Prologue

"Sleepover tayo tonight," Janna Morruiz.

said.

"What for?" Tobby Vincent asked.

"For my vlog!" Janna excitedly answer.

"3am challenge! It's November 1st," Eleena Hanscliff suggested.

I smiled because of their excitement. Tobby just turned around and ignore them.

The four of us have been friends since we were kids, because our parents were friends too. Until now, on our third year as a highschool, we're still tight friends. We support each other alot, specially Janna 'cause she do vlogging.

"Where are we later?" Tobby asked as we exited from the coffee shop.

Today is Saturday, that's why we're here. Since then, we used to hangout here to do our homework. Good thing, we still don't have a class tomorrow. We can spend alot of time vlogging until morning.

"At Conrad's house. Remember their basement? Its so creepy! It's a perfect spot!" Janna said.

"I agree," Eleena agreed.

"Alright," I answered.

The two of them immediately started become noise while talking about scary things. Tobby and I keep silent while listening to them.

We went straight to our house because they already had clothes there. This is not the first time they sleepover in our house.

"Conrad, where's your book?" Eleena asked after entering Tobby's Car.

Tobby have a car at his age and his student driving license. I feel jealous because of him. But Dad doesn't want me to drive a car yet. He's afraid that I might got accident.

"What book?" I asked too after putting in my seatbelt.

"The thick and filthy book you love to read. Your favorite one,"

I was stunned for a moment before answering, "on my room, why?"

"We need that. It can help to entertain Janna's viewers. That book has alot of mystery," she answered.

"Okay,"

"Are you sure about that? There's no backing out once we started. I'm afraid you'll get scared when we're already there. Instead of feeling scared, your viewers will laugh at you! "Tobby teased them.

"as if," Eleena angrily said.

The three of them made a lot of noise especially when Janna joined them. I did nothing during the whole trip but laugh at them. I just stop laughing when I remember the book that Eleena was asking earlier.

Darkness by CI. That was the title of the book that Eleena mentioned earlier. My favorite story at all times. I read it many times, I never got bored. It's about the cruelty of the world. I like how the story flow, like it was real and not fiction. And I love the main character of the story. That book is so good. It's all about the darkness of the world we're living in.

WHEN we got home they become quiet. They just greeted my Mom before going up to the guest room. I was left behind because Mom wanted to talk to me.

"Mom, we're gonna use the basement. Janna's gonna do a vlog, it's for her halloween vlog. I hope you don't mind."

"I don't mind," she said seriously as she raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"I already throw away the filthy book you have." She announced as if it was nothing.

My eyes widen, "What?! Why? Where?*

"Stop asking, I won't tell you. I already told you many times to stop reading it. It has content that's not suitable for you. You really as stubborn as your Dad."

"You haven't read it yet that's why you're saying that. And I'm old enough, come on!"

I clasped my fist and averted my gaze to somewhere. I only know one person who doesn't like me here at home.

Cedric. . .

Mommy adopted him from the orphanage. I treat him well but he always competes with me. I know he doesn't like me and he wants our parents to be mad at me. He just doesn’t succeed because I ignored him. But now, he succeed on annoying me because I really hate him and I want to hit him.

I ignored Mom and turned my back on her. She even called me because of my rudeness but I didn't listen to her. She will get angry but I don't care. I love her adopted but he's too much.

I immediately went up to my room and looked for my book. As expected, it was no longer in my drawer. Annoyed, I punched my bed until I got tired. Just as I was about to stop, there's someone knocked to my door. He deliberately opened the door himself, the person I did not wish to see today.

"What do you want?"

He smirked, "I know where your book is,"

I stood up and approached him and ready to punch him, "Where?"

"You shouldn't act like that to your book savior."

"Once I speak to everything you did to me in the past. Dad won't tolerate you unlike my Mom. Stop messing with me or you'll lose everything you have."

He's smirk disappeared in instant and become quite. He still doesn't have any power in here. Dad doesn't like his attitude and the only person he has with his side is Mom. I'm not used to using threats but he annoy me.

"It's in the basement. You and your friends gonna do a vlog there, right? Just look for it there 'cause I throw it there." he confessed.

He left my room immediately after he said that. I breathed a sigh of relief because my book was still at home. If it weren't there, I will definitely punch him even if he cursed me to death. I'm so done with his bad behavior and attitude.

—

After we had dinner we planned of things we want to take to the basement. Food, cellphone, comforters, pillows, powerbank for our cellphone and flashlight because there is no light in the basement.

"Too bad, we don't have the book." Janna said.

Eleena smirked, "That's great. We'll look for it in your 3am challenge vlog. We're gonna roam around the basement while looking for it. It's more scary for the viewers."

"You are really determined about that, huh." Tobby butt in to their conversation.

"Don't come if you're scared, Loser!" Eleena said while rolling her eyes to him.

Tobby didn't say a word and let her say what she wants. I just shrugged my shoulder because of their argument. There's no day without them arguing.

We planned to go down at 2:30 because it would be boring if we went down immediately. I arranged my luggage first while spending time. Honestly, I don't care about the vlog and sleepover anymore. I prefer to find my book 'cause it's important to me. I read it again when I'm bored and now it's gone.

I just hope he didn't throw it in the hidden part of our basement. I hope that we can find it.

OUR 2:30 planned become 3:20. We still continue and got off, carrying nothing but our camera, flashlight and cellphone. The plan was broke but I was determined to find my book. And they still plan on vlogging 'cause it's still worth it, knowing that our basement is kinda creepy.

"Hello guys, welcome to my vlog. Blah, blah, blah. . ."

