Laura found Felipe absolutely charming and followed him down to the cellar beneath the kitchen to retrieve the dishes he would need for dinner. He was young from what she could tell but didn't feel comfortable asking his age. "So Miss Laura, is there anyway that you work off all the energy you have?" Felipe asked blushing slightly. Laura felt her face get hot and began to fidget, "Um, I just do things I guess." Felipe grinned, "Well there is a trampoline off to the East Side out in back. Sometimes I find it rather therapeutic to jump up and down for a bit." Laura found the thought of jumping up and down fun at that moment. She thanked Felipe and ran upstairs quickly and grabbed a jacket. On her way down the stairs she wasn't paying attention and ran right into Hans. "Owww, Son of a .!!!!!!" Laura yelled falling back onto the stairs. "I am sorry Miss Laura. I didn't mean to" Hans said before he was cut off. "You saw me running down why didn't you say something?" Laura shouted slowly getting up. Hans helped her up slowly, "Where were you going in such a hurry?" Laura straightened herself out, "I was going to find the trampoline, I don't suppose you know where it is?" Hans smiled, "Yes, go down the stairs and through the kitchen and out the door with the green doorknob. You will go through a tunnel and come out on the main grounds. Once you get out there you will see a few landmarks that should lead you to the trampoline." Laura hoped she would remember the directions and quickly smiled at him and continued on her way. She waved at Felipe as she bolted through the door with the green knob and entered a rather dark damp tunnel that smelled funny. "Hello, anyone ever heard of electricity? It would help when one is walking through these tunnels!" Laura shouted hearing herself echo. She carefully walked through the tunnel trying not to fall. She kept hearing clicking noises, but couldn't see what it was because the only light she had was poking through some tiny holes close to the ground. She felt around her coat and breathed a sigh of relief when she found her little keychain that had a small light at the top. She slowly clicked it on and pointed it to the ceiling. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!" Laura screamed seeing the dozen bats hanging from some pipes that ran down the ceiling of the tunnel. Their wings began to flap and some took off flying frantically around Laura. Laura ran down the rest of the length of the tunnel flapping her arms and screaming. She pushed open the partially decayed wooden door and slightly faltered on the step that led up the grass. She jumped around wiping down her body still feeling them on her. Once she calmed down she gasped when she saw the beauty surrounding her. She walked slightly to the left and tried to figure out what Hans meant by landmarks. She a tiny bush that seemed to be hiding something. She pulled some of the branches back and saw a small wooden sign with a bunch of figures and arrows. She stood there trying to decipher and decided to follow the arrows to the little octagon with the T beside it. She walked down a path and noticed the trees were again bending towards the ground. She glanced on the ground and saw fresh footprints in the soil and wondered if she was going to run into something. Part of her wanted to turn back and find Kelly and Kimberly but she continued on seeing the trees slightly lift up ahead. Her eyes widened when she saw the size of the trampoline, "Wow, Felipe wasn't kidding when he said it was big." Laura took off her jacket and hoisted herself up on the trampoline and began to jump. "WEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!" Laura screamed as she jumped higher and higher. She felt as if she was flying. At one point she was catapulted so high she could see the entire grounds. "EXCUSE ME? Is there room enough for two up there?" A tall blond man called out to her. Laura turned her body around and quickly clasped her mouth shut when she saw Nick Carter standing at the edge of the trampoline. Nick realized that he had frightened her and didn't want to impose so he began to walk away. "No, wait. I was about to get off anyway. You can have your fun." Laura said stopping him. "I am Nick and you are?" Nick asked smiling at her. "Laura, and nice to meet you Nick." Laura replied trying not to freak out. Nick walked over to where she was and extended his hand to help her down, "So you are one of the three occupying the West Wing?" Laura felt her throat go dry and just nodded her head. "So you feel like exploring a bit more or are you tired from your jumping?" Nick asked not letting go of her hand. "Sure why not, let's go." Laura said relieved she had a voice left.
Meanwhile Back at the house.
