A/N: Ok sorry! This took a little longer than expected. Dear god I struggled through this one. I wanted to have you get all the details without it being so wordy and stuff, but the only way to get you the details was to make it all wordy haha. Damn...anyways, here's chapter 4. And hopefully I can get three more chapters typed up today. Because I haven't written beyond this point...so I'm not entirely sure when I'll have a new update for youuu. But hopefully this one suffices for now. Oh! And thank you once again to those of you who are reviewing. Makes me smile :-)! Oh! One last thing, I borrowed part of the prayer from the movie Stay Alive. If you haven't seen it...go do so. I lurve it.


Chapter 4: Back Stories, Colors, and Rituals

"Welcome to St. Augustine's, we hope you enjoy your stay, for you may never leave once you enter. Your salvation is in your hands and your hands alone. The only way to make it out…is to face your fear."

The group exchanged wary glances with each other.

"They're just saying this to get us all scared right?" Madison asked with a slight shake in her voice.

"Uh, yeah…I'm sure that's it…" Glen said a bit hesitant.

"Yeah, that's gotta be it. Otherwise how else are they supposed to get the best of us when we head in there right? They know it'll be stuck in the back of our heads while we're doing whatever and we'll start imagining things." Aiden commented almost confident in his statement.

"Right, so let's just get this thing going so we can be done with it." Ashley said while taking a seat on the desk.

Jessi clicked the mouse again and the voice continued.

"Tonight you will be forced to face your greatest fears. There are many secrets hidden within the walls of St. Augustine's; secrets that you will uncover while completing your assigned tasks. Before we get to the fun you must first be briefed to the tragic history that is St. Augustine's. Prepare yourself, for what you are about to hear is anything but pleasant. Click the icon labeled History."

Jessi looked to the rest of the group, "You guys ready for this?"

"Yes." They responded in unison.

She took a deep breath and clicked the icon. The screen immediately changed to a timeline. Automatically, an old picture of the building with a man standing proudly in front of it popped up and the voice spoke again.

"St. Augustine's Preparatory School was established in 1887 by Reverend Thomas Quinn. Quinn named the school after his late wife who was mysteriously murdered two years prior. According to town records the woman was found with her throat slit and abdomen sliced open and missing internal organs, including her heart."

"That's so sad." Spencer said.

"Uh yeah, and totally disgusting!" Kyla added.

"10 years after the school opened, a string of murders occurred causing a temporary closure of the building as authorities conducted their search. As it turned out, Reverend Quinn had been the one to commit the dastardly deed. Five students lost their lives to the deranged man, but when the police arrived to take the man to jail they were met with yet another bloody scene. Quinn had committed suicide in his office, taking a pistol to his head, leaving only his body and a note detailing the murders, including his wife's."

"Psychotic much?" Ashley asked while raising an eyebrow.

"Quinn and the five students were buried in the school's cemetery and a new headmaster was instated. Things remained quiet at St. Augustine's for a good number of years. However, early in 1939 numerous reports from students and faculty alike about strange activity happening around campus started to arise. Things like seeing the figure of a man dressed in preacher attire wandering the halls at any given hour, hearing disembodied screams between midnight and 2am, and objects being thrown across classrooms by unseen forces. In the fall of that same year three more deaths occurred."

The picture of Quinn zoomed back to the timeline and the line that was once gold, was turned red as it moved towards the year 1939. Pictures of newspaper articles and photos of the three victims flashed onto the screen. The first article zoomed in and soon the entire screen was taken up, half by the article and the other half by the photo of the boy.

"The first in late September; a student by the name of Billy was wandering about the basement, a place that was strictly off limits except for faculty, and tripped over a wrench that had been left out after fixing a leaky pipe. As the boy fell forward he successfully knocked over a stack of heavily packed boxes which, in turn, fell on top of him. He was found three days later by a janitor. His ribs were shattered and punctured his lungs, which ultimately caused his death."

"That sucks so bad dude. To die all alone and like that on top of it?" Aiden remarked as he rubbed the back of his neck.

The article and picture zoomed back out and the second article and picture zoomed in.

