The next day, Allan stopped by to give back my stuff left over at Finn's.
"Mrs Finn asked me to bring you over sometime." Allan handed over the bag.
"How is she? Does she still get nightmare? Did they catch the killer?" I questioned him without a break.
"What killer?" Mike interrupted. Grabbing cold water from fridge in his shorts showing off his gym body.
Allan stared at me, not knowing how to answer.
"It's someone we know found a clue to find a killer." I answered.
"who got killed? I thought this neighborhood was safe." Mike spoke.
"it's in the outskirts. Like two hour drive." I spoke this is probably first time I lied to mike.
"That's a good news. How are they holding up? It must be traumatizing. The killer might come after them." Mike spoke.
" Yeah. They both are fine." Allan talked.
"Have a seat."
"So Allan what exactly do you do. And why does everyone have some or the other complaints about you. They just hate you up straight. Your classmates I mean." Mike sat on sofa offering him chair as guest which now turned into interrogation.
"Classmates? Those rich guys hate me. I got in on a scholarship in a prestigious school they are jealous and straight up look down on me. And I have a habit of not being okay with their attitude so we clash often."
"As for what I do, I investigate ghost related incidents and solve their problems." Allan spoke after taking the seat.
" Interesting. I didn't expect that answer, it looked like detective work of some sort. Can I see you in action?" Mike asked Allan and tone changed to normal after hearing his story.
"Sure. I was just about to pick up Nora to help me with investigation. Since you are interested you can tag along too. It's going to be fun." Allan spoke smiling widely.
"Since when did I became your sidekick." I looked at him.
"I was just about to beg and offer you lunch in return. So please join me on this journey." Allan begged.
"I think I'm free till 2pm. I will get ready." Mike scrolled his phone and walked towards the room.
Allan called me closer.
"I think he is hitting on me. Barely dressed and inviting himself to tag along. Beware he might dump you for me. Don't come crying to me later." Allan gave a look of supposedly genius and a hunk.
"I will keep that in mind." My ears heard the most unexpected things.
"They are still combing through the evidence they haven't found who the killer is. There's just a lot of evidence and body. There might be more than one killer. Just be safe when you are alone like mike said if they get to know we were involved they might target us." Allan spoke seriously.
"Ah that's scary. How did you come to such bizarre conclusion that Mrs Finn might have seen real murder?" I asked because I couldn't forget it.
"The newspaper and on internet there were articles about missing people in the area. The forest and a private property makes it perfect for hiding. And also Finn's brother is little off something always feels eerie about him. I thought he bought the land to keep everything under control and it didn't make sense how they built house with knowing there was something under brother's room. But police are saying it might be work of intruder working a way out after the cabin was built. And Finn's brother didn't stay there much. Everything is so bizarre it looks good that they found out in only few weeks of moving in." Allan talks.
"Yeah the more we think the more questions pop up." I replied.
"You just be safe. Don't talk or visit their home alone that goes for Peter Wang, Mrs Finn or any others you meet through me." Allan looked at me softly it was clear he cared and wanted me safe.
" Why? because I too might fall in love with Peter?" I spoke with a little chuckle.
"I know you won't." Mike spoke throwing me off guard.
"Let's go guys." Mike dolled up looking even more handsome.
We took Mike's sporty car and Mike let Allan to drive.
"It's awesome man." Allan's jaw dropped after driving for couple of minutes.
"Yeah I know right. It's the best. My parents bought it since I listen to them and joined College in their hometown." Mike got chatty.
" Woah! Take care for her really good." Allan didn't listen to a word he said.
"Don't you think it's about time you told us where we are going and please drop the talk on cars." I practically yelled at Allan to get his attention.
"We are already here." Allan stopped the car next to the college Mike is apparently joined.
" What are we doing in my college?" Mike got confused.
"You are on time Allan." A blonde girl neatly dressed like an office worker combed through Allan's hair. I guess they are close.
