The Painting

Chapter Four

Maybe I am being dramatic. I have only just met them so I cannot expect them to share everything with me.

I look up to see that my whole class has moved to the next room. I follow them and catch Ntombi explaining another painting.

"This children, is Tshaka. I'm sure you all know him from your African history. Can someone tell me a little about him? Anything at all."

"He was a ruthless king," Sisa says.

"Yes, ruthless. But let's not forget that his ruthlessness was what helped the Zulu  army become really strong, the strongest in all Southern Africa at that time. Can someone tell me the changes that were made to the Zulu army when Tshaka  got into power?"

My mind wonders off to the painting. I do not know why I am so interested in it. I only got a little glance at it and I really want to know what it is. Maybe this could be a mystery I can solve. As a history student, I have this obsession of analysing and solving stuff. It is like it is in my DNA to know about every strange thing that happens around me. Do not get me wrong, when it comes to creepy stuff like spirits and monsters, I step back. I have an over active imagination so it all comes back to haunt me when I am about to go sleep at night.

I look up to see Asher's playful green eyes dart around the room. He has a smirk plastered on his lips that spells out 'mischief'. When he finally meets my eyes, his whole face changes and carries.... guilt?

What is he up to?

I see him walk back to the other room we were in, the room with the painting. Maybe he's going to investigate the painting. I need to go as well. I need to see what is going on, what those boys are hiding.

"Why don't you tell us Miss?" Ntombi says, looking at me. I feel like a deer caught in headlights. The whole class is looking at me, expecting me to answer the question since I know a lot about history, but the problem is  that I did not hear what the question is.

"Ummmm, uhhhhh..."

"He made the warriors go to war barefoot so that they could run faster," Tino answers.

"Yes exactly, I'm glad someone pays attention in class.  Let's move on," Ntombi says, while I give Tino a thankful smile. She smiles back and nods a little.

Asher has gone back to the other room. So I do the dumbest thing I have ever done, I run back and follow him. As I enter into the room, my heart beats faster and faster. I do not know what to expect. Am I even doing the right thing? Okay, I am not sure about that but what I am sure off is that I need to know what is going on.

The guard is talking to the triplets. It is like they are in an intense argument or something.

"This is dangerous and I'm not going to let you in. Why won't you just rest and leave this?  Maybe you're just not meant to know," the guard says.

"You don't understand, we can't rest without knowing the truth. Didn't Grimmy tell you?" Kenneth says.

"No he didn't. But tell me something, why now? Why so many years later?" The guard asks.

Years? What did he mean by that?

"Just let us in or I'll just have to do it the hard way," Israel threatens.

"You know the rules kid, you're not allowed to mess with me," the guard warns him.

"You're not really leaving him much of a choice," Asher says with a smirk.

"My answer is still no, I'm not letting you in. Leave now!" He commands.

"Well, you asked for it," Israel says, stepping back. There is silence as they stare at each other.

"You dare?" The guard says.

"Try me," is Israel's low reply.

Silence.

"Fine!" The guard gives up.

Wimp.

"But if anything happens you're all to blame. Make sure you do not change anything that happened, because if you do then....." He looks aside, avoiding eye contact.

"What'll happen?" Kenneth asks.

"Just don't do it or something very bad will happen," the guard says.

"You're playing with us old man, out with it, now!" Israel says through clenched teeth..

"It's best you don't know," he replies. "And I'd watch that temper if I were you, it'll get you and your brothers in trouble."

"What did you just say?" Israel says taking a threatening step forward. He really looks angry. Why is he like this? Why is he acting so strange, well,  stranger than usual? Yeah and by 'usual' I mean the past few hours I have known him and his brothers. They are my first friends okay? So I have to be observant, sue me!

"Israel calm down," Kenneth says. "Fine we won't change anything. Will you be here when we're back?" He asks.

Back from where? Where are they going?

"No, but I'm sure that he'll come collect you himself. My time here is done, I have to go back. Try not to do anything stupid yeah?" The guard says moving to the side and looking at Asher specifically.

"News flash old man, there's absolutely no way they'll see or hear us. Are you forgetting something?" Asher laughs.  "We're ghosts!!!" He finishes whilst walking past the guard and into the painting.

I audibly gasp and all eyes snap in my direction.

How did he just do that?

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