A/N: Hallo! Zo hebt u genoten van het laatste hoofdstuk! *opgewonden piepen*
Ha, ha, ha. That was Dutch! (Translation: Hello! So did you like the last chapter? *excited squeal*)
I wish I could speak it fluently so bad! I have a list of super powers (I was bored), and knowing every language fluently is like #7 or something (probably after making myself fall asleep on command… I think it would be cool. Don't you? No…alright.)
I have this horrible, unsettling feeling that nobody reads these A/N parts, and I'm just talking to myself. Oh well.
Okay, let's get serious. I just finished reading Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None yesterday, and there are almost no words. Almost. It's honestly the best mystery book ever. Ever. No exceptions. Maybe even the best book ever. (Sorry can't say it is the best book ever; Narnia tops everything.) But seriously, it's amazing. If you haven't read it, read it, like as in today! I mean it. It's one of those books that you wish, with every fiber of your being, that you had wrote it, but you know in the back of your mind that you never could have thought of that in a million years. It's the most thought provoking, intricate, complicated, mysterious, creepy, suspenseful, amazing book ever. EVER I tell you! READ IT! And if you read it later in school or something or your sibling or friend is reading it, I give you but one warning: Don't you EVER spoil the ending. EVER. (I say 'ever' too much.) Because if you spoil the best ending ever (there I go again) in a mystery book, if we ever meet, I WILL find this little fact out, and from that moment on, we can never be friends. NEVER, I SAY!
(By the way, if you want to get the full feeling for what I imagined for this chapter, read Mara's POV slowly, imagining breaks in between for facial expressions and pauses. It's more dramatic!)
That is all.
Again I feel like I'm talking to myself.
I forgot the other thing I wanted to talk about so… Here's chapter 9 I guess!
I don't own House of Anubis.
Eddie's POV
I flopped in bed after I brushed my teeth, decided I was hungry, went to the kitchen to find food, ate a handful of cereal and three marshmallows, drank some orange juice, brushed my teeth again, and changed into my pajamas.
I left Yakker to face Amber by herself. Maybe that was a bad idea. Fabian told me that she tends to go overboard with making scrapbooks.
… Nah, she'll be fine.
Although I'll be ambushed tomorrow at breakfast for sure. Awesome.
Our date went well, or at least it didn't in my opinion. Those shop owners' faces were the highlight of my day! Ha, ha, ha! It was like they had never seen someone try to stuff seven scoops of ice cream into their mouth at once.
I'm just that wonderful of a date planner. No, no hold the applause. Thank you, thank you. You're really too kind.
"What are you doing?" Fabian asked from his side of the room.
"What?" I asked sitting up.
"You were clapping, and waving your hands…"
"Oh." He looked me with a raised eyebrow, "Well that's none of your business. Goodnight!" I said quickly and flopped back down. I could practically hear Fabian shake his head.
He turned out the light anyways and I heard him lay down.
I was in a state of happy thoughts about today, but then I saw the empty bed on the other side of the room. I remembered what had happened only two days ago, when Mick disappeared.
I had gotten used to it just being Fabian and me, before Mick came back, but now I was used to there being three people in our room, and the air in here felt disturbingly empty. It was almost colder without Mick.
I can't imagine what Amber felt. I guess she was fine with being alone, considering Mara had asked her if she wanted her to stay in the room with her until we found Nina, but Amber declined.
At least we're now another step closer to finding them. We have yet another clue to solve. I think Amber and Alfie were right about the clue leading to Nina's diary, and I think Fabian thinks so too. But he was right also, it just didn't feel right.
It was one thing to look through… Sarah's or Frobisher-Smithe's journals or something, but Nina was our friend… and she was alive, so it was just different.
Wait a second, Frobisher-Smithe! What if it's him! The One Who Saw All! Maybe it's him! And maybe he's the 'One Who Knows' too! He certainly knew a lot for a man who only lived to be like thirty-five or something.
