Chapter three
Ramot Naftali Castle
Ben and Abi looked at the couple. It seemed Ben recognized them. He smiled at them while he helped Abi out of the car.
"Abi I want you to meat Romi and Dov Kaufman. They were the former owners of the castle."
Abi smiled at the couple and shook hands with them. They seemed nice. "So you came here to greet us? That is so kind of you," said Abi.
"I asked them to get the place ready for us. And I was sure you would like to hear some of the place's history," said Ben.
"I would love to," she looked at Ben, "Shall we go in? I'm freezing out here."
Ben wrapped his arms around her and they followed the Kaufman's. When they reached the door he picked her up in his arms and carried her over the threshold. "Welcome home Mrs. Adler."
Abi had a big smile on her face. She was really enjoying herself. She loved that romantic stuff. "Thank you Mr. Adler. I'm happy to be here," she replied looking into his eyes.
Ben lowered her back to the floor and then they followed the woman named Romi, while she showed them around the house. When the tour was over, Abi and Ben followed her downstairs into the living room. The fire in the fireplace was on, and the room was nice and cozy. Tea, cakes and cookies were waiting for them on the table.
"That is so kind of you," said Abi. "You really shouldn't have gone to so much trouble."
"It was our pleasure," said Dov. "I understand you want to hear the history of this place. Your husband said you are a big history fan."
"Yes indeed I am. Anything you can tell me will be great," answered Abi in enthusiasm.
"I love this place. So I'll be happy to tell you all I know," said Mr. Kaufman.
"Well, if you love the place so much, why did you sell it?" asked Abi.
"We are too old to keep it. And it takes a lot of money to keep this house open. We can't do it anymore. Besides, your husband said you wouldn't be living here. He said that you plan to turn it into
a museum."
Abi looked at Ben surprised. A museum? she thought. Ben smiled and she figured they'd have time to talk about all this stuff later. "Ok, so tell me all you can Mr. Kaufman," requested Abi.
"Please call me Dov. Ok. The built of the house started in 1944. April 24th 1944. A Palmach division called Pluga Daled originally started it. In short they were named Bney Peled. They participated with the workers of Sollel Bone (The Israeli Biggest constructors at the time). It took 18 months to finish the house. It finally stood up at Hanukkah (December) of 1945."
He took a sip of his tea then continued. "When war world 2 was over, the Jewish soldiers who served in the British army were released and sent here to house this castle. At one point it was discovered that there was not enough room for the Palmach guys and the former British soldiers under this roof. Eventually Bney Peled left and settled in Beth Lehem."
Abi looked at him listening with interest. She loved to hear the house's history.
"The importance of this place was realized during the early days of the state of Israel. During the independence war, the soldiers who lived and protected this place suffered the most severe attacks by Arabs who tried to conquer this small but strategic point. Once, when the settlement was under heavy attacks and under siege, a small plane carrying Wingate's widow, circled above. She sent down by a parachute the holy bible he has carried with him through his journeys. It was to encourage and raise the peoples spirits in the settlement named after her late husband. The castle barely made it through the war but eventually did survive. It was an important point. It helped keep the Arabs from taking over the Galilee. Many people left the place and only a small core started rebuilding. New houses were built west of the castle, housing new immigrants. But they did not manage to settle and make a living there. So they left. By the early 60's only 13 families remained, and the settlement fell apart. We the Kaufman's were the originals here and for the 3rd time started rebuilding the place. This time the houses were built on the East Side of the castle and were prosperous. They still stand. From upstairs you can see the difference between the West Side and the east. The west is covered with old abandoned houses and the east is flourishing."
"And you've been here since the beginning?" asked Abi.
"Yes. We have been here since the early days. In 1976, when we could still afford it we restored the castle. It is an historical monument. We hope you will do the same. It needs lots of maintenance. So if you really are planning on turning it into a museum it will be a great thing," finished Dov.
"That was some piece of history," said Abi. It caused her to love the place even more. She loved old houses with a history.
"We have to go now," said Romi. We are expecting our children grandchildren and great grandchildren for Dinner. I hope you enjoy your honeymoon. If you need anything, I put our phone number next to the phone so do not hesitate to call."
"Thank you," said Both Abi and Ben. The elderly couple left and they had the house all to themselves now.
"We should get our bags from the car," said Abi.
"Yes," smiled Ben. "I'll go get them."
"You need a hand?" she asked.
"No. You go sit and relax. You're not supposed to carry heavy things. Go on and sit by the fire. I'll be right back."
Abi smiled to herself. He is so over protective, she thought, but decided to accept and enjoy it.
+++
Taylor/Commode
Commode was still on the floor when he heard Taylor's voice calling out to him. "Commode, Help me please," he heard her cry. He started looking around and trying to listen where the voice came from.