"You gave a job after all." Allan blushed and smiled like a pet being with its owner.
"Hello, Erica! We met few weeks back, you gave us a tour." Mike spoke.
Oh It's the person he talked about all day and night how she was cool and I know everything about her. She is two years older than us, first in the class and all other stuff. President of some club and she can win any drinking competition. And most importantly she is pretty and single.
"I remember you! You are famous here. My club members are eating my head to get you on our club ever since. Who's the pretty girl next to you? Girlfriend?" She asked looking at me with surprise like she saw a cat.
"Yeah she is actually. They are the best couple I know of." Allan answered smiling with a sarcasm.
"Are we really? Thank you Allan, I mistook you all this time. You are a nice guy." Mike looked happy taking his word to heart. I'm so going to kill Allan this time.
"yeah" Allan smiled and nodded.
"Okay so are we ready to expel all the evil today?" Erica asked.
"This idiot didn't say a word about why we are here. Could please let us know how bad things could go this time?" I asked Erica while staring at Allan.
"It's nothing scary so think of it a fun trip. I will buy you guys lunch sometime and go around the campus." Allan spoke.
"Yeah, I can show you around the college. There this huge cafeteria with open space and." Mike turned to me with excitement.
"Hold on you can enjoy later, I have a lot of work to do after we get this done. And Nora right? Allan said he would bring his partner Nora with him." Erica started walking into the new building and we followed her.
"yeah. I'm Nora." I replied.
"It's nothing serious our college wants to use the basement and some of them are worried about its usability so we want to you to check this out." Erica walked down the stairs and showed a pass and the security let us through.
Everyone were surprised to see how contrasting it was to see a new building with an old basement.
"The basement is just one fifth of building where is the rest of it.?" Mike asked.
"There is another basement and an entrance. The way they look at it this is a secret space last year our college students were accused of hiding drugs here in the basement. Turns out it's just empty." Erica answered.
"What exactly do you need us for?" Allan asked.
"I want you to write a report basically saying whether or not this basement is safe in terms of ghosts. This is where you come in specifically, I want you to write there's nothing and get this over. They will probably use this for storage." Erica spoke while reading text messages.
"Why do they need to do a ghost investigation? It's an odd thing to ask." I asked.
She turned off her phone,
"While they were building this new building there were few workers who died for unknown reason and a few years back couple of friends started bunk class and meet up here to chill out I mean drugs or alcohol. Both of them claiming they saw something. I would say it's the drug, others say it's a ghost or evil spirit. So the renovation of this place keep going forward. It's an old space and infested with rats of course it makes loud noises with small touch. They pull stupid pranks or dares and get scared. And stories grew wild. So we want someone to give mental assurance. I will be back in an hour I would like to get a report by then. Stay safe and call security or me if anything does happen." She spoke trying to push us into writing a letter she wants.
"Only after we completely study what's happening here." Allan took papers from her.
"what the hell, you have written everything, we should just sign this huh?" Allan asked Erica.
"Ha-ha I'm making your life easier. Sign it take money and be off. Spend some time for formalities" She waved good bye and left.
"should we investigate?" I asked Allan.
"yeah we should. She might be the one reached out to us, but high authorities in the college decided to investigate." Allan spoke.
Mike had already started to walk around.
"This is creepy for sure but I feel different about this, like we are missing something." Allan spoke looking the paper and details she mentioned looked at phone.
"what is it?" I asked.
"I read this article this morning and did some research, those two guys spoke that they were only there to smoke and heard noises so they split up in opposite directions and experienced knocking at certain places and shadows and other things. When they came back and explained eerily similar experience at same time and same rooms in opposite directions. As if they were mirror images. After that, people turned it into a challenge and two best friends or lovers are supposed to walk on different directions and with a candle and walk back. It was fun until someone got their candles blown away and got injured and then they placed security to avoid students to hang out here." Allan spoke all the information he gathered.
"should we do the challenge too?" I asked?
