House Koi

 

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Introduction

House Koi

[Disclaimer: This novel/story is the intellectual propriety of D. Briggs E.  Do not copy or alter any part of the words/information/story, without written consent/permission of the author.]

[Note: I was told that we write fast and hard for the month of November. After we finish November, then we edit. If you are reading along with me, please don’t judge. I will fix spelling and grammar later. This is the rough draft. It will get better when I go through it. Thanks J PS- And yes I know the chapters are messed up.]

 

CHAPTER ONE

Koi Unconsciously tried to roll over to get more comfortable. When this failed, Koi slowly became conscious of the waking world. His hand found carpet. He ran his fingers slowly through it with his eyes closed.

“I must have fallen off of my bed again” Koi thought. He did not want to wake up, even to return to his bed. “What did I even do yesterday?” He thought, as he tried to retrieve his memories, from the depths of his sleep laced mind. He came up blank.

Koi heard the sound of feet running, and doors slamming in the distance. He slowly opened his eyes and found that he was looking at creamy tan carpet. Koi sat up quickly. He found he was sitting in an unfamiliar hallway. Shock and fear ran through him. Where had he spent the night?

Koi got to his feet and soaked in his surroundings. The hall looked like it belonged in a nice hotel. It had fancy crown molding and two toned carpet. Koi looked up and down the hall, looking for some sign to show where he was. He chose a direction and started walking. “I wish that I could use the restroom and take a shower” Koi thought to himself, as he inspected each door that he passed. The feeling of Shock and fear had been replaced with a feeling of curiosity. Where was he? Many doors lined the hallway. Koi made a couple of turns and went down a couple of different hallways. He saw a little toilet sign on a door and he had to back track a few steps. Koi tried the handle on the door. It was not locked. Koi poked his head in and he found a nice bathroom complete with a shower and towels.

Koi stepped into the bathroom and looked around. It was a nice set up, like a nice hotel. Koi locked the door and looked at his reflection in the mirror. He had small red marks and indentations on the side of his face from lying on the carpet. Koi looked at his clothing and he found that they had wrinkles on them from his sleeping in them. “How did I get here” he thought, as he undressed for a shower. He hoped that whoever owned this building, would not mind him cleaning himself up. Koi stepped over to the toilet and relieved himself before going over and taking a shower. Koi found that the shower had shampoo, conditioner and even body wash. He cleaned and then toweled himself dry.

Koi turned to where he had left his clothing on the floor and found his clothing gone. Panic overwhelmed him instantly. Who had been in here? Koi looked around the bathroom and he found no one else. He then walked over and checked the door. It was still locked. The panic slowly drained away as he found no evidence of anyone else having been in the bathroom. Koi looked over at the cabinet and he found a stack of folded clothing. Where had they come from? Koi took the pair of underwear from the pile and he looked at the size. It was his size and it looked to be the same make as the ones that had disappeared from the bathroom. Koi slipped them on and looked at the basket next to the pile of new clothing. It had deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste and other hygiene items like hair gel.

Koi cleaned himself up and put on the rest of the clothing. None of it was his other than his shoes. All of it was his size and style. His cell phone was sitting on the counter along with a key, on a key ring. The little keychain had an engraved Koi fish. Was someone trying to tell him that they knew his name?

Koi put the key in his pocket and then he powered on his cell phone. The words “No Service” showed in the corner. Koi messed with the phone for a minute, but he was unable to get a signal. Koi also found the phone, messenger and contacts blank. He finally ended up pocketing it also. Koi opened the door slowly and looked out. He did not want some hotel clerk getting mad at him for being here, when he was not supposed to be. Koi found the hall empty. He slid out and started down the hall. Koi heard the sound of youth playing again. He headed off in that direction. If he could find someone then he could find out what building this was and ask to barrow a phone, to call his mother.

She was not going to be happy with the fact that he had not spent the night at home. Koi was unable to remember her name. “What’s wrong with my head… I can’t even remember my mom’s name” he said to himself. Now that he thought of it, he could not remember her last name. Or his.

Koi felt a little sick. Had he hit his head? Why couldn’t he think of his own last name? Koi had stopped walking with these thought swirling in his head. He soon forgot his troubling thought’s when he saw the group of… not kids… teens, his own age, running down a hall. The hallway apparently had an intersection. Koi hurried his walking to meet up with the other teens. They had been moving pretty fast and he did not feel like running to catch up. When he got to the intersection, the other guys were nowhere to be seen. Koi headed down the hallway that the other teens had just come from.

How big was this place? Koi remembered a trip that his family had gone on. They went to Las Vegas and stayed in a large hotel and casino. Koi remembered the feeling, of all of the connected casinos. They just seemed to go on forever and ever. This defiantly felt the same. When had the design changed? The hall he was now in looked more modern, with a new home look to it. Less hotel, more house.

Koi came around a corner and almost collided with a woman that looked to be the same age as his mother. About forty, he thought to himself. At least he thought his mother was forty.

Before she could talk he said “Um could you tell me where I am? Like what building? And could I barrow your cell Phone? Mine does not have service. I need to call my mom and tell her I am here… where is here?” The look of shock on her face slowly changed to sadness as he talked. It looked to be part pity and part sadness.

“Oh sweat heart, I’m so sorry. You must be new.” She said it in a loving way, the same way that you would tell a person, there family member died.

“Come over here” She said as she led him to an alcove in the hallway with overstuffed leather chairs and a side table. Koi went a long, confused. New here? What was going on?

“Honey…” she said in the loving voice. “You are not in the world you knew. You are in the perpetual house. It’s like being indoors, in a house that never ends. It just goes on forever and ever. I’m sorry, but I don’t think you will ever see your family again.”

Koi just looked at her numbly. “Is this a joke?” He asked her in a hollow voice, but a part of him could tell that she was not joking.

“I’m sorry Honey, but no. Here I will show you.” She said as she stood. Koi still felt numb as he took her outstretched hand. She led him down a couple of hallways, to a large set of doors, guarded by a large man. The man was dressed in what looked like private security firm, clothing. It was mostly black. Koi half heard her tell the man that he was new today, and that she needed to show him the mist. Mist? What mist?

The man opened the door and the lady led him through. Despite his numbness, Koi felt a wave of awe. They were in a very large ballroom. It was huge. It looked to be about the size of 4 football fields. Koi felt his mouth hanging open and closed it. Koi looked all over the place as the lady led him on. The celling was painted in huge murals. Some of it was the sky, some the milky way, with all of the stars of the heavens. The wood work was all grand. It looked like something out of Beauty and The Beast. The whole back half of the ballroom was floor to wall windows. As they passed the halfway mark of the floor, Koi noticed that he could not see anything outside of the windows other than swirling mist. He noticed that some of the blacked swirls in the mist looked like giant octopus tentacles, feeling in the night.

He tried to say something, but nothing came out. As they neared the far wall, koi saw very large round tables, lining the length of the back half circle. Each table looked to be able to hold at least twelve people. Even then they would not run the risk of bumping elbows. Vegas had nothing on this.

“Do you see?” Asked the lady. “Every window is the same. They all show, mist, or blackness. None of the doors led to the outside. Before the Lord of House took over, travelers came and told of the places they had gone in the house. They would travel for years, and they would not ever reach a door that led to the outside world.” Koi noticed as she talked, that she watched him for a reaction.

“Why not just break a window” Koi asked as the sudden thought popped in his head. In response the woman walked over to one on the tables. She picked up one of the chairs and walked over to a window.

To Koi’s surprise, she lifted the chair over her head and slammed it into the window. The chair hit the window and fell to the floor broken.

“Are you crazy?” Koi said in a frantic voice. “If you shattered that window, it would fall on us and kill us! It has to be six story’s tall! I meant break a smaller window!” Koi stopped talking when he realized that the woman was laughing.

“What?” he asked in confusion, all of his frantic anger had disappeared.

“Look” she said pointing to the chair. The chair was sitting as good as new on the floor.

“But” said Koi, “It was broken?”

The woman smiled at him and then pointed to the window as she said “If you look closely, you will find that there is not even a scratch on the window. The windows cannot be broken and you will find that if you break something, and turn away, and then look back, it will be as new.”

Koi was stunned. He walked over to the chair, picked it up over his head and threw it at the window. It hit the window and a leg broke off, it then hit the floor and more of it cracked and broke. Koi then turned and looked at the woman behind him. He then turned back to where the broken chair had been. In its place stood the chair unharmed, without a single scratch.

Koi walked over and ran his hand over parts of the chair. It was whole and unharmed. Koi then sat in the chair, it didn’t even squeak under the pressure.

“It’s true?” asked Koi with questioning in his voice. “All of it?” he asked.

The woman did not speak, she just nodded in a silent yes. Face unreadable.

“Then I will not see my family again” Stated Koi as tears started to run down his face. The tears turned to muffled sobs, as he covered his mouth with one hand. Koi felt the Woman’s arms encircle him from behind the chair that he was sitting in.

“I can’t even remember the names of my mother, my family” sobbed Koi.

“Most of us make new families” The woman said as she petted Koi’s hair “My name is Jill… and you are welcome to join our family”

 

CHAPTER TWO

Koi found himself sitting in a fairly large office. He waited for a man that Jill called the Magistrate. Jill had let him have the time he needed, to come to terms with the loss of his former family, while sitting in the ballroom. She then led him down a maze of hallways and rooms. She had explained that the Magistrate took care of things for the Lord of the House. She said that he would get him settled.

Koi heard a door close in the adjoining room. He twisted and looked over his chair in time to see the Magistrate walk in.

“Welcome to the house” The Magistrate said in a friendly tone. Koi responded with a thank you.

“Can you tell me about yourself and how you came to the house?” said the Magistrate with a curious look on his face.

Koi told the Magistrate about waking to the sound of the other teens moving about. He then told him that he got cleaned up and headed to find people. He spoke of Jill and her being nice and showing him the mist in the Ballroom. When Koi finished telling him of all that he could remember, the Magistrate asked of what he could remember any of the outside world. Koi explained about not remembering much and not even his last name.

The Magistrate told him that the lack of memory seemed to be the norm, for the new ones in the house. The magistrate asked about the belongings that Koi came to this world with. Koi showed The Magistrate his phone and the key. The Magistrate did not care about his cell phone and told him that he could keep it if he wanted. He seemed to think it was useless. But he snatched the key away and placed it in a large drawer, in his oversized desk. Koi watched the Magistrate relock the drawer and place the key in his pocket.

“Now then” said the Magistrate as he got comfortable in his large office chair “You are now in the House. It is very large and goes on forever. Many have tried to find the end of the house but failed. You are quite lucky to be inside this portion of the house. Lord Dane is the Lord of this portion of the house. He has secured the perimeter and keeps order in House Dane. You may call him Lord Dane. Or my Lord. Think of it as a manor, an estate or a noble house. If you are in good standing with the Lord then you may receive certain privileges. If not you will be given strikes. There are three strikes. Don’t break the rules and you will do fine. You will be given a mentor who will teach you the ways of the house.”

“Tim” shouted the Magistrate. Koi jumped at the shout, he then heard movement from the adjoining room. A boy who looked to be about a year older came in and stood next to the desk.

“I have already talked with Tim and he knows that he will be teaching you the ways of the house.” Said the Magistrate “Learn well and you will do fine. You are both are dismissed.”

Koi stood and followed Tim. Nether boy talked as they went to the closest hallway. They had to pass through a couple of rooms to get there. Upon reaching the hallway, Tim turned and looked at Koi.

“Hey, my name is Tim. What’s yours?” Said the older boy as he reached out his hand.

“Koi, and nice to meet you” said koi as he shook Tim’s hand briefly.

“How old are you?” Asked Tim.

“16” Replied Koi “How old are you?”

“17” said Tim “let’s talk as we walk, that way we can show you the dorms before lunch.”

 Koi followed Tim. He seemed to know the maze also known as the house. Koi commented on his ability to navigate the never ending passage ways. Tim told him that in time he would be able to navigate just as well if not better.

Tim then told Koi that he just thought about where he wanted to go and then he started walking. He said that nine times out of ten, he ended up where he wanted to be. Koi marveled at what he had heard. He did not know about magic but that seemed to be what was running this place. The house felt like a huge puzzle and Koi was getting the feeling that he wanted to see as much as possible.

Tim stopped in front of a large sign that said “Boys Dorms”. He explained that it was like, a big wing on a mansion. But instead of the west or east wing, this was the boys wing. Tim opened the door and both boys went through. The other side of the door had opened up to a very large hallway. It was wide enough to drive two cars down side by side. The hallway seemed to have a more modern feel to it. Tim pointed out four doors that where different colors. Blue, red, yellow and green.

Tim walked and pointed out a basketball court, gym and other things like common rooms, as he headed for the other side of the hall. Tim stopped in front of the blue door, he pushed through to a large common room. The common room had other doors leading off to the dorm rooms.

Tim stopped and said in a loud voice “Hey guys, This Is Koi”

A boy in the room that looked fourteen said “Like the fish?”

“Yes” said Koi with a smile on his face.

“That’s better than my name, Its Billy, pretty boring” said a lanky boy with a big grin.

The other guys sitting on the many couches, laughed at the exchange. Tim pulled Koi from the room and headed down a hallway. He stopped briefly at a door to show that each room had two beds and its own bathroom.

“Who will my roommate be?” Asked Koi.

“Me” Said Tim “I will be mentoring you and showing you around, so I may as well be with you to teach you.

“That’s cool with me, you seem pretty chill” said Koi with a friendly grin on his face.

“Awesome” said Tim.

“Here we are” said Tim as he opened a room door. He showed Koi the room and pointed out what bed would be Koi’s. He then showed him, the dresser he would be using. Tim told him that every morning there would be new clothing in the dresser for him to wear.

“That’s cool” said Koi as he found a set of clothing in the top dresser drawer, in his sizes.

“Yeah the house pretty much provides everything for us” said Tim with a smile.

Tim laid out on his bed and asked Koi if he had any questions.

“Yeah” said Koi “Jill said that people have traveled for years, and that the house just goes on forever. Do you believe that?”

“Yep. I have not traveled too far with the Lords boundaries, but the older people that have been here for most of their lives, tell stories about places they have been. They also tell of the things that others have seen. I wish I could go and see more of the house.” Tim said with a longing in his eyes.

At this point Tim got up from his bed and stretched. “Come on” He said “we should get heading to the dining room. Koi got up from his bed and headed after Tim.

“Dining room? Asked Koi. As he sat up in his bed. It sounded very formal. His family had more of an area for the table that was attached to the kitchen. Koi pushed down a feeling of loss. But the worst part about the feeling was that he could not remember many details of his family.

  “Yep the house has Dining rooms for food. We never come across any food so we never prepare it. We just go to the Dining room and eat. We have three big dining rooms within the Lords boundaries.” Said Tim with a hungry look. As he slipped closer to the door.

It came to Koi that he did not remember the last time that he had eaten. With all of the things going on this last day, he had not even thought of food. In response, his stomach growled. Tim laughed and then told him to hurry up as he slipped through the door or their room. Koi jumped from his bed and ran to the door, closed it behind himself, and ran to catch up with Tim. Tim had not gone far and he smiled when Koi came up beside him.

“For a moment I thought you didn’t like food” Said Tim as he poked Koi in the ribs in a playful way.

“No I’m starving” Said Koi as he unsuccessfully tried to get out of the way of the prodding finger.

Koi followed Tim out of the dorm, then down a handful of corridors. They came up to a line of people standing in another huge hallway. This one seemed to be a newer castle design. Tim moved and stood in the middle line. Koi followed. That’s when Koi saw that there were three lines, not one.

“Why three lines?” asked Koi.

 “It shows your favor with the lord of the house.” Said Tim as he pointed to the left, the people were laughing and talking in a jovial way. “That line is the ones that are in good standing with the Lord, or the privileged. They get to go in first after the doors open and the guards have sorted the food with the servants. They get the best foods. They also get free reign with the recreational rooms. They can spend as much time as they want in the library and other rooms. They can also make lots of noise and make other, lower class citizens, lives more miserable. The line we are in is the lower class. We have not done anything wrong, but we have not gained favor with the lord. We get the decent food, but not the bad food. We can be kicked out of the recreational rooms like the library, if we are bothering the privileged” Tim then pointed to the people standing to the right in the last line. “Those people go in first to help sort the food. Then they stand by the wall until everyone else has gotten food. Then they get the sad food.  They have strikes, which means they have gotten in trouble for doing something wrong. They act as servants to get out of trouble. They can get strikes removed if they serve long enough.”

At this point, Koi heard a loud click, like a door being unlocked. Koi watched as two guards opened the doors and stood guard, at either side. The other four guards went in with the servants. Koi moved to the side a little so that he could see the servants work. There were three, buffet type tables. The servants were moving dishes between the three tables. Koi watched them as they worked.

When the food was sorted, the servants moved to a wall and stood watching and waiting for their turn. One guard said “First line” and the people, laughing and talking, started into the dining room. Koi watched them go in and start to form a line at the good table. They got silverware, napkins and plates for food. They continued to talk and make noise as they loaded their plates with food and headed to the tables. Koi could see the first table was loaded with better looking food. Fancy looking sandwiches, chicken and chicken wings, fancy looking appetizers, meat and cheese trays, and lots of other good looking dishes. The better table looked to have many different drinks in pitchers.

The guard then announced the second line could now go in. Koi could see that the food on this table did not quite look as nice as the first table. He saw salads, peanut and butter sandwiches, some pasta salads, vegie trays and other ok, looking food. The table seemed to have lemonade and water to drink.

Koi then looked to the small third table. It had mostly bread and water. It looked nowhere as good as the other tables. Koi’s line moved a little farther and he observed the mood in the room. Most people were eating and talking. Koi looked over at Tim, he was looking forward, at the progress of the line.

“Why does the lord control the food?” Asked Koi.

“To control the people” Said Tim in a way that implied he should see the obvious.

“How else would you get what you want in here?” Said Tim as he reached the table and started to fill his plate with food. Koi reached the table and picked up a plate, silverware and a napkin. As the line moved, Koi was able to fill his plate with some food. Half salad, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and some veggies. As they left the table, Tim leaned over and whispered to Koi that he was going to sit with a girl. Tim did not wait for an answer, he walked over to a table and sat next to a cute, brown haired girl.

Koi saw Jill sitting at a table with some other people that were older than herself. He walked over and asked if he could sit with them. They all said sure. Jill said hello and then introduced Koi to the other people at the table. Jenna, frank, Todd, Max and Cindy. They were all over 50, except for Jill and himself. Koi noticed that they were all eating the same middle table food. Koi decided to ask more questions about the house.

“Do any of you see problems with how the Lord runs the house?” Said Koi as he felt a feeling of wrongness, at the way things were being run.

“Why yes” Said Jenna, “I came to the house when I was twelve. I have lived here for many years. When I first came to the house, things were run much differently. People lived like a big family in a loving home. Everyone cared for each other and there were no clicks. Of course the house provided for everyone. No one was wanting for anything. But the grandest thing of all, was the ability to travel the house. One day I awoke and had the desire to start walking. So I told my friends that I was going to leave and they said they were going with me. We all left and saw more of the house. It is most grand. That is how people started to call the two different fractions. The house people and the home people.”

At this point, Jenna needed a drink and Max took over. “The home people go with the natural flow of the house. They let everyone have freedom of movement and they let the house provide, in its own way. The house people set up their own way of living. They set up clicks and levels of class. They enjoy holding their self over others. It goes against the grain of the houses, flow.”

Jill then jumped in “Think of it as a river. It flows and everything goes well. If the river is blocked, then the water overflows its banks and floods the homes around it, causing grief and destruction. The people suffer, but the land if fine. It is the same with the house, it will be fine ether way, it is the people that will suffer from the disruption to the flow.”

“So” said Koi in a contemplative way “the lord is making the people suffer by his decision to go against the flow?”

“I’m sure he did not think of it like that, when he started down this path.” Said Cindy “Jenna can tell you of when he first came to the house.”

Koi looked over at Jenna and she held up her hand as she finished the bite of food in her mouth. Koi realized that he had not touched his food. He dug in as Jenna started to talk. “He was quite the nice boy when he showed up in the house one morning. He was good and shared the home values. Then as he started to get older, his anger started to show. Little things like having to wait in line for food. He came from a large family where he had no problem bullying or stealing from siblings. In time he started to make up reasons why he should be first in line for food. He then made friends that shared his views. They felt like they were better citizens of the house, and they wanted to be treated like higher class citizens. In time he called himself ruler and he set the boundaries. Now his hold, on this portion of the house is two strong.”

Koi did not know how he felt about this. He had only been in the house for a little time. Did this concern him? He figured in time it might. But he did not really want to get in trouble.

“If it’s so bad, why not leave?” asked Koi as he stared at his fork for a moment.

 “It’s not that easy” said frank with a touch of anger “The Lord and his people do not let anyone leave. When Lord Dane first blocked off the area he wanted to rule, he would let people leave with the understanding that they would never be able to come back. People left and Lord Dane bad less people to rule. Now no one leaves unless they have a third strike, even then they are sent to the catacombs.”

“What’s so bad about the catacombs?” asked Koi.

Everyone looked over at Jenna. Koi looked at her as she started to speak. “Most people feel that the house is a large maze. They find a place in the house and stay put. Others feel that the house will guide them if they surrender to it, then it will guide them to what they desire. Most of the house is on one main level. There are stairs that go up to more levels, and some that go down to lower levels. I personally have seen three levels of basement. Some in brick, some in stone and some like any others houses basement. Under the basement is the catacombs. It is truly maze like. Many people used to go in and few came out. People have said that they have heard animal like noises coming from the depths. Some of the catacombs is carved into black rock. I have been told that much of the catacombs is caves. One man came out and claimed that there was a river flowing, very far down in the depths. He said he went down past the roughhewn rock to the caves. That is where he said he found the river.” Jenna looked at Koi with a faraway look as she spoke “he said that he saw whitish, yet translucent… koi fish”

Koi got a feeling that everyone was looking at him. He looked around and found that they were. Koi felt color rising in his cheeks. “What?” asked Koi “koi fish are very common fish.”

Jenna continued “It just seems to be an interesting coincidence… the man said he followed the fish. They led him to more caves. But they were not normal caves. He said the caves were quartz crystal. He claimed that they went on forever.”

Koi had finished his food. He looked around and it seemed that most people had left the dining room. Koi saw that Tim had joined the group by pulling a chair over next to Frank.

“Where do we take our dirty dishes” Asked Koi as he looked for a garbage can or something.

“They disappear on their own.” said Tim. “If everyone looks away, then they will disappear. If that is not possible, then they will disappear when everyone leaves the room.”

This seemed to signal that it was time to leave the dining room as everyone started to get up. Koi thanked the others for letting him sit at their table. And for their willingness to share their knowledge. They all said things about it being a pleasure. Koi followed the others to the door. He stopped before going through and he looked back to the table. The table was clear, with no sign of recently being used.

Koi followed Tim back to the dorms. Tim led the way and Koi was able to watch the house, as he walked. As they entered the rooms, Koi asked “How did it go sitting with your friend?”

Tim got a big grin on his face and he said “It went well and I really like her. She is so fun to talk with. I could talk with her all day.”

Koi thought about taunting him, but decided to just play it cool. So he just said that he hoped they could do it again soon. Koi looked over at Tim. He was lying on his bed staring at the celling with a big grin. Koi felt a vibration in his pocket. He pulled put his cell phone and looked at the screen. It showed a banner saying that it had ten percent left. Koi pointed the lack of power problem to Tim and he simply said to check his dresser.

Koi opened the top drawer of his dresser. His eyes soon spotted a black cable in between a set of new clothing and his hygiene basket. Koi retrieved the cable and then plugged his phone in the wall next to his bed. Koi did not know what to do with his free time. He told Tim that he was going to go and walk around. Tim said ok, but continued to stare at the celling. Koi made his way to the common room. He greeted some of the other boys. They were nice and friendly.

Koi talked to a guy or two before he made his way out of the boy’s dorm wing. Ashe walked he found it was rather fun to wander and explore. Koi did not really have a destination in mind. He just walked and enjoyed the passing doors and different house designs.

Koi passed a guard standing in a hallway. He stopped and looked at the sign saying “Library” Koi walked over and asked the guard “Am I allowed to go in?”

“If you don’t bother the privileged or make too much noise, then yes.” Said the guard with a bored look.

Koi walked through the open door, as he thought, “Guarding a door for hours, might be rather boring.” Koi stopped within the door and gapped at the library. It was huge! The room had two stories and railings on the top floor, that looked out over the first floor. Koi could see people walking around on both floor looking at books. Koi started walking around. The library had little areas with overstuffed couches for reading. The privileged people seemed to be sitting at these tables talking and being loud.

 Koi recognized some of the people in the line that got to go into the dining room first. It seemed that if you were in favor with the lord, then you were privileged. Koi walked from the main path to a side path. He did not really feel like running in to the people making all of the noise. He saw table hidden in with the book isles. Koi saw people working at the tables. It seemed they were trying to avoid the Privileged at much as he was. Koi decided to go in deep to the library. He walked down until he was past the where the privileged were sitting. He found the main path and started walking. The longer he walked the more he noticed less people around him.

Koi walked for what felt like a half hour, but was only fifteen minutes. The main path ended. Koi looked right and left. What way should he go? He ended up going left on a gut feeling. He walked until something caught his eye. A portion of a wooden bookshelf was askew and he could see a sliver of light coming out. Koi walked over to it and stared at it for a moment, he then looked around to see if anyone was close. Koi had not seen anyone for over a half hour. Koi reached his hand in and pulled the shelf out. The hidden door swung out. Koi walked in and found a small room. It had a desk and some soft looking chairs. There was another door behind the desk. Koi looked back at the door. It looked like a normal door from this side. Koi walked back out and looked at the door.

He could not see how it was opened. Koi walked in the secret room and pulled the door closed behind him. It closed softly with no sound. Koi walked over to the desk and found a very large book that had not been there before. He opened it and looked inside. It was blank. Koi closed the book and looked at the cover. It said “Library book finding book”

Koi opened the book and still found it blank. Koi decide that he needed to think on a book he needed to find. He thought to himself “I am looking for a book on the catacombs” He looked away and then looked back at the opened book. Still blank. Koi sat puzzled. He then decided to try saying it allowed.

“I am looking for a book on the Catacombs” Said Koi feeling a little silly for addressing a book. Koi looked away and then looked back. Koi found that the very large book pages were covered in writing. Koi was stunned for a moment and just looked at the book in wonder.

