Part IIIThe group made their way through the long, seemingly unending hallway into a dusty old parlor. A large black piano sat at one end of the room. The walls were actually bookcases, each filled to overflowing with hundreds of books. Quatre released his grip on Trowa, his curiosity getting the better of him as he picked up a stray book on the floor and sat himself in one of the dusty, plush armchairs. Duo scurried over to one of the bookcase walls, perusing the titles.
“Maybe a lawyer lives here?” Duo offered, grabbing a book from one shelf. “Corpus Juris? What, Dead Jury?” Duo asked, laughing. Trowa shook his head.
“Body of Law, but good try.” Trowa smiled, leaning on Quatre’s armchair. Heero raised an eyebrow, taking in the musty room. The only door in was the one they just came through: no easy escape, besides the windows, which were small and too high. Not a good place for the night.
Before Heero could tell his friends that they should move forward, he noticed Wufei, who had seemed to have gone a little pale. His eyes were wide and his mouth agape. All in all, an expression of abject horror. Heero turned his attention to follow Wufei’s eye line, curious as to what his Chinese friend had noticed. It didn’t take long to find.
A book, not a very large one, a small volume with some medical title, was moving all on its own across the parlor floor. It jumped once or twice, but mostly glided across the room. Heero, though shocked, moved quickly to the book, picking it up. There was nothing beneath it. His sudden movements caught the attention of the other three.
“Something you don’t like about that one, buddy?” Duo asked. Heero frowned, turning the book over in his hands.
“It moved.” Was all Heero said. Duo scoffed and strode over to Heero, taking the book out of his hands.
“Books don’t move on their own, Heero. Might be a bug or something on it.” Duo said, tilting his head, looking the book over. Wufei laughed nervously.
“What kind of bug is big enough to move a book but so small you can’t find it when you move the moving book?” He asked. Duo shrugged, tossing the book back to Heero.
“Eh, it’s your imagination.” Duo said, returning to the shelves he was perusing. Heero felt otherwise. He looked over at Wufei.
“You saw it move, didn’t you?” He asked. Wufei nodded. “So did I.” Just then, another small book was scurrying across the floor. Then another, larger, just under Quatre’s feet. The blonde looked down when he felt the book brush his leg. He immediately went pale when he saw the book glide, a shriek stuck in his throat.
“Duo…?” Heero asked quietly. Duo turned to look at Heero, his expression expectant. Heero pointed downwards towards Duo’s feet. Duo raised an eyebrow, but looked down. As he saw a large velvet green book slink past his toes he jumped, dropping the book he’d taken out. The violet-eyed man rushed over to Heero, clutching onto his shoulder.
“This place is haunted!” Duo said. At that moment, the black piano started up, playing a dissonant tune of unfamiliar origin. Heero grabbed Duo by the arm and pushed him out of the parlor, ordering everyone else to follow them back into the hall.
When the group was back in the hall, Duo was still clutching onto Heero, his eyes wide and fixed on the floor. Quatre was in Trowa’s arms, and Wufei was continuously shaking his head. Heero scowled.
“There has to be a logical explanation for this. That room might be automated to entertain macabre guests. Let’s just push forward in any case.” Though his voice was authoritative, he was rubbing Duo’s arm in a soothing manner. Duo nodded sharply, deafly agreeing to Heero’s command.
The group, trying to remain calm in their spooky environment, barely spoke as they continued past the parlor and down the next hall. They passed a large, creaking grandfather clock, which Duo swore there had been thirteen hours on. Whether the other four believed Duo was only seeing things through a fear haze or if there really were thirteen hours instead of the usual twelve, no one argued but pressed on. An old staircase loomed ahead in the dark, and with a general sinking feeling, each young man knew they were to travel upwards.
Heero led the way, closely followed by Duo and Wufei, with Quatre clutching onto Wufei’s white overcoat and Trowa bringing up the rear. Trowa couldn’t help the feeling of being watched as the five made their way upstairs. He was sorely regretting not warning Heero earlier now.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Back To Part II On To Part IV Back to the Library