"Fabian!" I threw a pillow at him.
"Ah! What the heck Eddie?!"
"Get up you doof! I cracked the clue!"
He sat up and rubbed his eyes, "What do you mean?" Well someone's a little slow when he's tired! Maybe I should throw another pillow, or a bucket of ice water.
"What if it's Frobisher-Smithe?! The One Who Saw All!"
"Eddie… that's brilliant."
"Yes, yes I know. I was thinking, what if he's the One Who Knows too? He was the constructor of both mysteries after all, right?" Fabian nodded.
"He has shelves full of journals in his study, and all around the house too I'm sure! Great thinking! We can search tomorrow!"
"Sweet!" I paused and scrunched my eyebrows, "I think I just teased myself." Fabian laughed slightly.
"Night Eddie," he chuckled and lay back down.
"Good. Night." I said, satisfied with my genius mind for the day. First the date with Yakker, and now this, I'm on a roll!
Joy's POV
Amber was sleeping in our room tonight. She was so exhausted from asking Patricia questions and cutting paper to put in their scrapbook, she asked for a blanket and a pillow and slept on the floor! She claimed that she "simply didn't have enough energy to make all the way to her room." Oh Amber…
Maybe she just didn't want to be in that empty room again, I wouldn't. If Patricia and Mara had disappeared, I would be begging Nina and Amber the sleep on the floor in their room, just to escape the loneliness.
I don't know why Amber declined Mara's offer to stay with her. She probably just didn't want to feel like Mara was replacing Nina, even if Mara was only trying to help. I get it; I know what getting replaced feels like. (But I'm totally over that by the way, just so you know.)
Honestly, Nina and I were pretty good friends now and I think she'd agree, if she was here…
I miss them both terribly, especially Mick. I wish I could have told him how much I like him.
Wait a minute! What am I saying?! There is no could have here! I will tell him! When we get them back! And you know what? I won't even care if he's still caught up on Mara! I'm gonna tell him anyways!
I'll say, "Mick, I like you! Would you like to go get pizza sometime?!"
Because everyone likes pizza! (Yes, I know Fabian, except for big vegans. Thank you!)
And then he'll say, "Yes I would love to get pizza, and maybe we could see a movie or something! You can pick!"
And then I'll say, "Yes! That sounds lovely!"
I don't know why we're shouting in my fantasy, but it just seems right to me. It sounds assertive.
I sighed and rolled over in bed with a smile. That's exactly how it will happen, no exceptions. I'm not gonna bring myself down any longer. It's time to be… joyful. (A/N: Shame :/ )
Now all I have to do… is find him.
The next morning (around six a.m.):
Fabian's POV
"You make me smile like the sun,
Fall out of bed,
Sing like a bird,
Dizzy in my head,
Spin like a record, crazy on a Sunday night,
You make me dance like a fool,
Forget how to breathe,
Shine like gold,
Buzz like a bee,
Just the thought of you can drive me wild…
Oh, you make me smile."
-"Smile" by Uncle Kracker.
I was listening to this song because I woke up at around… six o'clock, and I couldn't fall back asleep.
I probably don't even have to hint to who this song reminds me of. It's pretty obvious. I've always liked this song. It makes me… smile. (And… I need to be more creative.)
Nina likes this song too. (I know because I stole her earphones one time while she was listening to it.)
...
"Ha, ha. Fabian!"
"What?" I laughed.
"Give it back," she giggled. But she couldn't reach it if I was holding her iPod above my head, she was too short. She laughed again.
"Fabian!"…
...
I was absentmindedly smiling at the memory. I didn't even notice that the song had ended, or that I was slipping slowly back to sleep.
Jerome's POV
I was awake surprisingly early today. Usually my mind set itself on its own alarm; waking up only if needed, but, even though it was Tuesday, I didn't need to get up.
I decided to get out of bed anyways to take shower. The warm water felt especially nice, considering how cold it's been lately. (I slept with six blankets last night!)