"we are three" Allan spoke.
"Guys check this out!" Mike called in the deeper part of building.
Allan and I followed. Mike's voice was not alarmed so we were not worried.
"This small room looks totally normal except for the light. No other room have lights." Mike spoke in excitement.
"maybe those students used this room." I spoke. The light looked new with almost no dust on it but the room looks super dusty.
"yeah" Allan tried to walk away.
"it's not them, remember they used to hang of years ago. This is latest light from Rene company with very soft chargeable lights and uses remote to control them and with so many different settings. It's like only one person can use and store information. Design and materials are high end. It's only been few months they started to release demo products like 50 of them worldwide." Mike spoke.
"How do you know all these. Did you get a bulb?" I asked in surprise.
"A friend of mine has a share in that company. I have seen him use it. That was before we moved here." Mike spoke.
"Guys I think we are getting side tracked here. Our mission is to ghost, not to find out who has what business here. But it is a good information to keep in mind if someone is deliberately trying to keep people away." Allan changed his voice midway after looking at how sad Mike became.
"Yea let's check out entire layout first then we can spy on the new tech." I spoke and we got out of room after taking another glance to see if there was anything suspicious.
"let's split up you and Nora can take left and I will go to the right." Allan spoke after handing over a torch.
We walked in checking out the hallway dumped with construction waste items and dusty old furniture. It was dark but not scary.
"there's literally nothing here empty room, empty hall way." I walked disappointedly.
"Nora that room is bothering me a lot I will go check it out. It's fine if I move some stuff right." Mike stopped walking.
"sure if it makes you any better." I replied.
"alright I will be back soon stay nearby." Mike rushed back to the room.
I'm bored right now. And no, I do not want to see a ghost or something. I walked further into the hallway. There is a room exactly like the one Mike showed us. Although the environment is different, especially in terms of lighting, it feels identical. Closed room with a window, new light dusty floor, and one empty cupboard. Perhaps there is something I overlooked here. I began cleaning the room with a tablecloth. And I removed thin wallpaper that had become stuck, and as I peeled it, some of it revealed an insect nest. So why would they need a bulb when they can easily carry a torch like us?
So why would they need a bulb when they can easily carry a torch like us? He stated that the light was weak, and that whoever installed it had business near the light, presuming they did not have night vision. I investigated the floor but had no luck, so I stood on a small stool from outside and checked the light. The stool was not sturdy and I might have only one chance at it. Only one item made sense: the closet door and a bump on it. I looked into it further and found a letter encased in thin lamination. Symbols did not make any sense. I was looking for anything else that made sense.
"Here you are I found it. The note and a hidden chamber." Mike rushed over and got surprised to see me with a note.
"Another room? It looks just like that one. You found the hidden note too?" mike asked.
"yeah you got one too?" I asked.
"there might be insects there get down I will check for the secret compartment." Mike said, clearly excited to open up mystery box.
"okay" I stepped down. Taking note and a box from his hand.
"open the cupboard, knock on the uppermost shelf, move couple inches right. There its open. And we got our box." Mike got excited and jumped down.
He hugged me talked nonstop about how he found it. And I zoned out after a while feeling weirdly scared and the nauseous and overwhelming, uncontrollable feeling and I started to hear Allan calling for help. Since we were inside the room it was less audible. And alerted my ears.
"Wait mike," I rushed out to get a clear hearing and yeah it was Allan calling for help.
"Is that Allan?" Mike spoke and we rushed towards his direction.
There was small pit and Allan had fell inside that place was secluded and we wouldn't have found it if he hadn't screamed. Mike and I rushed towards the voice and the terrifying feeling came back. We walked through the further end of the hallway and went to a small room where we heard Allan's voice. Walking further into it there was another door which led to a vast hall the place was dark and filled with several pits. His yellow t shirt stuck out and his voice was much closer, we walked with caution to reach Allan a few steps away.
