Episode 10: "House of Cameras & House of Numbers"

This edited and revised chapter was uploaded on September 21, 2020


Chapter 10: Sibunas Under Surveillance

The next morning, everyone was gathered downstairs in their school uniforms. Everyone was in shock as to what was happening.

Trudy had been fired.

The Anubis House residents could only stand around in shock, many of them trying not to cry, as Trudy emerged from her bedroom, packed and crying.

This was happening. This was really happening.

Cameron was not the only misty-eyed student. Mara, Amber, Nina, and even Fabian were looking teary. But for Nina, Amber, and Fabian, it was because they were the reason Trudy had been fired. It was their fault. They had gone down into the cellar last night with her, intent on confronting Victor. But when they got down there — all the chemicals and animals, and tables and experiments — they were gone.

And the cat that Amber claimed Victor stuffed, was alive and well.

Victor, believing Trudy had betrayed him, fired her on the spot.

Trudy looked around at her students, luggage in hand. She was trying not to cry.

"Trudy…" Fabian stepped up, his eyes wet. "We're really sorry."

"We didn't mean to get you in trouble," Nina sniffed. "Honestly, we didn't."

"I know," Trudy said, teary. "It's my own fault for believing your silly stories."

That made the Sibunas feel worse. Trudy strode past them, stopping in front of Mara.

"We're going to miss you," the girl whispered.

"Oh, and I'm going to miss you, too. All of you," Trudy said. Cameron slowly stepped up, tears in her eyes.

She could hardly believe this was happening. She hadn't expected this. When Jason confronted the strange happenings of Anubis House, he'd been turned to Victor's side. She'd expected the same thing to happen to Trudy. She never expected this. She'd never have imagined Trudy would be fired.

But, then again, she'd said it last night. Victor wasn't afraid to get rid of people who got too close. No obstacle, no challenge, no complication, no one was going to get in his way.

And that was exactly what he did with Trudy.

"Oh, Trudy." Cameron hugged the woman tight, absolutely devastated to see her go. Trudy hugged her back, but pulled away as they heard someone come inside the house.

Victor. And he had the most disgustingly smug look on his face.

"Your taxi's here," he said with no remorse. Amber hugged Trudy tightly before glaring at Victor.

"How can you do this?" she demanded. "Trudy hasn't done anything wrong."

"Don't make things worse than they are, Amber," Cameron hissed.

Victor ignored them, and forcefully waved Trudy out the door.

"Goodbye, Trudy."

The woman's face crumpled, and she rushed out, quiet sobs echoing in her wake.

Victor closed the door with a loud boom and strutted into the dining room.

"Are you okay?" Cameron heard. Jerome was looking at her with concern. He, too, was sad to see Trudy leave, but Cameron was taking it harder than him.

He had the niggling feeling that the reason why pertained to whatever secret she and her friends carried.

"No," Cameron whispered. Tears filled her eyes again, but she didn't let them fall. Jerome wasn't sure what to say. He wasn't sure what he could say. And he didn't get a chance to say anything. A yell from Victor forced everyone into the dining room.

No one spoke as they sat at the table and waited. Fifteen minutes later, Victor was serving them breakfast. Though no one was quite sure what it was.

To Cameron, it looked like an attempt at porridge. But it was more the consistency of congealed goop. Everyone stared at the sludge with disdain, unsure what to do or say. It didn't look appetizing. And it sure didn't smell appetizing. Alfie was brave, and scooped up someone of the sticky goop with his spoon, but the entire serving was lifted out of the bowl. Alfie made a face, then dropped the sludge back into his bowl, and the concoction never once changed shape.

Amber, disgusted, took a sip of tea. She recoiled and nearly gagged.

Cameron sniffed, and cringed. The smell of burning toast was enough to make her eyes water.

The residents of Anubis House exchanged looks — sick, disgusted, indignant, etc.

"I'm not eating this," Mick declared, glaring at the glop in his bowl. Victor glowered down at him.