"Darryl I can't thank you enough. This place is beautiful. No no, I haven't had a chance to explore it. I wanted to call you and let you know we arrived safely. Although I must admit that the people in this house are a bit on the creepy side, but I am willing to overlook that. No, I haven't met the other people but I am sure we'll run into each other sooner or later. Well thanks again, I'll talk to you when I get back unless I need to call you again while I am here trying to relax." Kim said staring out the window. She heard a faint knock that she assumed was the door. She opened the door and saw no one. She closed it and heard the knock again. She heard it coming from the wall and hesitated before approaching it. She placed her hands on the wall and felt a slight vibration when the knocking occurred. "Hello? Anyone in there?" She called out hoping not to get an answer. "Is there something wrong Madam?" Hans appeared behind her. "Hans, you really need announce yourself. You keep catching me off guard. Do you hear that? What is that?" Kim asked hearing the knock again. "Oh, that is just the house settling. It's really nothing unless you care to make something of it. You shouldn't worry about it. You should be out exploring and relaxing." Hans said barely managing a smile. "Is there by any chance a pool table here?" Kim asked nervously twirling her hair. "Yes, down in the game room. It is below the main floor. You will be able to see the door once you walk into the main hallway." Hans replied. Kim thanked him and walked out into the hallway with him. She got to the end and turned around to say something to Hans and he was no where to be found. "This house is giving me the damn creeps." Kim said under her breath. She skipped down the stairs and went into the main hallway. She noticed there were a series of doors leading, she assumed, to different places. She saw the door and the brass plated label, "Game room." She slowly turned the knob and flicked on the light and began to walk down the stairs. She entered the game room and gasped. "This is a freakin arcade center!" She shouted. She saw two pool tables in the center, various arcade games, a few pinball machines, a virtual reality booth and a dartboard that had a picture tacked to it. She walked up to the dartboard and saw a picture of Britney Spears and chuckled to herself. Kimberly grabbed a pool stick and racked up the balls and began to hit the balls one by one into the pockets. About midway through her second game she spotted the bathroom and quickly took a little break. She finished her business and was washing her hands she glanced up into the mirror and saw another face staring back at her. She tried screaming but nothing out as she stared into the mirror watching the face slowly fade and her reflection return. She stormed out of the bathroom and knocked over someone else who had come into the game room. "JESUS CHRIST!!! WHAT IS THE FREAKIN RUSH?" The man said picking himself up off the floor. "I'm so. Um I saw something. I am really sorry." Kim said rather embarrassed but still shaking from what had happened. "Well since we've become so chummy how bout we introduce ourselves? My name is Aj and yours?" Aj said smiling. "I'm Kimberly, nice to meet you." Kim replied feeling rather giddy that she had just met a Backstreet boy. "So what did you see?" Aj asked. "Oh it was, nevermind. You want to play some pool?" She asked trying to change the subject. Aj nodded and picked up a pool stick, "9 ball ok?" Kim smiled and racked up the balls and let him break. They were having a ball when they heard a humming sound. They both looked at each other and tried to remain calm. "Did you hear that?" Aj asked. Kim didn't know whether to acknowledge the sound or dismiss it, "Um what sound?" Both of them knew that they had heard it but didn't want to admit it so they kept on playing hoping it wouldn't happen again. "Are you going to be at dinner tonight? Supposedly Felipe is fixing something special." Aj asked opening the door to walk back up to the main floor. "Yeah, me and my friends will be there. So I guess I'll see you there?" Kim replied feeling rather attracted to him. Aj nodded and as she walked by him to go to her room he gently squeezed her hand and smiled at her. He watched her walk away and liked what he saw, but he knew that she had heard the sound as well as he did, they just weren't ready to accept it. Aj knew from the moment he stepped foot into the house something was a bit off. All of the other guys thought he was imagining things and just blew him off. They were guaranteed all the privacy in the world staying there while they were recording new song for their album, and they liked that idea. Aj thought maybe if he could talk to Kimberly and get her to express what she had heard with him that they other guys would believe him. But that would have to wait.
Kimberly was sitting in the chair in the corner of her room when Kelly stormed into her room talking so fast she could barely keep up. "Whoa!!!! Slow down there. What happened? Is someone hurt?" Kim asked trying not to laugh. "No, No, No, they are here. I met the man of my dreams I tell ya. I MET KEVIN RICHARDSON!!!!" Kelly shouted throwing her arms up in the air and collapsing on the bed. Laura peeked into the room and when she saw Kelly flipping on the bed in excitement she ran in and joined her. Kim peered over the top of her book to see the two of them flopping on the bed and screaming about who they had met. "Kim, are you not hearing us? We met the Backstreet boys, or at least a few of them. Did you happen to come across anyone?" Kelly said temporarily calming herself. Kimberly was a bit amused at the spectacle that Kelly and Laura were creating. "Wow that is so great that you met them. Were they nice?" Kim asked. Kelly and Laura were a bit upset that she was being so calm. They knew that she loved them just as much as they did. "Ok what gives?" Kelly asked folding her arms over her chest. "Nothing really I just was caught up in my book I guess. Are we going down to the main kitchen for dinner tonight?" Kim asked slowly putting the book down. Laura knew that whatever Felipe would prepare would be absolutely delicious. "Yeah I'd like to go. What time is dinner anyway?" Laura said glancing at her watch that was reading 4:15 P.M. "I believe I heard 6:00p.m. I figured we'd make our way down there around quarter to 6 and mark our spots at the table." Kim replied. "Ok well I am going to take a bath and chill out. I'll see you guys later." Kelly said waving as she walked out the door.
