Secrets of Ausburg

Chapter 7

Jean's POV

I woke up at half past noon, drooling over a few documents and feeling a tad exhausted. Everyone was still fast asleep. As expected from staying awake all night. We were studying and brainstorming ideas about this place until dawn.

It was rare that I woke up first, but I needed toilet. Nature was calling.

I scurried to the toilet and relieved my needs. Done, I flushed the toilet and wash my hands. The mirror in front of me was reflecting a partially alive human with a long wavy auburn hair. Locks of hair seems messy and uncontrollable due to my bed hair condition. My face is pale and my usually bright green eyes dim under the lights. Not to mention that my eyes are puffy and red because of sleep deprivation. I'm still wearing yesterday's clothes and it feels sticky because of sweat. My appearance right now is as hideous as zombie. Not to mention that I can't tell the difference too.

Dear God, it's only the first day. Yet, we already look like we're hit by a truck over and over.

Now I sound just like Giselle...

Halfway finishing my morning routine, I decided to take a shower to freshen myself. I took off my clothes and turn the tap. I was waiting for the water to turn warm before I step into the shower stall and begin to wash myself. Didn't forget to blast music as usual though and by the time I'm done, the glass is already foggy and hard to see where my step will end.

Then, I wiped off the fog that covered the mirror to look at my own reflection. My auburn hair is wet from the shower and my green eyes that used to be bright and happy didn't just looked like it. I guess yesterday's incident have been taking toll on me. My favorite music blasting in throughout the bathroom didn't help to lift my spirit up. Feeling down and still exhausted as I button up my shirt and wear the blue skinny jeans.

Ever since Rox went out like yesterday, I admitted that I had this glint of terror. I'm afraid that I'd lose all of my friends; knowing that the dwellers in Ausburg went dead one by one, slowly. Abby with her recklessness, Eric's hardheaded personality, and Giselle's slow response were making the group an easy prey. Even I have my own weaknesses.

Drying my hair with the towel as I turn off my music player, I walked out of the bathroom, and the others were still off in their lovely dreamland. They must have a really bad hearing problem as they continue snoring peacefully.

Don't know what to do, I began to search for some answers from the notes that we made last night. We were dividing tasks to do as it was the fastest way to brainstorming any information we had. The main focus of yesterday's incident was the ghost and the talisman hung up on the villager's house. 

A little bit kicking and moving their heads and other body parts lightly, I looked out for those scrap of papers. I didn't feel bad kicking them in the face or other parts they would have done it in a heartbeat to me. Then, one of the notes caught my eyes. It was Roxanne's notes. Her handwriting were sloppy, meaning she felt sleepy when writing it. Her handwriting when she felt sleepy is beyond recognition and I had to try deciphering it one by one. Here what I could read after staring it for some time.

'Three crosses -> Religion?'

'Blood on the center of the symbol.'

'Devil's pitchfork / Poseidon's fork?'

'Mahogany!'

'Oh My God I'm Sleepy.'

What the hell was the last one? Was it really important to write that she was sleepy?

I sat there pondering about these. It was about the cross, I know. There were blood? 

After reading Roxanne's notes, I began to search on Eric and Giselle's notes. The handwriting was really neat and small, typical Giselle's handwriting. Eric's handwriting was ugly even when she was fully awake. Besides, she always prefer to talk than write something. So, she would explain it later. Wonder how she could remember everything important.

'Blood composition : unpredictable.'

'Not just one type of blood.'

'Added almost every week.'

'Human blood? Animal blood? Mixed? Lab tests are needed'

Now, I, who wanted to find some clue just got more and more confused by reading these note. For my annoyance, they always made notes which the maker would understand. It was really frustrating, especially when you borrow their school notes for studying.

Thinking hard, suddenly my stomach made itself known by grumbling loudly. Then I came to realization that I hadn't had my breakfast nor lunch and it was already two in the afternoon. How did I survive the morning again?

I called receptionist downstairs and ordered our breakfast to be delivered to our room. By the time I finished ordering food, the others began to stir in their sleep. Roxanne was the first one to be fully awake. Her disheveled feature held no difference with Bellatrix Lestrange from Harry Potter movies. Yeah, that bad.

Her eyes focused on me before a yawn escaped her lips. She mumbled a quick 'good morning' for me and stood up to stretch her muscles. It wasn't really comfortable to sleep in such cramped bed.

Giselle was next to wake up. Then she started the day with her usual morning prayer. She was a really devoted christian, not like me or Roxanne. Several minutes later, Eric was up. Just as she hopped out of the bed, the door bell rang, showing the arrival of our breakfast. I opened up the door to a big buff man, who I assume as the owner's son, standing behind a trolley containing our meal. His face was the splitting image of his father and he got his eyes from somebody else. Probably his mother because I never seen those brownish eyes before.

"Room service," he smiled politely, showing out his cute dimples.

I stepped out of the way, giving room for him to push the cart inside. The smell of food permeated through the air, such a good smell too.

He left the cart near the table before turned around to leave the room. I gave money to pay the food including his tip upon his leaving. He just smiled and wished me a good day.

I certainly doubted it would turn out to be a good day.