Fabian XXII
Fabian reflects on his date, the Sibunas learn more about the spirit who cursed them, and they are finally one step closer to the mask and their freedom!
The date with Joy had gone as well as to be expected, reflected Fabian. Not that it was a date, since he still had feelings for Nina... at least he thought he did. Fabian was almost a hundred percent sure that she returned his feelings. He had only agreed to the breakup because she hadn't wanted to date anymore but seeing how Nina reacted to his "date" last night, she totally wanted to get back together.
Amber was obviously at the end of her patience with the situation, but Fabian wasn't about to drop Joy because she made Nina uncomfortable. Despite her being away for a year, she was still the same girl who broke Jerome's nose for stealing his calculator when they were 12. They had laughed all the way to Mr. Sweet's office about the look on the cocky boy's face. Fabian had felt so happy and blessed to finally have a friend!
Of course wherever Joy went Patricia followed. Fabian had been scared of the loud girl when they first moved into Anubis house. Her growing friendship with the house tricksters was also an off-putting factor since Fabian seemed to be their favorite victim. But as he got to know her, the more he started to like the punk girl. She was the one who introduced him to music, real music, such as Sick Puppies and Cradle of Filth. Not that anyone could know this of course, he had a reputation to maintain. The trio quickly became inseparable doing everything together for years, until that fateful fall day. September 13th will be forever ingrained in Fabian's mind, the day that half his world disappeared and the day the amazing American firecracker that was Nina Martin entered his life, blowing all that Fabian knew to hell.
Nina Martin, every time her name was said it felt like an incantation. The girl was a whirlwind goddess who crashed into his life and opened his eyes to so much more. From their first meeting, her crashing into the immovable Patricia, he was captivated by her. The brunette had captured his heart before he had even known it was happening.
Fabian spent the year pulled between his residual feelings of duty to Joy, his first friend who he knew had been developing feeling for him, and his growing love for Nina. As the months passed without news of Joy or her return his guilt began to disappear and Fabian threw himself wholly into his growing relationship with the mysterious American girl.
It wasn't fair, he reflected, that he brushed aside what he had been building with Joy so easily but love rarely is fair. Nina was like a fire who consumed all in her path as her influence spread in the house. She befriended or made alliances (in the case of Jerome) with all but Mick and Mara. Fabian had never felt more alive than he did that year, as the Sibuna Club raced against time, The Society, and Rufus Zeno to retrieve the missing puzzle pieces and assemble the mythical Cup of Ankh. When it was all said and done Fabian had felt slightly empty; the quest was over and they had gotten Joy back, but something was missing.
Kissing Nina, Fabian finally felt complete, he didn't care that it was in front of all their friends he finally had his Chosen One. The following weeks were weird and nice at the same time. Not a lot changed between them, except that they now occasionally kissed and he didn't have to hide his desire to hold her hand. But before the pair knew it exams came and went, and it was time for Nina to return to America.
The pair decided to exchange letters over the summer like the protagonists of their shared favorite historical novels. Sure they had cell phones and laptops but there had been something that seemed so romantic about an exclusively letter-based correspondence. Looking back, that could have been where things began to go wrong. They had both kept up with their letters but being an ocean away placed a strain on the still developing relationship. Fabian's letters tended to consist of stories about his sister Mia and the trouble the pair got into on his parent's estate, tales about working in Uncle Aide's shop, and most frequently how much he missed Nina. Nina would regale him with content about her Gran, the latest protest she took part in, her job at the local library and how she wished to be back in England with them.
September arrived and Fabian immediately felt off balance. After months of exchanging letters he found himself frozen in the face of his best friend and girlfriend. As bad as it sounds, he was thrilled when Jerome and Alfie had accidentally/on purpose crashed their reunion. The pair had signaled the others that they could come back in and conversation had begun to flow again.
The first few days of them new term had Fabian on edge, but he slowly fell back into a comfortable pattern both with school and Nina. True, they hadn't gone on an official date yet, but that didn't matter since they were finally back. Their first date would happen when it happened, he told himself, not wanting to pressure Nina. So when Mick and Mara had suggested a double date he had jumped at the chance. He hadn't thought at the time about Nina's lack of enthusiasm. He simply chocked it up to the fact that it was Mick and Mara. Fabian loved Mick, but he couldn't deny that the jock and Nina hadn't bonded at all since her arrival the year before.
They didn't get to go on that date though due to Nina's Gran's unplanned arrival. Yes it was unfair of him, but Fabian couldn't help but be upset about spending the evening looking at Granny Martin's trip photos instead of going into town with his girlfriend. So while Nina's Gran was in town he spent most of his time with Joy, he knew it was a bad idea since the other girl still had feelings for him, but he told himself he was giving Nina space to spend time with her Gran before she had to leave again.