"Commode," he heard her again.
"Taylor, where are you? Talk to me so I can find you."
"I'm in here, behind the wall," she screamed as loud as she could. "Please Com, they are tearing me apart."
He grabbed the big knife that was hidden behind his back and started feeling the wall to his right, where the sounds seem to come from.
"The candles Com," he heard Taylor say.
He approached one of the candle niches, and tried anything that came to his mind. Moving his hand over the candles. Pushing them, pulling them, nothing. He tried to think what to do next and leaned on the wall, his palm underneath the niche. Suddenly he heard a squeaking sound and a door opened in the wall. He moved in and immediately the door shut behind him. He saw Taylor on the floor. Some kind of plant or something was pinning her down. A branch tied each of her legs apart. He moved closer and with the knife cut of one side. He was planing on moving to the other when a loud scream sounded. He saw a big branch move toward him and trying to hit him, but managed to escape at the last minute. He moved over to Taylor's other leg and cut her loose. He didn't see the attack from behind him but Taylor's eyes widened and he jumped on her rolling the two of them as far from the center of the room as possible.
"Are you ok?" he asked.
"Thank god you are here," she said. "I thought this thing will tear me in pieces."
"Ok, we have to figure out a way to get back to the door and get the hell out of here," said Commode.
A loud sound of laughter was suddenly heard. "That is not how the game is played," said the loud voice. "If you want to get out of here you have to defeat it."
"Who are you?" called Commode. "Why are you doing this?"
There was no answer. Commode was enraged now. He jumped with his knife and attacked whatever he could, shredding the strange plant. Suddenly the door opened. He grabbed Taylor's hand and pulled her toward the door.
They managed to get out of the room safely. They fell down to the floor trying to catch their breaths.
"Com, what did that voice mean? What kind of sick game are we in? Why?" asked Taylor.
"I don't know," he answered.
"If you two want to get out of here, you will have to survive all of the tests we have planed for you." Said the voice again.
"What do you mean?" asked Com.
"There are a few more rooms for you to handle. If you survive, you will be allowed out safely."
"And if we fail?" asked Taylor.
"If you fai, you'll be dead, so it doesn't really matter," answered the voice.
Commode turned to Taylor and asked, "Why did you go off by yourself?"
"I don't know. It was like someone was calling my name. I was walking with my hand on the wall when the door suddenly opened."
"Ok. No more splitting up. We stay together," he said.
"Do you think we must play this stupid game?"
"Yes Taylor. I think it's our only chance to get out of here. I don't think he was kidding."
"Ok, then let's move. You take the left wall; I'll take the right. When a door opens we will go in together," said Taylor.
"Ok. Let's go. Here, take this," he said as he pulled another knife from behind his back.
Taylor took the knife and held on to it tight. They started walking forward, their hands moving along the wall when another door opened.
+++
San Diego House
Tanya spoke to all the houses on the list Alex gave her. Nothing. No one has ever encountered such a thing. And there was nothing on any of their databases. But they all promised to look into this.
Alex also had no luck. She had only one more house to call, the Jerusalem house. She picked up the phone and dialed the no.
"Luna Foundation, Abi Rayne Adler speaking."
"Hi Abi," said Alex, "I thought you and Ben will be on your honeymoon by now."
"Alex. Hi, nice to hear you. We are leaving in two weeks. Is everything ok?" she asked.
"Well, not really. We are in the San Diego house. The precept and one of her colleagues have disappeared. I was wondering if maybe you have some information that can help us," said Alex.
"Sure, Anything I can do to help."
"Have you ever encountered a wall that's invisible and cold to the touch. I mean freezing."
"Can't say that we have, but I can check our new database if you won't mind waiting," said Abi.
"Not at all. I'll wait," replied Alex.
Abi looked at her computer and entered some key words in the search area. She looked at the screen then asked Alex, "Who is the person that the precept disappeared with?"
"His name is Commode. Why do you ask?" wondered Alex.
"Is he Human?" asked Abi in return.
Alex wondered why is Abi asking all these questions, what did she find out? "No," she finally said, "He's a vampire."
"I see," said Abi.
"Abi, what is it? What do you mean I see?" asked Alex.
"There is nothing you can do guys. You'll just have to wait and see. I'm sending you all the material I have. You'll understand. Is my dad there?"
"Yes. Do you wish to talk to him?"
"No, that's ok. You guys probably have a lot to do. Show him the files I sent. He'll understand. Bye Alex."
"Bye Abi," said Alex.
Abi hung up the phone leaving Alex a bit speechless. What does she mean there is nothing we can do? There is always something to do.