Touch of Fear ▸ House of Anubis [2]

chapter twelve. house of goodbye

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            "So, we found our hidden tunnel system," Nina informs Amber and me the next morning before breakfast. She and Fabian had gone back down after lights' out, asked for my charm and told me to stay after the day I had. "It's behind the bookshelf."

            "We just need to trigger the opening," Fabian adds. "So I was thinking we'd go back down there later tonight or sooner."

            Sounds good to me. Maybe it is actually one of those bookcases you see in films, where you pull on a book and it opens up to reveal a hidden room. Or...hidden tunnels beneath Anubis House, rather. Still can't believe that, by the way. I really thought the house couldn't surprise me more than it already has.

            Ha! That's what you thought.

            Our conversation stops when the rest of the house piles in for breakfast. Today's bound to be an emotional one, what with Mick leaving for Australia. I'm not sure how well Mara's taking the news, considering that she ran out last night on the verge of tears. I know Fabian's been trying to get used to the idea of a new roommate, though we haven't heard anything on that matter yet. But I have a weird feeling about his new roomie, whoever he may be. Like something in the pit of my stomach saying 'pay attention.'

            Jerome enters and lets out a laugh at the amount of food on the table, which is quite a lot more than usual. "Whoa. Trudy, how many people are actually leaving?"

            "Well..." Trudy sets down a bowl of bread rolls next to Fabian as she looks across us. "Mick isn't the only one." My hand hovers in midair over the bowl as she says that, all of us staring at her and waiting for an explanation. "I've been offered a job. Assistant curator at the exhibition."

            Alfie spits out his water while my mouth drops. I mean, good for Trudy, but this means we're losing her as housemother the same day we're losing Mick as a housemate—and we'll definitely be getting a new housemother. Amber says, "First Mick, now you. Since when did everyone become so selfish? I need you, Trudy."

            "What if we get someone," Alfie adds, "who doesn't think it's funny to pull spaghetti out of your nose?"

            I'm not really liking the sound of a brand new housemother. Who other than Trudy is going to have the patience to deal with me, Alfie, and Jerome when we get into the whole 'three musketeers' thing we do? Also, Trudy's literally the best person I know.

            "Don't please," Trudy says. "I'm missing you all already." Then the boy of the hour enters, one Mick Campbell himself for his final day at Anubis House. I give him a friendly smile, noticing how Mara's pointedly not looking at him. "So, Mick..." continues Trudy. "One more day and then it's g'day, Australia!"

            I laugh lightly, shaking my head. "Don't worry, Mick. I've never been to Victoria," which is where he'll be moving (I'm from Sydney, New South Wales), "but I hear it's totally bonzer."