I got that feeling, you know, that one terrible feeling you get when you really don't want to face the cold when you get out of the shower. It took me forever to turn the water off. Maybe, when the mystery's over, I can convince Dad that we should go to California for the winter holiday, or maybe a desert in the middle of nowhere. Anywhere hot would do fine.
I went to the common room once I was dressed and laid down on one of the couches.
I closed my eyes and thought about nonsense topics for a while, and sometime later Mara came down and passed by me.
"Hey Mara." I said from my position.
"Oh!" she jumped at little in surprise, "Hey Jerome."
"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you," I chuckled.
"You didn't scare me, I was just surprised," she smirked and sat on the arm of the chair, "Why are you on the couch? At…" she looked at her watch, "…six forty-eight?" she laughed.
"No idea."
"Okay Jerome," Mara shook her head, "Do you know if Trudy's up yet?"
"I haven't seen her yet today, but it is only six forty-eight," I pointed out.
"Right."
"Why are you up at six forty-eight, hmm, Mara?" I challenged. She crossed her arms and stood, I sat upright on the couch and she sat next to me.
She sighed, "I couldn't sleep, so I came down, that's all."
"Is it?" she sighed again and laid her head on my shoulder, I absentmindedly put my arm around her. "What's wrong," I asked softly.
"Do you really think I hurt him that bad?" I knew what she was talking about without an explanation.
I also knew what I wanted say ("He didn't deserve you anyways, you were right to turn him down. It's your say who you date; you shouldn't feel bad that he went to Australia and we got closer after he left. Anyways Mick's a meathead.") But I held my tongue. I said what I needed to say.
"I think you handled it just how you should have. Maybe he didn't listen well enough when you tried to let him down easily, but that's okay. Do you know why?"
"Why," she asked softly. It hurt me to see her so cheerless and sad.
"Because we're gonna find him... and Nina too. And then you'll get a chance to explain everything; sort everything out." I paused and then tried to make she smile, "and then we'll find him a girlfriend."
Mara laughed, and her enchanting smile reappeared, "I don't think that will be too hard."
"Why's that," I asked with a smile.
"I think Joy's taken a small liking to him," she giggled, "but don't tell her I'm on to her."
"On to her? We all know it's true. It's the most obvious thing in the world!"
We sat there laughing for a while. I don't know exactly how long, for some reason time always seems to escape me when Mara and I are together.
Amber's POV
Today I was coming down to breakfast late, but I had good reason, I promise! I've found something absolutely amazing! You see it's-
Wait! Pause! Hold on! Okay, let me fill you in on some very important information.
Now, before you jump to your feet or pass out or something when I tell you this, let me say that I am just as confused as you are in this strange, strange fact. For you see… I was in the attic… voluntarily, and I have no idea why.
I know! Freaky isn't it!
You know how Nina gets those weird 'intuition' thingies; it's kind of like that. (I'm telling you, I'm the Chosen Two!)
I woke up this morning, rather unpleasantly I must say, when Mara out of bed and dropped a book on the floor, making me wake up to the fact that I was sleeping on the floor! I realized that I must had been extremely tired last night to make that decision. Or maybe I just wanted to be around the others now that I think about it… Never mind! Back to the story.
Mara left the room after a quiet apology for waking me. I tried to go back to sleep, despite the fact that I was still on the floor, but I couldn't, so I got up. I thought, of course, about changing into clothes, considering I was still in my pajamas, but, and don't pass out, I didn't.
(So I was still wearing my blue sweater and rainbow-striped pajama shorts, with my hair pulled into a braid and hanging over my shoulder.)
Remember how I said I got a Nina intuition? Okay, so after I got the feeling I was really confused, but I decided to go up to the attic anyway.