Mara attempted to advise the caretaker. "Trudy always gave us toast with our choice of jam and —"

"Forget Trudy," Victor snapped, cutting Mara off. Cameron felt her mood improve when she saw Alfie stick his teacup into the porridge. He lifted it off the table — the porridge stayed stuck to the cup. "And if you don't like my cooking, you can always do it yourself."

"How about we go and get breakfast from the vending machines in school, guys?" Amber suggested. Everyone muttered in agreement and quickly fled the dining room, leaving all the cleaning to Victor. However, they stopped dead when they saw what was happening in the entry hall.

"No way!" Amber cried. "They're installing security cameras?"

Indeed, there stood men on ladders installing security cameras through the house.

"But they can't do that," Fabian said. "It's a total invasion on our privacy."

"And the camera adds twenty pounds!" Amber's complaint was ignored.

"The school is always striving to improve your personal security," Victor said, coming out of the kitchen. He wore a wicked, gleaming smile. "This is our latest measure to help you feel safe and secure."

"More like creeped out and violated," Cameron muttered bitterly.

"This is a joke," Mick agreed.

"Safe and secure?" Jerome said incredulously.

All the residents of Anubis House left together, muttering in anger and frustration. First Trudy was gone, then Victor's horrible breakfast, now security cameras.

They couldn't help but wonder what atrocity was next.

~)8(~

"How are we supposed to keep searching the house with cameras everywhere? It's like we're on a dull reality show," Nina said, pacing. She, Amber, Cameron, and Fabian were in the girls' bedroom after school, talking about how they were going to continue the search with the cameras around the house. Cameron might've still been sore at them, but it didn't mean she was going to stop looking and helping with the treasure.

She had made a promise to Sarah and she intended on keeping it.

"I don't know why I'm still trying," Patricia huffed, coming into the room and throwing her phone onto Amber's bed with frustration. She sat down and sighed. "Rufus is never going to pick up. This is like Joy all over again."

"Except we know who took Rufus, we don't know who took Joy," Fabian said.

"But we have no idea where Rufus could be," Cameron said.

"And of course Victor took Joy," Patricia argued.

"But Cam's right. Where does he take them to?" Amber asked. "And why?

"Okay, we need to stick together more than ever now," Nina said. "Sibuna?"

"Sibuna," Fabian, Amber, and Cameron chorused.

"Si — what?" Patricia asked, confused.

"Welcome to the club," Nina said, smiling.

"Together, we are invincible," Fabian joked. Patricia smiled, happy to be included. She had been so mean to Nina and Cameron, but now… Now, together, they all had the chance to figure out what was happening with Victor, and Rufus, and Joy, and this whole treasure thing. And that meant more to her than she would ever say.

They believed her. Something had happened to Joy, and they believed her. And they would stop at nothing to figure this out and set things right.

"Okay, I have had an idea about these cameras," Patricia said. Everyone perked up. "But it means enlisting the help of our favorite comedy double act."

"SpongeBob and Patrick?" Amber asked with a confused frown.

"Alfie and Jerome," Cameron corrected gently. She wore a small smile. She was already looking forward to this.

Patricia told them her plan. But before they could set everything into motion, Nina stopped Cameron.

"Cameron…" she said. "We know you're mad at us. And you have every right to be. You told us that confronting Victor with Trudy wouldn't go well and we didn't listen. We didn't mean to get Trudy fired, honest."

"I know that, Nina. It's just…"

"What?" Fabian asked.

"How can I not be angry when you guys did something we hadn't thoroughly thought through and agreed on? And when I told you I didn't want to involve Trudy, you did it anyway. It makes me feel like you don't trust me or my judgement. Not to mention how adamant Sarah was about keeping everything a secret. Not to mention how dangerous this all is getting. We're not being careful, going around and telling people about this. Jason was converted, Rufus was kidnapped, and Trudy was fired. Not to mention when Patricia went to the police about Joy, only to discover that the police are in on the whole thing. We can't trust anyone right now — only each other. And we need to be careful. But we aren't! And when you guys go blabbing about things to others, it always backfires on us. And it all just… If we can't even trust each other, who can we trust?"

