BEASTLY || CHASE STEIN (EDITING)

Chapter four

"How long has this been under my house?"

"Longer than your house has been over it," Karolina responded as she descended down the cement steps. Garfield had to agree, the walls were covered in faded patterns that definitely didn't go with the style of the house. By the musty scent as well, it was obvious which structure had been standing first. It was unusual since most houses don't have creepy basements.

Garfield couldn't help but feel his heart race with every step he took and every passing second he felt as if something was about to jump out. Instinctively he moved to the left, accidently brushing Chase's shoulder. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

"Shit, sorry," Garfield whispered, his voice barely audible as Chase shrugged it off seemingly unbothered, "It's okay."

"I'm cold," Molly complained, creating a chill to run up Garfield's spine urging him to turn back around as if he could already sense the danger that was about to come.

"Houses in L.A, they don't have basements" Gert informs everyone

"I'm not sure we should use 'basement,' it's not the best way to describe it..whatever the hell this is," Chase grumbled in response as they almost reached the end of the staircase.

"This is where we all get stabbed or experimented on," Garfield mumbled as Chase rubbed his shoulder in comfort, moving his hand away for a moment as he pulled the boy closer, while making sure he calmed and didn't send himself into a panic.

"This is not a wine cellar," Chase mumbled in disappointment as Garfield shushed him, trying to get a closer look.

What they had found at the bottom was what confused them the most. They entered the room as they walked over towards the open balcony that stood high over the low ground. The room was dark but illuminated by the dim-lited lights that surrounded the room. The arches and old patterns continue throughout the room below, and in the distance appear to be shelves of a library.

The crystalline chandelier hung from the ceiling as an unfamiliar musty smell filled the air. But that wasn't even the most surprising part, in the cavernous room, were their parents. They were all dressed in red robes as they stood around a large, rounded black oval thing. Or maybe it's like a coffin. He couldn't really tell you exactly what it was.

"What is happening?" Alex slowly questions, drawing out each of his syllables as he also looked on in disbelief.

"This is so giving horror movie vibes," Garfield winced, catching Chase's attention, "You watch too many movies Bee." Chase mutters in return.

"Shush!" Karolina whispered harshly, clearly anxious about being caught. However, the adults didn't seem to even bat an eyelash, seemingly oblivious to the commotion the teens were causing, much to Gert's astonishment as she widened her eyes.

"I don't think they can hear us." Gert says speaking louder than Alex did and none of the parents heard a thing.

The teens lean on the balcony wanting to see more. However, a surging noise stops them all from leaning any closer, causing Alex to place a hand up in the air only to be met with some type of force field.

"There's, like a..a barrier," Alex informs them, a semi bright light flashes quickly and a translucent barrier can be seen surrounding the room. Magic. What are they doing?

"What kind of charity meeting is this?" Chase questions as a girl in a white robe walks out with Karolina's mom leading her towards the rest of the parents.

"Guys! That's my mom!" Karolina shrieked in horror as Garfield rubbed her back soothingly. The teens watched as Leslie Dean walked alongside a girl in a white gown.