As six o’clock rolled around that evening I made my way to Noah’s personal study. I knocked upon the door as usual and went to let myself in. It was locked. How strange, I thought. I put my weight against the door and pushed, but it didn’t budge.
“Sir?” I called, hoping he would hear me if he was in there.
No answer. I decided to wait for five minutes, in case Noah was running late and had other business to attend to. However, fifteen minutes later he still hadn’t shown up. I was quite annoyed by this time and pacing in front of the study. Perhaps I should go looking for him. It hurt to think that I had been stood up.
I started down the hall and headed for Noah’s bedroom. Once I was in front of it I knocked lightly three times. This time, I thought I heard something in the room, but it sounded muffled and distant. I pressed my ear against the door and listened hard, praying that I wouldn’t be caught like this.
Clunk, clunk, clunk. What was that noise? It sounded like footsteps on stone. But there was nothing in Noah’s room, from my memory, that could make a sound like that. Holding my breath I tried the door, and found to my surprise that it was unlocked. I opened it slowly, peeking inside; rather unsure as to whether I should be doing this. I was starting to shock myself. I had become much more daring lately.
One quick glimpse around the room told me that Noah was not here. So what had that noise been? An intruder?
“Hello?” I called timidly, fear rippling through me. Would Noah be mad at me for my concern? Was I even allowed here when he wasn’t? After all there was no fireplace in this room that I could use as an excuse for my entry.
I took a few steps deeper into the room and noticed some things that were different. Noah’s bed was a mess as though no one had made it for days. I thought this was unusual seeing as the cleaners made every bed in the manor. What was their reason for neglecting this room? All the curtains were drawn shut and a strange smell filled the room but was somewhat familiar. My eyes fell upon his walk-in closet. The doors were slightly ajar showing me but a glimpse of all of Noah’s fine garments hanging one after the other upon many racks. I started towards it hesitantly, but the strange smell seemed to get stronger the nearer I got to the doors. I opened them wider and peered inside. It was completely full of handsome, finely made clothes that were no doubt very expensive. On the back wall of the large, walk-in closet, (which was bigger than my entire bedroom), was an archway that seemed to lead down into a pitch black passageway. The steps that led down were made of a hard grey stone. I assumed that this secret doorway was meant to be concealed, but it their haste they had left the curtain that concealed it drawn back. I contemplated upon whether I should descend these stairs.
My brain screamed no. I couldn’t see anything five feet in front of me because it was so dark. I was about to turn back when I heard a definite shattering of glass from inside the dark opening. Someone was definitely down there, and by the sounds of it, had just broken something. I heard a muffled voice, cursing to themselves. It sounded like Noah. Before I was aware of it, I had begun to descend the stairs of the dark, eerie walkway. I focused my Power and created a perfectly symmetrical ball of fire in my palm, lighting up the dank stone passage. I heard a dripping noise from somewhere nearby as I sunk deeper into the secret room. I walked for several minutes; surely it would end soon? I figured I must be underground now.
Finally I saw a flickering light in the distance, as the passageway came to an end and seemed to lead into a small circular stone room. Extinguishing my hand held flame and treading very quietly I stopped in the arch doorway and peeked into the secret room. It was pretty much empty apart from a few things.