There was a quiet moment where the other four allowed Cameron's words to stew in their minds.

"We do trust you, Cam," Fabian whispered. And it was true. And everything Cameron had said was true. They weren't being careful. And people were getting hurt. And Cameron had warned them about something happening to Trudy — she had. And he had agreed. But he had done nothing. He understood where Cameron was coming from. Truly. Especially because she was the one who was supposed to solve this thing — her and Nina. Not him. Not Amber. Not Patricia.

No wonder Cameron was angry and disappointed.

"It's just… I'm scared, Cam," Nina suddenly said. Everyone looked at her. "I'm not sure I can handle what Sarah's asking of me — of us. Everything, the treasure, the locket, the cellar, the secrets… It all scares me."

Cameron looked shocked. Apparently she had not been expecting that. And she hadn't. Nina had been full-steam-ahead with the whole adventure. With all the mystery and secrets and intrigue. She was the one who was constantly lying and sneaking about and cutting school and sleep to solve this mystery. She had dived right in the deep end, while Cameron had more waded in and was treading water. Cameron never expected that Nina had sank to the bottom and was afraid of drowning.

Cameron put a gentle hand on her friend's shoulder.

"Me, too," she admitted. Everyone seemed surprised, but Cameron was unsure why. "I'm scared, too. When Sarah talked to us and gave us this task, I wasn't sure what to do. We had no starting point. No clues. Nothing. Nothing except our promise to Sarah, and her warnings and faith. And that was terrifying for me. Then everything started happening all at once and I realized Sarah was telling the truth. And grouped with her knowing us, and what she gave us…"

"What did she give you?" Nina suddenly cut in. Cameron grimaced lightly.

"I can't tell you," she said with some bitter regret. "At least, not yet. Remember how Sarah was so insistent that no one but me see it? She even had it in a box while she just gave you the locket. I'm not even sure what it is, yet."

Cameron knew the key opened panels in the house, just like Nina's locket. But she had no idea why it was such a big secret then. If had the same function as the locket, then why keep it hidden? Unless, of course, it had another purpose. One Cameron had yet to discern.

The Sibunas accepted Cameron's response and moved on. Cameron immediately relaxed.

"We're really sorry, Cam," Nina said. Cameron gave them a small smile.

"Me, too."

And just like that, the anger Cameron felt melted away, and the group was back to normal.

~)8(~

About thirty minutes later, their plan to protest the cameras was put into action. The residents of Anubis House split off into groups and each took a camera. They set up chairs and stood on them, staring right into the cameras. They waved and smiled sweetly into them.

It took less than thirty seconds for Victor's voice to boom through the house.

"Get away from those cameras immediately!"

Victor was ignored and everyone merely continued smiling and waving at the cameras. Cameron stood with Nina and Amber in the living room. Alfie and Jerome were only a few feet away in the entry hall. Fabian and Mick took the boys' hallway and Patricia and Mara took the upstairs hall.

"Get down from there at once!" Victor loomed over Alfie and Jerome from the staircase. "Lewis! Clarke!"

The boys flashed Victor matching innocent smiles.

"What's wrong, Victor?" Alfie asked sweetly. "We're only doing the same as you. We're watching you watching us."

"You impudent —"

"It's a peaceful protest," Jerome cut in. Nina, Amber, and Cameron giggled as they watched the exchange between the overgrown bat and twin troublemakers. However, the boys heard the girls' giggles and turned to face them very briefly, giving them matching cheeky smirks and winks. Amber and Nina were still smiling, but Cameron grew a little flustered. She knew Jerome's wink was directed at her, not all three of them. Just like she knew that Alfie had only winked at Amber. Both Nina and Amber were shooting Cameron knowing looks. Looks that promised an interrogation at a later time.