But I needed a key. I tried picking the lock with a bobby pin, but it was super hard. I wished that Nina were there, but if she was, I probably wouldn't have to go up to the attic anyway. I believe the House was just looking for someone to take her place while she wasn't there. I guess I could have gotten Fabian… or Eddie, but I thought I should probably go alone, and they would ask questions, and that would lead them to come with me.
(Don't. Pass. Out.) I decided to steal the key from Victor's office. I know, I know, crazy. But, you see, Victor wasn't even there. I think he was at the school or something, but all that matters is that he was out of his office, giving me a perfect opportunity.
I made sure to cover his camera thing with his creepy stuffed rabbit (poor bunny!), and then I took his master keys, opened the key cabinet, took out the key under the label 'ATTIC', left the cabinet unlocked so I could return it easily, took Victor's keys with me just incase, and left his office. Mission accomplished.
Later I wondered why Victor had left both his door opened andhis master keys on the desk. I blamed it on the fact that he was, like, a four hundred years old.
I saw that Mara was already downstairs, since the bathroom door was open and no one was inside, but I believed that Patricia and Joy were still sleeping, so I tip-toed to the attic door.
After unlocking the door and going up both flights of stairs, I finally reached my destination. Ever since Vera went A.O.W.L., her stuff's all been cleared away, and all that was left was the empty, cold, dark, creepy attic, but without all the Frobisher-Smithe stuff, Trudy had already taken that out.
What was I supposed to find? I thought. I placed my hands on my hips, and asked myself what Nina would do. She would probably talk to the House, but that was kind of weird. Despite that, I decided to try it anyways.
"Hey there… house," I had said, "So… what do ya want me to find?" I asked it, looking around, expecting something to pop out at me. Apparently, it didn't work like that.
I crossed my arms, and waited. Maybe I was just super tired from sleeping on the floor last night. I thought. I was about to leave, when I heard something.
"Amber…" My first reaction was to scream, but my ever so many years in Sibuna taught me otherwise. I slowed my breathing and turned around. I saw nothing at first, which was good. I was worried that it might be another spirit.
I walked to the back, where Alfie and I got the stain glass reflector, where I had first saw that same glass stain, and, most importantly, where Fabian, Nina, and I had our last meeting before we were officially Sibuna.
I peered at the walls, looking for wallpaper to pull back, when saw something else.
The wall began to… sparkle, just like when Alfie and I heated up the note from the night before. And slowly, just as it did before, words began to appear.
"A…" I read aloud, "M…B…E…" I gasped, "Amber!" I whispered. (So now the walls know my name, great…) I continued to read until the whole message was spelled out, and took a picture just incase.
"Amber," it read, "The One Who Saw All is not who you think it is, nor is it the person Eddie believes it to be either." I scrunched my eyebrows, "Take a closer look, and think back… and you'll see who saw everything. Good luck, Amber, everything will be alright in the end, don't worry.
Signed,
-The One Who Discovered History." I watched as the note slowly disappeared, and sat down.
"What?"
I left the attic sort of in a daze, but before I went out… "Hey House?" no answer, "I was thinking that you don't really have to be so formal, calling me 'Amber' all mysterious-like and all… like you did. Maybe we could change it to 'Chosen Two,' yeah?" The door had slammed in my face. Well then never mind!
Back down the stairs and through the door went I. I locked the door and put my phone in Nina's box, because that's where all our clues go. When I was done, I tip-toed back down the hall, even though I doubted Joy and Patricia were still asleep, I could never be too sure, they had both been know to sleep past nine sometimes, for Patricia, even past ten.
It was just my luck that Victor wasn't back yet. Where was he? I had wondered. I brushed it off and made my way into his office. I replaced the attic key and was about to lock the cabinet, but just before I could, I heard the front door open loudly.
Victor! He would be up any moment! For a few seconds, I stood frozen, but then I realized that I needed to act quickly. I threw the keys to the desk and ducked down, crawling out of the office so he couldn't see me from downstairs. I did a very well executed forward roll and stood up right in front of the stairwell. Just in time, too, cause Victor was already coming up. Yes! Absolutely no problem for Nancy Ninja*! I admired my fingers, not even a chipped nail.
