The library is a cozy, book-lined sanctuary with floor-to-ceiling shelves that seem to stretch up to the ceiling. The walls are painted a warm, honey-brown color, and the floors are covered with a soft, plush carpet that muffles your footsteps. The room is filled with the musty scent of old books, and the air is thick with the silence of a sacred space.
The overall atmosphere of Tina's house is one of opulence, luxury, and refinement, a true reflection of her family's wealth and status.
"Wow! Is this a bookstore?" Mike exclaimed, awestruck. "There are so many books!"
Rachael chuckled. "This is their family library. You'll find what you need here."
"Do you hear that?" Mike whispered as she browsed the shelves.
"Hear what?" Rachael replied.
"Your name. Someone's calling you."
Rachael's eyes sparkled with caution. "Let me go and check."
She approached the door, then turned back to Mike. "You're now on your own. Take what you want and leave. If you get caught, I don't know you."
"Shut up and go!" Mike grumbled and continued scanning the books on the shelf beside him.
Rachael rolled her eyes. "That's your problem, just don't get caught!" She said and slipped out of the room.
In the hallway, she collided with Tina and her three friends.
"Rachael! I've been searching for you,I need your assistance with..." Tina trailed, curiosity etched on her face. "Why... were you in the library?"
Rachael stuttered, "I-I was looking for the toilet...got lost...your house is huge!"
Tina's eyes narrowed. "The toilet is downstairs, Rachael. What were you really doing?"
Rachael's cheeks flushed as she struggled to maintain her deception.
"Whoa! You fell for it," Tina laughed and directed Rachael, "The restroom is down that hallway, last room on the right."
Rachael smiled and hurried off, sighing in relief. Tina locked the door and joined her friends downstairs where the party was in full swing.
Once Mike confirmed the coast was clear, he emerged from his hiding spot and began scouring the nearby shelf.
He discovered "Big Bad Werewolf" and "War on Griffins," sparking his interest.
A book on the top shelf caught his eye. Mike stretched, carefully retrieving it.
However, the shelf creaked, threatening to collapse. Mike swiftly supported it, but the weight was too much.
The shelf gave way, and Mike let go, allowing the books to fall.
He swiftly gathered the books and stuffed them into his backpack.
Minutes passed, and the door creaked open. "What's going on?" a voice from outside asked.
"Come see for yourself!" Tina's voice replied.
Three girls entered, gasping in surprise.
"How did all these books end up on the floor?" Lola asked.
"It's baffling," Janet said. "Not even a rat could cause this mess."
The group exchanged puzzled glances, unaware of Mike's presence.
Mike's heart pounded, his presence threatening to be discovered.
"Could someone please tell me what these books are about?" Lola inquired, scanning the room filled with countless volumes.
"This collection comprises legends and myths," Tina explained. "My father's fathers spent their entire lives gathering them. My father consistently cautioned me and my younger sisters to avoid entering this room."
Curiosity sparked, Cara asked, "Why didn't he secure the room with a lock then?"
Tina shrugged. "He repeatedly misplaced the keys, leaving him no choice but to force entry each time."
The girls nodded in understanding.
"That's why my father warned us against entering, let alone bringing outsiders," Tina emphasized.
"Yet, here you are with three friends in tow," Lola playfully teased.
Tina's annoyance was evident in her sharp hiss. "Let's swiftly gather these books and depart!" she instructed.
The group began packing, while Mike, in fear squeezed behind the shelf at the back of the fallen shelf, holding his breath, and hoping the girls wouldn't discover him.
After a while, the girls completed arranging the books and prepared to leave.
Tina spotted a book on the floor, inches from Mike's hiding spot.
As she approached and bent to pick it up, Cara suddenly exclaimed, "What kind of ancient box is this!"
Tina's attention shifted to Cara. Without glancing at the book, she snatched it up and hastily returned to her friends.
"Put that box down immediately!" Tina instructed, her voice firm and commanding. She quickly retrieved it from Cara's grasp and carefully returned it to its rightful place on the shelf.
"It's time for us to leave now!" she emphasized, her tone indicating a sense of urgency.
"Come on, Tina, we're your friends. We mean no harm," Janet attempted to diffuse the tension, reminding Tina in a soothing voice.
In response to Janet's calming words, the girls swiftly departed the room, and Mike let out a deep sigh of relief as the anxiety that had gripped him began to dissipate.
As he struggled to regain circulation in his legs, which had fallen asleep due to his prolonged stationary position, Mike stood up and vigorously shook them to restore blood flow.
His gaze then fell upon the box that Tina had taken from Cara earlier, and he found himself inexplicably drawn to it.
"What practical purpose could this old box possibly serve?" Mike thought to himself. "It lacks aesthetic appeal and doesn't appear to have any functional value. I really don't need it."
Despite his reservations, Mike's curiosity eventually got the better of him, and he decided to take the box without further hesitation. He swiftly slipped it into his backpack, his actions driven by an overwhelming desire to uncover its secrets.
Mike then turned his attention to the door, but his courage began to wane. He realized that exiting through the door would necessitate explaining the books and the box's presence in his backpack to Tina or other partygoers.
Unwilling to face potential scrutiny, Mike opted for discretion and decided to exit through the window instead. He carefully opened it and climbed down to the ground below.
Meanwhile, Christina was also invited, she arrived at the party accompanied by her friend Hannah. They made a stylish entrance in Christina's sleek black Jeep.
As Hannah and Christina stepped out of the Jeep, Hannah's gaze snagged on a suspicious movement on the wall of Tina's house.
"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.
Christina's initial response was enthusiastic. "Oh yeah! Tina's house looks stunning tonight!"
Hannah's squeal corrected her. "No, not the house! That!" she emphasized.
Christina followed Hannah's gaze and spotted a figure climbing down the wall.
"Oh, that! I see it now. Who on earth is that?" Christina wondered aloud.
Follow me," she instructed Hannah, determined to confront the mysterious climber
As they approached the left side of Tina's house, Christina shouted, "Hey, you there! What are you doing?"
"What does it seem like I'm doing?" Mike retorted, recognizing Christina's voice but choosing to remain anonymous.
He swiftly pulled his anorak's hood over his face and jumped down from the wall, ensuring he was beyond the safety limit.
Upon landing safely, Mike swiftly departed without another word.
Christina stared after him, perplexed. "Who the hell is that dumbass?" she exclaimed.
Hannah intervened, "Let's focus on the party. We don't want to miss out."
And with that, the two friends headed towards the party, leaving the mysterious figure behind.
Rachael, seated in the living room, turned her head at the sound of Christina's familiar voice. She stood up and walked toward the entrance, deliberately avoiding eye contact with Christina, who was engaged in conversation with Hannah.
Rachael's phone rang, catching Christina's attention. It was Mike calling to confirm their successful mission.
Hannah greeted Rachael warmly, "Hey Rachy!" followed by Christina's "Hi!"
Rachael's brief response, "Hi," accompanied by a wave, betrayed her unease.
The atmosphere was strained, primarily due to Rachael's discomfort around Christina.
"I heard about your suspension. Your brother will likely join you soon," Christina's remark was laced with sarcasm, her smile accentuating the jab.
Rachael's indignation simmered. "Father-fucking bitch!" she muttered under her breath and turned to leave.
"Whoa, I'm a virgin, and I don't sleep with fathers," Christina retorted confidently, her smile unwavering.
"You might remain a virgin for a long time, since no sane guy would want to approach you," Rachael shot back.
With that, Rachael swiftly departed, leaving Christina visibly embarrassed.
Meanwhile, Mike reveled in their triumph as he headed home. Little did he know, their adventure was only just beginning.