Cameron was not looking forward to that.

"Fine. Fine. You stand up there on your little chairs until lights out. You'll soon become bored of this nonsense."

But stand on their little chairs until lights out they did.

And Cameron knew an interrogation awaited her.

~)8(~

A booming voice shook Anubis House sometime after lights out. Cameron was awake enough to register that Victor was yelling at Alfie and Jerome through his brand-new microphone.

"Clarke! Lewis! I know it's you. You are both grounded! And the next person to step out of line will get worse than that. I can and will bring your time at this school to an end. Go to your rooms immediately."

"Doesn't Victor ever sleep?" Cameron muttered angrily. Nina and Amber released huffs of agreement.

"So, Cam…" Amber suddenly said. There was a saucy smile on her face, and one quickly grew on Nina's face. They both sat up, and Cameron was tempted to smother herself.

There were only two things this could be about. Option 1: their little mystery. However, Nina had already told Cameron about how the Frobisher-Smythes had worked on Howard Carter's expedition in 1922. So the treasure the Sibunas were looking for was likely something they had stolen from King Tutankhamen's tomb.

So that left Option 2: Jerome.

"Get it over with," Cameron groaned.

"Do you like Jerome?" Amber was blunt, but she was practically squealing. Her smile turned giddy, and Nina looked equally anxious for the answer.

"I don't suppose you'd believe me if I said no."

"No, not really."

"Then, yes, I like him."

Amber and Nina emitted little matching squeals. Cameron was honestly surprised. She thought they were going to be completely disgusted by the fact that she liked Jerome Clarke of all people.

"That is so cute," Amber said.

"The cutest," Nina agreed.

"And, of course, he likes you back," Amber continued.

Cameron rolled her eyes, trying to force back a blush. "Whatever."

"Actually, I have to agree," Nina said. "I think he likes you. I mean, he has all those nicknames for you and teases you. And he's… different around you."

Cameron frowned. "Different?"

"I think you bring out the best in him," Amber said. "He's pranked people much less ever since you came. He was a nightmare last year. And he seems to really care about you. He comforted you when Rufus broke in, when Patricia dumped water all over you, and when Trudy left. If it were anyone else, he wouldn't have bothered."

Cameron didn't want to admit it, but Amber made excellent points.

But a worry nagged her.

"Does liking him make me a bad person?"

Both Amber and Nina frowned at her.

"Of course not. Why would you think that?" Nina asked.

"Because it's Jerome," Cameron said, as if it was obvious. "He's cute, but rude and isn't very considerate of others."

"Yeah, that's true," Amber admitted. "But, and if you ever tell him I said this I'll kill you, he's rather funny and clever. And he has his nice moments. Usually around you."

Nina nodded in agreement.

"Do you really think he likes me?" Cameron asked shyly. Both girls nodded and Cameron felt a little, giddy smile grow on her face. She knew she was nowhere near ready to have a relationship with anyone, but knowing that Jerome might like her back made her feel warm.

"But, if he ever hurts you," Nina started, suddenly very serious, "he's going to have to answer to me."

"And me," Amber said.

"And Fabian."

"And Mick as well."

"Patricia might even help."

"And Mara will if Patricia does."

"We might even get Alfie on our side."

"I don't think that will be necessary," Cameron said, clearing her throat uncomfortably.

"No, we hope it will never have to come to that," Nina said, agreeing with Cameron. Then, as an afterthought, "For Jerome's sake."

Cameron giggled, but soon turned serious.

"You know, back in America I didn't really have any friends," she said. "After Jill, my twin, died, I kind of closed off on everyone. And I never had the best relationship with my parents, either." Cameron took a breath. "What I'm trying to say is that you guys have… kind of become my family. So… thanks."

