THIRD PERSON'S POV.
River placed a danish on top of her saucer, with the goth girl beside her doing the same, pondering about Alfie's whereabouts. She hadn't seen the jokester all morning and the only people in the dining room were the members of Sibuna.
She turned around and sat back at her seat just as Amber, who held her mirror in her hand, asked, "Do my eyes still look like an albino rabbit? These late nights are really playing havoc with my beauty regime."
"I think stopping our caretaker from world domination is more important than beauty, Ambs," River said, earning a nod from Patricia.
"Has anyone seen Alfie this morning?" Nina wondered. River shook her head in response. "I hope he's okay."
Just on cue, the male prankster in question walked into the room, causing Fabian to announce his arrival. "Here he is."
"There's the man of the hour." The female prankster smiled at her friend.
"Alfie, how are you?" Amber asked.
"How did you do last night?" Patricia was next to question him.
"Did you find anything?" Fabian added. Alfie glanced around the area before pulling out a clear flask that contained orange liquid — the elixir. River, Nina, and Patricia went on to congratulate him, while Fabian took the elixir from him. "What about the other thing?"
"The demisphere?" Alfie inquired. "I looked everywhere but I couldn't find anything that looked right."
"Well, at least we finally got the elixir," River uttered. She was glad that Alfie managed to get it and hopefully this will prove that he really does belong in Sibuna.
"Maybe it's not down in the cellar after all," Patricia suggested.
"'Unleash your power and light your way to the demisphere hidden below'," Nina repeated their riddle.
River noticed that her blonde roommate had her eyes on Alfie and she couldn't help but turn around to face his back. He was being oddly quiet. She would've thought he'd be prancing around at his lastest accomplishment.
"You okay, boo?" The fashionista asked.
Alfie turned around to face them. "Why did you all disappear and leave me last night?"
The five members of Sibuna grew confused, not knowing what Alfie was going on about, while their leader replied, "We only went back to our rooms when we knew you were safely back in your room."
"How did you know I was safely back in my room?"
"Because you told us," Amber said.
"I did?"
"Yes. Last night," River uttered, screwing up her brows in perplexity.
"Over the walkie-talkie... A-Dog," Patricia added.
"The walkie-talkie," Alfie repeated. "No..." It looked like a light bulb hit his head, because his confused frown turned into an incredulous one. "Wait a minute."
"Alfie, you okay?" River inquired. Alfie didn't answer but instead hurried out of the dining room. The five teens all shared confused looks and the female prankster of the group, getting increasingly suspicious of Alfie's behavior, stood up from her seat and followed him out. "Alfie!"
The boy in question didn't stop. He stormed into his room, with River trailing behind him, and immediately spoke to his roommate, who was fixing up his tie. "Did you pretend to be me last night and speak to Nina and the others on the walkie-talkie?"
River's brown eyes bulged hearing the news. She knew that voice wasn't Alfie's. She should've trusted her gut. "Wait, what?"
Jerome turned around to face his friends and fellow pranksters. "No."
"Well, somebody did and it definitely wasn't me, because I didn't radio them the whole time I was down there," Alfie went on to say.
River nudged Alfie's stomach, giving him a pointed look. Jerome was already suspicious of Sibuna and they didn't need to lead him on anymore.
"It was the walkie-talkie that woke me up, because you dropped it," the blonde remarked. "I didn't pick up or speak to anyone."
The female prankster raised an eyebrow. "So you had nothing to do with Alfie's walkie-talkie?"
"Are you sure?" Alfie questioned.
"I'm pretty sure I would remember something like that." Jerome bent down to pick something up and stood back up with Alfie's walkie-talkie in his hand. "And look, it's here, where you left it. I can not believe you're both accusing me. Your best friend."
Jerome shoved the walkie-talkie in Alfie's chest and pushed past him. River saw guilt wash over Alfie; she couldn't help but think that Jerome was acting shadier than usual. If Alfie dropped the walkie-talkie as Jerome said, and Jerome didn't use it, then who was Sibuna speaking to last night? It surely wasn't Alfie, because he wasn't even in possession of the walkie-talkie.
"Hey, let's..." Alfie turned to face Jerome, who had his back faces to the two. River copied the jokester's movements, but kept a suspicious eye on the blonde. "Let's just forget it, yeah? I'm sorry. And River is too."
