Touch of Fear ▸ House of Anubis [2]

chapter fifty-five. house of oblivion

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            "How are we supposed to take care of a baby?" I ask Nina in a hushed tone as she takes milk out of the fridge for said baby, who is actually our friend Alfie who has been cursed by the woman who killed the famous pharaoh ever. I'm keeping watch at the door while Amber's keeping an eye on him in our room. Fabian and Patricia still don't know, because they haven't come home from school yet. "We can barely take care of ourselves."

            "We can take care of ourselves," Nina counters. "Do babies like cereal?"

            "If we could take care of ourselves," I reply, "I don't think we'd be in this mess. I'm not sure he's got teeth. He might choke on the cereal."

            "I'll still grab it, just in case. Is the coast clear?"

            I glance out to the hallway, making sure no one is out here. "Crystal," I confirm, motioning for her to go.

            Once we're back in our room, Nina says, "Right, uh, baby food. What do babies actually eat?"

            "Milk?" Amber suggestions. "Well, they drink it, don't they?"

            Baby Alfie giggles. I eye him warily, commenting plainly, "One of us might have to go into town and buy some actual baby food. Anyone up for judgmental looks?"

            Footsteps sound at the door, and enter Patricia and Fabian. Nina turns to them immediately, asking, "Where have you two been?"

            Patricia gapes at the sight of Elderly Amber. Amber states, "If you think this is bad, look at Alfie." Both of their shocked gazes turn to the baby still in the wardrobe, and somehow their mouths drop open even wider.

            "Patricia," Nina says, distracting her from the baby, "look at me. I know this looks like it's getting worse by the second, but we are gonna fix it. Now, tell me, where did you find Fabian? Was he outside, in school, or..." Patricia writes something down on her notepad, but when she shows us, it's just a bunch of shapes. She can't even communicate at all now! "It's your hex. It's getting worse. Okay, for now, let's just say he was outside."

            "Yes," Fabian says, though he doesn't sound sure of it. "Yes, um, I was outside."

            "Yeah."

            "I had something to tell someone important. I know there was a someone, and a something."

            "Can someone please tell me the plan?" Amber questions. "Because if Alfie can turn into a baby, what's going to happen to me?"

            "Amber, please don't worry," Nina tells her.

            "Nina, Patricia can't communicate at all. Fabian's probably going to forget his own name soon. Ashley is two seconds from saying everything she thinks. And if you think that's bad, wait 'til he needs changing."