Disclaimer
I do no own House of Anubis nor the characters. I do own the plot.
Author's Note: Uh oh! I might have messed up the whole chapter sequence since Chapter 14. Check out Chapters 14, 15, 16, and now 17. Most of them will be familiar, but I missed a chapter, so I hope everything makes sense now.
Chapter 17
Fabian's POV-
Oh no. Sibuna stood at the door, listening to our every word. They heard everything. The new Osirian, the mystery, the key- the key. My hand dug through my pocket until it reached the cold metal object I found in my hand when I had the strange dream with Nina, Rufus, and Anubis House. It's a key. But to what?
Amber: Nina, w-what?
Nina: Amber, I can-
Amber: You have seven months to l- l- live?
Nina: Yes, but I can explain. I-
Amber: Why didn't you tell me?!
She pointed her finger at me and began to lecture as well.
Amber: And you! You knew about this?! And you had the nerve to keep it from me?!
Nina: Amber!
She looked at Nina and pursed her lips. I tried to give Nina a grateful glance, but she avoided my gaze.
Nina: Look, don't blame Fabian. I told him not to tell you guys.
Alfie: Why?
Nina: I thought it would be best to keep you guys out of it. I guess I was wrong.
Eddie: How long have you known about this?
I saw her face pale and I felt the urge to hold her in my arms. She seemed fragile, almost weak. I took her hand and whispered in my ear.
Fabian: You don't have to tell them now. You can wait a while if you want. Have some time to get your words straight? You want that?
She nodded gently and buried her face in my shoulder. I supported her and, all of a sudden, I felt like her rock.
Fabian: Look guys, we promise to tell you later. But for now, we need to figure out a way to put it in words.
Jerome: But, why would you keep this kind of thing from us?
I cast my gaze upon the shattered Nina I held in my arms. Thinking of an acceptable excuse, I began my story.
Fabian: Nina had this really bad dream. She's been worried over nothing. She keeps thinking its real, but we all know that's crazy. I mean, look at it this way. It has been five years since anything has happened. We have been split apart for years. Now, she's back, has one nightmare about death, and assumes she's dying. Maybe it is true, but it is possible that it is not. We didn't want to alarm you guys unnecessarily.
I thought they fell for it as they grumbled and sighed in frustration. One by one, they filed out until it was just Patricia, Nina, and I.
Patricia: That was close. What were you thinking?!
Fabian: Hey, what I want to know is what were you guys doing eavesdropping on our conversation?
Patricia: We were worried when you two stormed off. Have you forgotten that the last time they saw you two alone in a room, Nina nearly killed you. It probably still burns in the back of their minds.
I paled as I remembered our final fight. I shook my head, trying to rid myself of the painful memory. Nina carefully raised her head and spoke in a small mouse-like voice.
Nina: Look, I never meant to hurt anyone.
Fabian: I know, Nina. Besides, it wasn't your fault.
Nina: Ya, I know. It was Rufus, who is back and ready to dictate the remainder of my life.
Fabian: Don't talk like that. I won't let him touch you. We won't let him get you again. I promise.
She just nodded her head and gripped my shoulder, squeezing it in a grateful manner. I saw Patricia smile sneakily and I shot her a confused look. She simply shook her head while holding her grin and just strolled out of the kitchen. I turned to look at Nina as tears spilled from her eyes. She fell in to my arms again, weeping with great sorrow. All I could do was hold her, stroking her hair and murmuring words of comfort. As she raised her head once more to my gaze, I quickly wiped her tears away.
Fabian: You're not alone. Even if everyone turns their backs on you, I'll still be there. Just stay strong. We'll make it out together.
Nina: But, what if we fail?
Fabian: Then, we fail together.
I placed my arms around her waist, pulling her in to a hug. She wrapped her arms around my neck, returning my hug and filling the Nina-shaped hole I've had in my life for the past five years.
Nina's POV-
After the whole episode in the kitchen, we made our way back to the common room. Everything seemed to be as normal as normal could be in Anubis house. Alfie was stuffing Trudy's food down his throat as Amber sat next to him, scowling at him from behind her fashion magazine. Mara was reading her book patiently as Jerome schemed about his newly formed plan against Victor. Patricia was listening to her "music" while stealing glances at Eddie. Personally, her taste in "music" doesn't even qualify as "music". Eddie was being Eddie, the cool guy who can do whatever he wants. SO, he was pretty much pretending to be busy while looking at Patricia. Typical. Joy was glaring at Fabian and I, being her jealous self. There wasn't really anything to be jealous about. Fabian and I were just talking.
Fabian: So, what do you think of Florida over in the Americas?
Nina:
It's nice. More urban than where I grew up.
Fabian: Where was that?
Nina: Up in Cleveland.
Fabian: Cleveland? You mean in Ohio?
Nina: Yup. I lived in a small house for most my life
Fabian: Then why move to Florida?
Nina: I needed to stretch out and get more room.