Alfie nudged the brunette girl who let out a sigh. "Yeah. I'm sorry, Jerome. We should've known you wouldn't stoop this low."
"You really hurt me, guys," Jerome confessed. River tried not to scoff at his words. Him? Getting hurt? And admitting it? Okay, now she knew he was playing a game.
"Jerome, we didn't mean to," Alfie went on to say before outstretching his hand that held his danish. "Here. You can have my danish." Jerome turned around and accepted the danish before sitting down on his bed. Alfie gave him a hopeful smile. "You can even have River's."
"Woah!" River was quick to speak. "My treats are not for a bargain."
"Or not," Alfie muttered before looking back at the blonde. "We okay now?"
Jerome didn't answer that but rather asked a completely different question, one that River wished he didn't try to get himself involved in. "So what were you all up to last night then?"
"Hide and seek," the female of the group lied and Alfie nodded. "Yeah, Fabian says it's a great stress reliever from all the tests and assignments we have due."
The troublemaker rose an eyebrow, clearly not buying her lie, because he knew the truth. "Or were you all looking for the Cup of Ankh?"
River grew at a loss for words; how did Jerome know about the cup? But she didn't say anything, knowing that he'd probably use it against her. However, the jokester beside her expressed his shock. "How'd you know about the Cup—?"
"Gotcha!" Jerome triumphantly stood up.
"Alfie!" River hissed at the boy who had his head in his hand. She then looked to the blonde. "You don't know what you're talking about, Jerome."
Jerome pointed an accusing finger at them. "I know plenty, guys. But I need to know more. I have got someone paying me big bucks for this information. So come on. Tell me what you know."
River was shocked that someone else other than Sibuna knew about the Cup. Who else knew that could be allied with Jerome? It couldn't have been Victor or any of the teachers. So who? But she was even more shocked that Jerome was actually selling his housemates out for money.
The brunette had no time to ponder over that though. She knew that Jerome knew that he wouldn't get anything out of her. She was loyal to her club mates and had a backbone. Alfie, however, could be easily manipulated by Jerome. It'd happened a dozen times. Jerome was also one of Alfie's best friends, besides River, and River knew that because she'd been spending a lot more time with Sibuna, Alfie had been more reliant on Jerome.
She stepped between her two friends, causing Alfie to back up a bit. He knew that when River was angry, it was best not to meddle. The female prankster shoved her finger directly into Jerome's chest. "Give it a rest, Jerome. We're not telling you anything, not even if you blackmail us. So I suggest you take your nose out of our business or else."
Jerome's smug grin failed to fall off his face as he backed away from River and grabbed his school bag. "Hey, Alfie. Remember who save your life, yeah?"
River's eyebrows corrugated as she watched Jerome leave. She turned to face Alfie, who looked as shocked as she did. "What does he mean he saved your life?"
"Last night, when I came back from the cellar, I had to hide from Victor in the sarcophagus," Alfie explained. "Someone locked me in there, though. Jerome was the one who found me this morning."
That was weird. Who would lock Alfie, of all people, in a sarcophagus? And why? What was weirder was that Jerome was the one who found Alfie.
"Was this early in the morning?"
"Yeah. After five thirty-ish, I think."
"And Jerome found you?" River asked again and Alfie nodded his head. "Alfie, don't you think it's weird that Jerome, of all people, found you and not someone who's usually up early in the morning, like Trudy or Victor or even Mick?"
Alfie shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. I never thought about that... Wait, are you suggesting that..."
"Jerome locked you in there?" She sighed. "I don't want to think about that, but he's on my list as a suspect. And how does he know about the Cup?"
"I don't know!" Alfie groaned as he raised his arms. "I didn't tell him anything, I swear."
"Don't worry, I believe you. I never thought you did in the first place," River assured him, causing Alfie to let out a sigh of relief and put down his arms. "But now Jerome's involved and we have to keep an eye on him. A lot of people have gotten hurt; I don't want him to be next."
"He won't. Don't worry," Alfie told her. "Hey, this may be bad timing, but can I have your danish?"
The brunette girl gave him an incredulous stare. "No, you can not!"
. . .
Alfie and River, the jokester and the female prankster, were the last two students to come out of Mr. Winkler's History class. The two friends were usually seen cracking up jokes, but this time, as they descended into the corridor, they were in a serious conversation.
