Hey guys. Guess what? I'M GOING TO HIGH SCHOOL! First days are always a pain though.

Chapter 25

Fabian's POV-

Wait, what?

Fabian: Wait, so I was- p- possessed?

Nina continued to stroke my cheek, her fingers tracing the side of my face up to my hair line.

Nina: Fabian- I- don't worry, ok? He- he'll never hurt you again.

Fabian: I was possessed?

She nodded slowly. She hid her face behind her hair and emerged a minute later, wiping her eyes. Was she crying? She avoided my eyes as she continued.

Nina: I'm sorry, Fabian. If- if I hadn't come back for the reunion-

Her eyes were swelling with tears and I could tell this was hard for her

Nina: Oh gosh, I- I can't do this!

She got up and ran out the room.

Fabian: Nina!

I saw no shadow retuning in our direction and I sighed, lifting myself off the ground. It felt weird to be standing on my feet when Rufus had been controlling me just a few minutes ago. I saw Amber shot me a worried glance but she didn't stop me as I crawled out of the chamber. Nina couldn't have gone too far. I mean, she's crying heavily. I left Frobisher's study and looked around the cellar. It's been cleared out of any mysterious chemicals that may be used to create the Elixir of Life yet stuffed animals continued to align the walls. I snuck out the cellar door and ran out the front door. I searched for Nina through the woods near Anubis house. I found myself resting by the Sibuna Tree, huffing out of breath. I looked around. No Nina. Where could she be? Think, Fabian, think! She's not at the Sibuna Tree. She's not in the house. She has to be on the estate! I desperately pulled out the map. Nina, where are you? Just then, my eyes landed on a familiar name. The bridge.

I ran off to the bridge and, without having to search desperately, I saw Nina sitting by the water. I slowly made my way to where she sat. Her legs were pulled in to her chest with her arms draping around her knees. Her eyes were entranced by water and I skimmed the scenery, wondering what would catch her eye. I saw light catch against on spot in the water. I looked at Nina and did something crazy. I started to walk in to the water.

Nina's POV-

I heard Fabian find me, but I refused to look at him. I mean, he was just possessed by Rufus because of me. I don't have the audacity to face him after such a thing. I looked out to the water, keeping my eyes occupied, when I saw something reflect light. I saw Fabian walk in to the water. What in the world?

Nina: Fabian, get back here! What are you doing?

He turned and came to me.

Fabian: Do you trust me?

Nina: Of course, but-

Fabian: Take my hand.

Nina: What-

Fabian: Nina. Trust me on this.

I gave him a look, but I took his hand and he helped me off the ground. He tugged me gently and led me through the water, my sneakers squishing.

Nina: What are we doing?

Fabian: Come on. We need to keep going.

We kept walking until the water reached our knees. Fabian dug through his pockets and when he pulled out a piece of paper, the wind blew it out of his hands.

Fabian: The clue!

Seeing the panic on his face, I ran through the water to catch it. I ran under the bridge to try and catch the clue, but I slipped on a stone of some sort and fell face first in to the water. I tried to find my way back to the surface, but for some reason, I couldn't. All I heard was splashing of feet. I felt vibrations in the water and arms wrapping around my waist. Feeling myself reach air, I gasped, trying to breathe. Finally regulating my air flow, I looked at Fabian, who was waist deep in water and carrying me bridal style.

Fabian: Are you okay?

Nina: The clue! What-

Fabian: It's done.

Nina: This is all my fault. Gosh. I'm such an idiot!

Fabian: Hey, hey, hey! Don't say that! You tripped. Big whoop. Relax. I remember the clue.

Nina: And? What is it?

Fabian:

Find the reflection
Under the bridge of me
And the spot of
The Chosen One's near-fatality

Nina: Ok. Well, I slipped right there, under the bridge and just recently, I nearly died here.

Fabian: Come on; let's see what you slipped on.

The cheeky grin on his face made me smile. It's funny how a mystery makes me almost totally forget that Fabian Rutter, my high school sweetheart and maybe current crush, is carrying me bridal style under a bridge while we're both soaking. Almost. I started blushing and he must've noticed because he started to blush.

Fabian: What?

Nina: Can you put me down? I-

Fabian: Oh! Ya- ya, sure!

He helped me back on my feet and we made our way to my embarrassing fall. We searched and searched until something catching the sun's rays caught my eye.

Nina: Over here!

I started to see a reflection of myself, but it wasn't in the water. It was something catching my image. I scooped up the reflection and realized it was a mirror.

Find the reflection
Under the bridge of me
And the spot of
The Chosen One's near-fatality

Nina: Fabian! I found it! Fabian, it's a mirror! I- whoops!

I slipped in to his arms and he held me right above the water.

Nina: Oh god. This again?

Fabian: I'm not the one who's slipping on things.

Nina: Hey, in my defense, these rocks are slippery.

Fabian: Whatever you say, Nins.

Nina: You're a jerk.

Fabian: I could drop you right now-

Nina: On second thought, you're the best. Thank you!

Fabian: Whatever. Let's get back. I think everyone needs to see the mirror we've found.

And with that, Fabian and I raced back to the house. We finally made it back to the balcony where Sibuna was waiting. They were a bit distraught by the soaked appearance until I held up the mirror. They started cheering.

Amber: One piece down!

Nina: But Frobisher knows how many more are left…

Fabian: Hey, we'll find them. Let's get back to work tomorrow. Sibuna?

We all answered Sibuna. Fabian and I made our way to Patricia's truck when she stopped us.

Patricia: You wet lovebirds are going on the bed. I'm not letting you guys ruin my leather. And after what's happened recently, the two of you are going to have to live elsewhere. I've made arrangements to relocate you guys with Amber.

Before we could protest, she got in the truck. Amber? This is gonna be awful. I have a feeling she's got some tricks up her sleeve to get us together. We slowly trudged and climbed on Patricia's truck and we sped away.