•This is Real• [Diabolik Lovers × Male! OC]

Chapter 44: SPOOKY SCARY SKELETONS~

I pulled out my phone to light up the rest of the steps the way down, being careful not to miss a step and crack my skull open. As dumb as the idea to come down was, I was a horror movie veteran and I was fully prepared to turn tail and dash back up the stairs if any red flags came up.

But they didn't.

As run down and old as the place was, it didn't feel scary in the slightest.

The creaking steps led to a hall with bookcases shoved in the far back and two white doors on either side. I tugged abt the handle of both but it was no use, whether it was locked or the latching mechanism was so old they rusted shut, both doors refused to give more than a couple groans and rattles.

I turned back to the bookcase, my phone light shining over a small switch next to one of the shelves.

I flicked it up and the lamp overhead flickered on with apparent hesitance and a loud whine of displeasure. Still the room was now lit.

I turned back to the shelves and stared at the tattered books.

I ran my hands across the book spines that now wore faded gold lettering and frayed bits of paper and cloth. I could make out a few titles but most of them were illegible.

I pulled out a few of the books, some almost crumbling to dust between my fingers when I pulled out a maroon covered book that had been noticably cut in half. It was impossible to tell when it was sandwiched between all the other books but as I turned it in my hands I noticed the neat cut along the opening side of the book.

'even the words are cut off, someone must have done this on purpose...'

I placed the book back but noticed something strange again.  Despite being almost half the width of the other book, it was level with them despite me having shoved it to the back of the shelf.

Something must have been behind it.

I pulled out the books adjacent to it, now finding more halved books next to it.

I shined my phone light down the shelf and noticed the area where one section of the shelf's backing was protruding. Not quite noticable considering this protrusion was made of the same material as the shelf.

Cautiously, I stuck my hand into the shelf, feeling my way around this bump out. I found a gap by one of the ends of the protrusion and turned my headto get a better look before reaching further in. I shook away the nasty shiver that ran down my spine as I brushed something ticklish and grabbed onto the metal object that was hidden behind this false back.

Giving it a wiggle, the thing suddenly shifted down and I felt myself fall forward.

Was it a hole my hand fell through?

'no, the shelf is-!'

I collapsed onto the cold concrete in a heap, my arm having been wrenched from behind the false back by my body weight, leaving a nasty scrape down my forearm.

I hissed in annoyance and got up, sweeping my arms over my pants to rid them of the dust they had picked up.

I looked back in time to see the shelf disappear, leaving a false wall in its place.

'a secret room! Sweet!'

I felt like a little kid who'd just found a tiny hiding space in the back of his closet. The strange excitement one got when they found a spot to hide from the world.

The room was lit by small electric lamps strung along the walls, showing the bareness of the room.

The room only had an old table and chair that was shoved against the furthermost wall. I could also spot a small doorway in the corner. Slowly creeping towards it, I discovered a small stone staircase that spiraled up.

I followed the small staircase up, finding myself before a seemingly solid brick wall. But I soon spotted a small green button around my shoulder level. Curious and itchy-handed, I pressed the button. Dust fell from above me and I quickly took a step back as the wall before me slid open.

It took me a bit to gather the courage but I peeked out of the doorway, the familiar sight before me giving me a sense of safety.

I was now staring at the dining room on the first floor.

I gingerly stepped into the empty room and watched ad the fireplace slid back into place with a soft rumble. Looking at it now, I still found it hard to believe the solid looking fireplace was a secret doorway despite having watched it move firsthand.

I shuffled next to the fixture and did everything I could to try and shove it back out of the way but it didn't budge at all. I even tried poking the bricks and tipping over the vases placed on it but nothing worked. The fireplace was firmly in place.

'but then how did it..?'

I tried pushing the fireplace again, practically throwing myself against it.

"Bitch-kun~?" A familiarly sweet voice emanated from the doorway of the dining room.

I slowly craned my head around and sure enough there he was, in all his mother-f*cking glory, Laito Sakamaki.

And with the fireplace lightyears away from budging,

He was blocking the only exit.

"Well, at least the nickname isn't as bad as the previous one..."