"hey! Look up." I spoke to Allan who was covering his head and yelling for help.
Mike helped him out by stepping down a little and offering a hand.
"Are you afraid of the pits?" Mike asked as he pulled him out.
"Get down and check it out." Allan spoke clearly traumatised.
Mike dropped in to check out what was so scary.
"What the fuck. Why didn't you warn me?" Mike jumped back up. And covered his face.
It was time for me to check it out. A curiosity that knew I would regret entertaining it. It was a square pit maybe used for plumbing, I thought. I took a glance on the surface and I didn't notice anything. I bent little further and moved torch in sides ways and there were decaying bodies wrapped up in transparent bags lying in each four directions and deep in the soil enough to overlook its existence. The pattern continued like a giant graph filled dead bodies like a line connecting like cubes. On closer inspection on other pits we found it was empty in some places. Whatever they were trying to do was it incomplete then?
"Do you think they killed so many and was never suspected?" Mike spoke.
"I'm not sure. You see that bald guy with tattoo 006?" I spoke as I brushed through the leaves and climbers.
"yeah the one on left side." Mike replied.
"Yeah I saw him on the newspaper that he died in an accident on the way to LiLo beach. And they had lit candles where he died." I told him.
"How was this hidden all this time?" Mike asked while he checked out other area.
"I don't think anyone would have checked out each and every room in this place. And looking at the bodies it could all be after the place was closed off." I spoke.
"You know what that could mean?" Mike spoke indicating someone in the college had to do it.
" no. there's another way in check this out." I showed the open space where breeze grazed our skin.
We met up with Erica and Allan and informed about the tree. The police came in a few minutes and soon the area was filled with many officers and they cleared the building.
"Maybe we should all go home?" I spoke giving them a solution.
"Yeah I want to take a long shower." Erica shivered as she spoke.
"Don't you think you should take a shower too? " I asked Allan who was covered in dirt.
"I don't want to be alone." Allan spoke.
"Alright let's go to my place. We can't sit here all day. Take a shower then let's eat something nice." I held arm and stood up.
"Alright. Let's crash at your place. I'm tired of people staring at me." Erica also stood up.
And we crash at my place, I didn't have intention to bring them in well at least that better than sitting there. I pinged Mike about current situation and Mike replied he has someone who would join us.
Allan took a long shower and wore my oversize hoodie and pants. Erica also asked us not to disturb her while she was in the shower and wore t-shirt and shorts.
"We are ordering in yummiest food so that we can forget everything and let's drink tonight. I will be back with everything we need to throw a party." Erica was in high drive, determined to overcome this atmosphere. She went to local store to bring snacks and alcohol by the time food arrived. Leaving Allan and I alone. His sad face annoyed me. Why can't he change like Erica after a shower.
"Are you feeling okay?" I asked worried.
"Yeah." He spoke with his head down pricking on his fingernails and holding on to the clothes tighter.
"Why were you freaked out? It's not the first time we saw something gruesome." I asked.
"I'm okay." Allan took his phone and scrolled down to divert the conversation. I actually didn't think much of it until now. Allan is disturbed more than I expected. Is it because he fell down there? It was easily climbable for his height. Allan keeping secrets with me gives me chills, taking me back to the first day we met. And I don't like that feeling.
"Allan please just be honest for once. I can't take your lies." I spoke harshly without thinking it through. He kept his silence.
"I'm sorry I don't know what to do, when I don't know anything about you. Is there something I can do for you?" I sat back with pent up emotions.
"Can you give me a hug?" He asked as he kept his phone aside.
I felt relived like every problem in my life was instantly solved. I hugged him without a second thought and we fell on the fluffy chair. I buried my face in his arms and he hugged me back tightly. I don't understand what we are to each other and why do I possess so much emotions when it's about him. We are not just friend sat this point who met just a few days ago.