"She's so pretty!" Madison exclaimed.

"The second death took place in mid October. The girl in the photo, Annie, was a straight A student, president of the debate team, and one of the richest students in school. She seemed to have everything anyone could want, but something had been amiss in her life, for on that faithful night in October Annie climbed the stairs of the tallest bell tower, strung up the noose, and hung herself. Reports from those closest to the girl stated that she had been 'acting strangely' for a few weeks prior to the suicide. Apparently the girl had commented about seeing an apparition in the hallway of a young girl begging for help, but no one believed her. Only a week after Annie's death other students reported seeing the same spirit but the staff believed it to be nothing but a sick joke."

"Right…so, is there really any way we can like, not do this?" Kyla pleaded as she looked around at the rest of the group.

"Don't worry Ky, nothing is going to happen in there. They probably just set up speakers and projectors to scare us. Like that saying goes, 'The only thing to fear is fear itself.' And besides, I won't let anything happen to you!" Aiden said as he put his arm around the girl's shoulder.

The final article and picture zoomed in.

"The last death of 1939 happened in late November. Samuel Prescott, the boy in the photo, was in his first year at St. Augustine's and was by far the top student in his class. He didn't have many friends however and was picked on regularly. Accounts of the incident say the boy died in a simple broom closet. Several students tried to help the boy but the door was locked. When they tried to explain to him to simply unlock the door from his side he replied that there was no lock. Samuel's screams and pounding on the door were getting more persistent and he claimed there was something in the closet with him. When the boy suddenly went silent panic outside the door ensued. When they finally got the door open Samuel spilled out, unmoving, with a look of shock on his face. As suspected, no one else was in the closet. He was dead, the doctors ruled from a panic attack. A surprising discovery was yielded from the autopsy; bruising on his wrists that could have only been formed by someone else."

"Please tell me that's the last of the dying." Madison said with a look of worry on her face.

"Yeah seriously, there can't be anymore can there?" Glen added.

"Oh yes there can…" Jessi sighed as she clicked the mouse again.

The screen returned to the timeline view. Red tainted the golden line as it traveled further through time. It stopped at 1946 and two articles and pictures were brought to the screen. The first was of a woman that looked to be in her 30's and the second was of a handsome boy no older that 17.

"In the summer of 1945 the school underwent major renovations in order to add on a new science wing and also a new gymnasium as well as an indoor swimming pool. However, during construction of the pool the builders realized they would need more room than previously thought. Now the issue they faced, how to go about getting the room when the long standing cemetery was blocking the way. The school felt it necessary to have the pool in order to attract more students so they allowed the exhumation of the bodies."

"What does exhume mean?" Madison asked.

"Dig up." Kyla told the Latina.

"Ewww! They dug up dead people? That's just wrong."

"After the bodies were removed construction went on without incident. All three projects were finished in time for the new school year and as intended, enrollment at the school increased. Along with new students came new teachers as well thanks to the new science wing. The school year went on and things seemed to be going perfectly. The new swim team was ranked number one and their top swimmer, Jake Harper, was being scouted by top colleges. In May 1946 however, things took a turn for the worse."

The article and picture of the boy zoomed in.

"After swim practice one day Jake apparently decided to stay after in order to get some extra lane time in. Being the best swimmer on the team the coach allowed it without question. The next morning brought a shocking discovery, Jake was found dead in the pool floating face down in the middle of the pool. Police reported it as an accidental death. Weeks after, two swimmers from the team were finishing laps. As they were getting out of the pool one was pulled back in and under. His teammate dove back in and rescued the boy. When asked what happened, he stated that someone or something was holding him under. After that, it was decided the pool be closed permanently."

The screen changed to the article and picture of the woman.

"On May 28th, 1946 another life was lost. This time it was that of a staff member; Miss Jackie Van Every. A new face to St. Augustine's the woman was always pleasant and always willing to help. She was a welcome addition to the faculty, bringing a new perspective and fresh teaching methods to the science department. Fellow teachers and students alike were all fond of her and when she lost her life that day, it was a major blow. It happened after school while she was setting up a demonstration for the next day. As she struck the match the entire room was engulfed in a giant fireball. The room burned to practically nothing, taking the woman with it. Authorities later discovered a tap on a gas release was turned in the on position, thus causing the room to fill with the lethal toxin. The room was barricaded to prevent students from entering, but reports state that on several occasions the sounds of a woman screaming and the smell of something burning were coming from the classroom. As the year finished the school board met and ultimately decided to close down St. Augustine's for good."

