DISCLAIMER! I DO NOT OWN HET HUIS ANUBIS/HOUSE OF ANUBIS

*shout out to "I'mSexyAndYouKnowItGlitch", thanks for the review! you'll see what's going on soon :))

*shout out to "." and "fantasyluver714", thanks for making my story one of your favorites :))

X. Article

"What's this?" asked Jerome as he picked up the envelope Fabian had place in front of him.

"Open it" replied Fabian. Jerome did as he was told. Inside he found different article printouts.

"What am I-"

"Read them, and you'll know" Fabian interrupted whatever Jerome was about to say. He took the seat across from him. Fabian watched intently for Jerome's reaction, but the other boy manage to maintain a straight face.

Killed. Dead. Stabbed. Wife. Insane. Those were the only words that had registered into Jerome's mind. Making him think that there must have been something wrong with his eyes. So he read everything again. And that's when it hit him.

"Where did you get all these?" asked Jerome whose eyes are still not leaving the printouts in front of him.

"I came across those while I was doing some research. They're kinda similar on your dreams so I researched more" Fabian replied. He saw how his expression changes as he kept reading from one article to another. "If you had noticed, there is a a pattern connecting all those articles"

"Yeah, I noticed that too" replied Jerome as he put the articles down. He then let his head rest on the palms of his hands. "The names, their in alphabetical order, each of then died twenty years apart, their wives have gone insane and no murder weapon had been found..." Jerome stated.

"You missed one" the other boy said. Jerome looked at him a if he had grown another head or something. Basing on his expression, he really did not see that one detail and not just pretending. "Their titles, look..."

Jerome read the parts that were highlighted. Prince, Duke, Lord, Earl, Price, Duke, Lord, Earl, Prince. The poor boy felt as if his heart sank to his stomach. This cannot be. If I am to become the next Duke then all the details would be satisfied. Jerome cleared his throat. "Have you shown this to Erin yet?"

"No... Why?" replied Fabian. He's pretty much sure something's not right with the way Jerome is acting but he can't seem to place what it. For some reason, he flinches as when he mentioned about the titles.

"Nothing..." he said. Jerome felt like his head is gonna explode because of all the information. "Can you not tell her about this? Not just yet... I still want to do some more research"

"Sure..." said Fabian reluctantly, then he head for the door. Before leaving, he faced Jerome one more time. "And Jerome, me doing this does not mean I am agreeing with you and my sister's closeness. I still do not trust you" he added before he left leaving Jerome to process everything. AGAIN!

After Fabian left, he picked his phone up and called someone. "Meet me at the woods tonight, it's urgent..."

*That night*

After making sure everyone is already sleeping, Jerome quietly sneaked out the House of Anubis. Like a cat, he moved as quiet as possible so as not to wake Alfie up. Like it matters though, knowing that when Alfie closed his eyes, you won't be able to wake him up until you pour water onto him. When he was already out of the house, he started running and running and running until he had reached his destination. In one of the trees leaned a man, no a boy. He seems to be the same age as Jerome. But judging the way he moves, he looks far more mature than his looks.

"I need every information there is about this crimes. And I need them as soon as possible" said Jerome as he handed the envelope to a guy. He is the one that the Duke had sent to look after him. He is to guard the prince 24/7. Due to Jerome's request though, he had keeps his distance when he is with Erin, so as not to make her suspect anything or feel uncomfortable.

"Good night to you, too your highness" replied the person to whom he gave the envelope to.

"What did I tell you about addressing me that way?" Jerome said angrily as he grab the other by the collar. He had heard enough of it all day that it's getting in his nerves already. After realizing what he had done, he again regained composure. "I'm sorry, I was just having a really bad day"

"Why don't you tell me what's bugging you, maybe I can help... And why do want information for all these crimes?"

"You mean aside from you?" Jerome replied sarcastically making both of them laugh. Then his face became serious. "The duchess, she found me. She even sent some goons to get me, good thing someone came around so they left"

"Oh... I'll tell that to my boss then," the boy said. And by boss he meant his grandfather, one of the Duke's closest friends."How about these crimes? Am I doing homework for you now, too?"

"No... It's not homework... Just do what I say and you'll see"

"Okay... I should be going then, I'll try to have everything first thing tomorrow morning. Get back to the house now" said the man as he gave Jerome a tap on the shoulder. "Bye"

"Bye" Jerome replied. "And Eddie..." he added making the man turn back to him. "Thank you"