Koi read the bolded text at the top of the left page. It read “Books on the Houses Catacombs” Koi pointed to a book on the list that read “Crystal cave pictures of the Catacombs”

Koi blinked and the page changed. It showed the name of the book at the top of the page. Under it showed an expert of some of the writing in the book. It showed a picture from the book. It showed a very large room made of Crystals. Some of the Crystals, rising from the middle of the room, looked to be as large as a car. “Wow” Said Koi to the book. Koi looked over to the right page and found a map. It showed the room he was in, with words saying “You” followed by a dotted line running through the library to the shelf that had the book. The dotted line ended with the word “Book”

Koi figured without this book, it would take forever to find any book in a library this large. Koi thought on it for a moment. Did he want to go and find this book? Or did he want to go and find out where this door led behind him? Koi closed the book and stood from the chair. He turned and looked at the door behind him. A wave of curiosity overcame him. He would just have to come back later and look at the catacomb books. Koi walked the rest of the way up to the door and pulled on the handle. It swung open just as smooth as the other door. Koi walked in and pulled the door closed behind him. A narrow hallway opened before him. Koi checked the door behind him and then started down the hallway. As koi walked he noticed that this hallway had nothing in it.

The lights were in the celling and the walls were plain white painted drywall. Koi walked for about a minute when he came on a door in the wall.

Koi opened it and found a large circular room with a glass looking, domed ceiling. Koi could see the mist flowing in large tentacle like flows. Other than that the room seemed empty. Koi walked around the room once and walked back to the door he came through.

Koi closed the door behind himself, and started down the hallway. Koi walked until he came to the end of the hall. He noticed the door was short and small. He pushed on the door and it did not open. He then saw a handle on the panel and pulled on it. Nothing. Koi then messed with the handle until he found that it turned. The small door clicked and it pulled inwards, towards himself.

Koi looked out to see if anyone was on the other side of the door, before he opened it all of the way. With no one in sight, he climbed out of the short door. It slid itself back into place as he watched. He could not really see where it had been. Koi ran his hands over the panel. Nothing. Koi started walking. He came across a large hallway hub. Eight hallways led off of the hub. Koi stood looking down the halls. It reminded him of spokes on a wheel or bike. Koi did not know what way to go. He closed his eyes and turned in a circle. He stuck out his arm and turned one more time. He opened his eyes after he came to a stop. He looked down the hall that he had been pointing at. It looked as good a choice as any.

Koi started down the hall. He noticed that the hall looked much more homily than the secret passage hallway. Just more doors and light fixtures made the hallway look much more habited.

Koi came across a hallway with a guard in it. The guard was standing in front of a door with a sign that had a table on it. Koi recognized it as a dining room. It was not the one that he had seen before. Koi figured that it was one of the three in the Lords boundaries.

Koi stopped in front of the guard and said “Um… can you tell me where I am and when dinner is?”

The guard looked him over, in a way that suggested that he was deciding if he was trouble or not. The guard then spoke in a surprisingly friendly voice “Yes. It’s an hour till dinner. And you are close to the Elder’s wing.”

“Elders wing?” asked Koi.

“Where the old people live… also known as the elders… or grandparents.” He said in a joking way, with a slight laugh to his voice.  

“I was more referring to the fact that they have their own wing. It just seems like there are not that many Elders here” said Koi. With a slight blush from embarrassment.

The older man laughed as he said “I know, I’m just teasing you. Why don’t you go and check it out. Walk down the hall and take a left.”

Koi said thank you and started off down the hallway. He could hear the guard chuckling behind him. Koi finished the walk to the end of the hall and took a left. He soon realized that the walls were logs. He had crossed into what felt like the inside of a log cabin. Koi had figured that the Elders would have a wing that felt more like a hospital or retirement home. Koi soon found that he was standing in an entryway or lobby. He went to the only door and slipped through, because it was open. If it had been closed, he would have knocked. The room he found himself in was a very large common room. It had a portion that was a sitting room, a portion with tables, and a wall with doors that went to rooms. Koi saw Jenna sitting in the area with chairs. She smiled as he entered the room and watched his progress to where she was sitting.

Koi smiled as he approached. Jenna greeted him and patted he chair next to her. Koi sat as she said “I did not expect to see you here. What are you doing on the far side of the boundaries?”

“The far side?” asked Koi.

“The lord placed the Elders wing on the far side of his house.” Said Jenna with a smile “We must not be as fun as he would like us to be. So he stuck us as far from him as possible.”

“Oh” Said Koi. “But you were eating at the Dining room closest to the boy’s dorm?”

“We Elders eat at all three dining rooms. One for each meal of the day.” Said Jenna with that Grandmotherly smile.

“So you can meet other people?” Asked Koi.

“Something like that” Said Jenna.

“Can I ask you some Questions?” Asked Koi in a rush.

“Sure” said Jenna “Ask me anything”

“How do you find books in the library? Asked Koi.

“Most people just look through shelf until they find something that looks good.” Said Jenna.

“Is there any way to search for books?” Asked Koi.

“Not that I have ever seen” Said Jenna.

“If there was a way to search for books… Would the house try to hide it?” Asked Koi?

“No… Well maybe… the lord confiscates anything that he feels will give him a way to control the others. Even the food. So if there was a way to look up books, the Lord would want it. So yeah, the house may try to hide it.” Said Jenna with a rising look of curiosity. She leaned in as she said in a whisper “Did you find a way to search the books?”

Koi looked around to see if anyone was close before he whispered back “Yeah, I found a book that searches for the book you are looking for. You say allowed to it the book you are looking for and it shows a map to where the book is in the library. I asked it for a book on the catacombs. It showed a list and I chose a book from the list. Then it showed me the map to find it.”

Jenna looked shocked and whispered “Wow” She was not able to say anything else as a couple of Elders walked up, greeted them both, then asked if they were ready for dinner. Jenna said yes. She stood, turned to Koi and asked him if he would like to join them for dinner. Koi answered yes. Jenna then said that they could finish their conversation from earlier. Koi nodded yes as they walked from the Elders wing.

The elders walked down the halls in good time. They got in line and Jenna said “Frank, remember that story you heard about a man finding a book in the library, then it disappearing?”

“Yes” Said Frank. He was a friend of mine. He had gone into the library out of boredom. He searched the shelf for months, reading whatever looked good. One day he found a book that told a story of a man that wandered into the catacombs. He went on for a very long time until he found a key. The key was a quartz crystal point. The book claimed that the man found out that the key opened any door in the house. He used it to go places that no one had gone before. The book said that other men in the house became jealous, and wished to have the Master Key. The contention came to the point that the man who found it attempted to return it to the crystal caves. The book told that he was unable to make it to the crystal caves. It is said that he left it as deep as he could, before returning to the surface. When he returned to the surface, he ended up moving to a father part of the house. It seemed the men did not believe he had returned it to the depths.”

They stopped talking as they were given permission to enter the dining room, to get food. After the plates were filled and every one was seated, Frank finished the story with “My said that the book told of where the man had left the Master Key in the depths. He said the book had maps and directions. My friend put the book back on the shelf to keep it safe until he could return. He said he did not trust the people he roomed with. When he returned, he was unable to find the book. He said he always looked for it as he read books, but he was never able to find it.”

“A master key? What other secrets are hidden in that library?” Said koi in a wondering voice.

The others agreed. Koi looked at Jenna and smiled and then winked. Koi realized that she had stirred the conversation to teach him. He smiled to himself. Jenna was a cool old lady.

“There you are” Said a voice over Koi’s shoulder. Koi turned a little in his chair and found that Tim was standing over him.

Tim continued with “You disappeared hours ago…”

“Sorry dude. Grab some food and sit with us.” Said Koi. Tim rolled his eyes and walked off to get food.

“Ditched your babysitter? Asked Max. Koi and some others laughed. Soon Tim returned from filling his plate. He found a seat and started eating. Koi looked around and noted that everyone was eating their food. Koi ate some of his food, but he did not really taste it. His thoughts were on the Master Key. Could he use the Key? Could he find it with the Searching book in the Library?

Koi’s thoughts were interrupted by Tim saying “So what have you guys been talking about?”

Koi looked over and his eyes met with Jenna’s. They both smiled at the same time. Then Cindy spoke up and explained that they had been discussing the Master Key in the Library. Tim said that sounded cool. He asked what the story was. Cindy told him the condensed version.

Tim then said “I have heard some stories about the library, but nothing that interesting.”

Koi and the others talked a little bit more. When Tim was done eating, He and Koi said goodnight to the others and headed back to the Dorm. They both got ready for bed. As Koi was laying their looking at the celling in the dark, Tim asked “So what happened to you, you said that you were going to go for a walk, but I did not expect you to disappear for hours?”

Not wanting to get to far into the story of the day, because he was feeling tired, Koi replied “I just started walking and then ended up at the Elders Wing.” Koi said the last part with a yawn. Then Tim Yawned. Tim did not even respond. Koi’s last thought before drifting off to sleep, was the desire to explore more of the houses secrets.

Koi woke up still sleepy. He rolled over and tried to go back to sleep. It soon sunk in that he was not in his bed at his home with his family. Koi forced his eyes open. He then looked across the room. He could see Tim, still sleeping with one arm hanging off of his bed.

Koi sat up in his bed. What should he do today? He thought about going back to the library and looking for the Master Key, book. Koi looked over to his side table and noticed his phone. It was still plugged in. Koi reached over and picked it up. He pulled out the charging cord, then sat back against the wall. Koi hit the wake up button and looked at his phone. He entered his four digit password and the phone unlocked. Koi looked at the top left hand part of the screen. It still read no service. What use was the phone?

Koi opened the contacts and found it blank. He then went through messages and lots of other apps, nothing really worked. After a while Koi was about to stick his phone in the back of the closet, and forget about it, when he realized the compass app he was in, worked. Koi held up his phone and it pointed north. Koi realized that the GPS in the phone might still be working. Koi went to the Maps app. It showed a little blue triangle, but no maps loaded. It did not seem to work without the internet to refresh maps. Koi closed the app and wondered how the GPS was working without cell towers to triangulate a position. After contemplating on it for a little bit, Koi decided that it did not really matter. There was even more odd and weird things happing in the House.

Koi looked at his apps on his phone to see if there was anything that could really help him. He figured that the camera was still good. He could take pictures of the maps in the books. And places he saw in the house. Then he would have proof of the cool places he had seen. Koi did not really see anything else that might help. Then an app Icon caught his eye. It was a hiking app he had downloaded. It would track where you had been with dotted lines. You had to download the maps before you went out of internet service. The app let you add tags to the map. Like “Camp site next to start of trail”

Koi wondered if he could use it to map out places in the house. He would not be able to see walls. But he could see where he had been. Plus the app could lead you back the way you had been. Koi opened the map and it showed a little person. A banner popped up and asked him to select how he was going to be moving, car, bike, walking, bus or train. Koi pressed on the walking button. Another banner popped up and asked if he would like that app to track his progress. Koi clicked yes.

With the app set up, Koi got off of his bed and walked to the end of his room. The little person showed a little dotted line that represented there room. Koi smiled in excitement. Koi then held his finger until a menu popped up. Koi hit the button to mark this spot. He labeled it “My room”

Koi smiled. This could be useful. Koi walked to the bathroom and closed the door behind himself. He found a fresh pile of folded clothing on the counter. Koi showered and then took care of his hygiene. After getting dressed, he walked back into the room and found Tim looking at him from his bed.

“Morning” said Koi with a smile.

Tim blinked and then said “What are you doing up so early?” Tim looked at his clock and then said “It’s barely 7:30”

Koi smiled as he said “I just woke up and decided to get ready for the day. I kind of want to go to the library.”

Tim groaned and then said “You haven’t even had breakfast yet”

Koi with a smile on his face said “Get up and get cleaned up. I will wait for you in the common room. Then we can go and get breakfast.”

Tim rolled his eyes at Koi as he headed for the door. Koi smiled and then walked to the common room. He went to one of the couches and then sat down. Koi pulled the phone of his pocket and put the passcode in. The phone then went back to where it had been in the Hiking App. Koi saw that the phone had dotted his progress even though his phone had been in sleep or standby mode. Koi marked where he was sitting as “Boys common room”

Koi smiled. This could be a powerful tool. He wondered if anyone else had figured this out. Koi then had a thought. What if someone figured out what he was doing and took his phone away? That would mess up his exploring. Koi put the phone back in his pocket and looked around to see if anyone had seen him using it. Only two other boys were in the room and they were playing chess in the far corner.

Koi sighed. “Better keep my secrets to myself” Koi thought.

Koi then wondered where Tim was. He got up and returned to his room. As he opened the door, he found Tim asleep on his bed. Koi laughed to himself as he closed the door. “Guess I am having breakfast by myself” He thought as he walked out of the common room.

Koi navigated his way to the dining room. The door was already opened. Koi walked passed the guards and went to the middle table. He filled it with some toast, mixed fruit and hash browns. He then went to a table and sat down. He ended up going back to the table for some water. He wished he could have had some orange juice, but it was on the privileged table. “Stupid rules” he thought. As he was half way through his breakfast, a guy came over and sat down next to him.

“Hey” said the boy “My name is Ion”

“Mines Koi”

“Nice to meet you” said Ion.

“Same” said Koi.

“I saw you messing around on your phone. Playing games?” asked Ion.

 “Yeah. Something like that” Said Koi.

“Running around mapping the House, could be a fun game” thought Koi.

“I wish I could have some orange juice” said Koi said to himself. Or he thought he had, but he must have said it allowed, because Ion said in reply “Me too, it’s my favorite”

“Mine too” said Koi with a large grin.

“I think this upper and lower class thing is stupid” said Ion in a dejected way. Koi noticed a red mark on the top of both, of Ion’s hands.

“What do the red marks mean? Asked Koi in what he hoped was a tone that was not judgmental.

Ion looked a little surprised as he said “They are strikes. I am surprised that your mentor has not taught you about them. One red mark, on the back of one hand means, strike one. If you get a strike one, then you are limited to the third table and you only get bread and water for a week. If you get a strike two, then you have to do chores. Stuff like serving food. If you make the privileged mad then they will make you dust a surface or clean something. It’s stupid because the house cleans itself. It never needs dusting. It makes your bed in the morning, if you turn around for a second and it puts out new clothing every morning. It’s just to make you punishment worse.”

“What’s a strike three?” Koi asked.

“They take you to the catacombs and lock the door behind you. They walk you in deep and then just leave you with out a light or anything.” Said Ion with a scared look.

“Oh, I’m sorry for asking dude” Koi said.

“It’s ok. I got myself into it.” Ion said with a forced smile. Koi wanted to ask what he had done to get two strikes, but he did not want to remind Ion that he had two strikes. Koi decided to change the subject.

“I’m going to the Library after I am done with breakfast. I have heard that there are some cool things hidden in some of those books.” Said koi, hoping that the change of subject, got his mind off of the X’s on his hands.

 “Oh!” said Ion with an excited voice. “I once heard of a book, in the library, which tells of a room in the house, that has no gravity. It sounds so cool! Think about it! Just floating around in a huge room!”

Koi smiled at the thought and then said “That would be way cool!”

Koi mentally added the anti-gravity book, to the list of books in his head that he needed to look up. Koi then wondered how many other wonders the house kept secret.

“I also heard from a girl here, that she saw in a book that some people in the house live to be a couple of hundred years old.” Ion said in a rush.

“Wow, that would be awesome!” said Koi in a very wondering tone. He then wondered how old Jenna was.

“I could go with you to the library. Then we could search and see if we could find any cool books.” Said Ion.

“Sure. Let’s go.” Said Koi. Koi finished off his water and then stood. Ion was already headed to the door. Koi caught up, then stopped at the door. He looked back at the table. There was no dishes. That would take some getting used to.

As they walked to the Library, Koi remembered that he had his phone in his pocket. He would not be able to go and use the searching book, but he could do some walking, to map the library. As soon as they were in the library, Koi asked Ion where he had searched before. Ion told him that he had one are that he had some luck with before. Koi followed in the direction Ion was headed. After a lot of turns and walking, Koi stood in front of a large book shelf. This shelf was huge. It had some large books, on the middle shelf.

“Sometimes I like to come and look at the picture books. They have some cool looking rooms from different parts of the house.” Said Ion as he walked over and picked up a large looking book. He walked it over to the table and opened it. He flipped through the pages until he found the page he was looking for. Ion looked over at Koi with a very open look. Koi realized that this book was very special to Ion. He was sharing this with him.

“Have you showed this to anyone else?” Asked Koi, as he walked over to stand next to Ion. Koi watched as Ion shook his head, no. Koi then looked down and saw the picture that Ion had wanted to show him. The page showed a huge room. Bigger than any room that Koi had ever seen. The picture showed an ocean, at least he thought it was a very large body of water. Koi figured it was an ocean because It had waves coming up the sand of the beach. Koi looked at the top of the picture. It showed the celling disappearing in the far distance.

“Wow” Said koi “It’s a huge ocean, in a huge room, in the house.”

“I don’t think it’s an entire ocean. I once went to a wave pool, in a water park. I think it’s like that. But huge!” Said Ion with a happy look on his face. “Look here” Said Ion as he turned the book back one page. On the left side of the open pages, it showed a picture of a lake. The lake was also in a very large room. On the right side, it showed a Map. The map showed a very large room, with the outline of the lake inside. Koi looked over at the picture of the lake. It was beautiful.

“When did you find this?” Asked Koi.

“About a year ago. I was looking at books and I came across it.” Said Ion in a shy tone.

“Well it’s really amazing. It’s hard to believe that the house has rooms big enough to fit a lake in. And a part of an ocean!” Said Koi with admiration in his voice.

“Thanks” Said Ion in his shy voice.

Koi looked through more of the book. It had some beautiful pictures of bodies of water in the house. One page showed a river running through a room in the house. It then showed the river flowing down to the catacombs, in the depths of the house.

Koi looked in the section of the books. There were some interesting books there. But not really what Koi was looking for. After an hour of looking, Koi told Ion that he wanted to walk around the perimeter of the Library. Ion thought that sounded cool. So they started to walk around the library’s perimeter. After an hour of walking, they had made it to the end of the main path, at the back wall. It was close to this spot, that Koi had come upon the secret room.

Ion and Koi stopped for a minute to take a break. Koi asked if Ion wanted to go back down the main path, and call it a day. That or they could keep walking and finish the walk around the perimeter. Ion then said that they had walked this far, they might as well finish the walk. Koi agreed and they were off.

Koi tried to not look obvious, as he looked in the direction in which he had seen the light before. He could not really remember where it had been. He would have to go looking for it next time. It felt like the house had wanted him to find the secret door by leaving it ajar. Could the house open and close doors?

“Have you ever seen doors close or open on their own?” Asked Koi, in what he hoped did not require a question, as too why he was asking.

“Not really” said Ion “I have never really closed my door though. I just walk into my room and go about my business. The door is always closed when I look back. Why?”

“Sometimes it seems like the house wants me to see things, or go places.” Said Koi.

“I would not be surprised. I have been walking down the hall looking for a bathroom and the only door in the hall open is the bathroom. I think the house has sensors or something. It seems to know what you are looking for. I have been told that the apartment, that the Privileged live in, have their own dining rooms. I guess the walk into the dining room the night before and say to the room what they want, then the next morning it’s at the table. Like a half hour before lunch they walk in their dining rooms and say what they want for lunch.” Said Ion as they walked.

“Then why would they come to the big dining rooms, if they can have what they want in their rooms?” asked koi.

“I don’t know. Maybe they like the company in the big dining rooms.” Said Ion.

Ion’s and koi’s conversation died down as they thought on what they had been talking about. Soon they started to see more people, looking at shelfs. It was not long before they were walking through the door, to leave the library.

Koi asked Ion if he wanted to go and get some lunch. Ion said yes and Ion led the way to the nearest dining room. Koi wondered if his phone had dotted all of the places he had been in the library. He would have to check his phone when he got back to his room.

They had to wait in line for a little before the doors opened. Then they had to wait some more before the Privileged got their food. Then they filled their plates and found seats at a table with some other youth.

“You going to play today, Ion?” Asked a younger girl, after the greetings had been said. He thought her name was Kara. She looked to be about 11. She was skinny and lanky and she had a smile that said she would give him a run for his money.

“What is going to be played?” Asked Ion, slowly.

“Whatever you want. It can be hide and go seek. Or capture the flag.” Said a boy closer to Ion and Koi’s age. Was his name Kaden?

“Well…” said Ion slowly. “I promised Koi, that I would help him look for a book in the library. You would have to convince him to play first.”

All of the eyes at the table turned to look at Koi. Koi was about to say sure, when a scream came from over by the food tables. Followed by a crash, caused by the falling of a tray and dishes. Koi looked over in time to see a man standing in front of a woman with red juice on her white shirt.   

“I’m so sorry” the man said “I did not see you”

“My shirt!” she all, but screamed “You have ruined my shirt! You will pay for this! Guards!”

Two guards from a table, stood up and hurried over. “What seems to be the problem? Asked the guard that had been joking with Koi, at the dining room, by the Elder’s wing.

“This man shoved me!” Yelled the woman.

“Could it have been an accident?” asked the nice guard.

“No!” she screamed. Then her voice came down to a yell as she said “I give him a strike for his wrong doing! Take him to the magistrate!”

“Please!” said the man, sinking to the ground “I have two strikes already. Please don’t do this!” Then Koi noticed the two red marks on back of the man’s hands.

His frantic plea, seemed to annoy the woman. She then screamed at the guard’s “Take him to the magistrate! Then the catacombs!”

Koi watched in shock as the two guards picked up the kneeling man, under his arms and walked him out the dining room door. His cries of “Please don’t do this” echoed down the hall. The woman then said loudly to no one in particular “Now I have to go and change my shirt” She then walked out of the dining room.

“What happens to that man now?” asked Koi in a shaky voice.

“He will be taken before the magistrate, then Lord Dane. He then will be taken to the catacombs. They will most likely take him through the large hall, it connects to the Lords and the Magistrates offices.” Said Ion in a low voice.

“People usually go to watch.” Said Jill. Koi did not realize that she had come to stand and watch, so close to their table. “The privileged will think it fun sport. They will laugh and taunt. The normal people will stand quietly and observe this horror.” After saying this, started to walk off towards the exit.

“Looks like our game will have to wait till later. We all know how much Lord Dane likes to make an example of us family people. He will make as many people watch as possible.” Said Kaden, in a somber tone.

The youth at the table stared to get up and leave. Koi looked over at Ion and asked, “He doesn’t get a trial or lawyer or something?”

“No. The lord will go along with whatever one of his privileged say. He will end up going to the Catacombs. The law is not fair for us lower class, home people. Let’s head to the office corridor. We don’t want to get in trouble for not watching.” Said Ion.

Koi stood and looked around. The dining room was almost empty. It seemed that no one else wanted to get in trouble ether. Koi followed Ion into the hall. Ion walked fast and Koi did his best to keep up. Soon they were in the Office Corridor. People lined the wide hall in groups. The Privileged talked loudly and excitedly about the upcoming justice. The rest of the people in the hall stood quietly, with somber looks on their faces.

The door to the Magistrates office opened. Two guards hauled the sentenced man out. They were followed by the Magistrate and Lord Dane. Koi realized that this was the first time he had seen Lord Dane. He was a tall man, that looked to be about thirdly. He walked out in a very cocky way. He had a look of smug arrogance. He did not really have anything that really placed him apart from the others in the house. He did have on a black jacket, that looked similar to the guards.

The procession walked to the end of the hall and then stopped. The magistrate then stood up on a slightly raised platform then said “Jason has been sentenced to walk the catacombs, for his three strikes. He will be taken and then put through the door. The door will be closed and locked behind him. We wish him luck and morn the consequences that he brought on himself, because of his grievous crimes. May the depths have mercy on you. We wish you a quick death, rather than face starvation, madness or the wild animals that make their wicked wailings. Good day to you. Remember that when one door closes in the house, another opens. Even if that is death. 

Koi watched Jason, as the Magistrate talked. Jason had tears running down his face. He looked down at the floor in a lost way. He seemed to have come to terms with his fate. At least to a degree. When the Magistrate had finished talking, the Privileged started to talk and laugh in their loud way. Lord Dane walked over to a group of his privileged and joined in on their conversation. The Magistrate stepped down from the platform and told the guards to get moving. Ion walked over quickly to the Magistrate and Koi followed.

“Sir.” Said Ion to The Magistrates back “Can we come? Koi is new and he has not seen the process of justice.”

The Magistrate looked over his shoulder as he walked. He took in Ion and Koi and then said “Yes of course. It will be good for him to see the process of justice in motion. But you two stay quiet and out of the way”

“Yes sir” said Ion.

Ion then fell back a little, to walk with Koi. He put his fingers to his lips to stress the quiet part. Koi nodded and followed along. In all they only walked down two hallways before they came to a large elevator set in a wall. It had huge doors. The magistrate moved forward and pushed the button, so that the guards could keep their hands on Jason. The doors opened immediately. The elevator could have easily held to cars next to each other. It was very big.

The guards walked in Jason, followed by the magistrate. Ion and Koi slipped in and pressed them self’s into the far corner. The magistrate pushed the lowest button on the panel. The elevator started to move. Koi looked at the panel. It had a big button for the main floor, which they had just left. It also had buttons for three levels of basement. The lift soon stopped and everyone followed the guards off. The guards walked on with no command to do so. They walked down a corridor that was made out of large black stones. They seemed to be very smooth, Koi did not feel like stopping to check though.

They soon arrived at a large black door. Koi thought it looked like metal painted black. The magistrate walked forwards and met the two guards already standing guard at the door.

“This man is sentenced to walk the depths. Open the door.” Said the magistrate.

The guards looked a little shocked. They must have figured that it would be another boring day guarding a door. They looked at each other and then got to work. Koi noted that the two guards that were watching down here had chairs and a table they had been playing cards on.

The guards pushed a metal beam into place, that locked the door. They then turned a large door handle and the door swung out into the dark. Jason groaned. Koi noted that he looked scared out of his mind. Time for you to go said the Magistrate. The guards pushed Jason forward into the dark. He landed on all fours, then stood and turned to look at all of them watching. The last thing Koi saw, was the look of utter fear in his eyes as the guards swung the door closed.   

Koi jumped a little when the guards slammed the locking metal into place. He could only imagine what it sounded like on the other side, in the darkness. The magistrate announced that he was going to head back up to the main floor. He told Ion and Koi that they could stay as long as they wanted, but only if they did not bother the guards.

When the magistrate was out of site, one of the two guards asked why the man had been kicked out. Ion told them that Jason had bumped into a Privileged and spilt grape juice on her white shirt. Is that all asked one of the guards. To which Ion said yes. The two guards then forgot about Ion and Koi, as they started to talk about how things were changing under the rule of Lord Dane. Koi Looked over and saw a room off to the side. Koi walked over and looked in. It had a bunk bed, a wall with what looked like night vision goggles, flashlights, food and some jugs of water. Koi could see a door open with a bathroom inside.

Koi jumped a little when Ion put his hand on his shoulder. “Let’s go back” he whispered. Koi followed Ion as he started to walk. They were both quiet until the elevator door closed them in.

“You ok?” Asked Ion.

“Yeah. I think so. I don’t know if I am up to playing games now.” Said Koi.

