In the Abandoned Building…
The poor man stood straight in front of Kristen like a criminal caught stealing bread. 😶
Kristen crossed her arms and tapped her foot impatiently.
Kristen (annoyed 😤): "Well? Speak. My patience is already dead."
Man: "I… my name is Rowan." ☺️
Kristen: "Good. One answer survived. Next."
Rowan: "I came here to search for my younger brother." 😓
Kristen: "The same brother from the drawing?" 😑
Rowan's eyes widened.
Rowan (shocked 😱): "How do you know about the drawing?!"
Kristen: "Because my sister probably met a handsome fool near a tree." 😒
Rowan's expression immediately brightened.
Rowan (smiling proudly 🥰): "Ohhh! So she called me handsome?"
Kristen stared at him.
Kristen: "No. I added that part myself. Don't fly too high."
Rowan: "Oh…" 😶
Kristen: "So, why is your brother missing?"
Rowan scratched his head awkwardly.
Rowan: "Well… he loves exploring strange places. Cursed places, broken wells, abandoned buildings, dark caves…"
Kristen: "So your brother is an idiot." 😑
Rowan: "Yes!" ☺️
Kristen paused.
Kristen: "At least one honest person exists in this world." 😎
Rowan continued explaining.
Rowan: "Yesterday, he told me he had discovered a secret building on the western side of Lupesia. He said there was something interesting inside. After that, he disappeared."
Kristen's expression changed slightly.
Kristen (thinking): So he came here before me…
She glanced towards the staircase.
Kristen: "Interesting…"
THUD!
A loud noise suddenly echoed from upstairs.
Rowan nearly jumped out of his clothes.
Rowan (screaming 😱): "AHHHHH! THE LIZARD BROUGHT FRIENDS!"
He immediately jumped behind Kristen and grabbed her shoulder.
Kristen: "That is NOT a lizard sound, you dramatic potato!" 😤
THUD… DRAG… THUD…
Another strange noise came from above.
Rowan tightened his grip.
Rowan (trembling): "IT WALKS! LIZARDS CAN WALK!"
Kristen slowly turned towards him.
Kristen: "Everything walks, genius. That's how legs work." 😒
She pulled out her sword.
Kristen: "Stay here."
Rowan: "No."
Kristen: "Why?"
Rowan: "Because if I stay here alone, I'll die before the curse kills me!" 😭
Kristen closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Mother Earth, please give me patience. I cannot murder a stranger today.
Kristen: "Fine. Stay behind me. FAR behind me." 😤
They slowly climbed the stairs.
Rowan followed so closely that he nearly stepped on Kristen's heels.
Kristen: "I said FAR behind me!"
Rowan: "But what if something attacks me?!"
Kristen: "Then I hope it has good taste." 😑
Rowan: "You're cruel!" 😭
As they approached the upper room, Rowan leaned towards her and whispered dramatically.
Rowan: "If I die here, tell that beautiful girl near the tree that I smiled bravely."
Kristen didn't even look at him.
Kristen: "I'll tell her you cried over a lizard."
Rowan: "YOU WOULDN'T!"
Kristen: "Watch me." 😎
They finally reached the top floor.
The door stood half open.
Something moved inside.
Kristen tightened her grip on her sword.
Kristen: "Who's there?!"
BANG!
She kicked the door open dramatically.
And inside…
A boy was sleeping peacefully on the floor, surrounded by empty snack packets. 😑
Rowan (shocked 😱): "BROTHER?!"
The boy opened one eye.
Boy: "Huh? Why are you shouting? I was resting." 😴
Kristen looked at the snacks.
Then at the boy.
Then at Rowan.
Kristen: "You came to a cursed house… for THIS?" 😑
Rowan marched towards his brother.
Rowan: "YOU MADE ME SUFFER! I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD!"
Boy: "Relax. I was hungry."
Rowan: "HUNGRY?!"
Boy: "There was a lizard downstairs, so I stayed here for safety."
Silence.
Kristen slowly turned towards Rowan.
Rowan looked away.
Rowan: "…Don't judge me." 😶
Kristen sheathed her sword.
Kristen: "Too late." 😤
And somewhere downstairs, the mysterious book quietly turned another page.
The abandoned library had just become much more interesting.
To be continued...