Kim picked up her phone that seemed to get louder with each ring, "Hello?" The caller on the other side answered, "Hello, Kimberly? It's Aj. Just wondering if you are still going to dinner?" Kim smiled recognizing his voice, "Yes, we're going. We figured we would get down there around 5:45 and take the good seats." Aj laughed, "Oh really? Well, we'll just have to beat you to it. But anyway, I just wanted to make sure you were still going." All Kim could think about was what she was going to wear. "Yeah, I'll see you down there. Bye!" Kim said hanging up the phone. Laura and Kelly met Kim out in the hallway and proceeded downstairs to the main kitchen. "I wonder if they are going to be there? That would, Oh my god I have to change. I mean if Nick is going to be there, I can't very well wear this." Laura said quickly turning around and beginning to run back to her room. Kim and Kelly grabbed her and pulled her down along with them. "You look fine, very presentable. I give you an A+." Kelly said keeping a firm grip on her friend. "How can you be so calm? What if Kevin is there? Huh?" Laura asked sticking her tongue out. Kelly just shook her head and laughed. They walked into the kitchen and were escorted by Hans into the large living room. Felipe was concentrating intently and didn't want to be disturbed. Kelly was the first to step into the living room and saw Kevin smile at her. She took a deep breath and smiled back at him. He looked absolutely yummy and all she wanted to do was . Well more on that later. "So where did you disappear to after we returned the horses? I turned around and you were nowhere to be found." Kelly asked bridging the gap between them. "I didn't want to.. Well I felt a bit uncomfortable and I was Oh hell I'm sorry." Kevin said not finding the right words. Kelly gently stroked the back of his neck, "It's ok. I forgive ya." Kevin smiled, "Kelly this is Brian, Nick, Aj, and Howie, guys this is Kelly." Kelly greeted all of them and watched as Nick and Laura moved closer to one another. She looked around and didn't see Kim and wondered where she had gone. "Hans, did you see where Kimberly went?" Kelly asked when he stepped into the room. "No Miss, I didn't I am sure she'll be back though." Hans replied. Kelly noticed Aj's saddened look and turned to Kevin, "Why is he so sad?" Kevin glanced over towards Aj who was watching the doorway closely, "I think he likes your friend." Kelly snickered because she couldn't picture Kim and Aj together but who knows opposites sometimes do attract. Brian and Aj were trying to compromise on a CD to play. Kim walked back into the room and Kelly noticed how her face lit up when she saw Aj. Kim walked over to Aj, "Funny seeing you here." Aj smiled at her, "I am glad you are here." Hans came back in and informed everybody that dinner would be served in 15 minutes in the formal dining room. "So would it be ok if I sat next to you?" Aj whispered into her ear. Kim nodded and lightly bumped him away. "Hey guys, Howie and I were going to check a movie out tonight, you game?" Brian asked nudging his friend Nick. Howie looked at Brian and replied, "I think we've lost out to the girls." Brian smiled and dropped the idea. They were led to the dining room by Hans and noticed there were place cards in front of each plate. "Ok why do we have seating arrangements?" Laura asked noticing she was no where near Nick. "Beats me. Maybe they thought we wouldn't have bumped into each other and figured this would be the best arrangement." Howie replied. Hans stepped out and when he returned he saw that they had ignored the card placements and sat where they pleased, "Excuse me, but the place cards were there for a reason." Kevin snapped his napkin into his lap, "Would you mind telling us why?" Hans glanced around the room at everyone, "Well, I just thought it would be more appropriate." Kevin wasn't pacified with his answer, "Well we like where we are sitting and that is that." Laura and Kim looked over towards Kelly and saw her pleased expression. They both knew that she just adored a man who took charge. "Do any of you know what we are having?" Brian asked. They all shook their heads and hoped it would be something they liked and not some foreign dish that smelled funny. Two people appeared that they had not seen before. They quickly went around and filled water glasses, poured the wine into the carafes, placed an assortment of breads and butter, and then disappeared into the kitchen. The servants both returned from the kitchen, one with a soup pot and the other with a large salad bowl filled to the brim. Each of them walked around and waited for a response whether or not they wanted soup or salad