"I saw something similar to this my memory is a bit hazy. I was in woods and I don't know how I got there. I found my grandparents and aunt buried in the same way in a pit in all the directions. I was small and I couldn't get up on my own and was stuck there for a long time. Everyone brushed me off saying it was a dream. And I couldn't find the place again so no one took me seriously. I was shocked to see it again and in the same way. I'm afraid what I saw that was the same place." Allan spoke as he was trembling.
"I'm so sorry for forcing you to talk." I spoke regretting pushing him to talk.
As we heard Knocking, we broke off our hug with an unfinished conversation.
It's Mike with a girl? I glared at him for an explanation and Erica joined in.
"Hey guys look what I bought!" Erica brought whole bag of beer and snacks.
"What's happening?" The girl asked Mike.
"I'm not sure." Mike entered surprised looking at Allan still sad. Now he looks even worse.
"It's time you introduce your friend." I asked Mike.
"Oh yeah. This is Anna my fellow classmate to be and these are my friends Allan, Erica and Nora my girlfriend." Mike introduced Anna.
"Wow he is the best boyfriend. Let me borrow him on few dates Nora." Erica started to sip and by looks of it she started drink on way itself.
"Food's here let's eat. Oh my sad Little boy cheer up." Erica hopped to get food herself.
"Let's have dinner, then get to business?" Mike made a pleasing smile which usually get what he wants. And he used it to full potential.
"Sure I don't mind." Anna blushed.
Well whatever I'm hungry too. We all ate to the fullest. And Erica passed out from drinking non-stop.
After she slept the party pretty much came to a halt.
"So Mike what exactly you wanted from me?" Anna asked.
"Anna I'm so sorry I dragged you into this. I heard you are smart and you know many languages. Could you decipher something for me? I couldn't find anything about it on internet or the books" Mike showed a picture of two notes.
"How did you get this?" Anna was surprised as soon as she saw it. Her words made clear enough that she knew what those symbols were.
"It's was in my great grandfather's note." Mike panicked and added few extra lies. Yeah sure let's go with the great grandfather's story than we picked up from crime scene.
"figures. If you could give me a paper or a laptop I can try to translate." Anna tied her hair and got ready to decipher.
I got her both book and a laptop to work on.
"Why couldn't we find anything on the internet?" I asked her.
"You are not from here are you? These symbols only exist in ancient books and these ancient languages are well protected. Only few know their existence the less you know the better they say." Anna answered which led to more questions.
"Yeah she isn't from here. But how did you learn it?" Mike asked.
"I like to read. This one is easy to translate because it's already been translated." Anna focused on work and started to scribble paper.
"What do you mean?" I asked not understanding where she is coming from.
" There are at least two languages I know that are ancient. My family keeps a lot of books and I sneaked into grandma's personal room inside the Library. I could only learn one of the ancient language. It was well hidden but I managed to take a quick sneak. About the another one I have no clue how they even look like." She continued to translate next note.
"How are you sure it's already translated?" Mike asked.
"Because this looks like instructions. To explain it better ancient language one is more mysterious short texts. Then the second ancient texts used in ancient times explaining what it means. And that's converted into normal language for better understanding. They are all written with utmost care and precision but this is garbage. The sentences are grammatically wrong which could lead to a different meaning and the hand writing shows no beauty in writing. No offence for your great grandpa." Anna frowned.
"Well he did what he could. Can you tell us more?" Mike asked.
"No." She shut him down straight.
"I only told you this because you have the note and you shouldn't wander around asking people about it. My life could be in danger of anyone learns I could decipher. If you need any more deciphering ring me up no questions asked." Anna handed over the paper to Mike.
"One who stabs and the one who hurt. Love or bond - open eyes-wear it - protect life -fate intertwined -glows with right." Says one note.
"Yemnus umslig kihftn ifbjis bff inv uongti fhktion uukkbd"
"1 2 6 times - one after other completes. At 3am." Said the second note.
" I am not sure what exactly it means. Maybe if you change your life is intertwined. Or something. I would suggest not to do anything especially because it's not translated correctly leaving several gaps and confusions." Anna spoke.