I didn't listened to her and walked ahead to search for my book. I immediately felt Tobby following me because of his cough.

"You're in a hurry," he said as he finally reach my side.

I didn't look at him and continued to look at everything my light was passing.

"I don't care about their vlog. I need to find my book." I seriously said.

"That jerk really know how to annoy people," he exclaimed.

I know he's referring to my brother. He doesn't like his attitude, Cedric was a liar. He once lied about something and blamed Tobby for it. I can't blame him if he hates Cedric. Even I myself am now angry with him.

"Hey, will you wait for us! You two walk so fast," I heard Janna said from the back.

"i thought you're vlogging?" Tobby asked as they reach us.

"Well, we're doing a vlog. But you two is so annoying. You left us there," Eleena answered.

"It's because we're looking for a book. It's more important than your vlog. One more thing, I wouldn't have any share on any money you'll gain from your vlog. As if you'll give me." Tobby said.

"Fine. Let's just find the book and go upstairs. I'm kinda feel scared all of a sudden. This room is so cold and dark." Janna said.

"it's cold because we're underground. let's make this quick so that we can come back upstairs," suggested.

"What if, you were fooled by your brother and its really isn't here? It's just a waste of our effort." Eleena said while looking around.

I clasped my fist because of the thought. If what Eleena says is true, I will definitely punch Cedric. I don't want to hit him because he is younger but he is overdoing it.

We walked for a few minutes down the basement hallway until we reached the end. We were stunned by the amount of books in a large pouch. I switched my light on and search around until I saw my book on the floor.

"Finally," I sighed in relief.

"So, he's not lying. That's good." Eleena unsatisfied said.

"You know, I find it creepy. Did he really throw it this far? I mean, he come here alone?" Janna commented.

I turned to see them causing the light to hit them in the face. I immediately lowered it a little just so I could see their faces.

"I don't think so. But that's not important. What important is, I got my book back. Let's go, upstairs." I said.

They agreed, but before we could move away, the floor suddenly shake. The girls immediately scream because of shock.

"What's going on?! Oh my god! The ground is shaking so much!" Janna scaredly said.

"It's really strong down here because it's underground. Better yet, let's go up. It's dangerous here," I told them.

They nodded as the four of us clung to each other's arm. But before we could take another step, we suddenly felt like we had fallen or really fell in another below ground. I could only hear Janna and Eleena screaming until we fell.

Because of what happened, I confirmed we had fallen. I felt pain in my waist because of falling.

"Ouch," I heard Janna utter in pain.

"The heck with your basement has a secret hole?!" Eleena angrily said.

I touch the floor around me until I touched my flashlight. Fortunately, it did not spill far. I immediately lit it up and turn it around to see them.

Eleena face turn red because of annoyance while Janna's face is in so much pain. Tobby was calm as if nothing had happened. He just stood up and helped us one by one.

"Looks like we need to search for the stairs up to your basement." Tobby said while looking around in the dark. "What is this place called? Basement under basement?" He joked.

"Stop trying to be funny." Eleena irritated said.

Just like before we went for a walk together. It was dark all around but later I saw a light. We hurried over and was surprised to see a man holding a lamp with candle inside.

It looks like he also saw us because he light us using the lamp he was carrying. His clothes are old-fashioned but I'm sure he's a guard.

"Who are you? Why are you here in the basement of our house? "I immediately asked while approaching.

He frowned at my question and shook his head.

"I should be the one asking that. Why are you here in this abandoned building? Don't you know that it's forbidden to come here because of the murdering happened here." He told us back.

The four of us looked at each other and immediately peeked outside the window near the man. My eyes immediately widened at what I saw. I can see the light of the moon and the forest.

I was stunned and moved away from the window, I blinked for a few seconds before looking at my companions.

"Where are we?!" Eleena historically say.

"I'm scared," Janna whispered.

"I'm not sure where we at," I honestly answered. "Where are we?" I ask looking to the man.

"I already said, you're in an abandoned building. You come here without knowing where you are. Are you fooling me?" The man annoyingly said.

"Sir, we are just walking in the basement of our friend's house. Then there was an earthquake and we fell into a secret hole. Then we are suddenly here. We just walked to find a way. We didn't know that we walk so far that we came here." Tobby explained.

He tilted his head, not believing us at all.

"Let's just leave," Janna whispered.

"Wait," Eleena said. "We're still in London, right?" She said asking the man.

"That's right," he replied.

We breathed a sigh of relief at what we heard. Eleena immediately took out her cellphone.

"I'm gonna call my Dad. So he can pick us up at this place," She said while busy on her cellphone.

We watched her until she curse.

"Why?" Tobby asked.

"No signal. Damn it. So unlucky!" She said angrily before looking at the man.

"Sir, can I borrow your phone? I just need to call my Dad."

The man frowned before shaking his head, "phone? What is that?"

We were stunned by what he said. I cough immediately before taking a serious look at him.

"Sir, we need to borrow a phone. To call our parents."

"Crazy," he whispered to my surprise. "I don't know what you are borrowing. This is the first time I saw that thing your friend was holding. What signal are you referring to? Actually you don't need that. This telephone doesn't need the signal you're asking for."

I was stunned by what he said especially when he pointed to the telephone. I was suddenly nervous because something was haunting my mind but it was too hard to believe. I looked outside and stared at the dark forest in the distance.

"I'm really confused. First, he did not know what a cellphone is. Everyone used it in their everyday life. Is he from an ancient era–" Eleena was stunned when realization hits her.

The four of us looked at each other and gradually our eyes widened. Tobby immediately confronted the man who was watching us.

"Sir, what year it is now?"

He frowned but still answer him, "1875"

"EH?!"

—

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