"We cannot tell Nina and the others," River said. "I don't want them to lose their trust in you, especially after your big win last night."
"What about you?" Alfie asked.
River waved him off. "I'll deal with me later."
Just then, River's roommates came up to the prank-loving duo, both girls were wearing grins. Amber was the first to address the two. "Hey, guys. We've been talking and we've got some great news. Alfie, how would you like to become an official member of the Sibuna club?"
"Yeah. It was a really brave thing you did," Nina admitted. "Getting the elixir from the cellar. And River, you've been right all along. Alfie would be a great asset to the club."
"Oh, yeah," Alfie responded. "Great."
"That's really awesome, guys. I'm so happy Alfie's gonna be in Sibuna now." River forced a smile.
She would've been bouncing off the walls with joy that her best friend was finally joining their club and Alfie would've done the same thing too. However, neither Nina nor Amber knew about Jerome, which was why they were both confused that the pranksters didn't react with delight.
"Is that it?" Amber inquired, seeming disappointed at their dull reactions before gesturing to Alfie. "I thought you'd jump up and down or something," and then to River, "and I expected you to go on and on about how you were right."
River shrugged. "I mean, I was right."
"It is great," Alfie assured them. "Yeah, look, I'm pleased."
"Good. Initiation ceremony today after school," Amber said, "by the burnt-out tree in the woods."
"See you then."
Amber and Nina made their way down the corridor, while Alfie and River came to stop beside River's locker, with the female prankster saying, "Well, at least you're finally becoming an official Sibuna."
"I don't have to prick my finger or anything?" Alfie asked.
River let out a chuckle. "No, don't worry."
"Okay, good. I still feel bad, though."
"Me too, but we can't tell them. They'll just provoke Jerome even more — you and I both know that. We need to find out how much he knows and who's paying him for this information."
Something else caught Alfie's eye as a smirk dawned upon him. Before River could ask what, he waved goodbye to her and walked down the other end of the corridor. Just as she was about to call him back, a pair of hands covered her eyes. "Guess who?"
River let out a sigh. "Did you have a jam sandwich for breakfast, Noah?" The boy in question groaned and he removed his hands. River turned to face him and leaned against her locker with a pleasing smile. "You have a very distinctive smell, by the way."
"That's weird," Noah pointed out.
"No, it's not."
"Yes, it is."
River rolled her eyes. "You're more annoying than usual. I see you're feeling much better."
"And looking good as always," Noah remarked and River sent him a pointed look. "Too much?"
"Yeah. You sound like Shawn. I'm dating a dumb jock, not my dumb brother."
"Hey, I am no dumb."
"Babe, you thought Orlando was an American state," River reminded him.
"I really wish Shawn didn't tell you that," Noah mumbled.
"We all have our moments." River chuckled at him before wrapped an arm around his waist, prompting for Noah to sling his arm around her shoulder and kiss her forehead. The couple made their way down the corridor, with River adding, "You just happen to have more than others."
"I did not miss that."
. . .
Standing around the fire pit with the rest of Sibuna and they're soon to be member made River feel nostalgic. It reminded her of the day she and Patricia got initiated. That seemed like it was years ago with everything that happened so far, but it was only months.
"Now, throw the hat in the fire and repeat after me," Amber, who was in charge of their initiation ceremonies, instructed Alfie.
The jokester had his beloved jesters hat in his arms and he gave Amber an offended look, as well as sending one to the prankster beside him. When the blonde and brunette duo told him to take something that he valued from his room, they didn't mention anything about burning it.
"Do I have to? This is my favorite jesters' hat," Alfie said.
"You have more?" River questioned. "Wait, of course, you have more."
"Yes, but that's not important. This is my life and soul." Alfie held up his hat. River rolled her eyes at her friend's dramatics. "Without it, I am nothing."
"It has to be something special," Amber told him.
Alfie reluctantly threw his beloved hat in the fiery pit as the fashionista raised her right hand. "I, Alfred Marmaduke Lewis..."
River snickered at the mention of Alfie's full name, while the boy in question went on to say, "I, Alfie Lewis."
"Promise to protect the treasure of Anubis House and all its secrets."
"Promise to protect the treasure of Anubis House and..." Alfie hesitated at the moment and only River knew why.
She couldn't help but feel guilty too. Somehow, Jerome managed to find out about the mystery and he knew more now when he interrogated Alfie and River and got their reactions. But Alfie and River were going to fix this. River was set on making sure Jerome stopped whatever game he was playing.