“We won’t play till later this evening. You can go back to your room and take a nap if you want. Then we can play games after we have dinner. How does that sound?” Asked Ion.   

“That works” said Koi.

“And by then you will need something to take your mind off what you just saw.” Said Ion.

Koi agreed. When they got to the main level, Koi said he was going off to take that nap. Ion laughed and said he would find him for dinner. Koi walked back to his dorm room. His thoughts were plagued with how broken this part of the house was. This justice, was no justice at all.

Koi was taking things out of his pockets, for his nap, when he pulled out his phone. He remembered the walked that he had gone on this morning. That should make some good dotted lines in his phone app. Koi hit the button to bring on the screen of his phone.

He hit a few buttons and was soon looking at the map. It was not really a map though. It was a blank page with lots of dotted lines going through it. Koi recognized a couple of spots like the library and he marked them. He would have to do a lot more walking. The more he walked the more map he would have. Koi yawned. He turned off his phone and plugged it in. He then took off his shoes and laid on his bed. His last thoughts before drifting off to sleep, were on the games the other youth wanted to play tonight. He just did not really feel like it. With that he drifted off to sleep.

Chapter

Koi realized that someone was shaking him. He tried to hold on to sleep. It didn’t work. Koi opened his eyes, expecting to see Ion. But it was Tim.

“Hey” said Tim “How has your day gone? Ion told me that you had gone to the basements, are you doing ok?”

“Yeah. I’m good” Said Koi, “It’s just kind of shocking that people would stand for that. Can’t we do something?”

“You mean stand up to them? No not really. I guess something happened soon after Lord Dane made the boundaries. The people stood up for themselves and said they did not want a ruler. Lord Dane cut everyone from food, that were not on his side. The house tried to make food in other places, but Dane seized it. The home people only lasted two days before they gave in.” Said Tim.

“Oh, I see” Said Koi in a dejected way.

“It’s ok. People are trying to help. I’m told that some of the home people have meetings every month. I guess they are trying to help in any way they can. They keep them secret. Very secret. So don’t tell anyone that I even have heard about them.” Said Tim.

“I won’t say a thing. I promise.” Koi said this with a smile on his face. It felt good to know, that someone was at least trying to change things.

Tim smiled in a knowing way. He must have figured that this last part had helped Koi’s mind. They both looked to the door when a knock came. “Come in” called Tim. The door swung open and Ion came in.

“Hey guys. Who is ready to go find dinner? Then play some hide and seek, or, capture the flag?” Asked Ion with a big grin.

“I’m in” said Tim. They both turned their looks on Koi. He was still laying on his stomach, on his bed.

“Yeah I’m in” said Koi. He sat up and swung his legs off the bed. He found a shoe and started to put it on. Koi figured that he would let them know after dinner, that he did not really feel like playing the game. Koi finished getting the other shoe on. He then stood and walked past the other two boys with a “Let’s go”.   

They laughed and then caught up with Koi. All three walked to the Dining room, then waited to get in and get food. They sat down at a table and they soon had other guys sitting with them. They greeted as the others sat.

Kara spoke right up as she sat down with her food “Who is ready to play?” She asked the table, but she was looking at Koi.

“I don’t know” said Koi “It’s been a long day”

“Oh, come on!” said Kara in a wail, “It’s way fun! You get to run around the house and it’s a great way to learn, the house layout!” Then it hit Koi, It would be a great way to and more dotted lines to his cell app.

“Ok, I’m in!” said Koi, “Just stop wailing!”

Kara laughed, she had on a pleased smile. Both Tim and Ion looked surprised. Koi figured, they thought he would have taken more convincing.

“Ok, then. We meet in the ballroom after everyone eats.” Said Tim, “And remember, walk slowly, gather everyone as we go. Let’s have a big game.”

Everyone nodded and then got down to eating their food. One by one the other youth at the table, finished their food and left the table. They headed to the exit and disappeared from view. Koi picked up the pace, he did not want to be the last one at the table. Excitement flowed through him. He finally gave up on his food and stood. He was too excited to eat. He started to walk off and Ion joined him.

“Tim will finish his food and then follow. We will get to the ballroom.” Said Ion.

“Why all of the work to act normal? Why not just run and get to the game?” Asked Koi.

“The games used to be banned. We used to sneak to the games and tried to play without getting caught. Now we gather like we used to, kind of an old habit I guess.” Said Ion.

“I see” said Koi, “but how do we get in the Ballroom if there are guards, standing guard?” asked Koi.

“There is another entrance through the old style stage. I will show you when we get there. But there are some rules. One, do not go out of the pre-decided boundaries for the game. Two, if we are running down a hall and you see a person who is not playing, like an adult or other you that is not part of the game, you slow to a walk. We try not to draw any bad attention to the games. Just know that the Privileged hate us playing the games. Lord Dane is ok with us playing the games, as long as we do not bother other people. Also know that the privileged will give you a strike if you annoy them.” Said Ion as they walked down halls.

Koi knew when they were getting close, because the halls melted from Cloth wall panels, to old style wood trimmed hallways. Ion stopped at a door and looked both ways, up and down the hall before he opened the door. The door opened into a performer’s room. It had a sofa, a makeup station and a door at the far wall. Ion walked over to the door and opened it. It led into a short hallway with more doors. Ion walked to the last door and opened it. There were some small stairs heading up to the stage. Ion walked across the stage to the large red curtains. He felt around until he found where the two pieces of cloth met. He then held it open for Koi.

“Carefully jump down to the floor.” Said Ion.

Koi jumped down and moved forward a little so that Ion could jump down. Ion landed next to him and then they were off walking again. There were rows and rows of soft theater chairs. Ion and Koi walked up the slanting walkway towards the back of the theater. Ion found the first door and walked through it. It opened into another hallway with red carpet. Ion walked directly across the hallway to the door and opened it. Koi found himself in the Ballroom. The huge grandeur of the room made him feel small. Had someone built this? It would have taken years, thought Koi.

Koi saw the other kids gathered at the center of the room. That was where Ion was headed. Koi took in the beauty of the large windows as they walked. The mist flowed in huge flowing tendrils. Koi watched like some huge lava lamp. He had the feeling, he could stair at it all day, if he had wanted to.

Ion and Koi reached the center of the ballroom and stopped. Ion asked who they were missing and the response was only, two other kids. Koi was surprised to see that Tim was already in the group. Koi asked Ion about it and he was told that Tim knew some secret passage ways. Koi would have to ask him about it later. Koi looked around and saw that some kids were talking, the others were watching the mist swirl.

Two more youth walked in and started across the huge floor. Koi watched their progress out of the corner of his eye. They soon got to the group and Tim stood up.

“Ok, what are we playing? All in favor of Capture the flag, raise your hand. Ok, all in favor of Hide and go seek, raise your hand.” Said Tim.

Koi watched a couple of kids raise their hands for Capture the flag. He and many more kids raised their hands for Hide and go seek. Koi figured that about thirty kids were here to play.

“Looks like we are playing Hide and go seek. The boundaries are from the Elders wing, to the theater. That gives you the ballroom, Elder’s wing and the theater to hide. If you are caught then you help find others. If after a half hour, you are not found then return here. You can move around as much as you want. Play fare, or you do not play again for a week. Any questions? No? Ok then I will start. I will go in the bathroom their (Tim pointed to the far wall), I will count to two hundred and then I will come for you. GO!” said Tim.

Koi broke into a run, as did all of the other kids. He pulled out his phone and looked at the time. Now he knew when he had to be back to the Ballroom. Koi made it to the door leading out of the Ballroom. He headed out into the hall. He ran across to the theater. He ran down the decline to the stage. Where to hide? Koi saw a little handle on the underneath side of the stage. He went for it and had to get on his hands and knees to pull on the little handle. The door opened out towards himself. Koi crawled in and turned around in the small space.

He pulled the door almost closed. He left it open slightly so that he could see out of the door. He could see a good part of the theater. He saw one kid run off to the left and out of site. Koi could feel his heart beating very fast. This was way fun. He wondered how many other people were hiding in the theater.

Koi pulled out his phone and turned on the flashlight. He looked around. Koi could see a large crawl space under the stage. Koi could see a small set of wooded stairs at the back wall. Koi figured it was a back access. If he needed to get out he would have a way. Koi crawled back to the small door and peaked out. He could not see much. Koi opened the door a little more, he could now see Tim walking down the walkway steps.

Koi could also see a kid laying on the ground, he was all but laying under the line of chairs. Koi watched as Tim walked down looking at each row of chairs.

“Found you” said Tim to the girl that he had just found. She stood and then pointed right at where he was hiding. Koi turned quickly and headed for the stairs at the back. It was not easy with the crawling. He made it to the stairs and ran up. Koi found a door at the top and opened it. That was close he thought.

Koi closed the door behind himself. He walked as quietly as possible to the nearest descending stairs. He found a door and went through. He found himself in a hallway. Koi walked down it and took the first turn. Koi heard the sound of whispering coming down the hall. He turned to the first door he could and opened it. He stepped in and closed it behind himself. He then pressed his ear to the door and listened.

“I thought I heard someone… oh well” said a voice on the other side of the door.

Koi realized that he was in a small hallway. It ran in the same direction as the big hallway on the other side of the door. Koi started to walk down the mini hall. He took a couple of turns, he then almost walked right into Kara. They both jumped at the sight of the other person.

“Are you still hiding?” asked Koi.

“Yeah, you?” asked Kara.

“Yep” said koi with a smile.

“I see you found the servant corridors.” Said Kara, with a surprised tone in her voice.

“The what?” Said Koi a little confused.

“In the olden days, rich people did not want to see their servants walking around doing there chores. So they built their castles and houses with servant corridors. That way they saw them very little.” Said Kara.

“Oh, that’s cool” said Koi. He was impressed with her knowledge.

“I know, it makes it a little easier to move around and stay hidden. Unless Tim or Ion get found, they know to check in here. We better move on.” Said Kara.

She brushed past Koi and headed down the hall he had just come from. Koi thought about following her.

“Where are you headed?” He asked.

“To the ballroom.” She said.

“Care if I come along” Asked Koi.

“Nope, quiet though” She said as she walked out of view.

Koi hurried to catch up. He then fell in line behind her. She walked with a purpose and made good time. Koi wondered what her plan was for not getting caught. What was she going to do in the ballroom? Kara walked until she came up to a door in the side of the servant’s corridor. The door looked different, but Koi could not put his finger on why. Kara opened the door and walked through, Koi followed and found that just inside the door, was a stair case directly to the right. Kara was already walking down. Koi followed a couple of steps behind.

Koi followed Kara to the bottom of the stairs. The only choice was to go down the narrow hallway. Koi looked at the walls and anything else he could put his eyes on. He noticed that he could not tell from where the light was coming from. Kara stopped suddenly and Koi bumped into her before he could come to a complete stop. He mumbled a sorry, but she ignored him.

Kara pointed up and Koi looked up. He did not realize what he was looking at for a moment. Then it came to him, he was looking up through the floor of the Ballroom. Koi looked around him and he could see the stone walls, he then looked up at the glass like celling. Koi had been in the ballroom before, the floor had seemed like a solid stone floor.

“Cool isn’t it?” said Kara.

“That’s crazy. How can it be like that?” asked Koi.

“I’m not sure. It’s kind of like a maze with a piece of glass over it.” Said Kara.

All Koi could say in reply was “Wow”

Kara started off down the hall again. She took turns more often. The area looked like it really was a maze. Koi barely noticed that Kara was stopped again. Koi stopped this time before he bumped into her. She was looking up at the kids sitting in the middle of the ballroom floor. Koi looked around and he found that the area below the center of the Ball room was opened. It looked to be about 20 feet across.

“What are you looking for?” Asked Koi.

“I’m just seeing who is sitting out. That way I can tell who is still out searching or hiding.” Said Kara as she started to walk again. Koi followed after a quick upward glance at the kids standing above him. There seemed to be a lot of kids talking.

Kara navigated the maze quite quickly. Soon Koi could see the tables that lined the back wall of the huge room. Koi looked ahead and he was able to see a staircase rising towards the glass ceiling. Kara walked to the stairs and headed up them. When she got to the top, she placed her hand on the glass like celling and pressed up a little. The celling panel raised up and she slid out on to her belly. Koi fallowed her up and slid through the opening. He had to raise the panel a little higher, because of his bigger frame.

Koi could see that they were now on the main floor of the ballroom. Koi saw the kids sitting in the center of the floor. Kara started to move over to one of the tables. Koi followed her example and he started to pull himself in the direction she was headed. The tables were giving off a large shadow, Kara slipped into the darkest part. Koi had a hard time seeing her. Koi followed her into the shadow. He then reached over and turned Kara’s wrist watch in his own direction.

In about 2 minutes, the half hour would be up. Koi looked at Kara and he found her face held a large untamed smile.

“I get the feeling you win a lot at this game?” Said Koi with an impressed grin.

“Maybe” she said, with a part mature, part arrogant, air about her.

“What do we do now?” Asked Koi.

“We wait till the hunters come back. Then we come out and say we won.” Said Kara with a satisfied smirk.

Koi grinned. She knew her game. Koi could see someone walking in one of the side doors. It was three someone’s. They reached the main group and Koi heard a male voice aske who they were still missing. A couple of kids spoke up and said: Koi and Kara. Ion spoke loudly and said “OK Kara, you win, bring Koi with you.”

“Come on” said Kara as she stood “We won”

Koi crawled out from under the table and followed Kara, to the rest of the group. When they got back Ion asked “So Koi, looks like you teamed up with the right person. Kara almost always wins.”

Koi smiled as he said “Not really teamed up, more like rescued”

Some of the others laughed at the comment. Ion then raised his hand and asked “All in favor of playing another game? All in favor of calling it a night? Majority rules, we play another night. Good night everyone.”

Other kids said goodnight as they drifted off towards the stage and ultimately their beds. Koi yawned and told the others that he was heading back to his room to relax. Ion and koi said they would join him. They said night to Kara and then headed off to bed. They went through the stage and dress room, to avoid the guard. They then walked the rest of the way back to the dorms. Ion and Tim said they were going to hangout in the common room. Koi said cool and he went off to his room.

When Koi got to his room he got ready for bed and laid down. He then pulled his phone out and started to look at the map he had made today. Koi spent time adding tags to the places that he had visited in the house. He now had the Ballroom, stage and the surrounding rooms. Koi finished his map work and then laid down in bed. He laid their thinking about nothing, then the face of the banished man popped into his mind. How were the catacombs? Was he still alive? Koi then wondered if there was another way to access the catacombs. He figured that he could use the Searching book in the library to see if any other doors opened into the catacombs. Koi’s thoughts soon changed into dreams as he fell asleep.

Chapter

Koi opened his eyes and looked at what was directly in front of him. It was the wall. He had somehow ended up with his head at the bottom of the bed. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the peace that his bed seemed to bring to life. Things did not seem so pressing when you were laying on a soft mattress. “Reality and all of its demands, are cut off by eye lids. If it could only stay that way.” Thought Koi.

A small memory drifted up in his mind, like a soap bubble. He wish he could have ignored it, but it popped, the memory played out before him. It was of Jason being pushed out of the door and the look he gave as the door closed. Koi pushed the memory away. He couldn’t do anything about Jason, but he could maybe help future people. But how?

Koi’s mind drifted to the Catacombs. The answer seemed to be hidden there, but what was the answer? Koi thought on the catacombs for a while as he laid in his bed. He still came up with nothing but more questions. The only thought that seemed like it would help, was going to the Library and using the searching book. But Koi still did not get out of bed. Koi did not realize that Tim was not in his bed until he came walking through the dorm room door.

“Morning. You missed breakfast. I thought about waking you, but you were really out of it.” Said Tim

“It’s ok. I’m not really that hungry.” Said Koi as he found his phone on the side table and hit the wake button. The time showed on the unlock screen, it read “11:11AM”.

“I wish I could stay in bed all day, but I want to go to the library” said Koi as he sat up in bed.

Tim laughed and then said “That’s the spirit” He then disappeared out of the door.

Koi slowly made it to his feet. He then went over to the dresser. Koi looked through all of the drawers. No new clothing. He had wanted to skip the shower. He just did not feel like he had too much energy. Koi walked in the bathroom. No clothing in here ether.

“Fine” said Koi to the empty bathroom “You win I will shower!”

Koi undressed and stepped into the shower. He turned on the water and just stood there. The water was wonderful, it seemed to breathe new life into Koi. Koi soon found himself humming as he found hygiene products and washed himself.

When Koi stepped from the shower, he felt much better. The shower seemed to wake him up from his blah mood. Koi found clothing waiting for him on the sink counter.

“Thanks” He said to the house, in a slightly sarcastic tone.

He got dressed and took care of his teeth and put on deodorant. Koi now felt ready to take on the day. Koi exited the bathroom and found his phone on the bed. He placed it in his pocket and check his surroundings to see if he needed anything else. With nothing in sight that looked useful, he exited the room and headed for the Library.

The walk was uneventful. Koi passed two people, one smiled at him, the other ignored him. When koi passed the guard, he looked around the library. The privileged were not sitting around making noise. Koi saw a few people, but none of them paid him any mind. Koi walked over to an older lady, she was reading a book cover, at a book shelf.

“Excuse me, can you tell me why the privileged are not here, making lots of noise?” asked Koi.

“They like to stay up late and party. So they sleep late the next day. They have lunch and then make noise.” Said the older lady with a smile that seemed to be filled with mischief..

“Oh, ok” said Koi.

“Enjoy the quiet, they will be under feet sooner than later” Said the woman.

Koi said thanks and then he headed off deeper in the library. Koi wandered for a while, in case someone tried to follow him. Koi stopped and headed to the closest bookshelf. He picked a large book at random and opened it. The book was titled “The forest room” koi read the books synopsis…

“The following book was written by myself, John. I found the room that I have now named The Forest Room. The room is huge and seemed to contain a forest that takes up many miles. I have found every tree that I have ever seen, and many that I have never seen before. This book contains pictures of the many trees that I have found in The Forest Room. Also, this book contains pictures of the forest. Enjoy.”

Koi flipped through pages and pages of trees. He then found pictures of the vast forest. Koi found was stunned. It looked like redwood trees, they reached up and you could not see the tallest part of the tree. Koi flipped the page and found a picture from the top of the trees. Koi flipped the next page and found a picture of a tree house in the tree tops. Koi closed the book. The house seemed to have everything. Koi put the tree book under his arm and headed deeper into the library.

He went as far as he could and then stopped. He stood against the wall and watched. He had a feeling he was being watched. Koi watched for a while and then headed in the other direction, of the Searching Books room. Koi walked back around in a big loop. He walked fast and came up behind the shelf of whoever might be following him. Koi stood back into a bookshelf alcove. He could hear some voices on the other side of the bookshelf talking.

“…he went this way…. I thought he did…” said a voice, as they got father away from him. Koi slowly looked around the bookshelf that had been hiding him. He could see no one. Who had been following him? What had they wanted?

Koi slowly walked back towards the secret room. He went slowly and looked everywhere. He stopped a couple of times and listened, but whoever had been following him must have left. Had it been a guys and girls voice?

Koi made it to the pathway that held the secret room. He looked hard, but was still not able to find any clue as to where the door was. Koi walked to where he thought the door must be. He shifted all of the books on the shelf, but he was not able to find a mechanism to open the door. Koi then had an idea, he placed his hand on some of the books and closed his eyes. He then thought “can I please go in to see the book?”

In answer, the shelf to the right of him clicked open. Koi opened his eyes and he found that he had been a shelf over. He looked around, found no one in sight, and then slipped through the door. He then closed it behind himself. Koi looked around the room and he found it to be that same as before. Koi walked over to the desk and sat down in the leather office chair.

Koi looked at the large book in front of himself. Now that it sat in front of him, he was not sure what to ask. Koi sat back in the comfy chair. After thinking on the many possibility’s to search for, he decided on the catacombs. But what to ask? Koi thought on it and came up with finding a way into the catacombs.

Koi placed both hands on the book then said aloud “I am looking for a book or map, that will show me how to get into the catacombs, past the guards.” Koi then let the book fall open.

Koi had expected a list of books, but only one book was listed. Understanding the Catacombs. Koi looked to the right page, a map showed the path to take to find the book. Koi pulled out his phone and took a photo of the map. It looked difficult to find and he did not want to get lost in finding it.

Koi closed the book and pushed it to the center of the table. He then got up from the chair and headed back to the door he had come in from. Koi pressed his ear to the door and listened for any noise. Nothing. Koi pushed on the door and it clicked open. Koi walked through the door quickly and closed it behind himself. Koi walked out six feet and turned to look at the door that he had just come through.

It was very well hidden. It looked like any other book shelf. Koi walked for a little bit in the direction he thought was the right direction. He then looked around and then pulled out his phone. Koi put in the password and then looked at the picture that he had just taken. Koi studied the route and then turned off his phone and returned it to his pocket.

Koi started off down the path he was on. After a half hour he was close to where he needed to be. He had gotten lost and had to back track a couple of times. Koi was starting to figure out the number system on the book shelfs. Not in a way that he could find a book, more in a way that helped him find his way according to the map.

Koi finally came to the section of bookshelf he needed. He looked back at the phone to see what shelf. Koi looked at the eleventh shelf down from the top, and the eleventh book over from the right. Koi saw the spine of the book and the words “Understanding the Catacombs”

Koi lifted the book down and then started walking, immediately, towards the secret room. Koi did not want to be caught out in the open with a rare book. The book had been a little closer to the more populated area of the library. Koi was doing well, on the avoiding other people. When he would hear signs of life he would take a longer way around. Once he came upon a person reading in an armchair, but the person never looked up or even moved. As koi passed, he looked for signs of life, and he saw the person’s chest moving. He was glad that he had not come upon a dead person.

Koi laughed a little at his own fear, but he was still glad that he did not have to deal with a death of a person. Koi soon found himself at the end of the main path. Koi turned and started walking in the direction of the secret room. Koi just about had a heart attack when a boy that Koi had seen, in the boy’s common room, walked past and said hello as he walked off. He had a stack of books that looked pretty heavy, no wonder he did not stop to chat. Koi walked around for a little to make sure that no one was around, before he went to the secret room.

As Koi closed the door, he decided that in the future, he would walk the perimeter around the secret room before coming in. Koi walked over and set the book down on the large desk. He sat and then opened the book.

On the first page, printed in bold letters, read the following “Please understand that no man can fully understand the catacombs or the house. They function on their own rules and laws. This book can only try to help you with certain aspects of the house, they have been discovered by humans watching patterns of the house. Due to human nature and the ever changing house, we cannot fully prepare you for the catacombs. Please practice caution and common sense when exploring the house/catacombs.”

Koi then flipped through a couple of pages before he found the contents page. Koi then scanned down through the list. It had some really interesting looking topics, but none that spelled out how to get past the guards into the catacombs. Koi then had an idea. He picked up the Searching Book and opened it. The Searching Book opened right back to the page that he had been last. Koi searched the page and did not find any mention of page numbers.

Koi then said allowed “I am looking for the exact page number, which will show me how to sneak into the catacombs.”

Koi then turned the page. He found the contents page listed in its entirety. Koi scanned the page and found the page number listed under the contents information. Page 481. Koi opened the Catacombs book and quickly found page 481. On the left hand side of the book was a lot of writing. On the left side of the book was blue prints of the basement levels of this part of the house. How did the book know that he was in this part of the house? After thinking on it for a minute, Koi decided that the book did not know. The man who wrote the book must have been living in this part of the house. He then wrote the book and left it in the closest library.

Koi looked at the blue prints. After studying them for a time he found that the main hallways were highlighted in a light red. The secret corridors and servant passage ways were highlighted in light blue. The map seemed to be saying that Koi could get into the Catacombs by a secret panel in the bathroom, that the guards used.

A note written next to the bathroom said “To open secret passage, push the tile under the sink, that is closest to the middle of the sink. Please not you will have to get under the sink to press the button.”

Koi searched the map and found another secret passage much farther down, on the other side of the basement. The note next to the secret door said “Unable to open the secret door. Even by force.” Koi decided that he would just have to use the bathroom sink passage. Koi scanned the page and decided that he would need a flashlight to see by.

Koi took a picture of the page with his camera phone. He then got up from the desk and started to pace. He figured that he would not need much else if he was going to make it a quick trip into the Catacombs. Koi decided that he should put the book back, he had gotten what he needed from it. Koi turned back to the desk and found it gone. One less thing he needed to do.

Before Koi left the secret room, he searched the desk and found a small backpack, a flashlight, and some food bars. Koi figured that he would draw attention by having a back pack. So he found the forest book and placed in the bag. Koi tucked the other stuff in a zippered off area in the back of the bag. The bag also had a water bottle, Koi figured that he would have to fill it at a drinking fountain.

Koi excited the secret room and closed the door. He walked around a little before he was satisfied that no one was close by. Koi then headed for the exit to the library. Koi looked at his phone and discovered that he had missed lunch. Was it Tim or Ion that had been here earlier looking for him? Koi reached the exit to the library and headed off towards the elevators.

“Am I really going to do this?” Thought Koi. His thought of how much trouble he could get into. He also thought about getting stuck in the catacombs. No one had really told him not to go into the catacombs. No one had really said he could not. Koi could feel his heart pumping faster than normal.

Koi passed a couple of people, none of them seemed to pay him any more attention than normal. Koi just felt like everyone was watching him. He felt like someone was going to jump him and get mad at him for what he was about to do. Koi figured that it was all in his head. No one really knew what he was up to.

Koi then realized that he was at the elevators. He did not really want to take them, someone might question him for using them. Koi looked around and found a door with a stairs sign on it. Koi tried the door and found it open. Koi walked through the door and started down the stairs. It was set up in a big a square shaft. Koi walked down and found a door for the next level down. Koi opened the door and looked in. The room opened up in a large cement looking basement. Koi walked in a little and found that there was not really anything to find or look at.

Koi went back to the stairs and headed down a level. Once again he went through the door and found himself in a red bricked floor. It had red bricked arches that gave the feel of a wine cellar. Koi looked around again and found very little to look at. Koi returned to the stairs and headed down to the last floor. Koi went through the door and started to look around. This level looked to be cut out of huge blackish colored stone. If Koi remembered right the Catacombs looked the same as this.

Koi could see darkened alcoves in the walls, at the far end of the room. Koi wondered what they were, then it hit him, cells. Koi looked as he walked on, but he could see no sign of the cells having ever been used. Koi could now hear the sound of the guards talking in the distance. Koi walked on and soon was able to see them.

As Koi got close, one of the guards asked in a rough voice “Hey kid, what are you doing down here?”

“The other day when we were down here, for Jason, the Magistrate said I could look around.” Said Koi in what he hopped was a curious and meek tone.

“Well you are able to look around, just don’t hurt yourself or get lost. Ok?” Asked the guard in a less gruff tone.

“Ok, thanks” said Koi with some real enthusiasm leaking through.

