Chapter 24

Fabian's POV-

Nina and I sat next to one another in the cab. However, it was very awkward because we were smashed together. Nina had to sit with her legs crisscrossed, her knee rubbing against my leg as we waited impatiently. My eyes kept wandering to my leg, hoping this car ride would end soon. Suddenly, the car did a dramatic u-turn to my right. I felt Nina fall on top of me as I fell on to the cab booth. We took another drastic turn and Nina almost rolled on to the floor. Luckily, I grabbed her waist before she could get too far. Of course, it was an awkward position, but at least the cab finally stopped. The door behind me opened wide, making us shield our eyes from the sun.

KT: Ok guys, we're- oh- um-

Nina: No! It's just- with all the drastic turns and- and the small space-

Fabian: Just forget it. Can you help us get out?

KT: Sure.

Nina lifted herself off me so I was free to move. I then offered her my hand and she accepted up, getting out of the cab a bit uncoordinated. After paying KT, I guided Nina to Anubis House, careful not to let her fall. We entered to see the gang waiting in the common room.

Amber: Finally! What took so long?

Fabian: You guys left us without a ride so we had to call a cab service. Long story short, we had a rough ride.

Jerome: By rough ride, what do you-

Patricia: Ok, this conversation has officially got boring. Let's just go.

Eddie and Patricia led Sibuna down the cellar and through the bookcase the bookcase that led to Robert Frobisher-Smythe's study. We crowded around his desk as Patricia pushed a pile of books aside, revealing a key hole. It was the right size for my key. I took out the carved wooden key and placed it in to the lock. As I twisted it, I heard a click. An eruption of gears turning and stone moving boomed in my ears and everyone backed away from the desk. There, where a chair should be, was a small tunnel. I smiled and turned to Nina, her face radiating sheer joy.

Nina: Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!

She immediately crawled in to the tunnel and I instinctively followed. I heard chuckles and whispers from Sibuna before they started to follow us. Reaching the end, I held back a gasp. The tunnel led us in to a chamber. The chamber was painted blood red and the walls were trimmed with gold and jewels. Hieroglyphics littered the walls around hollowed out areas. I touch one hollow section and it opens, revealing a spot for made fitted for what looked like a mirror. The Mirror of Nephthys! But, what do we do now? We've found the chamber. What more can there be? I look around to see a podium. I watch as Nina observes and fingers the podium, curiosity tangling in her thoughts. I see her delicate fingers glide over a drawer as a key hole glows. My eyes widen and I near closer. I take out the bronze key and look around. Everyone is off doing their own thing: Eddie and Patricia are high-fiving, Amber's clinging to Alfie, Alfie's playing with dust particles, Jerome's playing on his phone and complaining about no wi-fi, and Nina's stepping away from the podium. I take the opportunity to unlock the drawer, allowing it to reveal a map.

Fabian: Hey, guys, come check this out!

Everyone huddles around me and collective gasps rose. I felt Nina place a hand on my shoulder.

Nina: Fabian, is that a map of-

Fabian: Of all Anubis Estate including secret tunnels, passageways, and the next clue? Yes, it is, Nina. This is it.

Nina's POV-

I swear, I just want to kiss Fabian for this! I hold myself back and opt to hugging him.

Nina: Oh my gosh! I- this- Fabian, I could kiss you!

Amber gave me a persuasive look.

Amber: Please do!

Fabian and I matched our blushing with one another as we stepped away from one another.

Fabian: Amber, it's- it's just an e-expression.

Amber: Yes, because an expression makes a couple blush. As if!

Nina: Amber, we're not- a thing! We've been over this!

Amber: But you should be!

I realized Fabian hadn't said anything. I turned around.

Nina: Fabian- Fabian?

He gave me an evil smirk and his eyes were off by a couple shades of blue.

Fabian: Thank you for doing the work for me, Chosen One. It gives me more time to possess your little Osirian.

Nina: Leave him alone!

Fabian: How about no? I warned the boy about trying to help you. He didn't listen to me. Now he pays the price.

Nina: Where's the real Fabian?

Fabian: The question is: Is there a real Fabian?

No, this can't be happening!

Nina: Rufus, this is between you and me! Leave him out of it!

Fabian: Oh, you're no fun!

He paced around the room, looking at every little detail.

Fabian: A very nice chamber, very nice indeed. Created to hold the Mirror of Nephthys.

Nina: Why is the mirror so important to you?

Fabian/ Rufus turns on his heels and marches towards me. By the time he reaches me, my back was pressed against the wall and he had a furious expression.

Fabian: You dare ask me such! You are testing your luck, Chosen One. Just be wary.

He backed away and grinned.

Fabian: One day, you won't have your precious Osirian and lover. I promise you.

Nina: No!

His grin widened and he started to say some words I couldn't understand. I saw little white lights coming out of his fingertips and I knew I had to stop it. I felt the charm bracelet heat up on my wrist and decided to test it out. I marched up to Fabian and grabbed his hand in mine. It was so cold and out of place! This truly wasn't the Fabian I love. I remembered all our memories together and watched as the bracelet turned bright pink. The pink flooded his body and Rufus yelled in pain. All the lights in the room went out and I felt Fabian give way. I held on to him and lowered him to the floor. I stroked his cheek as Alfie relit the torches somehow. Fabian started to wake up.

Nina: Fabian, are you there?

Fabian: N- Nina? W- what happened?

Nina: I- I don't know.

I looked at Amber for support and she briefed us in.

Amber: You were just possessed by Rufus, but Nina saved you with her magic charm bracelet.

Huh, pretty normal for the Sibuna gang. NOT.