danger. Maybe this is just another mystery for Sibuna to solve."
"That's the spirit!" Joy whooped excitedly.
"That's the Nina I know," Fabian smiled.
"Sibuna is back on!" Amber cried, jumping up and down like a little kid on Christmas.
"I'm sorry I freaked out guys. To be honest, I've actually been craving another mystery," Nina confessed.
"I, for one, have not been craving to be kidnapped by any psychos but I'd like to properly participate in your club here," Jerome mused.
"Me too!" quipped Joy, "I'm ready to be a Sibuna with you guys!"
"I figure I have to do this either way," Eddie shrugged nonchalantly, "Me being the Osirian and all."
"Okay Sibunas, tomorrow we'll research this clue and then get back into business," Nina grinned and put her right hand over her eye, "Sibuna!"
After mimicking the Sibuna gesture (Jerome, Eddie, and Joy rather poorly), everyone set off back to Anubis house, feeling a little more energetic than when they had entered the library. They had all taken pictures of the riddle on their phones, just for good measure.
"You'll keep the clue safe, won't you Patricia?" Fabian asked as he hesitantly handed Patricia the paper.
"Oh quit your worrying, I'll keep a close eye on it," she winked.
Fabian raised his eyebrow and Patricia punched him in the shoulder, "No faith in me at all, Rutter?"
"Er well.."
But as Alfie ran past Patricia he knocked her out of his way, sending the parchment flying out of her hands.
"Watch it doofus!" she shook her fist, and in her rage she forgot about the riddle.
Little did she know this little mistake would lead to a world of trouble.
Little did she know this little mistake could break apart friendships, reveal secrets, and bring so much chaos.
A new mystery for Sibuna! Also silly Patricia, keep track of your riddles, there could be murderers hanging around. Thanks so much for all of the reviews guys! Considering the fact that the first chapter presented no conflict I am pleasantly surprised! Thanks SO MUCH to my friend Emily aka Magnolia Sparrow-Bane-Torres for editing this (a beta reader?), the previous chapter, and all the rest! I hope you guys have as much reading this as I do writing this! Hope your December is going great and you aren't choking on the amount of fluff in this. Don't forget, 5 MORE REVIEWS UNTIL THE NEXT CHAPTER! PLEASE REVIEW or Victor might make you clean the toilet bowl with a tooth brush until he can see his face in it. I don't think even toilet bowls appreciate having Victor's face on them. Thanks everyone and be happy that it's 12/12/12.