Nina and Amber were both surprised to hear that Cameron hadn't had many friends back in America, but they were incredibly touched that they meant so much to her. And they felt the same way. Everyone at Anubis House seemed to be incredibly fond of Cameron. Even Victor didn't tell her off as much as he did the others.

"What…" Amber started. "What happened to Jill?" Her face was shy, like she was afraid of Cameron's reaction. Nina didn't blame her. The last time Jill had been brought up, Cameron had been rather cold and hadn't told them much. However, Cameron didn't look nearly as uncomfortable as before. Just sad.

"She was killed when we were 13," she said. "Actually, it was in the middle of the night. A man had broken in and murdered Jill. I woke up just in time to see him do it. That's why I freaked so much when I saw Rufus that night. I was afraid that what happened to Jill was happening again."

Nina and Amber were completely silent. It certainly did explain why Cameron had been so scared. Both girls sat down beside her and put their arms around her.

"We're sorry, Cam," Nina said. She merely nodded and the three of them stayed that way until their eyes drooped with sleep. The three girls all laid down and quickly fell asleep.

~)8(~

The next morning, Cameron quickly turned off her extra-early alarm so it wouldn't disturb Nina and Amber. Fortunately, both girls remained sleeping and Cameron crept from the room. She made her way downstairs and was thankful when Victor didn't yell at her over the microphone. He must've been asleep.

Cameron crept into the kitchen. She had decided last night that she was going to cook breakfast from now on. She was not going to put up with Victor's cooking and vending machine snacks didn't cut it. So, Cameron got to work.

She hunted around the fridge and pantry for ingredients and was pleasantly surprised when she found several loaves of bread. Trudy must've recently stocked up. Cameron grabbed two of them, quickly found all the other ingredients, pulled out all the materials she needed, and began. Fifteen minutes later, she had mixed the flour, milk, salt, eggs, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla together and was dipping two pieces of bread in the mixture. Then, she put them in a frying pan and began making French toast. In another pan, she was frying bacon.

"What are you doing, Miss Zack?" She looked over her shoulder to see Victor standing in the kitchen doorway.

"I'm making breakfast," she replied, "because frankly, and no offense when I say this, you aren't a good cook. We need a proper meal so I'm making French toast and bacon. Would you like some, Victor?"

"No." He left.

Cameron merely shrugged and went back to her cooking. When the bacon was done, she put it on two platters and put them on the table. When the French toast was done, she also set it out on the table. Then she cut up some strawberries and bananas and threw them into a bowl with some blueberries for toppings. Two bottles of syrup went on the table as well and Cameron had finished putting out plates and silverware for everyone when Mara and Patricia came into the dining room.

"Something smells good," Patricia said. They both took a proper look at the table and gaped.

"Cameron, did you do all this?" Mara asked. Cameron nodded, smiling. "Why?"

"We need a proper breakfast and Victor is not able to give us one. I like cooking, so I decided to do this," Cameron simply explained. She placed cups around the table and began filling them with water.

"Well, can we help?" Mara asked. She felt bad that Cameron had done all of this by herself and wanted to help in some way.

"Um… can you put napkins on the table? Patricia, can you finish with the water?"

Both girls quickly and eagerly finished their jobs. Soon enough, the rest of the Anubis House residents filed into the dining room, expecting the worst, but finding the unexpected.

"Cam, Patricia, Mara… did you do all this?" Nina gasped, looking at the food on the table. It looked amazing and smelled even better.

"Not us," Patricia said. "It was all Cameron."

Everyone stared at her, and she shrugged again, still smiling.

"I wanted to," she merely said.

"I thought I heard you get up early this morning," Nina said. "I assumed it was to get in the shower before Amber."

Cameron shook her head. "I knew we'd all be scrambling around trying to get breakfast together if no one did anything, so I figured I would make something. Is French toast, bacon, and fruit okay?"

Everyone beamed, amazed and incredibly grateful for Cameron in that moment. Mick approached her, beaming.

