Baruk's hand was stinging. Something had magically turned the metal doorknob ice-cold, and a powerful wind had stopped them from going outside. The boy looked at his palm, his mouth wide open; besides the new injury, he noticed small callouses and scars all over his skin.
"Are you okay?" Ness asked shyly, watching Baruk rub his hurt hand.
"It won't be easy to get out!" Elara said, studying the door. "There is something very wrong with this place… it feels like a prison."
"Guys," Nessaldom called. "Look there!"
"Who are these monsters?!" Baruk shouted, without a care. The three were looking at the large painting—the portrait of the Darkmore family.
"They are the owners of the place, genius!" Elara snapped back.
"Fine, know-it-all!" the boy grumbled, making a face at his new friend.
The two girls kept looking at the painting, pointing out details. Baruk, not very interested, went to explore. He searched through the strange objects and decorations until he saw a small opening in a corner: a passage leading to a hallway.
"Baruk, wait!" Ness said, her big blue eyes widening.
"Yeah, kid, don't just walk in there," Elara warned. "We should be careful. What if the mustache man shows up again?"
"Fine, fine! But if that guy shows up, I'll give him what he deserves," Baruk answered firmly.
The girls joined him. Near the dining room, there was a narrow passage leading to a dark hallway. There were lanterns on the walls, but they were all unlit. The hallway was pitch black.
They stopped at the entrance. The hallway ended in a T-shape with three doors.
"Shh… easy, Baruk," Elara whispered.
"Why do we have to be so quiet?" Baruk asked, almost shouting.
"Keep your voice down!" Elara complained.
Ness whimpered softly. She was thinking about many things but was too shy to speak.
"Fine, you grouch," Baruk grumbled, lowering his voice.
"What is this place?" Ness asked, nervous.
"Who knows… there are some doors at the end," Baruk replied.
"Is there a chance that man is in one of them?" Elara asked.
"I don't think so. I'm sure he went back through the big door," Baruk said, pointing to the dining room. "I'll go first."
The boy entered the dark hallway, followed by the girls.
At the end of the hallway, Baruk got excited:
"Everyone pick a door… one, two…"
"Stop, slow down!" Elara grabbed his arm.
"I think we should go one at a time," Ness suggested.
"Alright, alright… but I pick the first one," Baruk huffed, preparing to open the door in front of him.
Ness let out a sigh, trying to ignore the butterflies in her stomach. Elara looked serious. She knew that mischievous smile on Baruk's face. She knew he only smiled like that because he wanted to find something—or someone—to hit.
Finally, Baruk pushed the first door. It was almost empty. The room was dirty and filled with old crates. The air was damp and smelled like something had died there a long time ago.
"Look at the floor," Elara pointed to marks on the wood. "This used to be a bedroom. Those look like marks from a bed."
"There is nothing here!" Baruk complained.
"Let's try the other room," Elara agreed.
They went to the door opposite. Baruk pushed it hard.
"A bathroom, haha!" he laughed.
Now only the last door was left.
"What do you think is in there, Elara?" Ness asked.
"As long as there is some action…" Baruk said, answering for her.
Elara stayed silent, but she stepped forward and turned the handle of the last door.
It opened easily.
The room was a beautiful living room. There were two large sofas and a table near a warm fireplace. A fancy desk was in the corner with some notes, a pen, and ink.
"Oh, for crying out loud!" Baruk roared, annoyed.
"Be quiet!" Elara snapped.
Ness and Elara entered carefully. Baruk stayed at the door, sulking.
"You guys look around. I'm going to the bathroom… I need to relieve myself," he said and left.
Elara warmed her hands by the fire. "This fire is magic," she whispered. It smelled like warm spices.
Ness searched the desk. "Elara, I found this." It was a letter for Lady Evelyn Darkmore.
The letter said a man named Jareth Thorn had told the authorities that she was doing something illegal.
When she finished reading, Baruk came back.
"So she is the villain who took us," he said seriously.
"I think so," Elara confirmed.
"I'm scared," Ness whispered. "The man said we would be… food."
"It's going to be okay," Elara said, petting Ness's hair.
"That's right, pointy-ears. I'll knock out anyone who tries to hurt us," Baruk said, smiling.
"We need to save the other kids," Elara said. "Does 'Frost-Hold' mean anything to you?"
No one answered.
"I think I'm ten," Ness said.
"I'm eleven, I think," Elara said.
"I have no idea how old I am," Baruk said.
"There are forty kids here," Elara said. "But why? For a monster?"
"I see magic everywhere," Elara said. "And Madame Evelyn is coming back soon."
"What does she look like?" Baruk asked, clenching his fist. He winced in pain.
"Put it near the fire," Ness said, seeing the burn.
Ness held Baruk's hands near the flames. A blue light appeared between her fingers, like a soft, glowing rain. The pain went away.
Ness started to sweat. "Sorry… I couldn't finish," she said.
"Don't worry about it," Baruk replied. "Save your strength."
Elara found another note on the desk. She read it aloud:
"Dear cousin Cecilia. They finally found the girl he wants. I will go get her in a few days. Soon, everything will be over and our lives will go back to how they were."
The three looked at each other, nervous.
"The letter has no name at the bottom," Elara said.
"Is the house haunted?" Ness asked.
"It doesn't matter," Baruk said. "We need to find the other man and wake up the kids."
"Let's go to the dining room," Elara said. "But stay quiet."
They went back to the piano room. In front of the dining room door, Elara took a deep breath.
"Don't make a sound. We find the others first, then we find a way out."
Together, they pushed the door.
The new room had three large wooden tables. But there was a fourth, smaller table, set for a fancy dinner. Hot food and silver forks were waiting for special guests.
"Food…" Baruk whispered. His mouth was watering, and he was ready to move.