"Jesus…how they stayed open for that long is just crazy." Glen commented.

"It's so sad. All those people died so horribly." Spencer said with tears in her eyes.

"We're not done yet," Jessi said looking at the screen. "The line's still moving."

The group regarded the screen again, slowly the gold line turned red and stopped on the year 1965. The article popped up on the screen and Ashley screamed.

"AHH!"

Everyone looked at her with questions in their eyes.

"I HATE clowns…" The girl said looking away.

"The last known death at the school was that of Ray Bowers, also known as 'The Funhouse Slaughterer'. Bowers earned the nickname by going carnivals masqueraded as a clown, entering the funhouse, and murdering unsuspecting victims, sometimes going as far as keeping a piece of their anatomy as a prize."

"See! That's why I hate clowns! They're all psychotic killers." Ashley stated firmly.

"One night while being chased by the police, Bowers sought a hideout. He found St. Augustine's and attempted to enter the building through the front door, but found it locked. The police were closing in so he resorted to breaking one of the windows and climbing in. As sirens and flashing lights approached the building Bowers ran about the school looking for a hiding place. The police burst into the school and were hot on his trail. They reached the second floor and searched every room. Coming to number 215 they discovered Bowers dead; dressed in full clown attire and impaled by his knife right through the heart."

The article zoomed out, showing the timeline. One last time the gold was turned red as it traveled down the line, finally coming to a stop at 2007.

"Now that you know the bloody history of St. Augustine's, it is time to accept your fate and enter the building for what may very well be, your last night alive. The first task you must complete is by far the easiest you will face tonight. Each player is to choose a color and put on an article of clothing of that color. The colors are as follows; Red, Blue, Orange, Green, Pink, Black, and White."

"I call red!" Glen said raising his hand.

"Pink!" Madison squealed.

"Orange for me." Kyla said.

"I'll take green I guess." Aiden said, not really caring what color he had.

"Black is so mine." Ashley stated.

"Spencer? What color would you like, blue or white?" Jessi asked.

"Oh it doesn't really matter to me. Whatever color you don't pick."

"Ok miss indecisive it's your pick because I honestly don't care."

"Spence, be blue. Be blue 'cause you already wear that color so well." Ashley said seizing her girlfriend's hand and looking into her eyes.

The younger girl smiled and looked down bashfully, "Kay…I'll be blue!"

"And that leaves me with white. Dandy, it'll show off my albinoness even more!" Jessi joked.

The group got changed and returned to the desk. Clicking the mouse once more the screen turned black.

"Now the time has come. The question is, are you ready to face your fear? Go to the school chapel and find the round table. Instructions will follow your arrival."

They walked towards in silence. The couples grasped their partner's hand as Jessi led the way; stone faced but with worry running wild in her eyes.

As they entered the chapel they were caught off guard as a caldron set ablaze on its own. Surrounding the caldron was a table with two bags of each color. Everyone took the spot by their colors as Jessi read the paper left by hers.

"Each of you should have two bags in front of you. One contains a map, a list of instructions, and an object linking you to the area you will be searching. The one on the left is to be thrown into the fire before you after reciting the prayer on the bag. Everyone please recite now."

"Come to me clouds, may you rise as an evil storm born to rip them open. As Death surrounds me I will not run. Fate has brought me here for a purpose that I shall fulfill. May the blood that courses through my veins cleanse this place; I pray you."

The seven picked up the left hand bag and tossed them into the fire. Two seconds later a brilliant flash of lights, colored the same as the each player, erupted from the fire. As everyone looked at each other, a cool breeze flowed through the room and the fire went out. An eerie, disembodied laugh sounded through the room.

"Hahahahahaha."

"What have I done?" Jessi asked to herself.