The guards went back to talking and Koi started to wander around. He went all over the place and looked at everything. He then started to work his way towards the side room. Koi made a show of looking at all of the stuff on the walls and looking at the bed. Koi then snuck into the bathroom and closed the door most of the way.

Koi got under the sink and felt around for the before mentioned tile. It took some repositioning to get to the tile. Koi then felt a tile and it gave way under his hands pressure. Koi smiled as the wall he was leaning against gave way and opened behind him. Koi leaned back and then rolled to the side. He found himself in a black, roughhewn, stone room. Koi looked back in time to see the little panel close behind him.

As the panel closed, Koi was plunged into darkness. Koi pulled his backpack off in the dark and fumbled for the zipper. Koi found it and unzipped the top zipper. Koi felt around the book, on the inside, until he found the inner zipper. He unzipped it and found what felt like the flashlight. Nope it was the empty water bottle. Ops he had forgotten to fill it. Koi would just have to remember to fill it next time.

“If there is a next time” Thought Koi. If he died he would not be needing water. Koi fumbled around until he felt another solid object. He pulled it out. Koi pushed, what felt like a button and he was blinded by the light from the flashlight beam. Koi pointed it towards the far wall. Koi could now see the small room in better clarity. The small light from the secret door had not illuminated much.

Koi closed up the zippers on the backpack and then started through the doorway, then stopped. Koi pulled his cellphone out of his pocket and woke it up. Koi found the area on the map that marked where he currently was located. He marked then room so that if he got lost he could find his way back to the room.

Koi hit the button on his phone to put it back to sleep, put it back in his pocket, and then exited the room. Koi found himself in a corridor that branched right and left. Koi figured the main door to the catacombs was to the left. So he started down the passage to his right. Koi found the experience to be quite exciting. Koi knew that without the flashlight, this little field trip to the Catacombs would not be as fun.

Chapter

Koi walked for a time in mostly darkness. The only light came from his flashlight. The beam only showed the same roughhewn, black stone. After a time the corridor opened up into a large cave like room. Koi shined the flashlight around and found that the celling was pretty high up. Koi looked around some more and found that the room had four doors, including the one that he just came through.

Koi pulled out his phone and looked at the mapping app. It showed the path that he had walked to get here. Looking at the very small information that the map provided, Koi figured that the path to the left must take him in a loop back to the main catacomb door. Koi decided to take the door directly in front of him. Koi shinned the light around one last time as he walked towards the far door. The cave looked like a perfect place for bats. Koi wondered why there were no bats in the cave like room. Why were though no animals in the house?

Koi passed into the next tunnel and focused on the footing. He did not want to see what would happen to his skin if he fell on this rough floor. Koi pulled out his phone to check out where he was, he then noticed the time on his phone, he had been at this for over forty five minutes. With luck the guards would think he had gone back upstairs. Koi walked until he came to a crossroads in the tunnel. He looked down each entrance with the flashlight. Koi decided to go right. He walked again for a while. He was starting to realize that not much changed in the scenery. It just seemed to be lots of black rock.

“What am I even looking for?” Thought Koi. He walked; wondering why he had wanted to walk the catacombs. All he had really figured out was that it did not seem that scary down here. Koi walked a little more and then stopped. He figured that he should be heading back to the basement. As koi turned and started to walk back the way he had come, he figured that he would need a better plan before he came back to the catacombs.

Koi decided that he would have to go back to the library, to find a book that could guide him through the tunnels. He guessed he would need to find out what he wanted down here. Part of him had hoped that he would have ran into Jason. Then he could have given him some of these food bars. Koi realized that he was not even sure he was headed in the right direction. Koi pulled out his phone and woke it up. Koi looked at the map. He was not going back the way he had come. But he was headed in the right direction. Koi turned it off and placed it back in his pocket. He got back to walking.

Without his phone, he would be lost. Koi was walking when he thought he heard something. He stopped and listened. Nothing. Koi continued walking, but listened closely for any noise. Koi kept walking and then turned a corner and stopped dead in his steps.

“Hey!” Said one of the guard’s that had been standing guard at the catacomb door. “What are you doing in the catacombs, kid?” The guard sounded shocked at seeing him in here.

Thinking as fast as he could Koi said “I was looking in one of the cells and I saw a door at the back, I walked through and I found a maze of tunnels.”

The guard looked shocked as he came over and grabbed Koi around the wrist.

“Come with me kid” Said the guard as he started walking Koi to the open door, it was spilling light into the tunnel and it was hard to miss. Koi hoped they would believe his story. If only he could dich his backpack. He did not want the guards getting their hands on the forest book, or any of his other supplies. Koi’s heart was pounding hard in his chest as he was all but dragged through the door way. The guard that had been standing in the door way looked really shocked.

“What… How…? Where did you find him?” Said the second guard in a shocked tone.

 “He was wondering around in there. He said he was in the cells. He saw a door at the back of one of the cells and went through it. He said he had been wandering in the dark for a while.” Said guard number one.

“Let’s close the door and then we will go and see this cell.” Said guard number two.

Guard one told him to stay put. Both of the guards walked over to the door and started to close it. Koi saw a cell close by. Koi darted into it and put his backpack in a dark corner. He then stepped out and hoped he did not look guilty. The guards sealed the door and then turned to him. Koi tried to put on his best, lost and confused, face.

One of the guards grabbed Koi by the arm, again and asked what cell. Koi pointed over towards the cells by the door he had first came into the basement by. The guards walked him along toward the cell. When they stood in front of it, guard one, told guard two, to go and check it out. Koi watched as guard two went into the cell and looked around. He then came back out and shook his head at guard one.

“Are you sure this was the cell kid?” Asked Guard one.

“I think so…” Said Koi in a small voice.

“Go back and guard the door.” Said Guard one. “I will take him to the magistrate.”

The seconded guard said nothing, he just turned and started walking towards the catacombs door. The guard kept his grip on Koi’s arm as he started walking to the elevators. It was not a long walk and soon they were heading up to the main level. The door opened and the guard walked him into the large hall where Jason had been sentenced. Koi saw the older man Todd at the far end of the hall, when Koi was brought in being held in the guards grip, Todd got up and left the hall.

Koi was then pulled into the room before the Magistrates office. The lady, Koi recognized as a privileged. She looked Koi up and down and then said “What has he done?”

“He was found in the catacombs” Said the guard. 

The secretary’s mouth fell open and she got up and went and knocked on the Magistrates door. “Yes?” said the magistrate’s voice. The secretary went in and slipped the door closed behind herself. A loud “What?” was heard. Then the secretary slipped out of the room and told the guard to bring Koi in. Koi was taken in through the door and placed in a large chair. The same chair he had sat in on his first day in the house.

“Lora, go and find the Lord. Bring him here.” Said the Magistrate. The privileged slipped through the door and pulled it closed behind herself. The Magistrate then looked at Koi and just stared.

He then said “So I have been told that you were found in the catacombs. Please tell me how you came to be in the catacombs?”

“I did not know I was in the catacombs. I was looking around down in the basement. I said hello to the guards, then I was looking around. I was checking out the cells. I saw a door at the back of one of the cells, and I wondered why a cell had a door at the back. I went through to see where it went. I figured that maybe a prisoner had escaped that way before. I walked through the door and started to walk around. It all seemed the same. I walked around for a long time. I thought I was lost. Then this guard found me. He then brought me here to see you. I didn’t even know I was in the catacombs” Koi tried to let a little fear come through in his tone.

The Magistrate looked at him for a long time. Then the door opened and Lord Dane walked in. The magistrate jumped up and waved for Lord Dane to take his seat.

“Tell me what’s going on” said Lord Dane.

“Young Koi told us that he was exploring down in the basement. He was looking in cells, when he found a door at the back of one. He then went through the door to see where it led. He wandered around for a while and then this guard found him in the catacomb. The guard then brought him here. I was just about to ask the guards version of the story.” Said the magistrate. 

“Then please continue.” Said Lord Dane. Koi noticed that the lord looked like he had run to be here. Koi wondered where he had come from.

“This boy came down and was looking around. He was walking all over. We did not see him for a while and we figured that he had returned to the main level. About an hour later we opened the door as we do every shift, to make our security check. I was walking down the left hand tunnel when… Koi came around the corner. He looked quite shocked. We brought him back in and closed the door. We checked the cell he said he had gone through. We found no door. I sent my partner to guard the door and I brought… Koi here.” Said the guard in a very formal tone. Koi wondered if the guard would get in trouble or not.

“I see” said Lord Dane, “Take him back into the other room while the Magistrate and I talk this over.”

 The guard immediately, grabbed Koi by the arm and half lifted him to his feet. He then turned and walked Koi into the other room. Koi heard the door close behind him. The guard told him to sit in a chair. He then stood against the wall, in a hovering way.

After a couple of minutes, the secretary came in and sat at her desk. She started to make small talk to Koi’s guard. After a little bit Koi realized that she was trying to flirt with his guard. Koi’s mind boggled for a moment. He had not realized that people would try to date and get married in the house. It kind of sunk in that people would be spending the rest of their life in the house. So they would date and find people to spend their time with romantically. Koi felt stunned.

The door opened and the Magistrate told the guard to bring him in. Koi was seated in the same chair as before. Lord Dane nodded to The Magistrate.

“We have gone over the evidence and we find you guilty of being in the catacombs.” Said the Magistrate in a very formal tone, “We do not believe that you went into the catacombs on purpose, or we would throw you back in. So we are giving you a strike. You will be limited on where you can go, and what you can eat. In time you may be able to have the strike removed. Do you understand?”

Koi nodded. The secretary then walked over from somewhere and lifted his left hand. She painted a red X on it.

“This is a strong paint like henna. It will have to be reapplied every week or two. Do not touch it until it has dried.” Said the secretary.

“Do you have any questions?” asked the Magistrate.

Koi shook his head to signal, no. The Magistrate then said they were all free to go. Koi got up and walked out of the doors, into the main hall. He felt a little numb. He had hoped that he would have gotten away with no punishment. Oh well. Koi walked back to the dorm. Some of the boys seemed to be staring at him in the common room. He ignored them and went to his room and fell on his bed. He was hungry and tired, but food would have to wait. Soon the comforting bliss of sleep overtook him.

Chapter

Koi woke to someone shaking him. “What? Huh?” he asked, still half asleep. Koi sat up and rubbed his eyes. He then looked around and found Tim, Jill, Ion, Todd, Kara and Jenna; in the room. Some were sitting on beds, floor and standing.

“What’s going on?” Asked Koi.

Ion was sitting on his bed along with Jenna. Ion reached over and lifted his left hand, Koi let him. Everyone looked at his hand and then at him. Koi smiled and then said in a joking tone, “What? Never seen a red X before?” No one laughed. They all stayed quiet.

“The rumor going around… is that you were found in the catacombs.” Said Todd, in an emotionless, tone.

“So what if I was?!” Said koi in a slightly defiant and angry tone. The others looked at each other and then looked back at Koi.

“No one told me that I couldn’t go looking around the catacombs.” Koi said a little less angrily.

“I guess no one has gone wondering around down there in a long time” Said Jenna.

“How did you get in?” Asked Tim. Koi was not sure who he could trust, he did not want the truth getting back to the Lord or the Magistrate.

“I stumbled on a secret door” Said Koi.

There was more of the looking among them self’s and it made Koi even madder. Did they suspect his little lie? He had found the secret door in the book, not by chance. But Koi did not really believe in chance. In his opinion, everything happened for a reason. It might be human involvement or the flow of life, but everything seemed to fall into a pattern or dance.

Koi thoughts were interrupted by everyone looking at him and not talking. Koi stood and walked towards the door.

“Where are you going?” Asked someone, it might have been Jill.

“To get some food” Said Koi, in a voice that he hoped gave nothing away.

Koi walked quickly through the common room and out into the hallway. He was walking fast enough that no one tried to chat with him. Koi wished he had had his phone. What time was it? He hope there was still some food to eat. Koi made it to the Dining Room and then was stopped by the guard.

“Don’t forget that you are limited to the third table.” Said the guard.

Koi nodded and then walked into the Dining Room. There were not a lot of people in the room, but the ones that were there looked at him, with funny looks on their faces. What was the look? Koi walked quickly to the third table, so that he would not have to see the stares of the others.

Koi picked up a plate and a napkin. Did he need silverware? Koi looked at the table and found a couple of different kinds of bread. A bowel of what looked like butter and pitchers of water. Koi grabbed a knife, he did not see any need for a fork or spoon.

Koi grabbed two rolls, a flat piece of wheat looking bread, and two of the very white little buns. No one came and stopped him. Guess there was no limit on how much bread and water he could eat. He then put a large glob of butter on his plate. Koi moved to the end of the table and picked up a glass. As he poured water slowly into his glass, he surveyed the room. A couple of people were talking in groups at two tables. One girl was sitting at a far table by herself. Should he sit alone? Or by the loner girl?

Koi finished poring his water and started walking in the direction of the loner girl. As he got closer he noticed that she was an older girl. Nineteen or maybe twenty?

Koi walked up to the table and asked “Can I sit here?”

Koi noticed that she was eating bread. He looked at her hands and saw a red X on each.

“Sure” said the girl, in a slight voice. Koi could feel her eyes on him as he placed his plate and drink on the table. Koi then sat down and looked at the girl. She was still looking at him.

“What” he asked in what he hoped was a friendly tone.

“Is it true?” She asked.

“Is what true?” asked koi a little confused?

“That you were in the catacombs and returned?” She asked.

“Um… yeah… Why is that such a big deal?” Said Koi.

“Because people get thrown into the Catacombs, and they never come back. You went in… and came back.” Said the girl in a voice filled wonder. She held up her hands and then said “I might be going their sooner than later. I have always wondered what it is like. You are kind of famous”

Famous? Then it hit him. The looks people were giving him. They were not looking at the kid that got in trouble, they were looking at him like he stuck his hand in a lion’s mouth, then brought it out unharmed.

“What was it like?” Asked the girl.

“First tell me your name.” Said Koi.

“It’s Angelina” She said.

“Like Angelina Jolie?” Yeah she said with a smile.

“But most people call me Angel. I think, they think, it’s funny. Because I’m not an Angel.” She said as she pointed with one hand, to the back of the other.

Koi laughed a little and she joined him in laughing. Koi smiled. She had a pretty laugh.

“Well, I hate to disappoint you, but it was nothing, but rough black tunnels. I did not see anything really cool. Just a lot of tunnels. No monsters, no treasure, just tunnels.” Said Koi.

“Wow” She said in a voice that that sounded awed, “How long were you in their?”

“Not long, a little over an hour.” Said Koi.

“Not long!” She said in an excited voice. “You survived in the tunnels for over an hour! I wonder how far you walked!”

“Me to” said Koi, as he remembered his smart phone, sitting in a cell. He had kind of forgotten that it was down there with all of the excitement. Koi remembered his food then. He picked up the slice of wheat bread and buttered it. Koi took a bite. He then scarfed down the rest of the piece. He did not realize he was so hungry. He felt like he had not eaten in two days. The bread and butter tasted amazing!

Koi realized that nothing had been said for a while. He looked up and saw Angel smiling at him.

“What? I haven’t eaten for a while.” He said with some roll in his mouth.

“Then you should try the pale white roll. But don’t tell anyone.” Said angel.

Koi looked at the pale white roll. Koi picked it up and took a bite. He chewed a couple of times before he realized that he chewing meat. He looked at Angel with a questioning look. It had a kind of Barbeque flavor and it tasted amazing!

“It’s called a pork roll. It’s Dim sum. They steam all of the Asian food in little bamboo basket type things. I had it with my family in San Francisco one time. Do you like it?” She asked.

Koi nodded and then ate the other one in just a few bites. It was very good.

“How?” Asked Koi as he chewed the bite in his mouth.

“We make sure there is only bread and water when we separate the tables. But somehow one of the rolls or breads end up containing something a little more nutritious. I think the house knows that we have bogus crimes, so it tries to feed us a little more.” Said Angel.

“That is cool.” Said Koi.

“Well I have to get going, I have chores to do. I will see you around.” Said Angel as she picked up her plate and other things. She then turned and left with a smile. Koi liked Angel, was nice and seemed to be more mature than girls his own age.

Koi piled up his diner dishes on his plate. He then sat and tried to think up a plan on how he could get his phone and other belongings back. It was in the cell closest to the guard’s area. He could make a diversion. He figured if he through a can or something, it would draw them off some wear. Or if there was a secret passage way, then he could slip in and grab the bag. Koi stood up with the plate before he remembered that he just had to leave them on the table.

Koi returned the plate to the table and then started for the exit. Koi did not feel like returning to his room yet. He wished he could find someplace to spend the night. Just to get away from everything. Out of the corner of his eye, koi saw what looked like a koi fish painted on a wall panel. Koi backtracked and looked at the panel. It looked like any other wall panel. Koi reached out his hand and touched the panel. The panel clicked, now Koi could see that the panel was a secret door. Koi pushed on it and it swung inwards. Koi looked both ways down the hall. He could see, nor hear anyone.

Koi got down on his hands and knees and entered the small opening. He then turned and pushed the small panel door closed. Koi then stood up in the narrow servant hallway. Koi started walking down the hall. Koi soon found a door. He opened it and peaked inside. It was the large domed glass room, that he had seen after leaving the secret room in the library. Koi walked in and looked around. This could be a decent place to spend the night. Koi looked up, the glass domed ceiling showed the swirling tendrils of mist. Koi wished that he had a bed. He could fall asleep watching the beautiful mist. Koi looked down and found a bed prepared for him in the middle of the floor.

 

It had no bed frame, just a matrass on the floor with bedding. Now all he needed was a bathroom. There were four doors in the large room, besides the one he came in from. Koi found that two were bedrooms stocked with bunkbeds. Each had its own bathroom built on, with multiple showers and multiple toilets. Koi figured a room for men and the other for woman. Koi used the restroom and then returned to the main room. Koi went to the main door that he had come through, and locked the door. He did not want anyone finding him while he slept. Koi then went to search the other two doors. The first one contained a large conference room table. The other room was empty except for a shallow bricked pool in the middle of the room. The water seemed to be only three inches deep. Koi did not see where it got water form or how it drained. Koi decided that he would have to search it more tomorrow. He left the room and went to his bed in the middle of the large room.

Koi undressed for bed. He then laid down and watched the ceiling. The large tendrils flowed in a memorizing way. This was better than any lava lamp. Koi watched the tendrils as he pondered on the room. It had to have more function than just looking beautiful. Koi figured that he would have to see if he could find out what it was for, in the Searching book.

Koi waited for the room lights to dim down. But they didn’t. In his bed room the lights would slowly dim until they were but a faint light. The lights in this room were not dimming. Did all of the lights in the house stay on all of the time? He had seen some of the hallway lights pop on in the distance, when he moved around. These did not seem to do the same thing. Koi wondered if the lights in the library stayed on all of the time. Koi closed his eyes and focused really hard on the room light “Please turn off”

When Koi opened his eyes, the room’s lights were off. He wondered if they had turned off because he had thought on them or if they turned off because he had closed his eyes. Koi looked at the ceiling as it filled his view. The mist seemed to have a faint light behind it. Kind of like a house light in the fog. Koi soaked in the beauty of the mist as he fell asleep.

Chapter

Koi awoke from the world of dreams. He remembered vividly the realness of the dream. He had been walking around the house, more like wandering. But he had been moving farther and faster, than he could have in the real world. In the dream he had been searching for something. He did not know what.

Koi turned over and looked at the tendrils. It was still a beautiful sight. Maybe he could stay in bed all day looking at the mist tendrils. Maybe he could after he rescued his phone and bag. He still needed to see how far he walked in the tunnels. Maybe he could just go ask the nice guard to take him down to get it. Koi decided it would be too big of a risk to lose his phone.   

Koi then had an idea. Maybe he could use the catacombs to get his bag back. He needed to use the searching book. Koi got up and headed to the bathroom. He showered and got dressed in record time. Koi walked into the main room and found his bed gone. Maybe he would sleep from here on out? Then he realized people might get suspicious. Koi walked to the exit door and unlocked it. Koi then closed the door behind himself. Koi wished he could keep this place safe for himself. Koi closed his eyes and placed a hand on the door.

“Can I keep this room safe and keep it to myself, at least for a while?” Said koi.

Koi opened his eyes and wound a key on a black leather looking neckless. Koi picked up the key and tried it on the key hole under the door handle. The key slid in and Koi turned the key. A loud click let him know it was locked. Koi tried the door, it was locked. Koi said “thank you” to the house and then started off down the hall towards the Searching book room. Koi pulled the necklace over his head and placed the key under his shirt. Koi like the shirt, it was a pretty blue color.

Koi soon found himself in front of the door that opened into the Secret room. Koi opened the door and slipped into the room. The book sat untouched on the desk. Koi closed the door and then sat at the desk. Koi wasted no time and asked the book, “I need to know how to open the door in the basement, the one that opens into the catacombs. The one that is not in the bathroom.”

Koi opened the book and let it fall open. Koi looked at the left hand page of the large book. It showed a map. Clearly outlined was a blueprint of the basement. Koi found the secret door close to the stairs door. Koi looked over to the right hand page. The book listed, was called “How to learn to communicate with the house” A little map showed the location of the book in the library. Koi wished he could take a picture with his phone. Koi studied the map until he felt he could find the book. He also checked the page number in the book. Page 147.

Koi closed the book and went to the door. He pressed his ear to the door and listened. With no sound to be heard, Koi opened the door and slipped out. He closed the door behind himself and started walking. Koi watched his surroundings for anyone watching him. Koi turned a corner and just about yelled out when he found himself face to face with Jenna.

“Koi!” she said in a startled tone, “Where have you been? We have been worried about you.”

“I am trying to get something back, I don’t have time to stand around and talk.” Said Koi as he moved around the woman.

“Then I will walk with you.” She said as she moved to keep up.

Koi grunted and she seemed to take this as an ok. She kept quiet as they walked. Koi made to more turns and stopped at the shelf that contained the book. Koi looked quickly and found the book. He grabbed it off of shelf and looked at the cover. Koi heard a small gasp over his shoulder. Koi turned to look at Jenna. He placed his finger over his mouth and made a shushing sound, she nodded in reply.

Koi started off towards the Secret room. He could here Jenna breathing a little heavy as she tried to keep up. Should he lead her back to the searching book? Koi decided that he trusted her, but he needed her word on this. Koi stopped suddenly and turned to Jenna.

“I have a hard time trusting people of late. The other day someone was following me around in here. I need your word, that anything I show you, you will keep quiet on. Unless I say you can tell other people. Do you understand?” asked Koi.

“I promise that I will speak of what you show me, to no one. I will keep your secrets.” Said Jenna with her hand over her heart.

Koi gave her a little smile and walked around the last corner to the door to the secret room. Koi stopped and looked both ways. He then placed his hand on the book shelf and said in his head “If we trust her, open the door please, if we do not trust her, then don’t open.”

The door clicked open in front of him. Koi pulled the door open and stepped in the room. He then turned and saw that Jenna was standing just outside the door. “In!” he said urgently. Jenna walked in and Koi closed the door. Koi moved around Jenna and went to the desk. Koi held the Searching book and said “Show me a map of the basement please, the one in the last search would be fine.” Koi let the book fall open. A map of the basement showed on both pages.

Koi looked up at Jenna, she looked stunned. Koi then said “I had to leave my book bag and cell phone in this cell, so Lord Dane would not get his hands on it.” Said Koi as he pointed to the cell, closest to the catacombs door, “I plan to sneak down to this door” said Koi as he pointed to the secret door closest to the stairs, “I am going to go through the door and sneak around to the main catacomb’s door. I am going to make a lot of noses, to distract the guards. I will then run back to the stairs by the door and close it behind me. I will then sneak over to the cell and grab my bag. I will then run for the stairs. If all goes as planned, the guards will be too absorbed with the noises to catch me. Any flaws that you can see in my plan?” Asked Koi.

Jenna listen with the shocked look on her face. As he asked the last part, she moved closer to the book and started to look at the map more closely. Koi though she was going to say something was wrong with his plan.

“You should change into some all black clothing. And do it at night.” Said Jenna. Koi smiled. She seemed to be in on the idea.

“Thank you for your idea, I like it.” Said Koi as he smiled at Jenna.

“Can I truly trust you?” Asked Koi.

“Yes” Said, Jenna while she kept eye contact with Koi. Koi felt her through the eye contact, the weight of the word. She had not tried to speak fancy words to convince him. It was mostly her eyes talking.

“I agree.” Said Koi, “Who else can I trust? I have a hard time figuring out who is on my side. I get the feeling that someone is watching for Lord Dane, but I’m not sure who it is.”

“I can understand your feeling, as I have had it too. But I do not know who it could be. My only guess is that it’s someone who would like to have favor with Lord Dane. To become a privileged.” Said Jenna.

Koi thought on his close friends here in the house. It could be any of them.

“Well no point in worrying about what we can’t change. For now I guess I need to do some reading.” Said Koi as he picked up the house communication book.

Koi sat down in the large office chair. He picked up the book and looked at the cover. Koi noticed that Jenna had pulled a chair up to the desk. She sat across from him. She asked if she could look at the Searching Book, and Koi said yes. She opened it and started looking at pages.

Koi turned a couple of pages in his book until he found the contents page. Koi scanned it and found nothing that jumped out at him. He turned a couple of more pages and found the first page. Koi read it for a little bit and found it was about the author, Sarah, Writer of the house. Koi turned a couple of pages until he found chapter one.

Chapter One. The house, is a puzzle laced in mystery. It’s ever changing nature, provides many life times of knowledge, that I have only one life time to write. If I was only blessed with the long life of a House Chosen or just Chosen. These people have embraced the life flow of the house. They live for hundreds of years, maybe longer. They have a natural connection with the house. The house opens doors and provides for them in ways that normal humans cannot compete with. They seem to sub-consciously connect with the house, and are able to speak freely with it through thought and voice. The house knows who it wants and takes them for its own. I have had the opportunity to speak with a few Chosen in my days. They have an understanding of the house that makes my knowledge look like a small hill, compared to their mountain of knowledge. I do wish to say that I have tried to become a Chosen of the House, but I have not been so fortunate. In the following pages you will find my small amount of knowledge and I hope that it enlightens your understanding of the house. Please note, that for the chosen, the house seems to listen to them more than us normal people. ” 

Koi stopped reading and looked at the room. Jenna seemed to be having some problems with the book. She gave up and said, “I can’t get it to work”

Koi stood up and walked to the other side of the desk. He picked up the book from where it laid. Koi said “Please show me books on different styles used in making the house.”

Koi let the book fall open and it had a list of books on house designs. Koi pointed to one and said “This one”

Koi blinked and the page on the left showed the information on the book. On the right was a map on how to find the book. Koi looked at Jenna and found a look of shock on her face.

“It would not do that for me.” She said.

“Are you sure? Maybe because you were not speaking it aloud” Said koi.