But it didn't stop there. When Nina's Gran finally left there was suddenly the bid and he and Joy were working together just like old times, and ever so slowly those old feelings for Joy began to resurface. They were not enough to eclipse his feelings for Nina, but they were there. So Fabian threw himself into trying to ensure that "Fabina" worked out. When Amber demanded that they have a double date Fabian knew that was it, the perfect thing to cement their still unsteady relationship. What better than a double date with Nina's best friend, well other than him!
The date turned it an epic disaster, so the couple retreated to the cellar. Surrounded by their old memories the couple tried number combo after combo and eventually hit a brick wall. Fabian couldn't help but feel like the blocked entrance was a sign for their relationship. So when Nina asked if he had not wanted to go on the date, well he just knew that it was time to call it quits.
Despite their breakup and his developing relationship with Joy, Fabian always expected that they would eventually get back together. The arrival of Eddie though had him worried as Nina seemed into him and he was American! After that it was just one thing after another that had the pair being pushed further and further apart despite being bonded by the death marks on their arms. Joy kissing him at the ball was unexpected, but Fabian had to admit deep down not entirely unwelcome. It was nice to have someone interested in him, but he couldn't see anything happening between himself and Joy besides a deep friendship. So when Amber's advice hadn't worked, he had resolved to speak to the girl himself and put an end to any romantic thoughts she might have for the two of them. But standing there, looking into the loving eyes of his oldest friend, he couldn't bring himself to hurt her. So he agreed to go to a movie with her. Fabian hoped he could hide the date from Nina so she wouldn't get the wrong idea, but he should have known better after years of living with Alfie and Jerome. The duo had gleefully filled Nina in about his date and Fabian's heart broke seeing the shattered look on her face. That was exactly why he hadn't wanted her to know. When she mentioned that she had planned on getting them tickets his heart skipped a beat, a movie about Egypt with Joy definitely was not a date, but with Nina it would mean something more.
And that really was the root of the issue, which was why it was so important that he didn't mess this up. Walking into the Frobisher library that evening Fabian saw that Nina was already there waiting for him.
"Hey! So what did you want to meet me for?" she greeted.
"Um," Fabian guessed that they were jumping right into it, "to meet with Jasper about the Documentary. I thought you should be here, since it's Sibuna related and you saw it this morning with Amber". Seeing the perfect chance to test the water about her feelings he continued, "Why? What did you think this was about?".
Hysterical laughter was one of Nina's many tells for when she was lying. So her bursting into laughter confirmed his suspicions. "Um… nothing. I just… Well I thought maybe…"
Fabian quickly cut her off seeing where this was going, "Nina there is no me and Joy. Honest. It really was just a movie as friends". Her relieved face gave him the courage to ask the question that had been bugging him all day, "Is that what last night was about?"
Unfortunately she seemed to shut down at this question, he had pushed too far too fast apparently. "Look last night was a mistake" she explained, "I won't be making it again".
"Good" he said reaching out to squeeze her shoulder, "because I always have your back Nina and I want to help you however I can".
Nina opened her mouth to respond, but clearly changed her mind as Jasper entered the library. "Wonderful to see you two! How did you enjoy Secrets of Ancient Egypt?" asked his godfather.
"Well, that was what we wanted to talk to you about" explained Fabian. "We need to know more about the Egyptian tyrant the film mentioned".
"Ah yes, what a fascinating subject. Now I do have something somewhere about her. Now where would I have filed it?" As Fabian and Jasper moved to the desk, he noticed that Nina began to head in the opposite direction. Fabian was going to pull her after him, but Jasper began to speak again recapturing his attention. "Aha! Here we are, yes. The forgotten ruler: She was a terrible tyrannical queen. Archeologists found an empty tomb for her in 1913, apart from her crown there was nothing inside. No grave goods, no body, nothing".
"Is there a name in the book?" asked Fabian hoping that it wasn't Senkhara, since this queen sounded like their evil spirit and he didn't want to be up against someone who didn't even get a proper burial she was so evil.
"No" Jasper said. "Although I was told once… I think it was several years when I was on a dig in Cairo. Our local guide whispered a name, something his grandmother had told him when he was a child to scare him. What was it now…? You know for the life of me I can't remember it was so long ago".
Well Jasper was lucky his life wasn't hanging in the balance like Nina and his, Fabian thought. His humor really had turned darker since being a Sibuna. But he guessed that was par for the course when dealing with ancient spirits and gods out to ruin your life.
Suddenly Nina called out "Senkhara!".
"Yes! That was it, how did you know?" asked Jasper.
Looking up at Nina on the balcony, Fabian knew without a shadow of a doubt that the queen Jasper spoke of was their ghost and she truly was as terrible as they believed her to be. Seeing how shaken Nina was, Fabian quickly wrapped up their visit with Jasper and the couple headed back to Anubis house.
*Tears of Gold – Tears of Gold – Tears of Gold*
After pin drop that night the Sibuna club was back in the tunnels to try and pass the spider web test again. Patricia was busy with Joy and Liliana was covering for the Sibuna club incase Eddie or Mara started to ask questions about where the group was, not that that was very likely, but it was still good to be prepared just in case.
