Disclaimer

I do no own House of Anubis nor the characters. I do own the plot.

Chapter 14

Fabian's POV-

What have I done?! I ran up to the door and pushed it open. I stood at the entrance, watching the old dust particles dance in the light. Laughter erupted from the common room. Maybe Nina's perfectly fine. I strolled in and saw a laughing Amber and a pancake faced Alfie.

Fabian: What in the world?

Amber: Fabian!

She rammed me in to a hug and nearly squeezed my eyeballs out. When she released me, she frantically searched around. Was she looking for Nina?

Amber: Where's Nina?

That's a yes, Fabian. That's a yes.

Fabian: I don't know.

I knew I was going to regret saying that because I saw her eyes widen. They immediately narrowed at the sight of me.

Amber: Fabian Rutter, you have some nerve coming here.

Fabian: What did I do?!

Amber: Instead of begging Nina for forgiveness, you lose her.

Fabian: Look, I need time!

Amber: You need time?! You've had five years and now you tell me you need time?!

I was furious. Did she not understand? Yesterday was the first time I'd seen Nina since high school! I was about to give her a piece of my mind when a large growl settled above us. We exchanged glances and raced up the stairs. Amber ran through the rooms while I sped over to the attic. If there's one thing I know about Nina, it's that she always finds her way in to trouble. Deadly trouble. My first turn off was the attic door being wide open. I carefully climbed up the stairs to meet my second turn off. The curtains, along with any fabric, were chewed up, left in holes and shreds. I turned a corner and saw everything. Nina, the beast, fear. Unknowingly, I was extending my hand to grasp Nina's arm. When I touched her skin, she suddenly collapsed inn to my arms, screaming in pain. The Mark of Anubis glowed a terrible red color as Nina slowly slipped out of consciousness. I looked up to see the shadow creature extending a human hand in to the light. On its palm, the Mark of Anubis was inscribed. Anger swelled in me. He just caused her pain. He just caused Nina pain. He just caused m Nina pain. And he's not getting away with it.

Fabian: Show yourself, coward! If you think you can just hurt Nina and get away with it, then you're wrong! If you're so tough, fight me!

The creature looked at me with eyes that screamed hatred as he began to walk towards me. When he was fully casted by the light, I couldn't believe my eyes. It was a man with a jackal head. It was him.

Fabian: Anubis.

Anubis snickered at me.

Anubis: Yes, Osirian. I am the great Protector of the Dead.

Fabian: Osirian? No, that's Eddie.

The Egyptian god laughed, which really worried me. Should the god of the dead laughing be a good sign?

Anubis: The previous Osirian was not able to continue his duties. He called me in a dream and pleaded me to release him of the power.

Fabian: Well, did you?

Anubis: Well, of course I did! The boy was not fit enough to continue the task, being so distant from the Paragon. I need someone who can always be there.

Fabian: Hold up. So, I'm the new Osirian?

Anubis: Don't get your hopes up, dude. This means that you might die protecting her. Especially in the next seven months.

Fabian: What will happen?

Anubis: An old foe will return with a new ally. Beware, for this new helper is among your peers. Among your so called "friends". Among Sibuna.

The god began to fade, but he suddenly resolidified.

Anubis: Everything I've told you may not escape your lips. I've told you too much as it is. Sibuna must figure all of this information out on their own. And to keep a connection with me, take this.

He waved his hand and the Mark of Anubis appeared on my left wrist.

Fabian: Why do you curse me, Protector of the Dead?

Anubis: This is not the Mark of Anubis. This is the Call of Anubis. It is gold rather than black. And it doesn't hurt. Just think of me and I will appear. Use this only in emergencies. It works only twice. But be warned, once a person is dead, they cannot be brought back. I make sure of it.

Anubis faded in to the shadows again. My mind raced to comprehend everything he said, but only one thing stood out. I am the new Osirian.

Amber's POV-

I ran to my old room, hoping to find Nina, but instead, it was totally abandoned. The beds were reduced to piles of wood under a mattress. The old bookshelves were hanging only by the rotting nails and the wallpaper was peeling. Why had so much changed in the past five years? The floor boards creaked and the stale musty air drove me out of the room. I closed the door behind me and made my way to Patricia's old room, where I heard weeping. I opened the door only a crack when a feeble voice whispered come in. I walked in and saw the strongest person I'd ever known broken in tears.