Jenna closed the book and said “Show me books on forms of traveling in the house.”

Koi watched as she let the book fall open. It opened to the pages that showed the house designs. Koi muttered and flipped a couple of pages.

“It just does not work for me the same as it works for you.” Said Jenna.

“I don’t understand.” Said Koi in confusion.

“I do” said Jenna. Koi turned and found her looking in the House Communication book. “You are a chosen”

Koi shook his head and said “Very funny. Now let’s get back to preparations. I have figured out how to get through the secret basement door. You can go with me to where I am spending the night, if you would like.”

“How do you get the door open?” Asked Jenna. She had a look like she wanted to argue, but she let the other words die.

Koi opened the book on House Communication to a page he had read. Koi pointed to a drawing of a key. He then pulled the key out of his shirt that the house had given him to lock the glass domed room. Koi pulled the key over his head and placed it on the page. It looked exactly like the key on the page.

Jenna looked at the Key and read aloud from the book, “The house provides keys that work on certain doors. They should not be confused with the master Key, as the master key opens all doors. These keys seem to open a type or theme of doors. An example would be the servant corridors.”

“What type does your key open?” Asked Jenna.

“I will tell you as we walk.” Said Koi, as he placed his key in his pocket.

Koi closed the Searching book and the others. He then went and opened the door behind the desk. He motioned for Jenna to walk through and closed the door. As they walked Koi explained that he wanted to lock a door and the house provided a key. He told her that the key as far as he knew opened the door to the room that they were headed to, and the secret room in the basement.

At this point they arrived at the door to the glass dome. Koi tried the door before he remembered that he had locked the door. He pulled the key from his pocket and unlocked the door. He then held it open as Jenna walked in. Koi entered and then closed the door. Koi locked the door and then turned to find Jenna looking at the celling. Koi walked past to where his make shift bed was lying on the floor. It was in the middle of the room with a pile of black clothing on it.

Koi picked them up and he walked to the boy’s bathroom. As he switched his clothing, he found himself wondering how he was going to get to the basement, without someone noticing him in all black. It all seemed pretty plain to Koi. Black shoes, socks, pants, shirt and a black face mask, the kid robbers used. Koi looked in the mirror and found that the Bennie covered most of his light brown hair. The black seemed to make his blue eyes stand out more than normal.

Koi entered the main room and did not see Jenna. He walked to the open door on the far side of the room. He found Jenna kneeling by the shallow water pool. She was looking at it with an interested look.

“Find something to play with?” Said Koi?

“Do you know what this is?” She asked.

“I don’t” Replied Koi. He found himself quite curious about her answer though.

“It’s a way for transporting yourself to another place in the house. Back when I first came to the house, people would talk about how some people could travel instantly by standing on water. I think this is what they talked about.” Said Jenna in a very excited voice.

“Do you know how it works? Asked Koi, now very curious. This would get him to the basement, without being seen.

“I do not.” Said Jenna.

 

Koi stepped out a foot over the water. He expected for his foot to sink to the bottom of the pool. He was surprised when his foot stepped onto a solid surface. The water was as firm as any floor. Koi then put his other foot on the water. Koi waited for something to happen. Nothing did.

“Take me to the basement, next to the secret door. Nothing happened. Koi walked around the water of the pool, for a couple of steps. Nothing. Koi stepped off and looked at Jenna.

“Want to give it a try?” He asked.

In response, Jenna stepped onto the shallow pool. She too did not sink. She then said “Take me to my bedroom, please.” Nothing happened.

“We will have to mess with it later.” Said Koi as he turned and started to walk out of the room.

Koi could hear Jenna’s footsteps as she followed him. Koi walked over to his bed and sat down. After a moment Jenna sat next to him.

“How do I get to the stairs to the basement without drawing attention to the fact that I am wearing all black clothing? Pull down my mask and run?” He asked.

“You could, or you could put on a plain shirt and put the mask in your pocket.” Said Jenna.

Koi looked next to him and he found a green t-shirt. He pulled it on over the shirt he was wearing. He looked at Jenna for approval.

“You still have a lot of black showing.” Said Jenna. This wasn’t exactly working.

Koi offered the idea of going back to the library and looking up a way through the servant corridors. Jenna pointed out that it would take time to do that. She looked at the watch and said that it was already midnight. Koi wanted this to be over, so that he could get some sleep.

“I know” Said Jenna, “We will get a knitting bag from the house. We can put your black clothing into the bottom of the bag and put some knitting stuff over the black clothing. I will then walk you to the elevator corridor. You can then change down a level. You then will go down and carry out the rest of the plan. I will head back to where we come out of this secret hallway. When you get your bag, you run as fast as you can back to here.”

Koi agreed to the plan and Koi changed again.

Chapter

Koi and Jenna were walking down the hallway. They had past no one on the way so far. It was late for people to be walking around. As they came through the main hallway they both stopped when they spotted a guard. They then found that he was sleeping while sitting on the couch. They walked past as quality as possible.

As soon as they were past, they walked as fast as possible to the elevator room. Koi heard Jenna murmur something about not being as young as she used to be. Jenna dug out the clothing form the bag. Koi took off his shoes and socks and gave them to Jenna. She placed them under the knitting, said good luck and then she was walking away.

Koi took a deep breath and then opened the stair doors. He walked through and closed the door as quietly as possible. Koi walked down the stairs and opened the door to the next level. Koi walked in and turned to a room that was just off to the side. Koi quickly took off the other clothing and put on the black. Koi then placed his green shirt and jeans on the ground. He turned away and then looked back, they were gone.

Koi smiled as he started back down the stairs. Before he knew it he was at the door that opened into the lowest floor of the basement. Koi pulled the Key from out of his shirt. He then pulled it over his head and held it in his wrist. Koi then pulled out a small flashlight. Koi took three deep breaths to calm his nerves.

Koi opened the door slightly and looked out. No one was close by. Koi slipped out and closed the door softly behind him. Koi could hear the guards talking faintly from down the long room. Koi walked over to where he thought the secret door should be. Koi then turned on his small flashlight and turned it on, with his hand covering the beam.

Koi uncovered it enough, so that a small beam of light came out. It seemed really bright. Koi directed the small beam of light towards the wall. Koi soon found the faint line, which was the secret door. Koi looked until he found the spot for the key to go into in. He slid it in softly and turned the key. The door opened softly and a small breeze brushed past him. It smelled musty and a little damp.

Koi walked through the door, closed it, but did not lock it. When he came running back, he would not want to have to unlock it again. Koi pulled his hand away from the light and let its full beam brighten the darkness. Koi wasted no time and started walking down the corridor. He had studied the map for a while until he knew where to go. The walk was not long and Koi soon found himself in front of the door.

This point was where he got to make some noise. Koi started banging on the door as hard as he could. He then made some screaming and yelling sounds. He tried to make them sound like animals. When koi felt like it had been enough, he turned and started to run down the hall he had just come down.

Koi ran as fast as he could while not tripping or hurting himself. He came to the door and slipped through as fast as he could. He closed the door behind himself and locked it. He then walked as far as he could to the left side of the room and started sneaking down it as fast as possible. As koi made it half way, he could hear the guards talking in the hall.

“I don’t know what it was and I don’t care, what it was. I do not think we should open the door.” Said one guard.

“I am in charge and I say we open it to see what that was. I will go through and if you see some huge monster, then you can close the door.” Said guard two.

Koi snuck down as far as he could without being seen. He watched as the guards started opening the door. They opened the door and started looking in with flash lights. One of the guards, then walked in and disappeared from view. Koi started moving fast as he could towards the cell. He finally made it to the cell and slipped in. Koi moved around to the left out of view. He stepped on something and discovered that it was the handle of his back pack. Koi smiled as he picked it up and placed it on his back.

Koi had heard a small thump as he lifted his backpack. It had been his cell phone that was sitting on his backpack. Koi felt along the floor until he found it. He placed it in his pocket and turned to leave the cell.

“I don’t see anything. Whatever it was must be gone.” Said the guard as he walked back through the catacombs door. Koi quickly moved back into the shadows. How was he going to get out now? At least he had his bag and phone back.

Fifteen minutes later, Koi was still standing in the dark corner of the cell. He had no Idea how he was going to get out. After listening to some of their conversations, he doubted they were going to help him much. Koi sat and though of Ideas.

Make a run for it.

Run out and try to knock them out with something. Then run. With what though?

Wait and see if they fall asleep. Then run.  

Throw something from his back pack, across the room. If he threw it hard enough then he could run while they look for whatever made the noise.

Koi slowly unzipped his back pack. It seemed very loud! Koi opened the zipper at an agonizing pace. He finally made an opening big enough to get his hand in the bag. Koi felt through his backpack for something to throw. He found a food bar. That would work. Koi looked around the corner. The two men were at the card table still talking. Koi looked over as far as he could see. There was the room that had the beds and the bathroom. If he could throw it into the room then he would be set. That would make a distraction.

Koi pulled the face mask down over his face. He then put the backpack on his back. He made sure his phone was still in his pocket. Koi then took a deep breath and tried to slow down his rapid heartbeat. Koi looked around the corner. The men were still at the table. Koi stepped out a little bit. He then reached back like he was going to throw a ball.

“Well…” said one of the men as he stood. Koi thought he was going to have a heart attack, as he jumped back into the corner of the dark cell. “Let’s go to the elevator and wait for our replacements. Everything seems calm here.”

Koi listened as the other man agreed. He then heard their boot steps starting off. Koi was glad he had not released the food bar. It would have hit the man square in the head. But this seemed to be what he needed.

Koi tried to weigh his options. He could sneak out and follow the men down the large room. When they got close to the elevator, he could hide in one of the cells farther down and wait for the replacements to pass and then sneak the rest of the way.

Or he could open the Catacombs door and slip out. He could then run to the secret door. Then listen for the replacements to settle and then sneak back up the stairs.

Koi liked the idea of the first thought. Koi walked to the door of the cell and looked up towards the elevators. He was too late for the first idea. The two men were leaning on the wall and had a clear sight of the Catacombs door.

Koi felt mad for taking too long to think it over. Now he had to go through the Catacombs door. Koi decided not to wait, he bolted out and ran the short distance for the door. Koi knew at some point they were going to spot him and come running. Koi made it to the door and started to pull on the locking latch.

“Hey! Who’s down their? Leave that door alone!” Said a guard. Koi then heard the sound of boots running down the hall. Koi looked back over his shoulders and saw the men running his way, he was glad he had the mask on, but he was so scared that he had a hard time with the lock. It took him longer to open it with his hand shaking. Koi finally got the lock back and pulled the door open. He then bolted through and took a sharp right, just as one of the guards threw the card table at the wall; to get it out of the way.

Koi ran to the end of the tunnel and took a right, as a guard yelled “Wait! You will die out their!”

Koi laughed a little from nerves. He was not going to die out here. Koi sprinted all the way to the secret door. He then pulled out the key and unlocked the door. Koi opened it a little and saw no one. He then opened it more so that he could see down the room. The guards were still at the Catacombs door. Koi hurried through the door and locked it behind him. Koi then moved quickly to the stairs door. Right as he passed through the door he heard the ding of the elevator. The replacement guards were here.

Koi ran to the stairs and ran up them all. He was sure that the guards were right behind him. Koi knew that without the adrenalin coursing threw him, he would not normally be able to run up so many flights of stairs.

Koi burst through the door at the top of the stairs and ran to the main hall. He then took the hallway that led to where Jenna would be waiting. Koi ran the whole way to where Jenna waited. He passed her and had to run back.

“What’s wrong?” She asked as she got to her feet. She was actually knitting.    

Koi did not answer. He got to the secret passage door and pressed his hand to it. “Open please!” he said urgently. The wall panel opened inwards. “In” Said Koi. Jenna moved fast for an old woman, she was in faster than he thought she would have been.

Koi looked both ways and then moved through the panel. He then closed it behind him.   

Chapter

Koi locked the door to the domed room with the Key. He finally felt safe. He walked to his bed in the middle of the room and placed the backpack next to the bed. Koi then fell back onto the bed.

“Will you tell me now?” asked Jenna.

Koi, between heavy breathing, told Jenna how he had changed clothing and then went down. How he had used the secret door and scared the guards. He told of finding his backpack and phone, and getting stuck in the cell. He then told of his plan to throw the food bar, and the guards standing to wait for the replacements. He then told of his eventual return to the catacomb, from the cell, and his close call with the replacement guards.

Jenna listened and looked surprised at all of the right places in the retelling. When he finished, she asked “Why was you phone so important?”

Koi pulled the phone out and woke it up. He then opened the app that showed his moving around the house. He then showed the phone screen to Jenna and said “I had a hiking app on my phone when I came to the house. I have found that it still works. I have been mapping my movements around the house. He brought up the area he had been moving around down in the catacombs.

“Here is the tunnel that goes around the basement level. It connects the secret door with the main catacombs door. Here is the cell I was stuck in.” Said Koi.

Koi watched her as she watched the screen. She then said “You never seem to stop amazing me with your brilliance. No one else has thought to use their old phones like this. Just amazing.”

Koi smiled at the complement. It was nice to be able to show off the things he had found. Koi covered his mouth as a large yawn escaped him. A moment later Jenna did the same.

“You are welcome to spend the night here. I am going to go and change.” Said koi. Koi pointed to another bed that was sitting on the other side of his. “Looks like you are spending the night.”

Koi went to the men’s bathroom and changed his clothing into basketball shorts and a T-shirt. He brushed his teeth and returned to the domed room. Koi did not see Jenna. He walked over by the woman’s bathroom and listened for a moment. He could hear her brushing her teeth too.

Koi went to his bed and laid down, a little bit later Jenna came out and went to her bed.

“Thank you for your help today.” Said Koi.

“No problem, and thank you for trusting me.” Replied Jenna.

Within moments, Koi heard Jenna’s breathing even out. She was asleep. Koi thought it would be interesting to see what rumors were circulating tomorrow. He then fell asleep to.

Chapter

Koi awoke feeling hungry. When was the last time he had a real meal? Stupid bread. Koi looked over and noticed that Jenna was not in her bed. He could here running water from the girl’s bathroom. Koi figured that he should have a shower too.

Koi walked to the bathroom and took care of his morning hygiene. A while later he came walking out feeling clean, and with fresh clothing. Jenna was sitting on her bad and looking at the domed ceiling.

“Have you figured out what this room is for?” She asked.

“No. I think it might have been a command center or something. It’s not part of the normal house, so I don’t think the house wants just anyone walking around it.” Replied Koi.

“It makes me wonder…” Said Jenna in almost a whisper.

“I am hungry. Should we go and find some food?” Asked Koi.

Jenna agreed and they were off towards the door. Koi locked the door after they left the domed room.

“Should we go through the library? Or see if we can get out in the hallway without being seen?” Said Koi, as he looked at the time on his cell phone. 11:30.

“Library” Said Jenna, as she started walking in that direction.

They walked to the Searching book room and then into the library. They both watched as they walked on. When they were half way through the library, Jenna said “I should warn you that everyone has been worried about you since you received your strike. Well the ones that were in your room when you woke up. I see what you have been doing in your time, but you should let the others know that you are ok.”

“I will. Thank you for letting me know.” Said Koi.

They walked through the library and Koi noticed people giving him the funny looks. Then he remembered that he was popular for surviving the Catacombs. If they only knew that he had survived them a couple of times. He laughed a little to himself. As they exited the library, the guard looked a little startled.

“When did you enter the library?” Asked the guard.

“Last night. I fell asleep in a chair.” Said Koi. The guard looked like he was going to say more. But Jenna spoke first, “I found him this morning and we have been talking ever sense.

The guard looked at Jenna and then told them to move on. Koi waited and then asked her what that had been about. “The guards like to keep a closer eye on the marked.” Jenna gestured to his hand as she said this. That made sense to koi.

They arrived at the Dining room and they both waited in their respective lines. Jenna got her food first and then sat down. Koi had to wait until he could get his bread and water, he then joined her at her table. Koi looked at his plate of food and wished it was better food. He decided that he needed to stay out of trouble so he could have some decent food. Koi was hungry though and the bred tasted good.

After they finished eating, Jenna said that she was going to go and check in at her room. Koi told her to have a good day and then he left to go to his room. He figured that he needed to see how Tim and Ion were doing. Koi walked to the boy’s dorm and entered the common room. The room was mostly empty because of lunch. Koi walked to his room and laid on his bed.

What was he going to do? Bread and water for who knows how long and guards watching his every move. After what felt like fifteen minutes, Tim and Ion came walking into the room. They both tried talking at once. Both boys sat on Tim’s bed.

“Where have you been we have been worried about you?” asked Ion.

“I needed some space, that’s all. I also have been hanging out with Jenna a little.” Said Koi.

“OK, just stop in every once and a while and let us know you are ok… ok?” Asked Tim.

 Koi laughed a little and said “OK”

“Have you heard about what happened last night?” Asked Ion. Koi felt a cold fear run through him.

“No, what happened?” Asked Koi.

“Some person went to the basement and then opened the Catacombs door, then ran in. He just disappeared.” Said Ion in a very excited tone.

“The rumors also say that they heard animal noises a little bit before. The guards are saying the person has most likely been killed by now.” Said Tim in a wonder filled voice.

“That’s crazy” said Koi “Who would willingly go into the catacombs?”

 “You were in them.” Said Ion.

“Yeah” said Koi, “But I did not know I was in the catacombs until the guard found me. Plus, why would this person want to go into the catacombs?”

Koi listened as the two boys started telling him about why someone would want to go into the catacombs. Most of them seem to be very stretched ideas, some verging on just plain weird. None of the ideas were to retrieve a backpack and phone. Koi smiled at the odd ideas.

At least they were not linking him to what happened last night. If they were not, then maybe others were doing the same. Were the guards? Koi realized that a question had been directed at him.

“What?” He asked.

“Did you here that the Lord made a speech in the main hall?” Asked Ion.

“I didn’t.” Said Koi.

“The Lord has decided that with all of the issues that he is going to have a curfew, and a, no exploring rule.” Said Tim.

“What Issues?” Asked Koi.

“With you getting lost through a side passage, and wandering in the catacombs, Lord Dane said that no one should be exploring. He said if anyone was out wandering or exploring for no reason, they would get a strike.” Said Tim.

Then Ion added, “He then said that to make it safer for the people of House Dane, he would now have a curfew at ten PM. Anyone out after that time would get a strike. He said only exception would be for the privileged.”

“It’s crazy!” Said Tim, “He has never done anything like this before. It must have been the person that made a run into the catacombs. I heard someone in the Dining room saying that he must be scared of people thinking they have too much power. He does not want us doing anything he wants.”

“He also said he was limiting the library hours. They are posted on the door of the library.” Added Ion.

“That’s crazy!” Said Koi, “Are people mad at this person that ran?”

“Not really. People just seem to be surprised. But surprise can turn into curiosity. I don’t think Dane wants anyone getting too curious.” Said Ion.

Koi talked with the two boys for a while until they left. He then thought about what he had learned. Lord Dane was cracking down on everyone. But was it because of him? Lord Dane could not know that it was all him, but his getting caught in the catacombs might be enough. Koi decided that he would just have to stay low for the next couple of days.

Chapter

Koi spent the next couple of days being kind of bored. He could only spend so much time in the library before guards kicked him out. The privileged could spend as much time in the library as they wanted. The normal people could go in as long as they stuck to the posted hours on the door sign. The ones with red marks, or the Marked, could only go in for an hour a day. Koi figured that he could play games with the other kids, but no one else wanted to run the risk of “Exploring”. On the second or third day from getting his backpack, Koi was approached by Ion.

“Hey. Tim sent me to tell you that you are moving into my room. A new boy came in and he is going to be learning from Tim. So they will be sharing a room.” Said Ion. Koi smiled. That seemed like a fun idea.

“That’s cool. Do I need to move my stuff now?” Asked Koi.

“Yeah, I will help you.” Said Ion.

Koi had been eating in the Dining room. He pushed his boring bread a little in front of him and stood. Koi thought that he might have been losing some weight from so much bread. Ion and Koi went to his room and packed his things into a box. It was pretty easy, a box had been sitting on a newly made bed.

Koi packed his stuff in less than two minutes. Ion then showed him to his new room. It was down the same hall, and the last door on the right. Only two doors separated him from his old room.

“I did not know your room was so close to my old one.” Said Koi.

Ion laughed and then said “I know. I don’t normally have many people over. It might change with you being in my room.”

Koi groaned. People from the house had started to ask him about the catacombs. He would tell them about it and try to play down what he had seen, but everyone he told seemed to think he had survived some huge ordeal. It was only a person or two a day, but that was more than enough.

“Don’t remind me.” Said Koi in a weary voice. He wished he could just hide in the domed room.

Ion laughed in a nice way, and Koi proceeded to unpack his belongings. After a minute, Koi had all of his stuff put away. He did not really have much stuff to move. Some things did not disappear if you liked them. Koi had liked a turquoise shirt and it had appeared in his dresser. Along with some shoes and other things.

Koi laid down on his new bed. It was just as comfortable as his last one. It was much nicer than his bed in the real world. Koi pushed the thought away that tried to come into his mind. His family was gone and he did not need to dwell on them. Koi yawned and soon fell asleep.

He woke up later feeling refreshed. Koi had not meant to fall asleep. It was not like he had much else to do. He wished he could go and explore. There was some parts of House Dane that he had not seen before. Or the library, but when he went into the library, it seemed like an extra guard was always following him. Koi got up from his bed and went to the bathroom. When he came out he checked his phone. He had slept for an hour. Not bad.

Koi walked out if his room and started down the hall. He slowed at his old room and looked in. A boy who looked to be older than him sat on the bed.

“Hey, my name is Koi”

The boy looked at him with a smile and said “Nice to meet you Koi. You must be the last guy to come to the house before I came.”

“Yeah. It has been interesting. It’s not too bad when you get used to it.” Said Koi.

“My life was not going great at home. I lost my job and I was looking to be homeless pretty soon. So this is looking pretty good to me.” Said the kid. “Oh and my name is Alex. It’s nice of you to introduce yourself.” 

“No problem” Said Koi as he sat himself on the edge of Tim’s bed. Koi pulled out his phone and checked the time.

“Do you want another?” Asked Alex.

“Another what?” Replied Koi.

“Cell phone. From what I understand they are not much use here. I was going to throw mine away, but it’s yours, if you want it.” Said Alex.

“Are you sure? You could use it to listen to music or something. There is nothing on it. Keep it.” Said Alex as he tossed the phone to Koi.

Koi thanked him and then placed the phone in his left pocket. He would have to see if there was anything useful on it later.

Tim came walking in and said “Hey Koi, I was just about to show Alex around, I don’t want him getting into trouble like you. Just Kidding.” Said Tim with a playful grin.

“I’m good. I was just going to go and say hi to Jenna.” Said Koi with a smile.

They said their goodbyes and then Koi headed to his room. He pulled out his phone and the one he had just acquired. Koi laid on his stomach; on his bed. He woke up Alex’s phone and started going through it. Koi found that Alex was right. Their seemed to be nothing on the phone. Koi figured the only use for the phone would be taking photos. It did not even have one game on it.

Koi had a brief thought, to check the settings. Koi read through almost everything, nothing seemed to be important. Koi then stumbled on the Cellular menu. It showed the Serial Number and even the phone number. The phone number? Why did the phone still have a phone number when it had nothing else on it?

Koi woke his own phone up and looked up his phone number. He did not remember his own, but if it was still in his phone it might be important. His number was. Koi entered Alex’s phone number into his own phone and hit the button to send. It changed screens to show that it was dialing. To Koi’s surprise, Alex’s phone started ringing. Koi quickly hit the end call button. He then hit the button on Alex’s phone to redial the last number. It rang too. Koi hit the green button to answer. The phones started to make a high pitched echoing sound. Koi quickly ended the call. He did not want to draw attention to the cell phones or him.

Koi got up and paced the length of the room. This was big. Cell phones could be used to call other people in the house. It made sense, the GPS worked on his phone, why not the phone part.

Koi placed the two phones in his pockets and headed out the door. Koi stopped and stuck his head into his old room.

“I am going to see Jenna, just in case Ion wonders where I got off too.” Said Koi.

Tim said ok and then he was off. Koi walked fast, but he hoped not too fast. Koi took the hallways that would keep him from running into the guards. He made quick time and soon the walls started to change into log walls. Koi walked through the open door of the Elders Wing. He scanned the common room and did not see Jenna. Koi walked up to the first person he could find and asked him where he could find Jenna. The older man pointed to a hallway at the back of the large room. Koi thanked the man and then walked quickly to the entrance.

Koi walked down the hallway and soon found himself in a little lobby. A woman was sitting at an arm chair by a wall. “Jenna?” he asked. The woman pointed to a hallway leading off of the small lobby. Koi said thank you and then started off down this hallway. He noticed after a moment that names were on little signs on the doors. Koi walked quickly as he scanned the names. He stopped when he found the one that read Jenna. Koi knocked on the door and Jenna’s voice said to enter.

Koi walked into her room and found her sitting in a chair with a book. She looked up and smiled at him as he entered. Koi closed the door behind him.

“What brings you to my humble room?” Asked Jenna.

“I found something awesome.” Said Koi as he pulled out the two phones.

“Oh? What new room have you found now?” Asked Jenna.

“It’s not a room.” Said Koi as he woke his phone and put in the password. He then handed Alex’s phone to Jenna and hit the call button on his own phone. The phone started ringing and Jenna almost dropped the phone in shock, as she let out a little yelp. Koi reached over and hit the button to accept the phone call on Alex’s phone. He then held the phone up to his ear. Jenna slowly did the same. Koi moved back by the door, so that the phones would not make the weird sound, from being too close.

Jenna slowly held the phone up to her ear as she said “Hello?”

“Isn’t this awesome?” Asked Koi.

“I have never used a cell phone before. Before we came to the house we only had landlines.” Said Jenna.

“Then this should be a treat for you.” Said Koi with a smile.

Koi lowered the phone from his ear and he hit the red button to end the call. Jenna lowered Alex’s phone as Koi lowered his.

“I think we need to keep these secret.” Said Koi, “I think Lord Dane or any privileged would love to get their hands on these. But we could use them to help us somehow.”

“This is quite the find. I am sure that we could find others that have kept their phones in the back of their dressers. We may have more phones to use. Just quite amazing.” Said Jenna in an astonished tone.

Koi laughed a little. It seemed they had a new tool in their hands. Koi talked with Jenna for a little bit before dinner. He then went with her to dinner. They did not come up with any way to use the phones yet. But it was nice knowing they had them. After dinner Koi said goodnight and then headed for the library. He had wondered if there was a book that listed the cell phone numbers of the people in the house.

Koi walked to the library and walked around to loose anyone that might be following him. He then went to the secret room that held the Searching Book. Koi tried to look up a cell phone directory, but there did not seem to be one.