"Oh, Speedy, I could kiss you!" he exclaimed. He picked up the unsuspecting Cameron and gave her a tight hug, one she couldn't properly return out of shock. Cameron noticed Jerome's expression had become stony.

"Okay… well…" Cameron struggled with how to respond. "Please don't." Mick laughed and shook his head. Mara looked pleased with this, but Cameron ignored it. "You all can go ahead and eat. I have to go get dressed."

Everyone quickly took up her offer and dug in. Cameron smiled at the sight, but soon went upstairs to get dressed. When she came back down, she was showered with praise and thanked furiously. Cameron merely waved them all off and plated herself some breakfast.

"I had no idea you could cook," Jerome said when she sat down next to him.

"Yeah. I've always enjoyed cooking and baking," she admitted. "Jill was the opposite. She could hardly make hot chocolate out of mix properly, let alone a meal for herself. Matt's the same. Whenever we were home alone, they'd rely on me for food. But half the time we just ended up ordering pizza."

"Well, I could eat this every morning," Jerome said. "Almost as good as Trudy's."

Cameron beamed. Then an idea hit her brain.

"Oh, Jerome," she said, sniffling. "I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me." Cameron continued sniffling, pretending to get emotional.

"Wait, what did he say?" Mara asked from the other side of Cameron. The girl sniffled again and Jerome scowled.

"It was just…" sniffle, "so nice, and…" sniffle, "I'm touched, and —"

"Do I have to prank you?" Jerome threatened through gritted teeth. Most people would've backed down at that, but Cameron snorted.

"I'd like to see you try."

Mara gasped. Jerome quirked an eyebrow at Cameron.

"Are you doubting me, Caramel?"

"I don't know, dude," Alfie cut in, having heard everything. "It sounded more like a challenge to me."

"Well, then, challenge accepted."

Jerome and Cameron simultaneously turned back to their breakfast, their minds swirling and brewing with ideas. Cameron hadn't pulled any pranks in years. Not since Jill died. She hadn't had the heart for it since she lost her partner-in-crime. But, admittedly, Cameron was looking forward to this. She had years of plans and ideas in her mind and notebooks. She would wait for Jerome to make the first move, though. Retribution was always more fun than unprovoked pranks.

But in the middle of thinking that, Cameron realized something. She was planning pranks. She was planning active pranks for the first time in three years. And maybe it was a sign. A sign that she was finally beginning to move on from what happened to Jill. She was finally starting to heal.

Cameron wasn't sure if it was the move, the writing, or her friends in Anubis House, or all three that had done the trick, but Cameron was healing. And soon, Cameron might just be able to forgive herself.

~)8(~

"Mr. Campbell, what are you doing here?" Amber asked. She had cut herself off from what she was saying to Cameron when she saw Mick's dad walking through the school hallway. Cameron looked up to see a tall, handsome, mildly imposing man in a suit walking towards them.

"Hello, Amber, just been visiting Mick," he said. "And who's this?" Cameron blinked as he addressed her, but smiled politely.

"Oh, I'm Cameron," she introduced. She stuck out her hand and he shook it. "You must be Mick's dad."

"Yes, I am. So, you're Cameron? The girl who made everyone breakfast this morning?" Mr. Campbell asked. Cameron nodded.

"Her French toast is to die for," Amber gushed.

"I'm sure it is. But I think Mick's told me about you before. Are you the girl he goes on runs with?"

Cameron was surprised he knew that, but again, nodded.

"That's me."

"Well, I hope you'll be keeping him in shape. He's got his tryout for the UCLA scholarship coming up," Mr. Campbell said. "He says you're a rather good runner."

Cameron shrugged shyly.

"I wouldn't say that. I just run to keep myself in shape. And it gives me time to think as well."

"Well, that's good," Mr. Campbell said. His tone wasn't very interested, but there was a small, genuine smile on his face. "So how are you today, ladies?"

"Well, despite Cam's breakfast, not very good," Amber said. "Come and have a Caramellolattechino in the common room with us and we'll tell you all about it. It's totally unfair."