It was decided that Nina, Fabian and Alfie would place the spiders, while Jerome and Amber stood by just in case they had another incident like last time. Despite their past failures, Fabian was confident that tonight would be their night to complete this task once and for all.
"What happens when they are all hung?" asked Fabian as he hesitated to place the final spider baby.
"Let's just all be ready for anything" said Nina from her spot in the web.
Placing the final piece on the silver hook, Fabian held his breath as the tunnel began to creak and moan around them, like it was coming to life. Slowly the door on the far wall by Nina began to slide open revealing the next room. But the group didn't have long to celebrate before the door started to slip closed again, blocking their entrance to the tunnel.
Nina seeing the door closing quickly weaved her way through the web remaining between her and the passageway. Sensing what she was about to do Fabian yelled "No! Nina, don't go through there!"
"This might be the only chance I get" she replied desperately and slipped through the door, only to be locked inside.
Various shouts of "Nina" rang out from the remaining Sibunas. Fabian was paralyzed in fear until a scream of terror rang out from beyond the blocked wall.
"Nina! Nina what's wrong?" he shouted. She was trapped, and he couldn't get to her, he had never felt more useless.
"Fabian!" she yelled, and he could hear the beginning of tears in her voice.
"Nina, what is it?" he asked again, trying to figure out the best path to the wall. There had to be a way to keep the door open.
"I think there is something in here!" she shrieked, "Get me out Fabian!".
"Well What's the plan?" asked Alfie. "We need a plan. Tell me you have a plan Fabian!".
"It has got to be the big spider that holds the door open" declared Fabian as he began to move quickly to the spider indent, the sound of Nina's frightened screams filling the air. Her fear pushed him to move faster and soon he was at the wall. Placing each of the spider's legs in the holes, he waited for the door to open. Nothing happened. Nina's screaming increased and the wall stayed closed.
"No! Don't do this!" screamed Fabian slamming his fist against the wall. Suddenly a low rumbling started, and the web strings began to break apart. Once the web was gone, the door opened revealing a frightened Nina. Seeing him, she raced forward into his open arms sobbing lightly. Suddenly the other Sibunas were there creating a bear hug to reassure themselves, like Fabian, that Nina really was ok.
After a couple minutes the group broke up and began to head into the next room. Looking around Fabian was in awe. The room was lined with bottles and had a giant board in the center.
"Ew! Creepy!" exclaimed Amber examining the lion head painted on the board.
"Way creepier when you can only see its eyes…" agreed Nina as she stuck close to Fabian, "and you think that it's alive".
"You seriously need to man up Nina" scoffed Alfie only to shriek and spin in circles when Jerome tapped his shoulder yelling, "Alfie behind you!".
"Now who needs to man up?" sassed Fabian squeezing Nina's hand in support, causing the group to laugh.
The group then split up to check out the room. "I think these are all chemicals" Fabian announced, "but there are no labels".
Nina picked one up beside him and popped the lid to smell it. "Gods this smells familiar, but I can't put my finger on it". Offering the bottle to Fabian she asked, "does it smell like… Christmas?".
"I wasn't scared you know" muttered Alfie, "I was just on high alert. Like we all should be on!".
"Sure Alfie…" deadpanned Amber patting his shoulder as she passed him. "Okay, who is the freaky lion headed thing?".
"Sekhmet. She is the goddess of medicine" Fabian explained joining the group gathered in front of the board.
"Look! There are openings in these" exclaimed Nina. "And there's this channel and it leads to the door! Ugh, with some kind of goo on it. I guess it's supposed to hold it in place".
"So we've got a bunch of chemicals, six snakelike tubes that go down to this mixing jar that leads straight on to a door with a weird goo around it" recapped Jerome.
"Well maybe we put all the chemicals into the tubes, and abracadabra they magically open the door?" suggested Nina.
"Could be, but I guess it has to be the right six chemicals" replied Fabian.
"Okay then!" declared Alfie "Everyone grab a chemical and let's get mixing!".
Snagging the bottle Alfie had picked up, Fabian put it back saying "It's a bit late for science experiments Alfie. We should all get to bed".
As he was leaving with the others Nina stopped him, "Fabian, look at this". Brushing the ever-present cobwebs off the wall she read "The taste of the great bitter lake… It's a riddle!". Running across the room she called out, "Here's another one! Balm of the nomad? Oil of the Egyptian wedding Flower? Fabian, these are on every wall! Let's stay down here and solve them!"
Fabian admired her energy, but he personally felt like he was going to drop from exhaustion, "Nina, It's late. We need to get to bed".
"Let's take pictures of them at least" she compromised. Pulling out their phones the pair quickly documented the riddles. With their task completed the pair headed out of the tunnels and back to their rooms for some much-needed rest.
I love hearing from y'all! Let me know what you think of the chapter and the story so far in the comments or my Tumblr House-of-Secrets! Xo Evie