Annie and the Golden Hill Hotel

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  "Did any of you leave your room last night?" Annie asked, calm and patient, she waited for an answer, as soon as the adults halted their cooking. They seemed thoughtful, their minds were misty and their memory slightly blurred. Then, they reluctantly shook their heads and continued with the cooking.

Annie sighed and thought of the strange memory coming back to her, she pushed it away without concept and scolded herself with contempt. Perhaps it was only a childish imagery she made with her mind, she merely sat down and waited for Monica to complete frying the eggs. The door to her room creaked open and Brianna leisurely strolled out, yawning and holding a pillow under one arm.

She took a seat beside Annie, Annie was completely aware that Brianna was not the one outside the door. She had been soundly asleep when Annie had awoken in late night, as evident that she was not the mysterious person outside.

Annie shook her head with sigh, she concentrated on her meal instead and prepared for a busy day. She was really excited. Today, Monica was taking her and Brianna to her friends' orphanage. Annie slipped in her summer clothing and prepared for a scorching day outdoors. Brianna was as cheerful as Annie was, she already treated Isabella and Anna as friends, and Casper is her brother, so yes.

"Well, today I have to receive Casper! And maybe you can tell your friends to have a sleep-over! I'm absolutely ready!" Betty jogged to the door peppily, she was grinning happily and stroking her hair without realizing it. Monica followed behind, smiling with comfort, Annie instantly grabbed Brianna on the hand and led her to the doorway.

They had a calm ride, excluding the fact that the car was scorching hot in the summer, the seats were burning and the air was warm. Yet, everybody was enjoying it and swaying along, it was quite a joyful car ride, unlike any other to Annie.

"Annie?" Remarked Casper as his friend entered the orphanage front door, Anna and Isabella gathered around him to see. Annie nodded and smiled at her friends, Brianna emerged from the front door as well behind Annie. She had a sly smirk on her face as she entered, Casper looked very elated. Annie looked around with darting blank glances.

"Where is Osiris exactly?" She demanded, Anna, Isabella and Casper stared the same expression as they glanced at one another. The same irritated expression as Annie had mentioned Osiris, their fourth very unsocial friend, who got Need Improvement on his collaboration on his report card, Anna spoke in reply,

"The usual." She said in a not reassuring voice, that was when Betty skipped merrily into the orphanage, she placed a hand on Casper's shoulder and squealed. She jabbered about how happy she was to reunite with Casper.

"Yes, Mrs. Bythesea, we are joy-filled to see you as well." Anna smiled and saved an embarrassing moment for Casper, who was petrified. Brianna grinned mischievously, which caught Annie's attention, who attentively listened to Betty. Then, after a very enthusiastic afternoon of playing Watermelon Island, which Annie never got tired of, they explained their main purpose of being present here.

"We are merely here to ask you directly in person, would you like to have a night at the Golden Hill Hotel, it certainly is a luxury, and with excessive company too!" Annie cried as they were playing Watermelon Island. Anna, Casper and Isabella shared an identical stare, they gasped in a perfect choir and demanded to Annie if the invitation was truly from Monica's own words.

"Why! Yes!" I would love to! To be more exact, we would appreciate it!" Isabella replied with an exact tone, glaring at Annie with her pleasant strange purplish eyes. Annie smiled at her and immediately replied with absolutely no anxiety.

"Yes! I am perfectly positive that Mrs. Ashlynn would allow this visit to happen, she had agreed to this in the early sunrise!" Brianna replied before Annie had moved her lips to open, Betty smiled from a corner and confirmed their statement. Trusting his mother, Casper made an announcement to Agatha instantly and informed her of the recent events that will happen.

"Very well, I will support you in your packing." Agatha agreed, Casper can scarcely hide his out bursting excitement, but he managed to tell her something else. Watching from the doorway, Isabella and Anna agreed to Casper's next statement.

"Agatha, there is no need in packing except for certain light clothing." Casper, Anna and Isabella hurried themselves to pack only some things and returned with only a lone backpack hanging off their shoulders.

Seeing them all ready, Betty ushered them in the car for a tight squeeze and they rode back to the hotel, picking up Monica from the bank. Betty and Monica sat at the front, comfortable and alone. Meanwhile, on the first back seat, Annie and Anna also were quite comforted, and Casper, Isabella and Brianna had a horrible squeeze. They gradually made their way home, having their usual cheerful conversations.

"Argh!" Cried Isabella as Annie sprayed some gentle water at her when she was organizing her clothing. She was a very organized person, and she always covered her face whenever something that could wash off her make-up was sprayed at her. Despite being unshy of her appearance, she would never allow her make-up to be ruined, so she instinctively covered her face.

"Sorry, Isabella." Annie apologized, allowed herself to help Isabella with some organizing before excusing herself from her own room. The Golden Hill Hotel was certainly a luxury, with very large rooms, they had spare beds. They made the decision for Mitama to call to unlock an intertwining door leading to another room to be unlocked. As soon as that, Monica was given the relatively minimized room that was connected for her to reside in by herself, Isabella, Anna and Annie shared a room and so did Casper, Brianna and Betty.

Feeling everything was organized, they made their supper downstairs and prepared for a comfortable night in their new room, however not for Annie. Monica was enjoying her room and so were the others, they often chatted during nightfall in Annie's room, however, which the adult found to be a difficult problem to resolve. Eventually, they learned to allow them to make their own choices. The night was so comfortable and silent that nobody had discovered to be alerted of the evil lurking in this hotel....