Victor reached the top, "Miss Millington?" he asked, "What exactly are you doing?"
"Oh sorry Victor! I was just examining my nails before going down to breakfast. I have to look my best you know." Victor looked annoyed, but I wanted to ask him something, "Hey, Victor?"
"Yes?" he asked, agitated.
"Where were you this morning? You haven't been in your office since before I woke up?" I was genuinely curious.
"If you must know, I had received a call from the school, but when I got there, Mr. Sweet had absolutely no idea what I was talking about." He began to stare me down, "Why do you think that is Miss Millington?"
Was he suggesting that I knew something? That I had done that to distract him? I asked myself internally, Rude! I merely got wonderfully lucky!
"Nope! But I hope you figure it out!" I smiled and began to skip down the stairs, leaving a confused Victor behind.
This has been an Amber Update.
Amber's POV
So you see... that's exactly why I was coming to breakfast late. I told you I had a good reason.
Victor went back into his office, and I ran down the stairs, ready to tell everyone at breakfast what I'd found.
I ran into the common room to find only Mara and Jerome there, but I couldn't fully question where everyone else was before…
"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!"
… I was falling.
Mara's POV
…
But… no…
…
Jerome and I were starring down at the floor; words were utterly lost with no chance of returning.
"Jerome…" he looked at me.
"I…" he didn't finish, but instead put his head in his hands and clumsily sat on a chair at the table. I followed in suit. This couldn't possible be happening. This was just a dream. Of course it was! I saw Jerome pinch himself, and I knew we hadn't gotten so lucky.
I heard footsteps coming towards the common room. Seconds later, Patricia and Joy entered.
"What's wrong? I heard the scream." Patricia asked. We didn't answer her. "Mara? Jerome? Come on! What's the matter?"
"Amber…" I whispered, just loud enough for them to hear. Patricia's mouth opened slightly.
"No…" Joy said, "No she couldn't have. Not her too!" I gravely shook my head and tears began to slowly well up in my eyes. The other times were shocking, to shocking for tears, but now, now we know what's happened. Three loses was just too much.
Joy didn't even bother sitting in a chair, she just sat down right where she was. Her hands covered her eyes. Patricia sat down next to her, her mouth still agape.
Fabian and Eddie came in next. They saw our faces.
"Who?" Eddie asked.
"Amber." Jerome replied with no emotion, he was stone. Fabian sighed, sadness filled his voice. He ran his hand through his hair. Eddie sat on the other side of Patricia and sat unmoving just like Jerome. There was someone missing…
"Hey guys!" Alfie said, coming into the room, filled with laughter, just like always. Oh Alfie… My tears spilled over for him, "I had the craziest dream where there were these eels with razor sharp teeth, and we had to stop them by getting new furniture! Hilarious right?" I had to look down, he still didn't get it. He looked so happy, "But then there was this scream and I woke up and…" he looked around, finally noticing our faces; they showed despair and sympathy, "Hey what's wrong?" We couldn't tell him, we just couldn't. "Where's Amber?"
My sobs broke loose, and I hated myself for it. Jerome rubbed my back soothingly. Even though my eyes were buried in my hands, I could feel his expression change to confused, on the brink of realization. I looked up when Alfie spoke again.
"Jerome?" Alfie asked. He looked up with a solemn look.
Jerome stood up. I could tell he didn't want to break it to him, "Mate she's… she's…"
"Gone." Alfie finished, finally understanding. I had never, in my life, seen such a quick change from cheerful to complete misery, especially from Alfie.
"No…" he said, barely in a whisper, "No!" he shouted and dashed out of the room. Now Joy was sobbing too, and Patricia was silently shedding tears, while rubbing her back. Jerome ran after Alfie, who had gone out the door.