"Thanks for helping out" I said.
"It's alright just promise me to keep in the loop on your next adventure for deciphering." Anna laughed.
"Sure" Mike answered.
"I should go. I'm way past my curfew." Anna looked at time.
"Yeah it's dark I will drop you to your home. It's not safe to go alone." Mike insisted.
"Thanks it's just four roads away from here actually." Anna spoke and packed her things.
And they left and we took Erica to my room and came back to hall.
"So we have something to tell you. We are trying to but there was Erica and then Anna. We just didn't have time."
"Are you pregnant?" Allan asked with a blank face. Hours of silence and the first word he says is this?
"No. Gosh we found a note and a box in those room where we found bulb, that's what happened." I handed off paper got on the couch.
"oh that's it?" Mike sounded disappointed.
"Hey guys you remember the big villa with star viewing tower we came across and this morning." Mike asked as soon as he got in.
"Yeah. The one Allan wanted to steal." I spoke.
"Yeah must be nice for them to have it all to their selves" Allan pouted.
"Yeah." Mike scoffed.
"It's Anna's place. And she gave green light to visit sometimes" Mike spoke with big smile.
"You didn't pull off any puppy eyes or good cat act did you?" I asked to whether she is calling in as date or friend.
"Haha maybe a little. I asked if it's okay to bring Allan and Nora. She said yes." Mike swung across room and fell on couch.
"Yay let's make it a heist." Allan cheered uncheerfully.
"Alright before that shouldn't open the box." I brought them back to conversation.
"That's why right I got side-tracked." Mike sat up straight. And took boxes from pocket.
"I couldn't wait so I took a sneak peek. It's two jade rings. I wore it nothing happened maybe we should chant it." Mike handed over two boxes.
"You guys check it out." Mike said.
We opened the wooden box and the thin plain jade ring and I wore it. Allan looked a little surprised.
"What are you looking at?" I asked.
"Maybe these are the fake ones. Who would keep it in a spot everyone can get to easily. We found it in an hour without knowing anything." Mike relaxed.
"Maybe." I spoke and when I was about to remove it. Its colour changed a little bit reddish.
"Did you see that? " I asked.
"Wow" Mike was surprised to see.
"Yours is little pink but Allan's turned fully red. And it's going back to normal colour." Mike spoke.
"Let's keep it back where it was." Allan kept it back avoiding the conversation.
"It's so pretty I don't want to keep it back." I spoke looking at fading colour.
"It's not safe Nora. Whoever did this didn't know what they were doing." Allan spoke roughly with hit of anger towards the person.
"Yeah Nora I don't think that's safe either. Anna told us it was not translated correctly." Mike spoke
Mike wore it and it didn't work.
"Really now?" I glared.
"I was just double checking. I will keep this in my safe deposit tomorrow." Mike spoke.
"Yeah good idea." I Said.
"You must be exhausted you can stay the night and take the couch." Mike offered to Allan.
"Yeah it's late. Let's talk tomorrow." I got up.
"Yeah. Thanks." Allan nodded still looking down.
We cleared the space for him to sleep went to our room.
"I think we pushed him a little, he wasn't ready to talk about any of these." Mike hugged me as he slept on bed.
"Yeah. I'm the one who bought it up. He was about to cry when Erica left to bring snacks." I shared with Mike.
"Don't worry he will be fine tomorrow. It was horrible isn't it. Thank God we didn't actually see entire thing." Mike shivered.
"It was less scary since we were together." I replied.
"But don't do anything like this dangerous alone with Allan. Call me if you need any help." Mike spoke.
"I think you found it exciting." I asked.
"Yeah a little. It was a shame it didn't work properly though. And I need a whole lifetime to process everything." Mike said.
"Yeah. Some things are like that." I spoke as I dimmed light.
"Yeah." Mike fell asleep in the mid conversation.