Fabian: And yet, Miami is overpopulated by a lot and you claim it has more room.
Nina: Yes, well, I wanted to buy a house with more space to have gran live with me and still have space for a family that might've come around.
Fabian: Um, what do you mean by a family that might've come around?
Nina: You know me. I've always been a dreamer. Thinking that I'd fall in love once and that would be it. He would be the one.
It took him a few seconds to pick up what I was joking about. He grinned and looked at me, his eyes sparkling with some kind of emotion. It looked like love, but I know that's not it. I mean, we've gotten over one another, right?
Fabian: You mean, the Chosen One?
Nina: Well, my Chosen One.
Fabian: Wow. Way to be original. Stealing my old pick-up line, are we?
Nina: I wouldn't say steal, but I admit to borrowing it. But, no one would ever understand. I mean, this whole mystery lives in this house and in Sibuna. No one else would ever believe me.
Fabian: Hey, it's your past. It's not important.
Nina: It is. No one can know me if they now about my past or who I truly am.
Fabian: I know. But, you'll find someone. And- and they'll love you more. More than I ever could. And you'll never know how much I truly loved you. You meant the world to me. You'll find someone and they'll be better than I was. You'll be happy. I promise.
Nina: Thank you. That- that means everything to me.
I hugged him tightly. I never wanted to let go. Of course, my senses came in and I separated myself from him. We continued on with our conversations as I constantly shifted uncomfortably. Joy was still glaring at me and I didn't know how to deal with it. I excused myself and made my way out of the house. My mind racing back to my missing locket, I looked around the balcony. After three or four minutes worth of searching, I heard someone clear their throat. I turned to face Joy as she pulled a face of disgust. I searched my dress and shoes for any sign of filth, but I couldn't find any. I looked back at her to see her face in even more disdain.
Nina: What are you scowling at?
Joy: You, of course.
Nina: Why?
Stepping closer to me, I retreated backwards one step. I could almost feel her temper escalating.
Joy: Stay away from Fabes.
Nina: What?
Joy: Stay away from him. He's mine.
She lured closer and closer, frightening me.
Nina: Look, Fabian and I are just friends-
Joy: Don't lie! I know you like him!
I gulped loudly. I hate to admit it, but she might be a bit right.
Nina: What if I did? It wouldn't change the fact that we're just-
Joy: Friends. Yes. So I've heard. I'm just warning you now. I don't care what's going on between you two. Just stay away.
I simply nodded my head and watched her make her way back inside. The moment she was gone, I continued to look for my locket. Suddenly, a hand covered my mouth and an arm swung around my waist. I was being dragged away from Anubis house. I broke free for a few moments to gather air in to my lungs and ran for my life. I saw Anubis House, glowing in its former glory, the way it had in my vision. I ran to it, my lungs burning for an impossible break. The arm grabbed me again, holding me tighter while the hand covered my mouth once more. I was dragged in to a shed and blind folded. Even without eyes, I knew the thing had to be Rufus. No one could be so horrible and cold to ruin my life, except for Joy. Then, it struck me as I was struck by something and fought for my consciousness. My vision. My vision was coming true, except for the part when I wake up.
Fabian's POV-
As soon as Nina pardoned herself and left the room, an uncertain feeling came over me. I saw Joy slip out in the direction Nina left and I frowned. Knowing their history, I didn't want to leave them alone. I walked out to the hallway and heard the voices on the balcony. Looking through a window, I saw and heard some of the confrontation.
Joy: Stay away from Fabes.
Nina: What?
Joy: Stay away from him. He's mine.
She lured closer and closer, frightening Nina.
Nina: Look, Fabian and I are just friends-
Joy: Don't lie! I know you like him!
I saw Nina stiffen and tense up. Could this be true? Does she really like me again?
Nina: What if I did? It wouldn't change the fact that we're just-
Joy: Friends. Yes. So I've heard. I'm just warning you now. I don't care what's going on between you two. Just stay away.
I watched as Nina nodded shyly and Joy turned on her heels, making her way to the door. She opened and closed the door quietly, but by the time she turned around, I was right behind her.
Joy: Fabes! What are you doing here?
Fabian: I saw you leave, so I decided to come check it out.
Joy: Aw, Fabes! You came to check on me? That's so-
Fabian: I came to check on Nina.
With that, I marched out the front door. I was met by an uncomfortable silence. I looked around for any signs of life when I saw bushes move and shutter. Carefully, I neared the area and jumped away when footsteps broke out. I hid and watched as Nina tried to sprint toward Anubis house. A figure came by and stopped her by grabbing her. She was blindfolded and led away by none other than Rufus. My blood boiled. That demon has the nerve to touch Nina? My Nina? I don't think so. I chased after them until I reached the dreadful shed. I remembered the visions I'd been having and a sudden raged filled me. This is all real. I watched as Rufus took a bat and prepared to swing. My impulse got the best of me and I did the only thing I knew I could do. I jumped in to the shed through the window, breaking the glass, and tackling Rufus.