Koi tried searching with different words, but nothing came up. Koi went to leave the secret room, but stopped when he heard voices outside the door. After listening for a moment Koi decided that they were looking for him. Koi decided to wait them out. He went through the back door, to the domed room. Koi unlocked the door, went in, and then locked the door behind him. Koi went and looked around. What could he kill time doing? He did not want to leave out of the wall panel unless he had too. If the people outside the secret door were guards, they would not be happy if he slipped past them.

Koi looked over and saw the door to the little pool. Koi walked into the room. He just looked at the pool as he thought. How did it work? Koi walked over and kneeled down next to the pool. Koi moved his face down until he almost had his cheek touching the floor. Koi looked at the surface of the water. It was very flat like glass. Koi reached his hand forward and touched the surface. His hand slipped through, and Koi touched the bottom of the shallow pool. It seemed to be only two, maybe three inches deep. Koi stood up and stepped onto the flat surface. The water seemed as hard as any stone. Koi walked around a little on the surface.

Koi had an idea to go back to the Searching book and see if it said anything on the traveling pool. Koi walked out of the pool room and closed the door behind him. As he left the domed room, he locked that door too.

The walk back to the Searching Book room was uneventful. Koi slipped through the door at the back of the room behind the desk. Koi sat and picked up the Searching Book, he then said “I am looking for a book that teaches me about the searching pool.”

Koi let the book fall open. On the left page was the name of a book “The Traveling Pools, (and in smaller words) Also known as the Sinmaraja Pools”

The book had a little expert that told about the book and a picture that showed a man standing on the pool barefoot. Maybe barefoot was the answer? Koi looked at the map on the right hand page. Koi figured that if he had the book it would teach him about the pools. If only he could get to it. Were the people still outside the door?

Koi got up and walked to the door that led back into the library. He placed his ear on the door and listened for any sound. After hearing nothing, Koi opened the door a little, just enough so that he could see out. Koi could see a shelf across from him. Koi moved a little so that he could see out more. Koi then saw a guard standing out by the main path. Great they were still watching for him.

Koi closed the door quietly. He did not want to give away his secret door. Koi then went back to the desk and sat. Koi closed the book and thought about how he was going to get out. The guards were in the library and they were looking for him. They knew he had been in the library for over an hour. He could get another strike if he was found in the library.

The only option that he could see was to sneak out the wall panel or to spend the night in the domed room. Koi decided that if he could sneak out of his room and make it back to his own room, things would be better for him. Koi closed the Searching book and turned away. When he looked back before closing the door behind him, it was gone. Koi walked down the corridor until he reached the Domed room. Koi checked the door so see if it was locked. Finding it locked, Koi moved on.

When he reached the wall panel door, he listened to see if he could hear anything. With nothing coming from the other side, Koi opened the wall panel a little to see if anyone was without. Koi looked, found no one, and slipped out. Koi closed the door and then stood. Koi checked both directions to see if anyone had seen him. Nope.

Koi stood and walked off in the direction that was leading away from the library. As he turned a corner he came to an abrupt stop. If he had not he would have collided into Jill who was walking… with a privileged.

Jill looked surprised, but quickly regained her senses and said “Koi good evening. How are you?”

“I am doing well, thank you for asking.” Said Koi as he gave his best “I’m not hiding from anyone smile”.

“I was talking with Ashley. She was telling me all of the new gossip around the house. Ashley this is Koi, Koi this is Ashley.” Said Jill.

“A pleasure to meet the man that survived the catacombs.” Said Ashely.

“Not so impressive if you heard the whole story. I will tell you about it some time.” Said Koi as he started backing away, down the hall.       

“I look forward to it sometime. I do hope you make it to your room before curfew.” Said Ashley.

“I am headed that way now. Good night Jill, Good night Ashley.” Said Koi as he slipped around the corner.

Koi pulled out his phone as he walked. The time read nine fifty pm. Koi walked faster. He knew he would have to move faster to make the big loop that would allow him to bypass the library. He did not want to get anywhere near the library guards. They seemed to have it out for him.

Koi made a couple of turns and walked a good distance before he realized that he was lost. The surrounding design placed him near the ballroom or theater. Koi walked to the end of a hall. It seemed to be a dead end. The lights were dim. Koi wondered why the lights had not turned on when he got close. Koi looked down that hallway, the way he had come and realized the hall was very long. Koi heard voices and froze. Two guards came into view at the hallways end.

“Who’s there?” Said one of the guards in a gruff voice.

Koi was so scared that he tried the closest door. It was locked. The guards noticed his attempt at escape and said “Don’t move, we are coming to talk with you.”

Koi panicked. He didn’t need a second mark. Koi closed his eyes and pressed his forehead to the door.

“Please don’t let them see me!” Koi thought in his head.

“Hey! What happened to the lights?” Said the other guard.

Koi opened his eyes and found that, not only his lights were out at this end of the hall, but now the lights over the guards were out. Koi whispered a thank you and then tied the door behind him. It opened and Koi all but fell into the room. Koi hurried and closed the door behind him.

Koi took in his surroundings quickly. He was in the theater prepping room for performers. Koi hurried through the room and headed for the stage. He soon found himself running up the theater stairs. Koi ran across the stage as fast as he could. Koi stopped abruptly and turned towards the back of the stage. A faint glowing Koi Fish was etched into a wooden wall panel. Koi had a split second choice, run and avoid the guards or see what the glow was about.

Koi made his choice and ran towards the quickly dimming fish outline. Koi reached out and touched the fish etching. A click of a door releasing startled Koi. A flint light showed through the outline of a door. Koi hurried and pulled it open. He slipped through and then closed the door behind him. Koi leaned against the door. He figured if the guards saw him and rushed the door, then he could use the body weight to keep the door closed.

Koi listened as hard as he could. After about thirty seconds passed, he heard the sound of boots running across the hall.

“Where did that kid go?” Said a guard.

“I don’t know. You check the seats and I will check the other side of the stage.” Koi breathed a little, He had not realized he was holding his breath. They had not seen him go into this door. Koi pulled out his phone and turned on its flashlight. Before him was a pair of stairs heading up into darkness.

Koi walked as softly as possible up the stairs. Things did not seem to creak in the house, but he did not want to run the risk. At the top of the stairs was a small landing. Nothing was their other than a door and a small vertical window. Koi walked up close to the door and he noticed a small etched koi in the wood. Koi found a key hole under the wood etched koi.

Koi pulled out the only key he had and put it in the lock. He turned, and a click let him know the door had been unlocked. Koi turned the large golden looking handle. The handle looked very nice placed in the dark wooden door. Koi opened the door and found am entry way. Koi closed the door and locked it. He did not want the guards getting in this room if they made it through the bottom door.

Koi took a better look at the entry way. It had wooden floors with a nice red and brown carpet. A mirror was on the far wall. A door to his left looked to be a small closet. When he opened the door he found he was right. The entry had a hallway leading off to the left and right. Koi took the right and found a living room with soft looking sofas. A coffee table, pictures, and a fancy looking light.

Koi left the living room and found that there was a dining room on the other side of the entry hall. It had a long black table with eight chairs. Koi looked at the place settings and noticed it was complete with silverware and napkins. Koi realized that this must be an apartment.

Koi walked through a door and found a kitchen. He had never seen one of those in the house. Koi wondered why it had a kitchen. Koi opened a door at the end of the kitchen and found a walk in pantry. Koi closed the door and went exploring more. Koi found a master bedroom with a huge king size bed, complete with a solid metal bed frame. Koi smiled. This was going to become his room. It was a pretty big room. It also had a large bathroom and a sitting room. Koi found three smaller bed rooms with bunkbeds.

Koi decided to call it a night. Koi used the rest room to get ready for bed. He then climbed into the huge bed. It was much better than the small twin size bed in his dorm. Koi wondered if all of the privileged apartments looked like this. Slowly his thoughts turned into dreams.

Chapter

Koi awoke and found himself in a very large bed. For a moment he felt lost and he wondered how he had gotten there. Then everything came rushing back to him. Koi jumped out of bad and looked around the large room. It looked amazing to his eyes. Koi walked over to the sitting room. He noticed a doorway. Koi walked through and a small set of stairs went up. Koi followed the stairs and found himself in a round library. It was one large round room. Bookshelf’s lined all of the walls. Koi guessed the celling had to be three stories high. A rolling ladder sat unused at a back bookshelf. Koi looked over the furniture sitting in the middle of the room. He could read here or in the sitting room, in his room.

Koi walked out of the library and back into his room. He looked around and found a walk in closet. It was filled with clothing in his size. It had many different styles and colors. Koi left his room and checked out the three smaller bedrooms. They all had their own bathrooms and showers. Koi found that the hallway leading off of the entry way, to the left, was another hallway. The hallway contained a very large conference room with a very large rectangle table. The whole room looked new and modern, like a conference room in a nice sky scraper.

The hallway also contained a door that would not open. Koi tried the key he had, but it would not open. Koi then found that the last door contained a traveling pool. Koi smiled. He might be able to travel to the domed room. Koi guessed the left hallway was the work hallway. The right hallway was the living and play hallway. Koi went to the dining room and he found a plate filled with food. Koi went over and sat.

The plate contained scrambled eggs, a pancake, fruit, and some roasted red skin potatoes. Koi dug in and savored every bite. Having only lived on bread and water for the last couple of day, this tasted amazing! Koi finished his food and then realized that there was a glass of orange juice.

Koi said thank you to the room and then went exploring. The kitchen was small and did not have much. Koi looked in the pantry and found lots of food in containers. Koi then noticed a door at the back of the pantry. Koi opened it and found himself stunned.

Before him was a high vaulted ceiling, it was a green house. Outside of the windows swirled mist, but it was giving off more light. Like mist on a very sunny day. Koi walked out and looked at the rows of plants on the long tables. It seemed to have all of the normal plants like potatoes, corn, squashes, etc.

Koi walked down the rows of plants. He figured that there must be enough food to feed thirty people for a month. Half way down the rows of plants, Koi found two doors leading off of the main green house. Koi walked over and looked through the door on the right. Another large green house connected to the one he was in. It seemed to have many other plants he would not have been able to grow in his own town. Avocados, lemons, bananas, and many other exotic plants. Some he did not even recognize.

Koi walked over to the opening on the left. A very large pool opened up before him. It was built in stone. Grass grew next to the pool. Koi found moss growing in parts of the shallow end. Koi could see trees providing shade for parts of the pool. It was a huge pool. Koi figured he could swim laps at the same time as a dozen people. Koi looked down and realized that he was only wearing his boxer briefs.

Koi walked out into the pool. The water was not hot, but not cool. Koi loved the feeling of the water surrounding him. He swam for a while in the water. The water smelled wonderful. It did not seem to be chlorinated. Koi swam for what felt like an hour. He was not really sure how long he was in the pool.

Koi got out of the water and picked up a towel that had been sitting on a lawn chair. Koi smiled to himself. This was wonderful! Koi walked out of the pool area into the green house. Koi walked back to the main part of the apartment and changed in to some dry clothing. Koi did not ever want to sleep in his dorm room again. This apartment was wonderful. Koi laid out on the bed and thought about last night. He did not want to, but they kept craping in. Koi figured that he needed to go and see if the guards were hunting for him. Koi got up and put the things he needed in his pockets. He then placed the key around his neck and tucked it under his shirt.

Koi made his way to the entry way and exited the apartment. Koi locked the door behind him. Koi then walked down the stairs and looked at the door at the bottom. Koi noticed that there was a little handle at eye level. Koi pulled and the handle opened a little slit to the right. Koi saw that he could see through the slit. Koi got close enough to look through. He could see the stage. No one seemed to be out there.

Koi slipped out of the secret door. Koi went to leave the stage and he could hear the guards outside of the stage. Koi went back into the stage and climbed down then headed off through the rows of chairs. Koi went through the hallway at the back and slipped into the ballroom. Koi then went to the staircase that connected to the corridor underneath the ballroom. Koi made the long walk until it left the ballroom and connected with the servant corridors. 

Koi finally made it to a point that he could slip out into the main hallways. Koi opened the door a little and saw that no one was in the hallway. Koi slipped out and closed the door behind him. Koi walked down the hall, then headed for the Dining Room. He needed to find out if he was in trouble, Jill seemed like a good place to start.

Up loaded**   11-23-15

Koi figured he knew what Dining room she was in. Koi walked as quickly as possible and he passed some people, all seemed nice and said greetings as they passed. Koi smiled in response. Koi soon came to the Dining room, the guards at the door paid him no attention. The doors were open and most people had gotten food and had sat to eat it. Koi Jill and he headed in that direction.

“Stop!” Said a voice. Koi looked over to where the yell gad come from. Two guards were heading in his direction. Koi stopped. Koi looked back at Jill and she was looking at him. Their eyes met and Jill stood. The guards stopped in in front of Koi.

“Koi. We know that you were in the library last night, past the time you were allowed in the library. You will receive a strike for breaking the rules.” Said the guard. His voice came off as very angry.

Before Koi could say anything, Jill spoke up, “What do you mean he was in the library longer than he was supposed to be. Did you catch him in the library? And what time was this?” She asked.

“Um, no. We did not catch him in the Library. But we know that he was in the library after ten.” Said the guard.

“Wrong!” Said a voice off to Koi’s right, “Jill and I saw him heading to his room just before ten. So he could not have been where you said he was.” Koi recognized Ashley, as she walked up and stood next to Jill.

“He was in the library though. We saw him go in and not come out.” Said the other guard.

“Maybe you did not notice him leave. All I know is that Jill was walking me to my room when we passed Koi and said goodnight. Unless you have proof otherwise, I recommend you let him go on his way. I will mention this to Lord Dane.” Said Ashley.

The guards looked shocked at her words. The guard that had been so angry, now looked scared. They turned and walked off in the direction that they had come from. Koi walked over and stood in front of Jill and Ashley.

“Thank you for standing up for me. I really am grateful for you words, in my behalf.” Said Koi with a grateful smile.

“I am glad we were here to help. I do not like people making up things just for fun.” Said Ashley.

“I am glad that we were here too.” Said Jill with a big motherly smile.

Koi ended up sitting with them for a little while. Koi did not really listen as they talked, but it felt good to be seen with Ashley and Jill. Koi looked over his shoulder for a moment and he saw the guard looking at him from across the room. Koi realized that the man had been angry with him before, now the man looked at him with pure hate.

Koi saw Angel walk in and head for the third food table. He figured he would go over and say hi when she sat down. Koi watched as she put bread on her plate. She then filled a glass with water. She was then heading to an empty table at the far end of the room. Koi then noticed that her path would take her in front of the angry guard. Koi could see that the guard was still staring at him. Koi hopped that she would not draw his attention as she passed him.

Koi watched in horror as the guard went to stand, right as Angel was about to pass him. The two collided and Angel’s food went flying. Both of them ended up falling to the floor. Some of the food rained down on them. It was bread but it did not seem to matter. The water spilled on the bottom half of the guard.

“I’m so sorry” said Angel. As her and the guard stood.

The guard looked about to yell. But he didn’t. He reached down and picked up a half crushed, white pale roll. The roll was broken and some red looking jam seemed to be leaking out. The guard fingered the red substance, and then locked his eyes on Angel.

“What is this?” Asked the guard in a very calm voice. Everyone in the Dining room had fallen silent, and the guard’s words could be heard by everyone in the hall. Koi had learned that the little extra in the rolls only came in one dish. Most of the Marked took one of each item on the third table, so that they had a chance of getting a roll with a little something extra in it. The guard had just found the little extra.

“I do not know, I just picked up the food from the table.” Said Angel. Her voice had cracked a little.

“You lie, you took it form one of the other tables. You have received your third strike.” Said the Guard.

Angel tried to say something, but she was drowned out by the guard’s next words.

“Guards! Take her to the magistrate!” Yelled the Guard.

Koi watched in horror as two guards came and took her by the arms and marched her away. Koi looked around and saw shock in the faces of others.

“We had better follow.” Said Ashley.

“Poor girl.” Muttered Jill.

Koi looked over and saw a guard going over the food at the third table. He looked over all of the platers of food. He crushed a roll or piece of bread on each plate. He did not seem to find any other red filled rolls. The guard then headed off in the same direction as the other guards. Koi realized that the house must have taken the plater with the red filled rolls away to protect the other Marked.

Koi felt shocked. How could he help her? Koi got up and headed in the direction of the main hall. When he came out into the main hall he saw the people that had gathered to see Angels sentencing. Koi’s mind was whirling. How could he save her? She did not deserve this!

Koi started walking through the mass of gathered people, he had an idea forming in his head. He would hide in a wall panel and wait for the group that would take Angel to the basement. He would ask the house to turn out the lights and then he would pull Angel into the wall panel with him. Yeah that would work. Koi just had to get to the other side of the hall before they brought Angel out of the Magistrates office.

Koi was about halfway through the hall when the door to the Magistrates office banged open. Guards holding Angel poured out, followed by the Magistrate and Lord Dane. Koi realized that he was too late for his plan to work. He watched in horror as Angel was taken to the platform and the Magistrate told of her fate. Banishment to the catacombs. Koi watched the whole thing, while feeling numb.

“The secret door.” Said a voice in his ear. Koi tuned quickly to see who it was. Jenna stood to his right. Koi gave her a questioning look.

“It’s too bad that someone couldn’t sneak down the stairs… Wait until the procession passed… and then sneak into the Catacombs to retrieve the girl. She then could be hidden away in a secret room.” Said Jenna in a whisper.

Koi smiled as he realized what she was purposing. “Thank you” He whispered as he started to move off through the people. The Magistrate had finished talking and the guards were now moving off towards the elevator with Angel. Koi moved to the edge of the gathered people and waited. As soon as the banishing procession was out of view, the people in the hall started talking and moving off. They must have seen what they had come for. Koi walked as slowly as possible to the door that led to the elevators.

Koi peaked down the corridor. The last two people were walking into the elevator. Koi moved down the corridor. He moved slowly until he knew the elevator doors had closed. When he was sure, he sprinted to the stairs door. Koi threw it open and started off down the stairs. Koi almost tripped a couple of times in his hurry. He had to slow his pace. He would do Angel no good if he was dead.

Koi made it to the bottom landing and walked up to the basement door. Koi listened and he could hear voices close. Koi waited until he could no longer hear the voices so clearly. Koi then pulled the key off from around his head. He then opened the door and peaked through. The procession was about half way down the large room.

Koi slipped through the door. He then went to the Secret Catacombs door. Unlocked it, the locked it behind him. Koi put the key in his pocket and then pulled out his phone. He needed light. Koi woke up his phone and turned on the light. With his path now illuminated, Koi headed off down the tunnel. Koi walked fast until he came to the last turn. He stopped out of sight and listened.

“Please don’t do this!” Came Angels yell. Koi then heard the door Catacomb door slam. Koi could hear crying. Koi walked around the corner and headed towards Angel.

“Hey.” Said Koi softly, as his phone light illumined Angels face. Koi smiled at the shocked face of Angel.

“Who’s there?” Asked Angel in a shaky voice.    

  Koi turned his light so that it showed his face. Then he felt a weight collide into him. It was Angel. She was hugging him very hard. Koi laughed a little as he said “Missed me?”

“You are the greatest sight I have ever seen.” Said Angel in a voice that was a little too loud.

“Hey!” Koi whispered, “Let’s move off down the tunnel if you are going to be so loud.

“Oh, Sorry” Whispered Angel.

Koi grabbed her hand and he led her off down the hall. When they were around the corner, Koi let her know she could talk normal now.

“How did you get in here?” She asked.

Koi explained about the searching book and its help in finding the secret door to the catacombs. Koi told her about how he had wanted to see what the catacombs were like after Jason had been thrown in. Koi found an out cropping of rocks and told Angel that they should sit, while the procession cleared out of the basement.

Koi then told her of his getting caught in the catacombs and having to go back for his backpack. Koi just about jumped out of his skin when the phone he was holding for light, started ringing. Koi answered the phone with a hello.

“Hey Koi, its Jenna. I took the other phone in your pocket when I whispered in your ear. So what’s the plan? Do you have Angel?” Asked Jenna in an excited voice.

“Yeah I have her. I was just filling her in on how I saved her.” Said Koi.

“That’s nice, but how are you going to get her to the domed room?” asked Jenna.

“I’m not. I plan on taking her somewhere better.” Said Koi.

“Better? Where is that?” Asked Jenn with a voice heavy with curiosity.

“You will have to wait and see when I show Angel.” Replied Koi.

“Fine. But how are you going to get her their?” Asked Jenna.

Koi had not thought of that. How was he going to get her to the apartment without being seen?

“If I could just get her to the Domed room, I think we could use the pool to get her to my apartment.” Koi told Jenna over the phone. Koi looked at Angel and she looked confused but impressed.

“You figured the pool out?” Asked Jenna.

“I think so. We can test out my theory when we get there.” Said Koi.

But how do we get their? Then it hit koi. He knew how they could get Angel to the Domed room.

“Jenna, I need you to go and find Kara. Tell her that I need her servant corridor skills. Let her know that I need to get from the elevators to the wall panel without being seen as much as possible.” Said Koi in an excited voice.

“Ok.” Said Jenna.

“Text me when you have her at the elevators. Have her plan out the first entrance to the servant corridor.” Said Koi.

“Text? What is that?” Asked Jenna.

“Never mind for now. I will teach you later. Just have Kara text me, when she is ready.” Said Koi.

Jenna agreed to the plan and they ended the call. Koi stood up and reached his hand out to Angel.

“We had better move to the Secret door.” Said Koi.

“You have a working cell phone?” Said Angel in disbelief.

Koi told her about how he used his cell phone for GPS maps and how he found out how to make calls. Angel seemed very impressed. Koi and Angel made it to the Secret door in very little time. They stood waiting for the text from Kara. While they waited, Koi listened at the door. Nothing.

After a while Koi’s phone dinged, letting him know that he had received a text. Koi looked at it “We will meet you at the top of the stairs”

Koi retrieved the key and unlocked the door. Koi peaked through and found the way clear. Koi slipped through and made sure no one was around. When he found the area empty, he waved for Angel to come out. She walked through and Koi locked the door. Koi then lead her to the stairs door. They opened and went through. Koi started up the stairs and Angel kept up. When they reached the last stairs, Koi could see Kara and Jenna waiting.

As they reached the top, Kara spoke “There is an entrance out and to the right. It’s in the hallway on the right hand side. Jenna will go first and keep a lookout. If she starts coughing, a lot, then someone is coming. Koi and Angel will go with me and enter the servant corridor. Jenna will then follow.” Said Kara.

Koi nodded and Jenna slipped through the door. Kara held the door from closing and peaked out of the opening. She then said “Let’s go”

Kara went first, followed by Angel. Koi brought up the rear. They slipped out and walked around the corner. As koi came into sight, Angel disappeared through the door. Koi waved for Jenna and she hurried through. Koi then went through the door and pulled it closed behind himself.

Koi whispered ok and the line started moving. They made a lot of turns and walked for a while. At one point they stopped and Koi asked why. Kara moved back and told Koi that they were at the door across from his wall panel. Koi told her that he would go first. Koi moved past the others in the cramped space. Koi then looked through the peak hole on the door. No one in sight. Koi then had a sudden thought.

Koi put his hand on the door and closed his eyes. “Please turn off the hallway light” Koi opened his eyes and looked out again. The hallway was now dark. Koi opened the door and slipped out. He walked across and pressed his hand to the wall panel on the other side of the hallway. “Open please” Said Koi.

The panel opened and koi opened the door all of the way. “Go” he whispered loudly. Jenna came first followed by Angel. Kara closed the door and slipped through the open wall panel. Koi then slipped through also, closing the door behind himself. Koi followed after the others that had already started down the hallway. Koi caught up with the others outside of the Domed Room door. Koi took out the key and opened the door. The others entered and Koi came in last. He locked the door behind him.

Koi stopped and looked at the others. They were all looking at the celling. The tendrils of mist danced their way across the vast expanse of the rooms ceiling. Koi smiled at the others, it was not every day that they got to see a new room.

Koi walked over to Jenna and said “So the searching book showed a picture of a man standing on the traveling pool with no shoes on. I think that is the key to traveling.”

“We did not try that” Said Jenna as she walked with Koi in the direction on the pool room.

“No we did not” Said Koi.

They opened the door and entered the Pool room. Koi noticed that the room never changed. Koi walked over to the pool and looked at it. Koi was aware that Jenna was standing at the pool next to him.

“I will try it first. If it works then I will come back for you guys. If something goes wrong, then you can hold up in here for a while.” Said Koi as he started to take off his shoes.

“Sounds good.” Said Jenna with a warm smile.

Koi stepped onto the water with his bare feet. The glass like water felt smooth and solid. Koi walked to the middle and looked around. Nothing happened. Koi gave a small wave and closed his eyes.

Chapter

Koi instantly was no longer in the pool room. He was in a vast expanse of black. He seemed to be floating. Koi closed his eyes and thought about the pool room in his apartment. He then found himself standing on the pool of water in a pool room. Koi knew it was a different one because of the lack of his friends. Koi stepped off the solid water. Koi lifted up one foot and felt the bottom of his foot. It was dry, not wet or damp like he had expected.

Koi walked to the door and opened it. The hallway of his apartment lay before him. Koi could see the entryway. Koi smiled, it had worked. Koi walked back to the solid water and though of the pool in the domed room. He found himself standing there with his three friend watching.

“What happened? Did I disappear?” Asked Koi.

“One moment you were there and the next you were gone.” Said Jenna.

“Come here” Said Koi to Jenna. “Stand here on the water. Close your eyes and think of my apartment.”

Koi stepped back and watched. Nothing happened. Koi stepped onto the water and held Jenna’s hand. Koi thought of his apartment and then closed his eyes. Koi opened them and they were standing in the pool room of his apartment.

“Wow” Said Jenna.

“I will go and get the others.” Said Koi. Jenna stepped off of the water. Koi closed his eyes and he was back in the domed room’s pool. Kara and Angel looked stunned.

“Both of you come here” Said Koi. They looked at each other and then walked up to the water. They both stepped on and held Koi’s outstretched hand. Koi thought about his pool room and closed his eyes. When he opened them he was standing in his pool room. Koi let the hands of the two girls fall. He then stepped off of the water and said “Who’s hungry?”

The others looked a little shocked, but they followed him from the room. Koi walked them through the apartment to the dining room. Koi was pleased to see plates of food on the table.

“Please have a seat.” He said while standing at the door. The others moved past him and sat around the table. Koi took his seat last and smiled. The plates had roasted chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy and asparagus and green beans. Koi smiled and picked up his fork and then noticed that the others were looking at their plates. They were not eating. Koi took a forkful of mashed potatoes and smelled it. The aroma coming off of the fork were amazing. Koi brought the fork to his mouth and tasted what was making the heavenly smell.

“Oh wow!” Said Koi. The others turned to him, “That is amazing!”

Taking this as permission to eat, the other dug in to their food. Koi tried everything on his plate and found it all to be delicious. Koi then noticed a glass above his plate. Koi picked it up and tried it. The perfect mix of sweet and tart lemonade made him smile.