Amber: Patricia?

Patricia looked up, her face stained and her hand trembling.

Patricia: Amber. W- W- what are y- you doing h- h- here?

She was so fragile at the moment. The strong eyes I remember were welded in tears and her confident attitude was scattered in pieces. Who is she?

Amber: I heard crying. What's up?

She hung her head as I tiptoed to her side. I heard her murmur something, but I didn't catch it.

Amber: What?

She looked at me and burst in to full out sobs. She pulled me in to a hug, which shocked me. Once my shocked disappeared I hugged back and heard her repeat her murmur more clearly.

Patricia: I- It's Eddie. I- I can't f- f- face him.

Now I understood. After Nina left, Eddie and Patricia started to fall apart. Eddie would get aggressive and Patricia would yell at him for no reason. Alfie and I ended like that too. Of course, we made up. We're on friendly terms now. But I don't know if Eddie and Patricia will be. They said some pretty nasty things to each other. I gathered enough nerve to ask Patricia the big question.

Amber: Do you still like him?

She broke our hug and wiped away the excess tears. Her sobs were gone, but she still seemed broken.

Patricia: I don't like Eddie anymore. I have a problem, though.

Amber: What's the problem?

She sighed and took a deep breath. I prepared myself for the worst, just in case.

Patricia: I still love him.

My heart sank. Nothing could prepare me for that. Now I get why she was crying. Their last argument left them so split that it'll be a miracle if they can even be friends. Being a couple is practically out of the question. I opened my mouth to say something comforting when a pain filled scream comes from the attic. Patricia and I exchange glances. She looked at me confused while I looked at her worried. She was about to question me when i said one word that silenced her.

Amber: Nina.

Her eyes widened and we sprinted out of the room. We climbed to the attic and froze at the door when we saw a pale Nina in the arms of an entranced Fabian. I let out a loud gasp.

Fabian's POV-

When Anubis disappeared, I heard a gasp release me from my thoughts. I felt myself coming back to the current world when I was weighed down. I looked down and in my arms was Nina.

Fabian: Nina!

I knelt and carefully placed her on the floor, her head in my lap. Someone behind me started to stomp over to me.

Amber: Fabian Rutter! What did you do to Nina?!

I looked at Amber with hard eyes. She actually assumed I had something to do with all of this?

Fabian: I didn't do anything. Why would I?

She crossed her arms and sent me a cold stare.

Amber: Well, you hurt her once. Who says you won't do it again?

I stood up, gently placing Nina's head on the floor, and faced Amber.

Fabian: Amber, you and I both know I didn't hurt her purposely.

Amber: But you still did!

Fabian: Well, so did you!

Amber: I wasn't her boyfriend!

Fabian: I wasn't her best girl friend!

Patricia: Enough!

Why is it that I didn't notice her until now?

Patricia: Look, this is no time to bicker. What's wrong with Nina?

I tried to gather what had happened when I remembered. The Mark of Anubis. I badly wanted to tell them what truly happened, but a whisper told me not to. I decided not to tell the truth and rather make up a lie.

Fabian: I don't know.

Amber: What do you mean you don't know?

Fabian: I told you, I don't know. I walked in, Nina was feeling sick, and she fainted.

Patricia: Just like that?

Fabian: Just like that.

Amber: You're 100 percent sure?

Fabian: I'm 100 percent certain.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. The girls ran off to see who it was while Nina began to rouse.

Nina: Mmm, Fabian?

Fabian: Nina. I'm so glad you're alright.

I helped her sit up and I gave her a hug.

Fabian: I was so worried about you.

Nina: Thank you, Fabian.

When our hug broke, we were centimeters apart. She began to lean in and in one swift movement-

Fabian: Come on. Let's see who's downstairs.

I helped her up as we were overcome with an awkward silence. Did she really try to kiss me? Maybe she was- maybe she was- what else is there? We walked downstairs until two arms wrapped around my neck. Whoever it was squealed and planted a firm kiss on my cheek. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. That horrid squeak killed me.

?: Fabes! It's so good to see you again!

Gosh Joy, can you be any more irritating?