The following days were tense. The group knew that the shadowy figures could return at any moment, but now they had two pieces of the seal—and hope. Amelia, Theo, Grace, Zane, and Lily gathered in the common room to formulate their next move.
“We’ve got two pieces of the Seal of Anubis,” Grace said, holding one of the pieces. “But without the third, we’re stuck.”
Amelia studied the amulet in her hands. “The final piece has to be hidden somewhere in the house or on the grounds, but the question is where.”
Theo chimed in. “The book mentioned the phrase ‘where the guardians rest.’ We thought it was the cemetery, but maybe it’s something else.”
Lily, who had been silent up until now, spoke up. “I think I know where it could be.”
Everyone turned to her. “Remember that hidden painting of the Egyptian gods in the dining hall? There’s something about it that’s always seemed off. What if ‘where the guardians rest’ refers to that?”
Amelia’s eyes lit up. “That painting… it’s a depiction of Anubis and his followers. It could be the key.”
That night, the group made their way to the dining hall. The ancient painting of the gods loomed over them, its vibrant colors still intact after all these years. As they approached, Amelia noticed something strange—Anubis was holding something in his hand. Something they hadn’t noticed before.
“It’s the amulet,” Amelia whispered, pointing to the painted figure of Anubis. “Look.”
Theo stepped forward, running his fingers over the painting. “There’s a mechanism behind this.”
With a soft click, the painting swung open, revealing a hidden compartment. Inside was a small, golden key.
“This must be the key to the final chamber,” Zane said, holding it up to the light.
“We’re getting closer,” Amelia said, her voice filled with determination. “The final piece of the seal is within reach.”
YOU ARE READING
HOA: A New Beginning
Short StoryIt had been years since the mysterious events at Anubis House. The school had moved on, and so had the students, leaving behind their hidden passageways, cryptic messages, and ancient secrets. But some mysteries never die-they lie dormant, waiting f...
