Class Trip Ended in Horror

Chapter 8

Mr Schmidt approached us. "We should go downstairs and eat something," said he. We went downstairs and went into the dining room. There was a basket with rolls and next to it were jars of jam and jugs of chocolate milk. We sat down. Curiously, the table was set for only 14 people. Vladimir was already there. So, he couldn't know that Sofie was dead, but her place isn't covered. This guy just keeps getting scarier to me.

He seemed to catch my gaze and smiled at me. I do not trust him. But no one else seemed to notice that he knew more than he was saying. I looked away, grabbed a bun and spread sour cherry jam on it.

Even though we were all upset, we ate something. "Listen, I think we should go out and get some fresh air this morning," said Mr Schmidt. "We'll go upstairs together and go from room to room so everyone can get their jackets and nobody will be alone in the room". So, we went up.

First, we accompanied Leon, Thomas and Fabi to their room. Then we went to the room where Lisa, Katy and me stayed. After that we followed Christin and Amelie and finally we went to the room of Paul, Julian, Markus and Simon. Finally, Mr Schmidt went to his room and got his jacket. When he had his jacket, we went down and stepped out of the castle. "Please don't run alone, at least three of you. If something happens you can come to me. And stay close. Got it?" said Mr Schmidt.

I pulled Fabi and Katy away from the others. "What's going on?" Katy wanted to know. "I saw yesterday that Vladimir had an argument with someone in the chapel. But the strange thing was that he went into the basement first. So, I assume that the basement is connected with the chapel and wanted to have a look there. Are you coming with me?" I asked them. "Um, okay," Katy said, slightly confused.

We went to the chapel and the door was locked. "Okay, the door is closed, let's go back to the others," Katy said. "Wait..." I said and walked back to the chapel. "The chapel has another back entrance," I explained. And bingo, it was open. I went in and they both followed me.

In the chapel there were a few benches and some candles. The plaster was crumbling off the wall. And behind the desk was a trapdoor. We heard a rumble under it. "We'd better get out," Fabi whispered and quickly pulled us out.

When we were outside, Fabi quickly closed the door. "Let's go back to the others," Katy said and ran ahead. We followed her while Amy, Katy and Fabi looked around the chapel.

From Leon's point of view.

I stood with Paul and Thomas at the edge of the forest. "Maybe there is a small village or other people behind the forest," I thought. "I don't think so," said Thomas. "What are you up to?" Paul asked me. "Well, we could get help," I said. "You don't want to go in there, do you?" Paul asked me sceptically. "No," I lied.

I will go out with my flashlight tonight when the others will be asleep and get help. Why am I lying to Paul? Well, if he knew what I'm up to, he'd advise me against it.

Back to Amy, Katy and Fabi. From Amy's point of view

I saw that most of the students were standing together at the edge of the forest, except for Leon, Thomas and Paul. Strange, I thought. Gray clouds slowly gathered and the first drops fell. We went to the castle as the rain was getting heavier. Once inside, we took off our wet jackets and headed into the dining room.

There was a plate with 13 cupcakes. Everyone took a cupcake. I had a chocolate raspberry cupcake. Delicious. Suddenly Christin started coughing heavily. Mr. Schmidt wanted to help her when she vomited blood. Then she coughed so hard she fell to her knees and fell over. She stopped breathing and was dead. "She was poisoned," Leon said. "But why her?" asked Mark. "I think that was pure coincidence," said Mr Schmidt.

Vladimir entered the room. "Oh, my goodness, what happened here?" asked he. "One of your cupcakes was poisoned," I told him. "My cupcakes? I didn't make any," he said confused.

I didn't believe a word he said. "And who was it then?" asked Lisa. "I don't know," he said. "It was definitely the murderer," said Julian in a panic. "Would you please go into the salon," Mr Schmidt asked us. So, we went to the salon. Fabi pulled me aside. "You don't believe him, right?" he asked me. "No," I said. "Neither do I," he said. "Do you think he's the killer?" I asked him. "No, I don't think so," he said.