Hey guys! So, Summer's almost over but I'm going to be starting band camp next week. I'm going to high school in three weeks. I. Am. FREAKING OUT!

PS: This chapter is for HOA One-Shot Day 2013!

Chapter 23

Amber's POV-

What's with the funeral tone?

Amber: Why wouldn't we like it?

Nina: Amber, Fabian and I aren't a couple. We just thought it was the only way you could get every Sibuna member here. Sorry.

Amber: Wait. So, there's nothing going on between you two?

Fabian shook his head and I saw deep in to his eyes. He was sad that they have no special connection anymore. That's sad.

Amber: So, this was all for nothing?

Nina: No. We need everyone's help. Sibuna?

She raised her hand over her eye and Fabian followed, whispering Sibuna. Patricia was the first to recover and followed their action.

Patricia: Sibuna.

Pretty soon, everyone was covering their eye. And when I say everyone, I mean Nina, Fabian, Patricia, Alfie, Jerome, Eddie, and I.

Nina: Alright. We better catch you guys up to speed. And, try not to freak out.

And so it began. Nina and Fabian took turns telling us everything, Fabian being the new Osirian, Rufus returning, Nina losing her locket, Rufus kidnapping Nina last night, how Nina has seven months to live, Nina's charm bracelet and her Mark of Anubis, how Rufus tried to drown Nina at the bridge, the visions, the keys, the encounter with Anubis, Nina's locket is shattering, everything. By the end of their story, tears were cascading down my cheeks.

Amber: Oh my gosh.

Fabian: Ya, and that's not all. Rufus paid Patricia a little visit last night.

Amber: What? He broke in?

Patricia: Yes! The scary thing is that I never knew until I woke up.

Nina: Plus, Fabian found a note in the room that Rufus left.

Alfie: And? What does the note say?

Fabian hung his head in… shame?

Nina: It was… um… personal. It was a touchy subject.

Jerome: What kind of subject?

Nina: Look, guys, I-

Before she could finish, we heard paper rustling and I noticed Fabian searching through the trash can. He pulled out a piece of paper and Nina's face softened.

Nina: Fabian, you don't have to do this. You don't-

Fabian: They need to know.

Nina: But, Fabian-

Fabian: It's alright, Nina.

She nodded and handed me the note. Everyone crowded around me and started to read the message.

Pathetic boy. I know your true identity now. You will never be able to protect the Chosen One, Osirian. You will fail to save her in the end. She will die. And it shall be because of you. You tried to hide the truth about yourself, but you failed miserably. The Mirror of Nephthys shall soon be mine, along with the Chosen One's power, and there is nothing you can do to stop me. Nothing.

-RZ

The Mirror of… what?

Amber: Guys, what the hell is the Mirror of Nephthys?

Nina: The what?

Amber: The Mirror of Nephthys. He mentioned it. He said, "The Mirror of Nephthys shall soon be mine, along with the Chosen One's power, and there is nothing you can do to stop me." What is it?

Nina looked at Fabian in amazement as he grinned like a mad man.

Fabian: So, we really do have another mystery on our hands?

Nina: Apparently. Finding another Egyptian artifact, piece of cake! I mean, we've already found the Cup of Ankh and the Mask of Anubis. How hard can this be?

Amber: Um, very! We don't even know where to start!

I saw Fabian fingering something in his pocket.

Amber: Fabian, is that the key?

Fabian: Keys, but yes.

He pulled out two keys. One was bronze, shimmering with gems. The second was a wooden key, carved and ancient looking.

Amber: Can I see the wooden key?

He nods and passes it to me, watching me closely as I observed the carvings. I saw two lines next to each other and an oval underneath.

Amber: Fabian, you can read hieroglyphics, right?

Fabian: Um, ya.

Amber: Look at these symbols on the key.

He saw the symbols and his eyes widened. Nina came around and saw his face.

Nina: Fabian. Fabian, what does it say?

Fabian: Together.

Nina just looked confused.

Nina: Together? But I don't-

Suddenly, her eyes lit up in realization.

Nina: Together. Everyone, come here. Each of you, touch the key.

All of us shuffle towards the key and touched it. Suddenly, a bright red light flash on to the ceiling and formed words.

Fabian:

Here it begins

Your journey once more

Look inside the drawer

Behind the secret door

Nina: It's a riddle! We'll find the Mirror of Nephthys behind some secret door!

Fabian: And I have the key to that door!

Fabian held the bronze key in the air with great pride.

Amber: But, we don't know where this "secret door" is.

Patricia: Actually, we do. Nina, Fabian, I think Eddie and I found the door.

We all shared joyful glances.

Amber: Well, what are we waiting for? An invitation? This is it! Let's go!

Nina's POV-

Everyone left the room and started heading to the house except for me. Something's wrong. This is just too easy. Fabian ran back in to the room, heaving for air.

Fabian: Nina, w-why-

Nina: Fabian, something's wrong. This is all way too easy!

Fabian: Maybe life is giving us a break?

Nina: Oh please. You and I both know that's a bunch of dung. Remember what Anubis said?

Fabian: The gods are going to test us-

Nina: To see where we truly stand, exactly!

Fabian sighed and looked at me with sad eyes.

Fabian: It's just not fair. Why do they threaten you?

Nina: Us, you mean?

Fabian: My life isn't what's at stake.

Nina: Fabian-

Fabian: No! Why did it have to be you? Why not me?

Nina: Fabian, I'm the Chosen One. This is my destiny-

Fabian: Your destiny is to die because of-

Nina: Fabian!

I grabbed his face and held it my hands. He calmed down at my touch and his rage died down as well.

Nina: Fabian, just- just forget it for now. We have to catch up with the others.

He slid my hands off his face and held them tightly, nodding slightly. We walked out and saw everyone had left us. Jeez, thanks guys.

Fabian: Well, now what?

That's the same question I'm asking myself. I look around the parking lot when I saw a card on the floor.

Rushed Cab Company

We'll get you where you need to go

No matter the Rush!

*Rushed Cab Company is a family owned business*

A cab! That's it. I took out my cell phone and called the phone number on the card. It continuously rung until a perky voice sounded.

KT: Good morning. This is KT Rush of the Rushed Cab Company where our motto is"We'll get you where you need to go, no matter the Rush". How may I help you?

Nina: Ya, can I get a cab? I'm at 62936 West Liverpool.

KT: Oh, you mean where the apartments are?

Nina: Yes.

KT: Ok, but I need to know the arriving address.

Nina: Anubis House at the Ra Academy Boarding School. The address is 63825 Liverpool, Merseyside.

KT: Alright, I'll be at your address soon.

Nina: Thank you.

I hung up and smiled at Fabian. He shot me curious and confused looks, but the faded in to joy after my announcement.

Nina: I've found us a ride!