Chapter Four

"I have a feeling that they're hiding something from us." Nick said. The Legacy is holding a meeting to discuss the mysterious castle and Derek's latest vision.

"Why would they be hiding something from us?" Alex wondered out loudly.

"I don't know." replied Nick.

"If you don't mind," said Derek. "there are other matters here. I am searching for any information on the castle. Alex, you will help me. I am willing to hear any suggestions about the castle."

"I have been thinking about going over there and befriending them." said Rachel.

"I don't have any suggestions right now." Nick said.

"Another matter is the vision I had last night." said Derek. He described his dream to the group.

"It's no wonder The Legacy would send in a decoy." said Rachel, thoughtfully. "If she exposes her true self to the world, what she would be facing would be life-threatening."

"I have to agree with you, Rachel." said Derek. "That is why we, Alex and I, will be going through information to discover what links The Legacy and the castle have."

"Alex, you will be working on computer and I will be going through books." he continued. Standing up, he added, "Dismissed."

Derek climbed up the stairs leading to the Library. He went straight to the hiding place and pulled out a book. The bookshelf swings open and Derek entered. Right in the middle of the table is the book of Winston Rayne, containing all paranormal activities that happened on Earth. Something made him stop in his track. The book is missing! Something had happened to the book! Derek thought. It can't be any of the people from the castle. They never set a foot in this House!

Alex went into the Computer Room where she typed in her name and password.

GORMAN she typed.

FILENAME NOT FOUND, PLEASE TRY AGAIN. The computer replied.

Derek entered the room. Alex can see he is under great stress. "What's wrong?" asked Alex.

"My father's book is missing from the hiding place." Derek said, his face white. "How can it be possible? No one knows the place except for me!"

"Good work, Metis." said Kathleen, looking down at the book she is holding. "Derek had found out already that it is missing." She put it back on the table. "For you, Salome, good work as well for withdrawing all the information linked to us or the castle."

Salome beamed with pride as she placed the diskettes on the table. "Alex is also
having trouble with the computer." Salome added.

"I am suspicious of Nick." Peter suddenly said. "I have a feeling he might do something bad against us."

"Perhaps breaking and entering to find any evidence." said Justis. "It will not happens. We will stop him from doing it."

"Good." replied Kathleen. "Any news about the House?"

"There is increased actions within the House, probably with Derek looking for the book." reported Salome. "Rachel is considering the possibility she can befriend us."

"We'll see if Rachel is willing to." said Kathleen. "There is another member of The Legacy. His name is Philip Callaghan and he is a Catholic priest. From what I heard, Philip is considering leaving The Legacy."

"Leaving The Legacy?" exclaimed Dara in surprise. "Why?"

"Something to do with the priesthood." Kathleen replied. "However, right now, he is still a member. So keep your eyes out for him." The others nodded in agreement.

Derek had looked through nearly every room except for members' bedrooms but to no avail. He had even cleaned up the attic, something he had vowed not to do. Don't you think that perhaps someone in the castle had stolen the book? someone whispered. Startled, he looked around but no one is there. It is possible. Derek thought. Even if I believe it is impossible to transport an object from one place to other without somebody noticing. He decided to go up to the computer room and discuss the thought with Alex.

Alex was having a harder time looking up information on the computer. So she was relieved when Derek came in. It was then Alex noticed a weird expression on his face. "Are you okay, Derek?" asked Alex. "

Yes, I'm okay." said Derek. "I'm just wondering why I'm here in the first place. Never mind about that. How are you doing so far?"

Alex sighed with frustration. "None so far." she said. "It's like someone is withdrawing information from us on purpose."

"If it's true," said Derek. "I intend to find out why."

Nick crept along the forest, straining to see any lights from the castle. Finally! he thought when he first saw the light. He ran across the grass to the first window. The room was dark and, as he peeked through the window, saw no movements.

He wrapped a little piece of cloth around his left fist and was about to swing when someone grabbed his wrist. "I didn't expect to see you back so soon." Peter said, sarcastically.

Nick turned around and discovered he was surrounded by a group. "May I remind you that breaking and entering is a crime?" Justis said.

"I know that already." snapped Nick.

"Then why did you tried to break into the castle?" asked Kathleen.

"You were hiding something from The Legacy." said Nick. "Something of a high value."

Kathleen and a blond-haired girl exchanged looks. "Where did you get that idea?" Kathleen said. "We are hiding nothing from you nor The Legacy. A reminder for you, Nick. Follow your guts."

"What's that supposed to mean?" said Nick.

"Just follow your guts." Kathleen repeated.

"I will let you go with a warning." replied Peter. "If you are caught again on this property, you will be arrested for trespassing. Do you understand?" Nick nodded and Peter released his hold on him. The group watched as Nick disappeared into the dark.

"What do you think would happen?" asked Peter.

"Well, Nick would probably report this to Derek. But Derek would ask what he was doing on the private property without our permission in the first place." said Kathleen. "Derek would also probably not listen to his report."
Alex and Derek were hard at work when Nick came storming in. "Derek," said Nick.
"can I have a word with you in private?"

Derek looked up from the monitor. "Sure." he said. He turned to Alex and said, "I'll be back in a moment."

"Take your time." said Alex, smiling.

"What's up?" asked Derek once they were out of the control room and into the den.

"I went over to the castle because I have a gut feeling that something wrong is going on over there." said Nick.

Derek interrupted him. "What were you doing there in the first place, Nick?" he asked.

"Because something evil is going on here over there, Derek!" Nick said. "Don't you feel it?" Much to his dismay, Derek shook his head. "I'm sorry." he said. "But it is wrong to go onto someone's private property without their permission just because of your gut feeling, Nick!"

"So you would not listen to me because I entered a private property?" asked Nick.

"They do have the right to put you on arrest for breaking and entering." Derek pointed out.

"Now I can see it." said Nick, his face darkening. "You're more interested in following the law than in finding out what truly happened there."

"Nick.." Derek began to speak.

"No, it's okay." said Nick. "I'll see you later." He stormed out of the den, leaving Derek stunned.

After the incident, Kathleen went into the den and closed the doors, locking it. She turned to face the spirit of Alicia Summers. "Hi, Alicia." said Kathleen.

"Derek Rayne had been cursed by Randolph Hitchcock." said Alicia.

"Who?" Kathleen had never heard of Randolph Hitchcock.

"He used to be my fiancé," said Alicia, "before my death. Hitchcock holds Derek responsible for my death even through he isn't." She explained the mission they went on when Derek was 18. "I went looking for Derek, which I was not supposed to do in the first place. The monster they were hunting down for data killed me," Alicia continued. "Unknown to them, The Legacy rescued me or rather, my soul, from being destroyed by the monster. I am still in healing. All I wanted to say to you, is to be careful with the plans. It can result in deaths or it can results in miracles. Just be careful, Kathleen, please!" She slowly disappeared, leaving Kathleen alone to ponder on what would happen next.