“The lemonade is amazing, please try it.” Said Koi with a very friendly smile.

The other all reached for their glasses and tried their drink.

“That is very good” Said Kara.

“What is the plan?” Asked Jenna. Looking lost.

“I figured that we would have some food, and then I wanted to show you the rest of my apartment.” Said Koi.

“Then what?” Asked Angel, “what happens to me?”

Koi smiled as he said the next part “I will let you know after you take the tour. I promise you will love it. Don’t worry.”

The others ate more of their food and Koi did the same. They seemed lost in thought as they ate. When the others were finished, Koi led them through a tour of the house. He started with the living room. They smiled and commented on how nice it was compared to the dorms. Koi then showed them his room. They were more impressed with the size of his room. When he showed them the attached Library, they seemed slightly stunned.

Koi then took them to the conference room. Koi then showed them the other bed rooms. Koi commented on how many people could sleep in the apartment. The others agreed. Koi then could not keep the smile off of his face as he thought of the next place he was going to show them.

“Who is ready to see the most awesome room in the house?” Asked Koi. The others picked up on his excitement. They replied with “sure” and “yeah”. Koi walked them to the kitchen and beamed at them.

“It’s a kitchen.” Said Jenna.

“What makes a kitchen, awesome?” Asked Kara. Angel just tilted her head and looked at koi with question in her eyes.

Koi waited until they felt silent. He then walked over to the pantry door, and opened it. The others walked over and looked into the pantry.

“This is cool, but not awesome.” Said Angel.

Koi laughed and then opened the door at the end of the pantry. He walked through and the others followed. Koi smiled as he watched the reaction of the others. Kara looked stunned at the huge green house. Angel had he mouth open as she looked up at the vaulted ceiling. Jenna walked over and touched a plant softly.

“In all of the years that I have been in the house, I have never seen a growing plant.” Said Jenna.

Koi noticed she had tears in her eyes. Koi started walking down the rows of plants as they looked. The others started to follow him. Koi walked down until he was standing in the entrance of the orchard room. Koi watched the others as they walked in and looked dup at the trees. Kara let out a pleased scream, as she ran at a tree. She climbed a small apple tree and picked an apple. She then tossed it down to Jenna. Jenna caught the apple and then bit into it. She made a pleased moan as she bit into it again. Koi pointed out the avocado trees and the banana trees. The others smiled and seemed quite impressed.          

“Ready to go and see the most awesome room in the apartment?” Asked Koi.

“What could be better than this?” Asked Kara.

“Follow me.” Said Koi as he started off to the main part of the Green House. He walked through the crossing section of the green house. He then walked into the pool wing. Koi turned and watched the others enter. Faces of shock and wonderment, met his eyes.

“Oh” Said Jenna with tears in her eyes, “I thought I would never see a pool again.”

“A pool!” Yelled Kara, “Can I swim?”

“Sure.” Said Koi in a laughing voice as he turned to look at Angel. She was looking at him with the part puzzled, part questioning look.

“Where do I get a swim suit? Asked Kara.

Koi realized that he did not have an answer to that question. He looked around and saw two doors off next to the wall. Koi walked over and opened one. Koi walked in and found a public bathroom set up with lockers for holding stuff.

Koi walked out and pointed to the door he had just come out of, “This one is the boys. So that one must be the girls.” Said Koi as he pointed to the other door.

Kara sprinted to the door and opened it, she then ran in. Koi walked over to Jenna and Angel.

“If you guys want to swim, you can go and get ready.” Said Koi.

The two woman looked at each other and then started walking towards the door. Koi walked back into the boy’s locker room and found a pair of swim trunks sitting on a bench in front of the lockers. Koi undressed from his clothing and put on the swim trunks. They fit him perfectly. Koi wondered how the house knew his clothing sizes. Koi placed his clothing in a pile on the bench. Koi then grabbed a towel and headed out the door.

Koi found that Kara was already in the pool. She was splashing with a huge smile on her face. Koi smiled in her direction and then went to put his towel on one of the deck chairs. Koi then went over to the side of the pool and jumped in. The water was not to warm or too cold. It felt perfect. Koi submerged himself in the water and then came back up. He smoothed back his wet hair and looked at Kara.

“This is the most awesome room in the whole house!” She said.

“I am sure that there is much more awesome rooms in the house then this pool.” Said Koi with a smile.

“Nope, this is the most awesome.” Said Kara.

“I saw a book in the library that showed pictures of a huge forest. It was somewhere out in the house. I think that sounds more awesome.” Said Koi.

“Ok, that might be cooler than this.” Said Kara. She then disappeared under the water as Angel and Jenna walked out of the changing room. Koi turned and looked at them. They both had swimming suites and towels.

“Put your towels over there and come swim with us.” Said Koi as he pointed to the deck chairs.

Jenna and Angel put their towels down and then came to the steps of the pool. They made their way into the water and came up close to Koi. Koi looked and saw Kara a little bit away.

“So?” Asked Koi.

“The water is amazing!” Said Jenna, and Angel agreed with her.

“Let’s play Marco polo!” Said Kara.

“How do you play that?” Asked Jenna.

Kara proceeded to explain the rules of the game. “One person stands with his eyes closed. The others go out in the water and hold still. The blind man says “Marco” and the others say “Polo”. The blind man heads in the direction of the voices and tries to tag the other people. It’s way fun.” Said Kara.

Next thing Koi knew he was the blind man trying to get the others. After they played Marco Polo a couple of times, they played tag. A couple of hours later, they were all laid out on the deck chairs, soaking up the mist light. It felt like sun. Koi wondered if he could get a tan from the mist light.

“Now we talk?” Asked Jenna.

“So what happens with me?” Said Angel.

“Well, I think you should stay here Angel. You will be safe. You have plenty of things to keep you busy. You can live her and help us make some changes in the house.” Said Koi.

“What changes?” Asked Jenna.

“I don’t know.” Said Koi, “But I know some things need to change. We just have to figure out what, and how to make them.”

“Sounds good.” Said Angel.

“There may be some books that will teach us ways, to help make some changes. We just need to make a plan and make some changes.” Said Koi.

“Where do we start?” Asked Kara.

“I guess we need to remove Lord Dane from power. We need to get the house back to how it used to be, before he changed things.” Said Koi.

“Where do we start?” Asked Angel.

“Let’s talk with people in the house and see if they are willing to get behind our idea to get things back to the way they used to be. If people get strikes and face the risk of getting thrown in the catacombs, we rescue them and bring them here.” Said Koi. Koi looked at the others and saw excitement in their eyes.

“What about me?” asked Angel.

“You get to stay here and read up on anything that may be useful for our uprising.” Said Koi.

“Gotcha” Said Angel.

“Any questions?” Asked Koi. No one replied.

“OK. But I have some other ideas,” Said Koi, “We need to be out in the main part of the house as much as possible. If we spend nights here in the apartment, then others will wonder why. So everyone but Angel needs to sleep in the dorms. (The others nodded in agreement) I will show you the secret door on the stage, but we need to be careful and make sure that no one else finds the apartment. We need to keep this place safe.” Said Koi.

Koi told them that he had an idea for the conference room. He told them that they should head that way. They headed to the locker rooms and showered and changed. When they met back up, they headed to the conference room.

As they walked Koi shared some of his ideas, “So I think that Angel could be in charge of the apartment safety. If the conference room had a screen that showed the stage, then she could have a button that buzzes the door open. If she see’s someone coming then she can choose to let them in or not. If we had a live map that showed people moving around the theater, then we could be even safer.”

“That’s a great Idea,” Said Angel, “But how do we get that stuff in the conference room?”

“In my experience,” Said Koi as they walked into the conference room, “The house provides most reasonable requests.”

The conference room now had some new upgrades. The table had a flat square screen, that was now built into the table. Two large screens took up space on the walls. Everything could be seen form the head chair. Koi noticed that the screens were not made from normal materials. They seemed to be made from Plexiglas. Koi walked up and touched a screen. The material seemed to be more like a half inch screen made from quartz. The screen showed a picture as clear as any TV. It felt futuristic.

“How cool is this?” Said Angel. She sat in the chair and touched the flat screen that was built into the table. The screens that were not on now came on. Koi looked at one of the large screens mounted to a wall. It looked to be the size of an eighty inch TV. The screen was split into a whole bunch of little screens. One was of the traveling pool room. Koi realized that the screen showed a lot of different places. Koi looked at the screen. It was a map of the Ballroom and the Theater. It did not show who was moving around, but it did show little icons for people. Koi watched a little dot pace at the door to the Ballroom.

“That must be a guard” Said Koi as he pointed at the dot on the screen.

The others agreed.

“Looks like you will have to figure out how to run this Command center.” Said Koi.

“Shouldn’t be too hard.” Said Angel.

“Ok people. Report to me or Angel every couple of days. Let’s get back out there and find out who is ready for the old ways.” Said Koi.

Koi told Angel that he would see her later. He then walked out of the Conference Room, or Command Room. He waited for Kara and Jenna to catch up with him. He opened the entry door and looked out. The hallway was lite faintly. More than enough to work by. Koi walked out and the other two woman followed. Koi turned to close the door and Angel was there.

“I will close and lock it for you.” She said with a smile.

“Thanks” Said Koi as he watched Angel close the door. Koi heard the locks moving into place. He then turned and walked down the stairs with the others. At the bottom, Koi showed the other two woman how to open the little sliding door at eye level. He explained that it could be used to see if the coast was clear.

Chapter

Later that day, Koi was sitting in his room. He was waiting to go down for dinner. He was not hungry but he did need to talk to others. The more people that they spoke with the better chance they had to overthrow Lord Dane. Koi looked at his watch. It was a little early, but he may as well talk to other Marked as he waited in line. Koi put his shoes on and headed to the Dining room.

Koi was walking when he was suddenly slammed up against the wall. Koi realized it was the guard that had been trying to get him in trouble, in the Dining room. How had he snuck up on him?

“You had better watch your back. The first chance I get, I’m going to give you a strike.” Said the guard. He then started to walk away. He had been so close that Koi could see the pours on his face, in great detail. Koi watched him go.

It had been a surprise. Koi figured he would have to watch his back from now on. The man had slammed him up against the wall with his hand. Koi could feel the pain lessening from his back and chest. What was the man’s name? Koi figured that he must have a hand print on his chest.

Soon Koi forgot the guard as he went to work talking with the people of the house. Koi Went to the third line and he soon discovered that he was 15 minutes early. Koi was a little surprised to find that people were waiting here this early. That was ok, it gave him more people to talk to.

Koi got in line behind a man and a woman. Koi asked them the time, neglecting to mention that he could have checked on his phone. He noticed that they were holding hands.

The man answered the time and they smile. Koi introduced himself and started to make general conversation. Koi found out that their names were Harold and Samantha. They talked for a while until it was time to enter the Dining room. Koi waited patiently as they got their food. Koi got his and asked to sit with them at their table. They said yes. Koi asked some probing questions to find out how long they had been in the house. Harold had been in the house sense he was thirty. He was now forty two.

Samantha had only been in the house three years. She was now forty. Koi asked questions about how the house used to be, before Lord Dane took over. They remembered and preferred the flowing way of life. Koi hinted that some of the people in the house, may be waiting to get out from under Lord Dane.

The light air of the table came down hard. Harold looked at Samantha and something seemed to pass from between them.

“Samantha here, is my love. I have only one strike and mark, she has two. She will be thrown out on her next strike. I would do anything to have her safe. If things were back to the way they used to be then that would be even better. We would be willing to follow a group that would be trying to do what you have implied.” Said Harold.

Koi told them of the plans to unite. They said that they would swear to his cause. Harold also let him know that he used to be one of Dane’s guard. He had been kicked out with his first strike. He let Koi know that he would be willing to help out his cause. After some more talking he left with a smile on his face knowing he had found some people to back him.

Over the next couple of days, Koi spent all of his free time, talking to the marked. He found that almost all of them wanted to be free from Dane’s system. From talking to all of these people, Koi found that all of them seemed to be charge with stupid crimes.

As the days passed, the more people stood with him. Koi did not know how, but the people that were for his idea called themselves the Family people. It had meaning before, but now it had real meaning.

On the fourth day from rescuing Angel, a group of the leaders were meeting to talk about the list of people that were for taking down Lord Dane. They all sat in the conference room in the apartment. Koi had let he word go out that they were meeting. They all came to the apartment at different intervals, so suspicion would not be raised.

“Thank you all for coming,” Said Koi, “We have been very successful with our recruiting. We need to keep up our efforts. (Koi pointed at Angel and she tapped the screen on the table in front of her. A list of names appeared on one of the big screens.) From the numbers we have run, it looks like we have approached, one third of the people within Lord Danes House. We have more to talk to before we can start an uprising. Any questions?” Asked Koi.

“Not really a question, it’s more of a statement,” Said Jenna, “Most of the people I talk to, love the idea of taking down Lord Dane. Only a very few have said that they will not help, even then they have said that they will not interfere in our efforts. They just don’t want to choose sides. We have only approached people that we know do not favor Lord Dane. Of course we do not talk to the privileged.”

“It seems to be going well, from what I have seen. I have talked with lots kids around my age. They do not like having a curfew and restrictions. All of them like the idea of the old ways.” Said Kara.

Koi smiled at the good news.

“I am pleased that things are going well. If no one else has anything, we should all go and have a real meal in the dining room.” Said Koi.

The others agreed and they moved to the dining room. Each plate was different. Koi’s plate held a Hamburger and French fries. Jenna’s held a casserole of some kind. Kara was already eating chicken nuggets and mashed potatoes. Angel had a large slice of pizza. Everyone seemed to be eating what they were craving. The conversation was light and the mood was pleased. Everyone at the table felt that they were making a positive change.

Everyone left the apartment, except Koi and Angel. Angel had mentioned that she wanted to show him some of the things she had found out in the control room. Koi followed her into the control/conference room. Angel sat in her spot at the table. She pressed the screen and the large screens on the wall changed.

“I have found out a lot in the last couple of days. I can assign names to the dots on the maps. I have found out how to work the main menu and the whole system, just seems to have opened up to me.” Said Angel.

Koi smiled and listened to her report. He was quite impressed, and he told her so. She minimized her efforts and said anyone could have done it. Koi did not know about that. When Koi was done he asked if she was enjoying the house. She said yes and said she had been swimming every day. Koi also noticed that she seemed tanner. Koi exited the house and he heard the door close and lock behind him.

Koi walked down and then through the stage. He walked with a sense of pride in his friends and his cause. It just felt like everything was going in the right direction. Koi decided to try and exit through the theater. He got down off of the stage, and moved to the hallway at the back of the theater. Koi could have gone straight and entered the ballroom. Koi had went that way a couple of times, he felt like changing things up.

Koi went to the door and opened it slightly. No one was in sight. Koi exited and headed off down the hallway. Koi thought of who he was going to talk to next as he made the first turn. Koi was walking when he was slammed into the wall, it was his second time this week. He was slammed so hard that the air left his lungs. Koi saw that it was the angry guard again. He had two other guards with him.

“Ha, I found you out exploring. That is one strike. I’m sure that we could find another.” Said the angry guard.

Koi tried to speak and the guard slammed him against the wall again.

“Dan! Go easy on the kid” Said one of the other guards with a concerned look on his face. He had said it in a quiet voice but Koi had heard.

So that was the name of his angry guard.

“Let’s turn him around and give him a pat down.” Said Dan.

 Koi tied to break away and run as Dan and the other guard tried to turn around. If he could get out he could run to the apartment and stay with Angel. Koi pulled and pushed as hard as he could, but he could not get free. It only made the men hold him tighter. Now two guards were holding him and Dan was giving him a pat down. Koi cringed as his phone was found. Then they Key hanging around his neck. Some other stuff was taken, but it did not seem important.

“I see you have contraband on you. You are supposed to turn all keys in to Lord Dane or his Magistrate. That is your third strike. You are going to the catacombs.” Dan told the men to flip him around.

Koi saw Dan looking at him as he came into view. Koi just looked back. Dan seemed to be expect crying or an outburst. Koi did nothing but look at him. Dan looked puzzled. Koi was not going to give him the satisfaction of showing emotion. Dan’s puzzled face turned to anger.

“Take him to Lord Dane!” Dan all but yelled. The guards kept a good hold on his arms as they started walking him down the hall. Koi zoned out a little as he was walked along. Koi did not really fear the Catacombs. He wished he had the key. They he could come right back in. Koi hoped they would give it back to him, and his phone. Koi did not think they would want it.

What would happen to his plans to overthrow Lord Dane, if he was stuck in the catacombs? Koi realized that they were coming down the main hall. A few people were around, a couple ran off. Koi figured that they were going to tell others that he was going to see the Lord with a guard escort. Koi found himself hauled into the magistrate’s office. The secretary booked it out of her office, as she saw Koi being dragged in. Koi figured that she was off to get Lord Dane. Koi was seated in the same chair as when he got his first strike. The magistrate looked shocked for a moment when he saw Koi brought in, he quickly changed his face to impassive in the blink of an eye.

Dan took his phone, key and other belongings and placed them on the Magistrates desk. Dan whispered to the Magistrate and then his belongings were placed into the locking desk drawer. No way he was getting them now. The door burst open and Lord Dane came in. He went to the desk and sat in the Magistrates seat. Lord Dane looked at Koi and then turned to Dan.

“What are his charges?” Asked Lord Dane.

“Exploring and keeping contraband.” Said Dan.

“Having gone over the evidence, I find Koi guilty of these two charges. You will be banished to the Catacombs. Effective immediately.” Said Lord Dane. Dane seemed to be watching him for a reaction too. Lord Dane waited for a moment. When he decided that he was not going to get a reaction out of Koi, he told the two guards to take him to the Platform. Koi was hauled up and taken through the doors.

This all seemed to be going very fast. Next thing he knew, he was standing on the platform.

“Koi is charged with two crimes. Lord Dane has found him guilty. He is sentenced to be banished to the catacombs.” Said the Magistrate rather quickly. The people in the crowd looked at each other and started to murmur to one another. Koi could see a ton of angry looks directed at the Magistrate. Koi spotted Kara and Jenna standing in the crowed. Kara took a step forward with a very angry look on her face. Koi lifted his hand slightly and waved down twice. She seemed to get the message that he wanted her to stop. Koi did not want anyone trying to start a riot on his behalf. Jenna seemed to see this and placed her hands on the back of Kara’s shoulders.

The Magistrate was probably going to say more, but at the angry looks and murmuring, he ended the meeting short and motioned for the guards to get moving. Koi was being hauled again. Koi had a feeling of Déjà vu, as he was taken down the elevator. He had flash backs of Jason being hauled down. Lord Dane and the Magistrate watched Koi as they moved lower. They seemed to be out of words to say. Koi figured that his silence must be unnerving them. Soon they were off of the elevator and moving off down the hall.

As they got closer to the door, Koi noticed that the nice guard from the Elders wing, was standing guard at the door. At the sight of Koi being escorted, his eyes showed shock and confusion. Koi was taken over to the door and watched as the door was opened. Koi took the opportunity and bolted. He ran as hard as he could in the direction of the stairs. Koi had the element of surprise and made it to the stairs door before the boot sounds caught up with him.

Koi was tackled to the floor. It was a rough landing. Koi looked to see who was on top of him. It was Dan. Dan hauled him up and back to the door. It was open and they wasted no time in throwing him though. Koi picked himself up and looked back at the others standing on the other side of the door. Koi knew he had a cocky grin on his face. It had been there since he was tackled. Koi looked at them all, with his sharp eyes and cocky grin. Koi could see shock on the faces of Dane and the Magistrate. Dan looked scared. The guards all looked confused. Then door slammed shut and Koi laughed and laughed. He knew he sounded like a mad man, but he did not care. He wanted them to know that he was not scared. He knew they could hear him on the other side of the door.  

Chapter

Koi slowly walked down the tunnel while laughing. He wanted Lord Dane and the others to be unnerved by his laughing. He wanted them to know that he did not fear them or the catacombs. Koi knew without the key, his friends could not help him. Time to move forward. Part of why Koi moved down the tunnel slowly, was because he could not see. He picked a wall and felt along it. After Koi made the first turn, he stopped laughing. He felt that he had gotten the point across.

His would currently consisted of blackness. He knew that the roughhewn rock around him, was black, even if he could not see it. Koi never had a problem with darkness. When he closed his eyes every night, he was returned to darkness. Koi noticed that some of the walls were damp. Others were not.

Koi walked and walked. Time seemed to be distorted by the darkness. How long had he been down here? Koi felt like this could be compared to death. He had been among the light and now he was dark, like in a grave. When Koi got tired, he looked for an overhang in the wall. Koi walked for a while before he found one that would work. Koi felt around the small cave. It was just long enough for him to lay in. It was dark, yet very clean. Just like the house above him, the catacombs contained no dust or dirt.

Koi finally fell asleep. It was hard to get comfortable on rock. Koi slept as long as he could. When he could no longer stand his rock bed, he got up and moved down the hall. Koi did not know where he was or where he was going. Koi did find some large rooms. He had to follow the wall or walk in what he hoped was a straight line.

Koi was walking when his foot caught on something and he fell to the floor. Koi hit hard and he could feel areas where he figured bruises would show. Feeling tired, angry and now annoyed, Koi felt behind himself for what he had tripped on. Koi did not find anything at first. He felt along the entire width of the tunnel. Nothing.

Koi crawled and searched for a couple of feet. Koi was sure what he had tripped on was behind him. Koi was about to get up and continue walking when he felt something bump against his hand. Whatever it was went rolling. Koi had to feel the ground more before he found what he had bumped into. Koi picked it up and felt it in his hand. After feeling it for a long time, Koi decided that it was a long crystal. His guess was quarts, but it was hard to tell when you had no light.

Koi thought about putting it in his pocket again, but decided to keep it in his hand. It was comforting to have something to hold. When Koi became tired, he found a spot to lay on. He slept for as long as he could again. It was not easy and he felt more sore when he got up to walk again.

Koi was hungry and very thirsty. He wished he could walk into the apartment dining room and eat food again. He felt like he could drink a gallon of water. Koi felt the moisture on some of the walls, but he never found enough to drink. Koi was thinking that he was going to have to find a place to sleep again, when something changed. Koi stopped and wondered why. His mind was fuzzy and he was very tired.

It took a long time for Koi’s head to register that his hand was on metal. It was so smooth. Koi knocked on it and a metal sound echoed. Koi felt the door for a door handle. It took a while before he found one. Koi turned the handle and the door clicked. Koi then pushed on the door and he fell to the floor. The light was so blinding that it shot pain through his head. Koi laid on the floor with his hands over his eyes. He hated the light at that very moment. He thought about going back into the catacombs. At least he would not feel like his eyes and head were on fire. Koi tried to open his eyes a little and the light still cause him pain. Koi pulled off his shirt and wrapped it around his head. He tried to make it one layer over his eyes. Koi opened his eyes a little and they watered a lot, but he could see a little.

 

Koi got to his feet a little Shakely. He looked behind him and saw that the door was closed. Koi turned and headed down the large room. Koi watched for a door or some way out of the basement. After walking for what felt like a lifetime, Koi found a large pair of elevator doors. Koi found a button and pressed it. The elevator hummed as it moved to his floor. The doors opened and Koi entered the elevator. The doors closed and Koi was moving up.

Koi just wanted to find the equivalent of a hotel room. Water, food and sleep is what he wanted. The elevator opened and Koi realized that he was on his hands and knees. Oh well, this would work. Koi crawled out of the elevator and stopped in the hallway. The carpet was very soft. Koi laid down, more like collapsed. He could feel the threads of the carpet on his cheek. Blackness overcame him, and his last thought was “Just like the Catacombs.”

Chapter

Koi awoke in a bed. He noticed that the lights in the room were dimmed. After looking around he found that a lamp on the table next to him had a piece of cloth covering it. Koi looked to the other side of the bed and he found Jason sitting in the chair asleep. It was Jason! He was alive!

Koi did not want to wake him, his questions could wait. Koi looked around the room. It looked like a bedroom. It had the bed, dresser, a closet and a chair. It looked nice. Very nice compared to the catacombs. Koi looked to the side table and noticed a piece of quartz crystal. It was clear with what looked like a storm in the middle. Koi picked it up and looked at it. It was about seven inches long. It was very well carved with no marks or damage. Koi kept it in his hand as he checked out the room more.

Koi spotted a tray on the dresser. Koi slowly got out of bed. He felt dehydrated. He also felt weak. Koi walked over to the tray, he took it slow to be safe. Koi raised the glass and brought it to his lips. The cool water slid down his throat. It tasted amazing. Koi drained the whole glass. He then noticed some soup of some kind on the tray. Koi picked it up and went back to the bed. He slowly sipped from the bowel. It tasted like chicken noodle soup. It tasted like the best meal he had ever had.

Koi suddenly felt tired. He put the bowl on the floor and then laid down again. Koi felt sleep coming on, but before he let it overcome him, he placed the crystal under the blankets by his hip. Koi then returned his hands to the top of the blanket. Koi then fell back asleep.

Koi awoke to the sound of voices talking. He opened his eyes and looked over to see Jason and some woman talking quietly. After a moment Jason noticed him and smiled.

“It’s good to see you. I’m glad you made it here.” Said Jason in a friendly manner.

“Where am I?” Asked Koi in a raspy voice.

“You are in the house. Not House Dane, just the house. Things are different here.” Said Jason.

“How?” asked Koi.

“How are things different? No privileged. No dorms, anyone can have an apartment. Food is open to everyone. You can go anywhere you want and travel if you want. The best part is that everyone cares about one another. It’s a big, happy family. I love it.” Said Jason with a look at the girl in the room.

She was pretty. Koi noticed that every time she looked at Jason, she smiled.

“That sounds wonderful. Who is this?” Asked Koi.

“This is Jessica. We are going to get married in a couple of weeks. Jessica, this is Koi.” Said Jason.

“Nice to meet you.” Said Koi with a smile.

They smiled at each other in a very loving way. Koi thought that they looked really good together.

“Where is the bathroom? I need a shower.” Said Koi as he stood, He had picked up the crystal and it was safe in his right hand. They light hurt his eyes a little, but he felt a lot better.

Jason showed him where to find the bathroom. There were clothing waiting for him. Koi got a drink form a cup next to the sink. He used the bathroom and then headed to the shower, he even took the crystal with him. It felt amazing. The warm water felt cleansing and healing. Koi stood and let the water run over him, for a long time. Koi figured that he could not stay in the shower forever. He got out, dried, and then dressed. Koi then used the ever present hygiene products to finish his transformation to clean. Koi then picked up the crystal from the counter and placed it in his pocket. When Koi stepped out of the bathroom he felt tons better.

  Koi could see that they were watching him closely, as he came out of the bathroom. Koi was sure if he had been unsteady on his feet they would have put him back in bed.

 “So what do you guys have out here?” Asked Koi.

