Chp 5 The Wanderer

The night started to draw closer and numerous attempts at making phone calls failed. The storm had arrived full force lashing down rain and wind around the castle. Knowing it was safer to stay put, Moseby had agreed to let the group rest in rooms offered to them by Adam. Addison had been taken to her room as she was feeling ill, while the others went on a small tour of the nearby halls of the castle. Adam had acted like a tourist guide, intriguing the group with his tales.

"What's that then?" Zack asked as they passed a book in a glass cabinet. Cody had given into Zack's pleas to let him accompany the group.

"I know the concept is alien to you Zack, but that's a book." Cody said. Zack shot his brother an annoyed look.

"That is a new item to the display. It is a diary once owned by the daughter of a previous owner. She went missing in the castle one night and the family treasured her belongings for many years. Visitors to the castle used to ask about the family so a few items were donated to the display." Adam described.

"How old was she when she went missing?" Bailey asked.

"There are conflicting reports of her age. Some say she was just 10, some say she was near her 20s." Adam replied.

"This diary was written by a child." Cody noticed.

"It was amongst some toys and dolls donated by the family. Its quite possible that she was a youngster." Adam said.

"Even you don't know?" Woody asked.

"I have never been able to find the truth. All documents relating to the family that stayed here belong to the distant family and they will not release any information."

"Sounds mysterious to me." London said.

"The Lester Family always have been." Adam said. He carried on with his stories as he led the group back to the living room. The storm carried on lashing the sides of the castle and the surrounding buildings, the rain getting heavier. Adam had headed off to bed leaving the group chatting.

"What will happen when we don't return to the ship?" Bailey asked Moseby.

"Well the ship won't be fixed until tomorrow so it won't go anywhere tonight. But I am sure as soon as they realised we have not returned they will send someone out to find us." He said.

"I hope so, would hate for the ship to leave us behind." Bailey said.

"I can't stay here, I have no make up and I have been in this outfit for way too long." London said.

"We have to stay here tonight London. It's too dangerous out there at the moment." Cody said.

"I will not sleep in this dirty castle." She said.

"Then sleep outside in the dirty 4 poster bed with butlers and servants." Bailey said.

"I am up for that." London said heading to the door.

"London. Bailey is joking." Moseby said. London stopped and stared at Bailey.

"This is a nightmare." She said.

"Do I have to share a room with her?" Bailey asked.

"Yes you do, and I suggest we all head to them now. It's been a long day." Moseby said. The group agreed and headed up to the rooms Adam had offered them. London, Bailey and Addison were in one room, Moseby and Woody in one while Zack and Cody took the third. It wasn't long before the tired group fell asleep.

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The rain and wind had not subsided and was lashing at the windows and doors of the castle. Zack had trouble falling asleep with the storm bashing outside. He tossed and turned most of the night but finally realised he couldn't fall asleep. He thought about waking Cody. Normally all Cody had to do was talk about school and homework, and Zack would fall fast asleep. But he decided to let him sleep. He got out of bed and hobbled on his injured ankle towards the door. He walked through the corridor and decided to have a nose around and try and tire himself out. He walked through and passed what seemed like miles of doors. He was tempted to open them and nose around but he was afraid he might wake up Adam or any other occupant of the castle. He stopped at the window and looked out. He could hardly see the grounds of the castle through the rain. He hoped the ship was okay in the dock, he didn't fancy staying in wet and windy England for too long. He glanced at the clock on the wall behind him and realised it was 2am. He decided to head back to his room and try and get some sleep. He hobbled back into his room. He looked over to Cody's bed and soon realised his brother wasn't there. Maybe he had gone to the bathroom. Zack got into bed and got comfortable. But he tossed and turned, waiting for Cody to return. He soon realised the time had gone fast and Cody had not returned. He got up and checked his brother's bed. No, he wasn't dreaming. He grabbed his crutches and headed back out into the halls.

"Cody!" He whispered as he walked through the halls. "Cody." He had no idea where to go but he headed down corridor after corridor. He stopped when he noticed a figure stood at the end of the corridor.

"Cody? Is that you?" He hobbled down the corridor and realised it was his brother. He was in the clothes Adam had leant them and was cold to the touch. "Hey buddy." Zack said as he got closer. But Cody didn't respond. Zack put a hand on his shoulder but he didn't move. Zack looked at his brother's face and became concerned. It was pale and frozen.