and then filled either a bowl or a plate with what they chose. A dressing carousel was placed and the servants disappeared. "Ok did anyone think that was a bit strange?" Aj asked playing with his fork. "You have to excuse Aj here. He thinks the house is haunted or something. He has quite the active imagination." Kevin said digging into the butternut squash soup. Everyone seemed to poke fun at Aj, all except Kim who just held his hand underneath the table and smiled at him. They were allowed about 20 minutes to finish their soup or salad and the servants hurriedly came in and cleared the remains and then promptly returned with the what everyone assumed was the main dish. There were two silver carts with large silver covered platters. Brian looked up and prayed it was something he could eat and was relieved when they removed them and he saw what looked like chicken wrapped in something. "May I ask what we will be eating tonight?" Brian asked. The servants slyly smiled at one another and said in unison, "Chicken Mediterranean. It's chicken pounded down to a thin layer and then rolled with sundried tomatoes and spinach and mozzarella cheese and then baked. Accompanying the chicken is a baked potato with Parmesan cheese sprinkled inside and seasoned. The sour cream is in this bowl." They delivered each plate to each person and replaced the bread and disappeared with the cart back into the kitchen. "This looks fabulous. I can't wait to taste it." Kelly said soaking up all the aromas. Everyone was busy cutting into his or her food, except Aj and Kim. Both of them saw the door that was slightly ajar suddenly shut and then heard it click. "Bone, why aren't you eating? Are you thinking the food is tainted?" Howie asked swallowing a bite of food. "NO, just thinking." Aj replied rather sharply. Eventually Aj and Kim began to eat but they only picked at their food.
45 minutes later
Kevin let out a satisfied growl and patted his flat stomach, "Man that was good." Everyone except Aj and Kim replied by nodding their heads. Kim had gotten up to go into the kitchen for more wine rather than ringing the bell that was left for them and when she turned the knob she found it locked. She debated whether or not to say anything. Everyone seemed so relaxed. "What's wrong Kim, did you realize that you shouldn't have any more wine?" Kelly said laughing. Kim turned around and glared at Kelly, "Oh would you just leave me alone." Kim had her hand resting on the knob and felt it getting warm and eventually grow hot. "OUCH!!!" Kim cried out yanking her hand back and causing the rest of them to look at her. "What's wrong?" Brian asked. "Oh, um, just got a cramp, nothing to be concerned sorry for the outburst." Kim replied massaging her hand noticing the slight burn mark that was now on her palm. Once she stepped away from the door Hans came through and scanned the plates pleased to see that the majority of them had eaten everything. He stopped when he saw Kim and Aj's plates still relatively full and scowled at them, "Was the food not good?" Kim cleared her throat, "Yes it was, I just realized I wasn't that hungry. I didn't mean to offend anyone." The plates were cleared and the main door they came through swung open. Kelly and Kevin went back into the living room and talked and listened to some music. Nick and Laura went down to the game room and Brian and Howie decided to watch a movie in their rooms. Aj and Kim noticed that everyone was rather sleepy and couldn't decide if it was just eating a big meal or the effects of the food.
"So Kelly, you enjoying the college life?" Kevin asked slowly wrapping his arm around her. Kelly sunk into his arms and let out a long sigh, "Yeah, it's ok. Just a lot of work. Doesn't leave much time for play." Kelly couldn't believe how at ease she was with him. It was like she had known him forever. "Maybe while your are here we can go out and just hang." Kevin asked. Kelly wanted to scream but refrained and calmly replied, "Sure that would be great. This house is fantastic isn't it?" Kevin pulled the throw that was behind him over him and Kelly, "Yeah it is, it has a lot of character. But watch out Aj might poison your mind. He seems to think it is haunted or something." Kelly turned around to look at Kevin, "Haunted? Are you serious? I mean really, do you believe that kind of stuff?" Kevin smiled down at her, "Nope not really. Haven't really had much exposure to that sort of thing."
Aj followed Kim outside to the car, "So you agree with me don't you?" Kim turned around and almost bumped into him, "Yes, I do. Something is not right in this house. But I think we should be careful about discussing it. Who knows who is listening."