This was too much! Nina, Mick, and Amber were all gone! I don't' even know if we're even relatively close to solving this and finding them! This is barely even a mystery anyways! This spirit, ghost, whatever it is, is only taking away our friends for no reason! That's all there is to it! I didn't know what to do! I continued to sob. I sobbed for Amber. I sobbed for Mick. I sobbed for Nina. My tears would be gone by then end of today surely.
And as for Fabian, Joy, and Alfie, I can't even imagine what they're feeling.
Alfie's POV
I didn't know where to go. I didn't know what to think. I didn't know what to do. All I knew was that Amber was gone. Gone! I didn't even get to speak to her!
My feet took me to the school, it was empty, so I didn't care! I wouldn't even care if there were people here, it didn't matter.
I headed in the direction of the drama room, and I starred at the stage. I stared long and hard.
…
Amber kissed me there…
It was so long ago, but I was fresh in my mind. In this room, she was my date for prom. In this room, we talked about Sibuna and homework and everything else under the stars. In this room, I fell in love with her again and again. Even the times when we fought in here couldn't make me adore this room any less.
I climbed up on the stage, and stood right where I stood when she and I acted out Romeo and Juliet together, my heart hurt more than ever. I sat down in criss-cross position and put my head in my hands.
"There you are buddy." Jerome's voice called from the other side of the room. I didn't look up. I didn't answer.
I heard him come up to the stage and sit next to me. He didn't say anything; he probably didn't know what to say.
"She kissed me here." I said. Jerome sighed.
"Mate, I'm so sorry," I didn't answer, "I don't know what this feels like, I don't understand, but… when you're ready, I know someone who does."
I knew who he meant, but I wasn't ready to leave here just yet. Jerome knew this, and understood that he couldn't say anything to help me. He left me, after a sympathetic pat on the back, leaving me to be by myself.
I laid down on the floor on the stage, and stared at the ceiling.
"She kissed me here…"
A/N: Aw! Poor Alfie! I was so sad when I wrote this. I love Alfie and Amber so much. I hated breaking them apart.
"She kissed me here." Sad and sweet. I thought this would be something Alfie would treasure the most, even if Amber was only trying to make Mick jealous, it gave him hope. So sweet.
Okay, next chapter might be up Saturday, Sunday, or Wednesday. I'd expect Wednesday if I were you.
Okay, to add a little humor to your day after I killed Alfie's heart (it had to be done!), I was watching The Bible on the history channel with my parents (it's a dramatization of the Biblical stories, it's really good) and it got to the part in the Old Testament where Samuel chose Saul to be the King o the Israelites. For a second I didn't see it, but then I was like catching my breath. VICTOR! As in Victor from House of Anubis, was playing Saul! It was kinda creepy actually, seeing him without a stuffed raven as his only friend. Ha-ha! Oh Victor…
I immediately texted my sister, who was upstairs, and she asked if I meant the quote, 'creepy bird freak?!' Good times…
So, for those of you who never read this part, too bad for you that you didn't get to read that wonderful bit of humor!
I actually dreamt the dream Alfie dreamt, only I was there with the house and they left halfway through, and my sister replaced the furniture…
*Nancy Ninja. Another one of Amber's nicknames. Watch the last episode of Het Huis Anubis on YouTube (NOT the Five of the Magical Sword, or something like that. That's the spin-off); if you want to hear it, it's in the last half, right before the end.
Question Time! Yay! (Did I ask one last chapter?)
Okay, in honor of Joy (and Mick): If Joy and Mick became a couple, and then broke up. What song would describe their journey to getting back together?
My answer: "The Other Side of the Door" by Taylor Swift. It's such a sweet song for a sweet couple.
I have no idea what's going on in HOA world (on the actual show), and for the first time, I don't really care. Yay!
(Sorry for the long A/N's today! I'm sure nobody reads them anyways, so oh well!)
Farewell
-Yeah right! You were screaming louder than us!