It only took ten seconds for Cameron to realize what Amber was up to. It took an additional ten seconds for Cameron to realize that Mr. Campbell had influence with the school. Ten more seconds later, Cameron put the pieces together and eagerly helped Amber.

When they were done, Mr. Campbell was outraged.

"That's it! I've heard enough! I'm going to inform Mr. Sweet that I'll be removing Mick from the school. Let's see what he has to say about that!" He strode from the lounge and Cameron and Amber high-fived. About five minutes later, they were going to meet Mr. Campbell to see how it went with Mr. Sweet.

Mick and Mara were there, too.

"Dad, what's going on?" Mick asked worriedly.

"I don't think you're going to have any more problems with security cameras. Thanks to those young ladies over there." Mick and Mara spun around to see Cameron and Amber.

"Nice work, Mr. Campbell!" Amber cheered.

"And Trudy?" Cameron asked.

"To be reinstated," Mr. Campbell assured. "Despite how good your breakfast might've been, I don't think you will be able to make it every day along with dinner. Nor should you be expected to, Cameron."

Cameron and Amber beamed.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Campbell," they chorused.

He smiled.

"My pleasure."

~)8(~

"Guys!" Nina said rushing into the lounge with Fabian right on her heels. They both looked more than a little excited. "Fabian figured it out. The numbers mean 1922. Like the year Howard Carter found Tutankhamen's tomb."

Cameron gasped.

"Nice work!" she exclaimed. "But what now?"

"We think there might be something on the sarcophagus in the entryway," Fabian said.

Cameron nodded and the four Sibunas smiled at each other. Patricia soon joined them and she was informed of the new discovery. In the middle of planning what to do, they saw Victor walk through the hall and disappear into Mr. Sweet's office.

Cameron and Amber smirked at each other. They had an idea of how that conversation was going to go.

But Cameron quickly realized something.

"The house…" she said.

"It's empty," Fabian finished.

"Well, let's go!" Nina said. The five Sibunas immediately left the school and returned to the house. Nina and Cameron knelt by the sarcophagus in the entryway and noticed the dated plague on the bottom.

1922.

"This is it," Cameron said. She and Nina continued to inspect the sarcophagus, not quite sure what they were looking for. After a minute or so, Nina leaned back.

"It's not here," she said.

Cameron spotted something. "Wait, wait…" She noticed a button on the side of the plaque and pressed it. A panel on the base of the sarcophagus slid open. Nina gasped. She reached in and pulled out a folded piece of paper.

Another riddle.

Cameron closed the panel and stood.

Nina showed the others the paper.

"Yes!" Fabian exclaimed. But the Sibunas had no time to examine it. They heard the front door opening. Nina stuffed the riddle in her bag just in time for Victor to walk in. His face was sour. It worsened when he saw the group of them.

"What are you all doing here?" he demanded.

"I left my flash drive with my French assignment here," Cameron quickly lied.

"And I forgot my textbook," Patricia added.

"And it's our free period so we decided to come with them," Fabian tacked on.

Victor scowled, but couldn't say anything. They weren't technically breaking any rules.

"Hurry up and get back to class!"

Everyone scurried out of the house. They quickly filed into the lounge and sequestered a corner where they could read the riddle in private.

"Beleathered and clasped. Here is the only place where yesterday always follows tomorrow."

The Sibunas looked at each other and sighed. This riddle was no easier than any of the previous ones had been. This was going to take some thinking.

"Beleathered and clasped," Patricia said.

"An old briefcase?" Fabian suggested.

"What about an old diary or journal?" Nina suggested.

"I agree it sounds like a book of some kind," Cameron said, "but a diary doesn't make sense. The days and entries go in chronological order. So yesterday doesn't follow tomorrow."

Nina gasped and looked at Fabian.

"Remember when we got the chandelier out from under the stairs?" she asked. "There was a big box of leather-bound books in there."

