Derek was still in shock when Nick pushed him aside and rushed to the unconscious Kathleen.  Nick placed his fingers on Kathleen’s neck and then looked up at Derek.  “She’s dead.” said Nick.  He gently closed Kathleen’s eyes and stood up.

    It happened fast that Nick wasn’t sure what exactly happened.  But Derek jumped on Peter.  “You killed my love!” he screamed at Peter.

    Peter was thrown against the wall when Derek jumped on him.  Now he scrambled to get up from the floor and reached for the gun.

    Salome kicked it out of the way.  “Murderer.” She spitted out at Peter.  “For that, you deserved to die.”

    “Salome, no!” said Dara.

    The wind blew through the room and everyone but Salome put up their arms to protect their faces.  Derek peeked through the arms and saw an arc of light that surrounded Salome.  It flew from Salome and hang around Peter… then it attacked.  The room was full with Peter’s screams of pure terror and pain.  His body began to dissolve in bursts of light until it vanished.

    Salome walked over to Kathleen.  A tear spilled out of Salome’s left eye.  “I will miss you, my friend.” She said to the still girl.  “You are the unforgettable.”

    Kathleen’s body began to dissolve in sprinkles until where Salome was kneeling, showed no sign of her.

    “In despite of this tragic event, we must continue.” said Justis.  “I know that sounds cold but Kathleen would wanted this mission finished.”

    “I must agree with Justis.” said Derek. “The mission must continue.”

    The gang didn’t say anything but make room for Derek as he left the room.  Inside, Derek was struggling not to cry.  The same happened to me when I lost Alicia Summers. He thought.  Then someone spoke.  Your pain will soon end. Derek stopped which caused Philip to bump into him.

    “What is it?” asked Rachel.

    Derek listened carefully but nothing was spoken.  “Nothing.” said Derek.

    They continued down the hallway.  “There is something that had been bothering me.” said Nick.

    “What’s that?” asked Alex.

    “Who lights the fireplaces and the torches? I thought this place had been down for over hundreds
of years.” said Nick.

    “Nick has a good point.” replied Rachel.

    “Yeah.” agreed Justis.

    “The warlock.” said Salome at the same time Dara said, “It’s the warlock.”

    “How do you know it’s the warlock?” asked Rachel.

    “The warlock was one of the people that a king walled in.” replied Metis.  “He will, no doubt, still be searching for revenge.”

    “You’re right, my dear lady.” a man stepped forward into the light.  “I am the warlock.”

    Dara studied the warlock.  “What are you?” she asked.  “and why are you dragging Legacy into this?”

    “Legacy has nothing to do with this.” said the warlock.  “Nothing at all.”

    “Then why are we here?” asked Metis.

    “You have been chosen for the tour of the Castle of the Tragedies.” said the warlock.  The evil
grin spread over his face.  “I will be the tour guide.”

    “And if we don’t want to be in the tour?” asked Nick.

    “Then you die.” replied the warlock.

    “We will be in the tour.” said Salome quickly.

    “Wise girl.” replied the warlock.  “The tour shall begin.”  He vanished in a burst of light, leaving the group alone.

    “I don’t like the feeling of this.” said Alex.

    “Neither do I, Alex.” said Nick.

    “Let’s continue down the hall.” replied Salome.

    “There is nothing but darkness ahead.” said Rachel.  As soon as she spoke, the unlit torches suddenly burst into flames.

    The group can see there are at least four more rooms ahead before it reached the stairway.

    “What does the downstairs lead to?” asked Metis.

    “The dungeon.” said Derek.

    “I thought we are in the dungeon.” replied Metis.

    “We are not in the dungeon.” replied Justis.

    “What’s the difference?” asked Metis.

    “You will realize that when we go into the dungeon.” answered Justis.

    “Why don’t we split into two groups?” suggested Nick.  “There are 9 of us.”

    “That would not be a good idea.” said Derek.  “We do not have any form of communication.”

    The backpack suddenly appeared in the front of them.  “What’s that?” asked Metis.

    Nick picked up the backpack and peeped into it.  “It’s the walkie talkies!” said Nick.

    “How does it get there?” wondered Alex.  “Definitely not the warlock.”

    “Try Legacy.” said Metis.

    “My God.” replied Alex.  “Legacy is watching over us, isn’t she?”

    “She must be.” said Nick.

    “No time for talking.” replied Derek. “We must split in two groups.  Nick, Alex, and Dara you’re with me.  Salome, Metis, Philip and Rachel is with Justis.”

    “We will cover the dungeon.” said Justis.

    “And we will cover the second floor.” replied Derek.

    “You will need a walkie.” said Nick as he passed out 9 walkie talkies.

    “Good luck.” said Derek.

    “You too.” replied Justis.  Justis’ group walked down the hallway and down the stairs.

    “We will check the rooms.” replied Derek.  “There might be clues.”

    “Okay.” replied Alex.  She picked the nearest room.  When Alex walked into the room, nothing happened.  But when she came near to the bed, she gasped in horror.

    In the bed were a couple.  They didn’t commit suicide. Someone told her.  They were murdered with their throats slit.

    Alex can see the dying couple as they lay on bed.  A shadow of someone moving away can be seen.

    The man struggled to speak while the woman whispered, “I love you.”  She closed her eyes and was still.

    This is the castle of tragedies. Someone continued to tell Alex.  Beware for more tragedies!