"And all it's secrets," Amber repeated louder.
"And all its secrets," Alfie finally let out and River could see how much saying that sentence pained him.
"You're now officially a member of the club," Amber declared before putting her right hand over her right eye. "Sibuna."
The rest of the club members followed in suit. "Sibuna!"
"What did you say?" Nina suddenly asked Amber.
The blonde gave her a confused look. "Nothing."
"Light the way."
River stared at her American roommate in bewilderment. "Nina, you good?"
"What are you talking about?" Amber questioned her.
"Are you okay?" Fabian asked.
"I think so," Nina answered, looking unsure. "Uh, I don't know."
. . .
When she arrived back at Anubis House, the last thing River expected to see on her bed was a yellow gift bag. She looked to Amber, who also seemed confused at the gift bag, and said, "open it."
"Why do I have to open it?" Amber asked. "It's yours. You open it."
"But what if it's a booby trap? What if I get punched in the face?" River listed.
"What if I get punched in the face? I need my face more than you do."
River sighed. "Fine. I'll just open it."
River was a prankster by heart and the gift bag on her bed looked like a prank. But she was also curious, so she hesitantly crept toward her bed, with Amber keeping a safe distance, and peered into the gift bag. She let out a sigh of relief and pulled the contents out — a pair of brand new sneakers.
"Shoes? You got shoes? And they're horrible!" Amber exclaimed.
"Horrible? I like them," River stated. She'd been wanting a new pair of sneakers and it was in her favorite color — grey, "but I didn't buy them."
"Then who did?" Amber asked and River shrugged. But then, an epiphany hit her. Jerome said something about getting paid big bucks for selling out Sibuna. Did he really think that bribing River would get her to sell out her club mates? She scoffed and put the shoes in the gift bag. She put the gift bag in the trash can of their room and heard Amber cheer. "That's the smartest thing you've done all term!"
"Thanks, Amber," River remarked.
The door to their room opened and it came Patricia. "Hey, River, Mara said that Trudy's got some mail for you."
The brunette girl scrunched up her eyebrows. the last time she got mail was... well, never. She didn't question it, though. She and Amber followed Patricia downstairs, where the three girls met up with Fabian in the hallway.
The news about mail immediately left River's mind when the four members of Sibuna walked into the dining room to see Mick prancing around with pom-poms in front of Mara and chanting, "S to the O to the R-R-Y. I don't have an alibi. I knew my cheating bribe was sleaze. But take my back before someone sees—"
Mick finally noticed his four housemates behind him and grew embarrassed. River and Patricia let out loud laughs, with the former saying, "Too late!"
Fabian chuckled at his roommate. "Nice moves, Mick."
"Yeah, you're very impressive, Mick," Patricia teased.
Mick didn't seem to be as amused as they were. "Thanks very much, Amber. You finally got what you wanted — total humiliation!"
The blonde jock stormed out the other entryway, while his nerdy ex-girlfriend (or girlfriend? River wasn't sure yet) called his name.
"I don't know what that was all about, but I wish I recorded it," River said. She glanced to the kitchen and saw that Trudy was filling the sink up with water. She excused herself from her friends and approached her beloved housemother. "Hey, Trudes."
Trudy smiled at her. "Hello, lovie. How are you today?"
"Oh, just wishing that I could sleep for a hundred years. The usual," River joked, earning a laugh from Trudy. "What about you?"
"I'm great, thank you for asking."
"Always a pleasure. Uhm, anyway, I've been told that you have mail for me." Realization hit Trudy at that moment as she put down the dishcloth. She instructed River to wait where she was while she left to the laundry room. Only a few minutes later and Trudy appeared with a white shoebox in her hands. She handed the box to River, who gave her a grateful smile and took it, even though she was still a bit confused. "Do you know who dropped this off?"
Trudy shook her head as she returned to the sink and grabbed the dishcloth. "Sorry, sweetie, but I don't. Your name is the only thing written on it. I didn't want to look inside in case it was private."
River scanned the outside of the box and saw that Trudy was right. Only her name was on it, in all caps and bold writing. The handwriting seemed unfamiliar to River. Actually, the whole situation seemed odd. Who would send a shoebox to her?
. . .
please don't be a ghost reader :(
vote, comment & share!💓