"Right!" Fabian said, remembering. "Okay, let's take a look the next time Victor pops out."

The four girls nodded in agreement. As it turned out, the next time Victor went out was that very night. So, Nina and Fabian searched under the stairs while the other three kept watch. Dozens and dozens of books. Most of them were leather-bound. None of them had a clasp on them.

But books weren't the only thing in the cupboard under the stairs. There were boxes of photos as well. Most were of the Frobisher-Smythe family and the founding years of the school. However, one photo caught Nina's eye. And icy horror flooded her veins.

The photo was taken in 1925. It was a faded sepia tone, but the person featured was easily recognized. A tall, scowling man with hunching shoulders and a well-tailored suit and pocket watch. Dark hair, dark eyes, mustache.

The man looked like Victor. Exactly like Victor. Not a day older. Not a day younger.

And Nina and Fabian had no idea what to think about it.


Hi everyone! I'm so sorry this update was so late, but with the fall months has come the fall semester. And already in one month of courses I have submitted four assignments, three exams, two quizzes, two discussions/debates, one speech, and one 11-page research paper. I've been a bit overworked. In other news, I've finally started a new job! It's at a local museum, and I get to give tours and information about women's suffrage, Victorian homes and artifacts, and local history. It's essentially my dream job.
But, here's the latest chapter. I hope it makes up for my little absence. Thank you all so much for your patience. Let me know what you all think!

Reviews

origamigriffon3246: Yeah, Mr. Winkler and Cameron have an interesting relationship. When I first started writing this story, I was afraid they seemed to "friendly" for a teacher-student pair, but as someone who has now had that sort of relationship with several teachers, they're some of my most treasured. And as for Cameron's book... ;)
Toritacoisawesome: We're getting close to where we were before, and trust me, the new stuff has some good surprises in it ;) I'm glad you're liking this rewrite!
FanOfPiPercy: Oh, I love historical fiction. It's one of my favorite genres? What book was it? Oh, and I'm glad you like the plot with Cameron being a famous author. At first I thought it was too Mary Sue-ish and unrealistic, but then I met no less than three different people in college who had published books while in high school. Made me feel like I had accomplished nothing in life, lol xD And when it comes to Jerome figuring it out... Well... It's definitely just a moment between the two of them ;)
scarlett quagmire: The meet and greet is soon, I promise ;) I hope you like the update, and thank you for being so patient :)
Maricate: Nina and Cameron will definitely be around the AU. You know how Season 1's mystery revealed Nina's secret role as "the Chosen One," and Season 2 ended with Eddie being the Osirian, well, my Season 3 AU will reveal Cameron's role. 3 is a magical number for most societies, but also for the Ancient Egyptians. So, three special someones there will be. Hope you stick around long enough to see the AU :) And I'm so glad you like Jerome and Cameron. I sometimes find it harder to write natural romance, especially when it comes to teens because teenagers are just the most awkward people on the planet lol. Also, I'm ace, so romance can be tricky for me. So it means a lot to me that you love their pairing so much! Also, thanks for reminding me of the single most brilliant and emotionally destroying TV series in history - BBC Merlin. I have more than a few fics planned for that show. And yes, the ending will be much better lol. Hope you like this update :)
FallenArcana: Awesome username! Do you read Tarot? Anyway, yes, of course Amber won the competition, lol. I figured that was the only way it could go. I'm so glad you're enjoying this story, and I hope you like this update :)
cameron: Oh, I'm so glad you like Cameron! And don't worry - I'm completely biased as well, haha xD It also means a lot to me that you see the individuality of her. I worked really hard to make her different from Nina. Cameron definitely has a special role in all the Anubis House mysteries, but I definitely tried to make her unique and a separate character amongst the canon. I'm glad you see that, that means a lot to me. And haha, you are definitely right that Amber will not be the first person to figure out Cameron's secret identity. But I can promise, it won't be Jerome either ;)

Sammiemoosam