CHAPTER 17

"Nina," Jerome said catching up to Nina as she was walking in the hallway. Nina turned around walking slower now as Jerome caught up to her. "Hey cutie," she said pinching his cheek softly before planting a kiss on his lips that they both smiled through. Jerome grabbed her hand, began to walk along with her holding hands before he took a deep sigh and Nina glanced at him.

"So I was in the entrance hall this morning before I was gettting ready to go to school today and I looked at the stairwell and saw something interesting," Jerome began to say as Nina asked what it was that he saw. "Obviously I didn't think much of it first but I saw this like...like-" Jerome's voice drifted off as he couldn't find the right words to describe it. "What is it Jerome?" Nina said grabbing his elbow as she looked up to Jerome's face as Jerome just shrugged and then smiled at Nina. "Here," he said grabbing her hand and dragging her into the opposite direction. "I'll show you," he said as Nina followed behind as his hand dragged her through the students that were beginning to scurry off to their classes.

As the two made their way through everyone else, Fabian, Patricia, Amber, and Alfie were walking together and met Jerome and Nina passing by.

"What are you guys doing?" Alfie asked in his usual warm lingo. "Class is that way," he pointed to the north as Jerome and Nina shrugged smiling.

"We'll be back," Nina said. "Just cover for us." she finished.

Fabian, Patricia, Amber, and Alfie continued walking forward as Fabian was looking down. "Where do you think they are going off to?" Alfie asked curiously.

"Maybe they are going to fuck," Amber said as Patricia and Fabian glared at her and Alfie giggled. Amber looked around defensively. "What?" Amber squeeled. "They already did it's not like it's a big deal!" she said in defense as Fabian, Patricia's, and Alfie's eyes widened and looked at Amber shocked.

"What?" Patricia said as Amber's face began to turn red and she looked around nervously. "Oops sorry," Amber said softly in her innocent tone. "I really wasn't supposed to tell you guys that." she finished as Fabian rushed by the gang speed walking.

"Great job Amber," Patricia said walking off as Alfie followed close behind and Amber ran after him.

MEANWHILE AT THE HOUSE.

"What is it?" Nina said whispering as her and Jerome snuck over to the staircase and Jerome began to twiddle with one of the ledges. "You'll see," he said and began to tug at a ledge, when suddenly it lifted up and revealed a shinning sliver key-like object that had a crescent moon symbol that was textured over the material. He lifted it up to his eye as Nina began to look it out. "Amazing," Nina said as she was mesmerized. "I know right the key's a beauty," he said in his sweet tone that he only shared with Nina. "No not that," Nina said biting her lip. "Just the way your eyes sparkle and reflect off of the key," Nina said as Jerome looked at Nina and smiled.

"Hey look at that!" Nina said pointing to an old papyrus material that came from the bottom of where they had found the key. Jerome grabbed it from under there before adjusting the ledge and slowly motioning for Nina to come to him. The two slowly walked out the door. "Read it!" Nina encouraged Jerome as they began walking over to the clearing via Jerome's suggestion so they wouldn't get caught.

Jerome sighed and unfolded the paper beginning to read.

You have found your first key of the moon and sun now you must go forth to find the next five.

But hurry because each one holds a different life.

The Day Of The Dead is near for all to see.

A hero and a matyr you must be.