Force of Nature ▸ House of Anubis [3]

chapter seventy-two. house of blackout

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            After leaving Joy alone with the hieroglyphs, I left the house and realized I have no idea where to go. Gatehouse, duh, but if Fabian realized that Alfie was following them, would he really take her there when he was shouting about how Fabian's a sinner (which he would have done to warn KT if he found them)? No. He'd have to divert his route, and on the way to the gatehouse is the above-ground crypt entrance. Fabian would bring KT there to escape Alfie.

            As I find the door open, I hear muffled voices inside. "You might both be lying!" I hear KT shout. I get that feeling again, which confirms there's a sinner here. Her voice gets louder as I near the actual crypt. "How can I trust either of you?"

            "Because I'm telling you the truth!" Alfie exclaims.

            "No," says Fabian's voice. Sinner Fabian, anyway. I listen in outside the entrance for a moment, wary of going inside right now. I have to get KT and Alfie out of there; honestly, right now I'm not opposed to locking Fabian in. "No, that's a fair question. Why should you? Everything we're saying is exactly what we would be saying if we were evil, right? I wouldn't believe us either. You don't have to KT."

            "Shut up, Fabian! Don't listen to him, KT!"

            Okay, so I've always wanted to make a dramatic entrance like this, so don't sue me for doing it. As I step out of the shadows, speaking loudly, "I'll give you this, Fabian—being turned into a sinner has made you a great manipulator." Alfie speaks my name with relief, KT with confusion, and Fabian just glares. "Also made you kind of a jerk. KT, Alfie's right. Fabian's the sinner."

            Fabian counters, "What if Alfie turned her into one, too? This is also exactly what she'd be saying if—"

            "Oh, Fabes, we all know the Bringer of Death isn't a part of the sinner plans," I interrupt. We don't know that for sure, but I can't imagine why else no one's tried to manipulate me into going to the gatehouse. Also, calling him Fabes is super passive-aggressive in this context, I think. I like it; it's like with Trixie. "KT, Alfie, leave. I need to have a word with Fabian here."

            "No, I'm not leaving you alone with him," Alfie states.

            Fabian retorts, "No, KT, stay. Do what you have to do. Remember what it said in your gramps' parcel. Go there." I watch KT pull something out of her jacket pocket. "Now!"

            "She's not gonna do anything you say!" Alfie tells him harshly.

            But Fabian looks back to KT. "Look, you came here to finish this, and that's exactly what you need—"

            "Leave her alone!"

            And Alfie full on tackles Fabian. Well, tries to, because Fabian's expecting it and resists, but not before yelling at KT to go. I'm distracted enough by what just transpired that I don't notice KT running out of the crypt as Fabian pushes Alfie away. Fabian, all facades down, flashes his red eyes at us as he laughs evilly. "Oh. Oh, don't be upset, Alfie. She'll be getting a very warm welcome where she's going."