Jason explained that there were many of the same things on the outside of House Dane. He then told him that there were some differences though. They had an arena, one that sports could be played in. He then told of a park room, it was a couple of hours walk to the north though. Koi listened as they told of the trees and grass. Koi had to admit that it sounded cool.

“Can we go to the dining room for food?” Asked Koi.

“If you are sure that you are up to it. Then we are cool with it.” Said Jessica.

Koi assured them that he was. They agreed and then they were walking down the halls to the dining room. Jessica and Jason had told him that they could eat in the apartment’s dining room. Koi explained that he wanted to see more of the house. So off they went.

“How did you end up caring for me? Asked Koi.

“I was the latest from House Dane. When someone shows up from House Dane, they call the last one out. They feel that it helps the new arrivals adjust to the freedom of the house. Koi had to agree with that.

They entered the dining room and koi noticed that the walls were stucco. This could be from a house in Las Vegas or California. Koi liked the deep green, trimmed in white.

“Eat whatever you would like, from any table.” Said Jason. Koi gave him a smile and then went to get food. There were multiple tables to choose from. One looked to be a salad bar. Koi started there. He built a salad on half of his plate. He went to another table and got some French fries. Koi went and sat and Jason and Jessica joined him shortly. Koi ate some food and looked around.

Everyone seemed to be happy and normal. Koi realized that House Dane, had a pressure hanging over it. This area did not feel the same. It really was different. Koi looked over and a man with a beard, was sitting with his family. The man looked tall, about six foot three. Koi noticed that he had a wife and a child. Koi realized what seemed odd about the couple.

“They have a kid.” Koi said. Jason and Jessica heard the wonder in his voice. They both looked where he was looking.

“Oh, that is Zach. He married his wife while traveling and they had a kid.” Said Jason.

“The kid was born in the house?” Asked Koi, as he watched the man feed the little girl with a spoon.

“Yep she is House Born. The little girl is Afton. I’m told that they have names planned for another kid or two. Another girl and then they want a boy.” Said Jessica.

“Wow” Said Koi, as he looked away from the family. He looked around and another thing came to him.

“No guards?” Asked Koi.

“No need of them. No one is trying to take control of the house out here. That seemed to be very true.

After dinner koi told Jason and Jessica that he wanted to go for a walk. They said ok. He got the feeling that they felt he was ok now. Koi walked the halls of this new area. He thought about what he left behind and what he now had found. Koi walked and walked, soaking up what this area had to show him.

When Koi was ready to return to Jason’s apartment, he thought on it and just walked. He soon found himself standing in front of their door. Koi knocked and the door was soon answered. Jessica had gone home and it was just Jason and Koi. Jason could see that Koi was worn out and took him to bed. As soon as Koi’s head hit the pillow he was asleep.

Koi awoke with a desire to travel. He went to the bathroom and got cleaned up. He then walked to the living room and found Jason reading on a couch.

“I’m going to travel.” Said Koi.

Jason looked surprised at first, then his face changed to understanding. “Anything I can do for you before you go?” Asked Jason.

“No. But I do want to say thank you for helping me and taking care of me.” Said Koi.

“Any time.” Said Jason as he stood. Jason came around the couch and gave him a hug. Jason told him to be safe. Koi smiled and then walked out of the apartment. Koi chose a direction and started walking. He walked all morning and then started looking for a place for lunch. Koi spotted a glass looking room. Koi walked to it and opened a glass door. The room was an Asian styled, garden. It had a bridge and a green are under a tree. Koi walked down the path and looked at all of the plants and flowers. He headed for the bridge. Koi expected for there to be koi fish swimming in the little pond. There were none. Koi took in the beauty of the room as he walked over the bride and came to the table. It was short, like a coffee table. Koi found a book sitting on the table, along with a tray of food.

Koi picked up the chop sticks and tried some of the noodles. They were delicious. Koi looked at the cover of the book. He then looked back at the food and he did not look back at the book once. Koi finished his lunch and then laid down under the tree. Koi fell asleep. The book on the table, showed a picture of the crystal in Koi’s pocket and the words “The master Key”

When Koi awoke from his nap, the small table was bare except for a glass of water. Koi drank it. The book had gone and Koi was not surprised. Koi had not known what the crystal was. After looking at the cover of the book, he now knew. He did not need to open it. The house had wanted him to know what he carried. He now knew.

Koi said thank you to the Asian garden and then left the room. The hours blended together as koi walked. He went through so many doors that the sound became meditative to him. Koi saw huge rooms and small rooms. Sometimes koi thought about House Dane. He was not sure how he could help. So he continued to walk. It was like a break or a vacation.

Sometimes Koi would walk through a more populated part of the house. The people were always nice. He sometimes spent the night with them, sometimes he talked and then hit the road. When Koi needed the bathroom, one would come up. When he needed a room to spend the night, one would happen to be in the hallway, and marked with a koi fish on the door. He would spend the night and get cleaned up, then he would get back to walking.

The rooms Koi saw were amazing. One day koi passed a door and he stopped. He then had to look back. Sand was coming through under the door. It was a shocking sight to see. Koi had never seen even a speck of dust. The house was always so very clean. Koi walked to the door and pulled on the handle. It was locked. Koi saw a Koi Fish burned into the door. Koi noticed a key hole cut into the door. It was shaped like the point of the crystal in his pocket.

Koi pulled out the key and pressed it into the lock. Nothing happened. Koi turned the quarts and a loud click announced that the door was now open. Koi retuned the key to his pocket and opened the door. Lots of sand stood before him. Koi walked in and his shoes shifted on the sand. Koi could see a large sand dune ahead. Koi could feel the heat radiating off of the sand, as he walked up the sand dune. It felt like a hundred degrees in this room. When Koi made it to the top of the sand dune, he stopped. Koi could see the faint outline of the celling in the distance. The room was so huge that Koi could see a storm in the distance.

The storm clouds did not even reach the celling. Koi took in the sight before him for as long as he could, then he had to head down the dune. The heat was killing him. Koi made it to the door and closed it behind himself. The door clicked and koi pulled on the door. It was locked again. Then Koi got back to walking.

Koi loved the freedom that traveling brought him. He could go anywhere and do anything. The idea of having a job or going to work sounded so restricting. Koi felt as though he was a lone wolf, traveling and being free. Koi was sure that if someone told him he had an appointment that he needed to go to, he would have a panic attack and run forever. He just wanted to see and move.

Koi came across a hallway that was glass. Water was on both sides and above him. Koi felt like there should be fish swimming in this aquarium. But there were none. Koi then returned to walking.

Koi was walking one day when he came upon two huge doors. They seemed to be two stories tall and as wide as two cars. The sight of the huge doors caught his eyes and he could not take them away. Koi walked to the doors and tried to pull them open. They were locked. Koi pulled out the Master Key and unlocked the door. Koi then pulled the doors open. Before him laid a glass lake. It went on for as far as the eyes could see. Koi could not make out how far the room went. All he could see was perfectly flat water. As flat as glass. Koi stepped out on to the water. He expected his foot to stay on top of the water, like the traveling pool. But they did not. His foot sunk about three inches. Koi walked out a little bit. Water surrounded him. The only difference was the door standing open. Koi had conflicting desires. He wanted to walk on the glass water and see where it went. Part of him wanted to go back into the house and keep going.

Koi walked back to the doors and stepped through them. Koi turned around and looked out into the vast room before him. He could get lost in that room. Koi felt like an eternity could be spent in that room. He knew that someday he would be back. And Koi walked.

On the seventh day after he had left Jason, Koi came to a dead end. It was not quite a dead end. A door was at the end of the hall. Koi walked to the door and turned the door handle. This part of the house was vaulted stone, like a cathedral. The large door opened and koi stepped through. He was in a stone room. Before him lay a traveling pool. Koi stared at it lost in thought. When koi came back to himself he looked around the room. Nothing else was in the room.

Koi walked back to the door and tried to open it. It would not open. Koi looked for a key hole for the master key. Nothing. Koi walked back to the pool and took off his shoes. Koi held his shoes in his arm. He might need them wherever he ended up. Then koi stepped on the flat water.

Koi found himself standing on a traveling pool, but in a different room. Koi slowly turned so that he could take in the room. The room was huge and circular. It seemed to be made up of white stone. Koi walked over to a window. Koi could see out into the biggest room he had seen so far. The circular room he was in was not just one floor, it was a tower. Koi figured that he must be on the top floor. The view from the window showed a room so vast that it hurt his eyes. Koi could not see an end to the glass lake room, but in this room he could. It was like standing on a mountain and seeing a huge land below.

“Impressive, is it not?” Said a voice behind him. Koi spun around and saw… Jill. She was wearing a white gown that matched the pure white of the stone around her. Koi tried to make words come out of his mouth. Nothing.

“It’s ok, take your time.” Said Jill with a very loving smile.

“Am I dead?” Asked Koi. Koi could not keep the tears from his eyes and the emotion from his voice.

“You are very much alive. As am I.” Said Jill.

“You are one of the Chosen.” Said Koi.

“As are you. You do not know it yet. But you will.” Said Jill.

“How old are you?” Asked Koi.

“It’s not nice to ask a lady her age. I will not tell you. But I will give you a hint. I have a hard time remembering what I ate for my two hundredth birthday. And I am not the oldest Chosen.” Said Jill with a sly smile.

“Why have you brought me here?” Asked Koi.

“I will answer your question with another question. What have you learned while traveling out here in the house?” Asked Jill.

Koi gave her an annoyed look as he said, “That I like traveling. (Jill gave him a look that said “And?”) I like the freedom. (Jill gave him a look that said “Yes but I want more”) I like the flow of the house, you don’t get that in House Dane.”

“Exactly!” Said Jill, “The house was meant to flow. It was meant to give freedom. The House has given you a taste of those two things. How does that make you feel about House Dane?”

“Like it is wrong. Like it should stop!” Said Koi with anger.

“And what are you going to do about that?” Asked Jill.

Koi walked over to the window as he said, “I will go back and open the doors of House Dane. I will let the house flow freely. I will help the people.” Koi turned to look at Jill, to see if that was what she was waiting for. She was gone. Koi looked all over the room, she was not there. He was on his own.

Chapter

Koi walked over to the Traveling pool and stepped on. Koi found himself in the blackness. Koi looked down and he could see that he was standing on the traveling pool still.

“House I need to talk to my friends in House Dane. Koi saw a pictures floating in the air in front of him. One showed him standing in his apartment talking to Angel. Koi knew that it was a one way message. He just felt it. The other image floating in front of him was of him speaking through the air. Kind of like a page at a school. But that was two way.

Koi thought about it and he decided on the hologram image. Koi pressed the image with his hand. Koi could feel energy flowing through him. Koi knew that he was being showed as a hologram to his friends.

“My friends. I come tomorrow. I have the Master Key. (It glowed as he held it up) I will bring an army of men from outside of Lord Dane’s area. I will open the doors and we will flood in. I want you to gather the Home people and be ready for my coming tomorrow. (Koi could feel the anger showing through his face) Lord Dane will be brought down tomorrow. The doors will be opened and House Dane will become part of the House again.”

Koi pressed the image again and the energy stopped flowing through him. Now he just needed to raise an army. Koi figured that the men in the house would be enough to bring down Lord Dane, but it would not hurt to have some show of force.

Koi then though about Jason. “House, please take me to the closest Traveling Pool, to Jason.” Said Koi. A feeling of movement told him that he was no longer in the White stone tower. Koi looked around himself and he discovered that he was in fact, in a different room. It was a small room, just big enough for a Traveling pool. Koi walked to the door and stepped out, into Jason’s living room.

“What the heck!” Said Jason as he jumped up from the couch. Koi smiled as he closed the door. He then tried to open it and he found it locked. It would most likely need the Mater Key to open it.

“Sorry, did not mean to startle you” Said Koi with a smile. He knew this would need some explaining.

Chapter

Koi walked over and sat down on the couch. It felt good to just sit. Koi looked over and Jason was still standing and looking at him.

“Have a seat. We need to talk. I need to gather some men that will help take back House Dane.” Said Koi, he hoped that Jason would take this well.

“I know. Who are you?” Said Jason with his eyes narrowed.

“You know?” Asked Koi. He was feeling a little confused.

“I saw a hologram. It appeared right there. (Jason pointed to some carpet in front of the couch) You have the Master Key?” Asked Jason. His face now showing wonder.

“Please sit.” Asked Koi, “You saw my broadcast. So you will help me gather some men?” Asked Koi.

“No.” Said Jason. He was about to say more but then his door opened and Jessica walked in. She stopped when she saw Koi sitting on the couch.

“He is here! Where were you in your hologram? What was that white tower? How did you get here from their? Can I help you take back House Dane?” She said. She had her mouth open to say more, but Jason cut her off.

“Honey, close the door and come and sit down.” Said Jason. His voice part excitement, part annoyance. Jessica hurried and closed the door. She then walked over quickly and sat on the couch.

“Jessica was with you when you saw my broadcast? Why no, it’s for a good cause?” Asked Koi. Both Jason and Jessica started talking at the same time. Koi could not understand. Jason and Jessica stopped talking and looked at each other.

“You tell” Said Jessica. Jason reached over and held her hand. They smiled at each other before Jason spoke.

“It was not just me and Jess who saw. I was here and Jess was in the library. I think everyone for an hours walk around us saw. I have had six different men come and say that they will go with me when I go. I asked one why they were coming to me and they said because I am a close friend of Koi.” Said Jason.

“Everyone is talking about you” Said Jessica. She was about to say more when the door burst open again.

“I am here to help!” Boomed a loud voice. Koi figured that’s what a Viking would sound like. Koi recognized the man from the dining room. Zach.

“My axe is dedicated to Koi’s cause!” He bellowed.

That’s when Koi noticed a very large axe in the man’s hand. The handle looked to be over four feet long. Not to mention the wicked half circle axe blade. The other side had a point of metal that looked like a dagger, it was at least twelve inches long.

Koi stood and Zach spotted him. Zach was about to talk but Koi spoke up first, “We will not be killing Lord Dane or his followers. We will be capturing them and taking them to cells.” Said Koi.

“Of course! This axe is only for show! I would not stain its beauty with the blood on men! When do we march?” Asked Zach.

“Tomorrow at ten, we meet and prepare to march on House Dane. Eleven we go. Will you spread the word? Tell them that I am here. Also tell them our timeline?” Asked Koi.

Zach answered yes and was out the door in a flash. Koi sat back down and looked at Jessica and Jason. They both wore looks of excitement.

“So what you are telling me is that I have men that will help me.” Said Koi.

Koi and the other two talked about the plans for tomorrow. When they were done, Koi went to a spare room and tried to sleep. His mind kept returning to the fact that men could get hurt or even die tomorrow. Koi really did not want others losing their lives on this mission tomorrow. Eventually the darkness of sleep overtook him.

Chapter

Koi awoke and looked at the clock on the wall. It was seven. Koi went to the bathroom and then showered. Today was the big day. Koi got dressed and cleaned up. The crystal was firmly in his hand. He did not put it in his pocket. The weight of it in his hand was comforting.

Koi walked through the apartment. Jason must still be sleeping. Koi went to the Dining room and sat. Jason’s dining room was located next to his living room. He would see if Jason woke up. Koi looked at the plate in front of him. It held yogurt with fresh berries, toast, and some scrambled eggs. Koi did not feel hungry but he ate anyways. Koi discovered that he was in fact hungry and the food soon disappeared. Koi was sipping on his orange juice when Jessica walked in the room. 

“Good morning” Said Koi with a smile.

“Good morning to you too. Is Jason not up yet?” She asked.

“I have not seen him.” Said Koi.

“I will go and find him.” Said Jessica with a sneaky smile.

Koi wondered what she meant to do. Koi after a moment heard an “Oh!”

A moment later he heard “Thank you for waking me, but did you have to jump on me”

There was some laughing and then Jessica walked back in. “He is in the shower” She said with a grin.

Jessica stat and started eating some food. It had not been there before. A little bit later Jason came in and he started eating too. They talked for a little bit and then Koi told them he was going to go out and see if people were gathering. They said they would catch up soon.

Koi left the apartment and started off down the hall. He started running into people. They smiled and were nervous. They acted like he was a celebrity, there was a lot of hand shaking and smiling. Koi thanked them all for their help in this upcoming campaign.

“Sir,” Said Zach at one point, he just materialized out of nowhere “I have told everyone to start gathering in the largest dining room”

Koi thanked him and then they were heading towards the before mentioned dining room. When they got their al of the tables were gone. Everyone made a path for Koi to walk down. As koi walked down the rows of people his mind wandered. All of these people were willing to follow him, a sixteen year-old. He hoped this went well.

Koi found a little platform or stage at the end of the path. Koi stepped on it and he could see Zach, Jason and Jessica standing near the base. They all smiled up at him.

“Good morning” Koi started “I thank you all for your willingness to help take down House Dane. For too long, its presence has disrupted the flow of the house. The house has unwritten laws that must be followed. They are freedom, flow and home. The freedom and flow is: to move and go and do. The house provides so that we can explore and learn. The flow of the house is a natural forces that provides for us in a way we can’t even understand. Food and water, shelter and safety. They follow the flow.

The last is home. The house flows best when we are living like family in a home. We all care for each other. We learn and grow together. House Dane has broken all of these laws. Today we march to the sealed doors of house Dane. I will unlock the doors and we will go in and capture the Followers of Dane. We will place them in cells. We are not here to kill of hurt. Just return the house to its natural flow.”

Koi held up the Master Key. It glowed bright in the eyes of the hundreds that gathered to help. The path opened up again on the ocean of people. Koi stepped off the stage and headed down the path. Koi looked over his shoulder and saw that Jason, Jessica and Zach were right behind him. Koi was grateful when Jason started to whisper directions over his shoulder. After lefts and rights, Koi found himself walking down a very large hall. It was wide enough to drive cars down.

Then Koi realized that this corridor matched the one that led to The Magistrates office and then the elevators. Koi could see the two very large doors at the end of this corridor. Koi could feel that House Dane was on the other side of these doors.

Koi walked up to the very large door. He looked it over quickly and spotted the key hole for the Master Key. Koi slid it in and the quartz glowed a little brighter. A very loud sound of parts moving came from inside the door. A loud clunk, announced that the door was unlocked.

Koi reached for the handle and pulled. The door swung open as smoothly as any door ever could be. Koi looked in and saw the stunned faces of many people gathered. Koi saw movement and he tensed. Then he realized that it was Kara running at him. Koi heard murmurs behind him, so he held up his fist. The murmurs stopped. Then Kara collided with his middle.

“I missed you.” She said. Koi watched Angel walk up behind him. 

“I missed you too.” Said Koi.

Kara released him and Angel hugged him. Then Jenna hugged him.

“What is going on? Where is Lord Dane?” Asked Koi.

“They fled in the night.” Said Angel.

“Huh.” Said Koi. Feeling confused.

“Your hologram showed in every room. With the pressure they were receiving from us, they Feld in the night.” Said Jenna.

“Are you sure they are gone?” Asked Koi.

“Yes. We have searched the whole are twice. They are gone.” Said Kara.

Koi turned to the men standing behind him and said as loudly as he could “I have been told that Lord Dane… I guess I should say, Dane. Feld in the night after seeing my hologram broadcast. He took his followers with him. There is no one for us to fight. Come and meet your new neighbors!”

A loud cheer came from in front of him and then behind him. The ones behind him started to chant “House Koi” over and over. Koi blushed as the men from in front of him started to chant the same thing. Koi was looking over the faces in the crowed when one caught his eye.

It was Jill standing and smiling at him. Koi smiled back and then she turned and started walking off through the crowed. “I will have to track her down some time” Thought Koi.

The people slowed and then stopped cheering. They started to mingle with each other. Koi looked at his friends around him.

“Let’s go and talk” he said.

He walked to a wide connecting hallway and sat down. Jenna, Kara, Angel, Ion and Alex followed. Along with Jessica and Jason. Zach was out meeting his new neighbors, and showing off his axe.

“What happened after I left?” Asked Koi.

The other all looked at Jenna. She sighed.

“When you were banished, Dane was off of his game. He seemed spooked. He and his Privileged started giving out strikes all over the place. Harold convinced a lot of the guards that he used to work with, to join our side. We let it leak out that if anyone was going to be banished then we would rescue them in force. The next night we broke into the Magistrates office and took the key. There were many drawers and we could only get the one open in the time we had. We went to open the catacombs door to look for you but Dane and his followers held the door. Over the next couple of days, everyone started to defy Dane. People started to eat whatever they wanted and that pissed him off. He held enough people to make our lives hard. They even took some of our people and put them in the cells in the basement. We got them back though. Then you hologram appeared and our side started to get excited. That night Dane and his followers gathered in the ballroom. We went in force the next day to confront them and they were gone. We searched the whole area. Nothing. We thought it might be a trick. But Jill told us that she had seen them go in the night. Then you came.” Said Jenna.

“Wow! That is quite the story. I would trust Jill, she is a chosen.” Said Koi.

Koi looked at the stunned faces in front of him. He was not going to mention that Jill had said he was a Chosen.

Somehow everyone ended up in the ballroom eating a feast. It was a big enough room to hold all of these people. There was a lot of laughter and fun. At one point Koi noticed that the nice guard and Ashley were on his side. Koi smiled.

“I have something to tell you,” Said Angel, “Jill said, that Dane said, for you to watch your back. He said he would be back in force someday to take his land back. Jill wanted me to tell you and just you.”

Koi smiled and said thank you. He would not dwell on that right now.

Koi slipped out and walked to the Magistrates office. He used the key to open the drawers on the desk. All of the drawers had their own lock. Koi found his stuff in one. In another was the big drawer of keys. Koi picked his out from the top of the pile. Koi noticed that all of the other keys had names on the tags. Koi’s was the only one that had a koi fish outline.

Koi haled the drawer of keys to the ballroom. He then announced that they would need to go through it to find the rooms that were theirs. Koi smiled at the surprised look on the faces in front of him.

Koi figured that he could sit and enjoy some food. Then he had an idea. Koi walked out and went back to the Magistrates office. Koi walked in and started looking at the walls. Their it was. Koi went over and removed the pins holding a map on the wall. It was a hand drawn map of House Dane. Koi studied the map and then left the room. Koi walked to a spot that was represented on the map. He used the Master Key to unlock the door. Then Koi moved around the area, unlocking the doors that had separated House Dane from the rest of the house. It took a couple of hours, but it was done.

Koi looked over the map and he saw a door close to where he was. The other doors on the hand drawn map had been marked with an X. Showing that they were locked. This door showed a skull and cross bones. A door had been locking its accessing hallway.

Koi looked at the map again. The skull and cross bones were placed in front of a large circular room. A hallway led off and then there was another door. The one he had unlocked. Koi noticed that the circular room was like the domed room. It even had the four doors coming off of it.

Koi rolled up the map and walked back to the door he had unlocked. Koi opened the door and walked down the hallway. The door at the end that led to the circular room was locked. As with the other doors, no key hole was present. When Koi pulled out the Master Key, a hole appeared. Koi inserted the key and it flashed a little.

Koi pushed the door open and looked inside. At his first glance the room looked identical to the other domed room. Other than a glass tube in the middle of the room. Was there something in it? Koi walked closer to the tube. It stretched from floor to ceiling. As Koi arrived at the tube he noticed that… it was a man. He was lying at the bottom of the tube. He had a pair of slivery shorts on and nothing else. Koi looked at his skin with fascination. It looked like the tendrils of mist had been tattooed on the man’s skin. As Koi watch the blackness tattoos moved. Very slowly they glided across the man’s skin.

Koi walked around the tube and looked at the man’s face. Koi figured the man had to be around twenty. Koi jumped back a little as the man’s eyes shot open. The man slowly stood up, the entire time the man’s black eyes were on his. The man’s eyes were so different than his own. No eye color and white. Just solid black. Koi felt like the man’s eyes were sucking in light.

The man spoke and koi was unable to recognize the language the man was speaking.

“I don’t understand what you are saying” Said Koi.

The man tried to communicate with Koi in a couple of different languages. Each time the man change a language Koi would shake his head. Koi wondered why the man was in the tube. The man then placed his hand on the glass tube. He then stared at Koi, unblinkingly.

Koi took the step that placed him as close to the tube as he could go. Koi reached out his hand and placed it on the glass. Suddenly Koi felt his mind linked to the man in the tube. Thoughts bombarded him. The man had lived in the house. He was exploring with… Dane. One day they stumbled on a locked door. They had tried to get in. They ended up breaking down the door with objects. Dane and the man had to take turns staring at the door so it would not suddenly be hole again. They broke down the door and went into the domed room. The one he was now in.

There had been a glass container holding a black looking liquid. They broke the cover of the container, wanting to figure out what the blackness was. Koi watched as the man who stood before him reached in to touch the blackness. The Blackness jumped up to meet his hand. It attached to the hand and started to flow into his hand, like water being poured into gravel. The man screamed, not in pain, but fear. The black tribal looking tattoos flowed across the skin of the man as more of the liquid blackness poured into him. Soon the black looking tattoos reached the man’s face, he louder when the blackness touched his eyes. The man stopped screaming. Koi watched as the darkness laced man turned and reached for Dane. Dane ran.

Koi realized that the darkness was reading the language portion of his mind like a book. Koi ripped his hand away from the glass. It had taken a huge amount of strength to rip his mind away from the glass. Koi knew that if the glass had been gone he would have been taken over like the man before him.

“Koi” Said the man in the tube.

Koi back up while facing the man.

“Free me. Let me make all dark. Freedom in dark.” Said the man.

“No. I have seen in your head. You desire to make all dark. To absorb all and make it dark, like you. You are like a black hole. You just want to consume everything.” Said Koi still backing away.

The man in the tube cocked his head to one side. He then reached out and hit the tube in front of him. To Koi’s horror, the glass cracked. The light showing through the mist tendrils on the ceiling, suddenly turned red.

“Please exit the lab. Please exit the lab for containment measures. Please exit the lab.” Said a woman’s voice. It seemed to be coming from the room.

Koi watched as the cracks continued to spread. The man’s hand shot forward and hit the glass. The glass broke away and the man’s fist was outside of the cracks. Koi turned and ran for the door. Fear short through him in waves. Koi made it to the door, he passed through and blue flashed behind him. Koi stumbled and fell. Koi picked himself up and ran back to the open door.

A blue force field filled the doorway. Koi could see through into the room. A huge ring of blue force field was contracting in towards the tube. Koi could see that the darkness laced man was standing just five feet away on the other side of the force field. Those black eyes were watching him.

Koi reached back and pulled the door closed. When he shut it he inserted the key in the key hole and locked the door. Koi then ran down the hall and opened the door. He slammed it shut and locked it to. Koi turned around and slumped against the door. He slid down until he was sitting on the ground with his back against the door.

Koi felt a black tendril ever so softly touch his mind, “Koi” it said. Koi knew it was the darkness.

The end, of book one.

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