The campus food court was quite crowded at that time. Understandably, they wanted to fill the hungry. But not for Felix and Rebecca. They both just ordered tea.
"You see this," Felix said, pointing the laptop screen at Rebecca in front of him.
The noisy cafeteria interrupted their conversation.
Rebecca looked at Felix's laptop screen.
"This is a murder case that happened in the mansion. Until now, I didn't know that the abandoned mansion was haunted. When I was researching yesterday, there was a history to the mansion, okay? We just never found out," Felix said.
Rebecca remained silent. She was reading the article on Felix's laptop screen.
"Eh, what's this news I never knew about?"
"Because you haven't taken the story of the haunted place to everyone. You insist on going to the mansion because of your brother Alex, right? Not because you really want to see a ghost. You're a girl!"
Rebecca's heart and soul were shocked to hear her best friend's words.
"Wow... You're so nice of you to call me that, aren't you? You think I didn't notice how Brother Aiden looked last night? You weren't just looking at him, were you? You asked him all kinds of questions. You're shocked by him, right?"
"Hey! You're slandering me. You're a sinner, you idiot! But, he's really nice, right? Even though he's skinny," Felix praised. Instead of being angry, his expression immediately changed to one of embarrassment.
"Ceh! I already thought you were in shock. That's why you kept asking him all sorts of questions last night.
Rebecca pouted angrily as she glared at Felix with hurt eyes.
Felix just laughed.
"Yeah, don't be a selfish. Right now, we're discussing the issue of the clan mansion. Aren't you afraid that the mansion is haunted? Until now, the police haven't been able to track down the murderer 10 years ago. I don't want to die like them," Felix whined. Hoping Rebecca would reconsider her previous decision.
"Did you read this article to the end?" Rebecca asked.
"You should finish it."
"The article says that the six teenagers were believed to have played Ouija boards before they died. Maybe the spirit they were calling out killed them. We didn't go there to play shirk. We just wanted to see the building at night."
From Rebecca's words, there was really no hope for Felix to change the girl's decision.
"You're Beca, you still want to win over your brother Alex, right?" Felix grumbled.
The laptop was pointed at her again.
"Eh, how did I win over anyone? I said the right thing."
"Have you done any research on that mansion?" Felix asked.
His hand was typing something on his laptop keyboard.
Rebecca just grinned.
Felix was very understanding with his best friend's sneer.
"If you want to know, that mansion used to belong to Kalen Doss, you know? It was at that mansion that she killed a man with the rank of CEO to complete his black magic. The news is that the man's body was completely cut up. The CEO died immediately. That's why Kalen Doss was sentenced to hang for murder," Felix said, deliberately recounting the Kalen Doss case which had been controversial in the past.
"Isn't that Kalen Doss mansion in Western Australia? Rebecca couldn't believe it.
"How did I know, it's already on the internet."
It's all just a lie. It's no use associating people who don't exist anymore. You really believe the stories on the internet, right?"
No matter what, I still don't feel good about the mansion. There's this blog, they're talking about their experiences going to the mansion, they really couldn't record anything. But, on the way back from the mansion, all sorts of problems happened, you know? The engine wouldn't start, the tires got flat and all sorts of other things."
Rebecca chuckled and took a sip of her drink.
"Oh, you want all that to happen, you don't have to wait until you go to the mansion. If your car breaks down, it can break down even when you're coming home from college."
Not sure if Rebecca is really arrogant or if she doesn't believe in ghosts. Ever since then, she's had an excuse to dismiss every word Felix says about the dilapidated mansion.
You're the one, you haven't believed in all the strange things that have happened at the mansion. What if the spirit the boys were talking about before is still roaming around the mansion? And then them kills us, aren't you afraid?"
"What are you talking about! Have you ever heard of dead people being killed by ghosts?"
"So, the six dead children, weren't they killed by ghosts?"
"Is there evidence that says the children were killed by ghosts?"
Felix remained silent. It was also difficult for him to explain to Rebecca what he was feeling right now. He felt like there was something in the dilapidated mansion that was going to disturb them.
"Why are you silent? Don't you have any proof? Come on, it's almost 2:00 pm, let's move. Slow down, your favorite lecturer is a jerk."
Rebecca packed her files and walked out of the cafeteria.
"Hey, wait for me!" Felix said.
He chaotically gathered his things and caught up with Rebecca who had already moved away.
That evening, they had promised to meet at a shed right by the lake. This meeting was to discuss their plan to record paranormal activities that they would do tomorrow night.
"Are you sure you want to join them to record the paranormal activities? Don't you think it's crazy?" Felix asked, still doubting their decision.
The steps were immediately arranged to the promised location through the pedestrian area around the lake.
Rebecca sighed in boredom. Her shoulder-length hair that was flowing forward was pulled back with her hand. The afternoon heat was shading their steps at this time. If it wasn't, it would be hotter.
"You've been talking about this all along. You've been watching people's videos on YouTube, right? Have they managed to record Yara-ma-yha-who or Tjuringa (Churinga)? Right? Let's just say we're going along for fun. Experience the new experience of being in a haunted house."
Felix's eyelids narrowed as he stared at Rebecca next to him. He was furious with his best friend.
Hey, isn't it a good idea to say just for fun. Do you think going to the mansion is like going to a haunted house at a fun fair? Does the story of the demon in the mansion really exist?" Felix said, still dissatisfied.
Okay, don't worry. I'm sure nothing will happen. If the demon really exists, the owners of the blogs you read before must be dead, right?"
"The problem is, the blog owners all went to the mansion during the day, not in the middle of the night."
Rebecca rolled her eyes, disgusted and tired of trying to convince Felix again.
"Can you stop thinking so negatively? Just imagine what we're going to do tomorrow is just to see if the mansion really has a ghost or not. That's all"
Felix groaned angrily. His brain was dead, trying to think of a sentence to make his best friend realize. Anyway, he just agreed as he continued walking towards the shed that was still far ahead of them.
"Rebecca, have you noticed that Fiona doesn't seem to like us joining her tomorrow?" Felix asked, changing the topic of conversation.
Rebecca was silent for a moment as she reminded him of Fiona.
"I noticed too. She was just sitting with us at the restaurant last night, right? Luckily, Alex, I got us on my side.
Felix pursed his lips and mocked.
"Alex, you're so strong-willed, aren't you?"
Rebecca just made a face.
"I don't think it's good that Fiona doesn't like us. She just keeps staring at us. It must be no surprise if some of the group hates us."
"Hey, we're not going to the mansion for days. After doing what's right, we won't be in touch with that tomboy girl again. I joined their gang just because I wanted to get Alex's number."
That was Rebecca's true intention.
"I'm not sure. It's not like I'm your victim, right? I have to go to that clan's mansion."
Rebecca grinned widely.
"You've been my best friend since school. If you don't help me, who else will?"
Felix growled in hatred. When they arrived at the shed, only Austin was seen sitting alone on a bench.
"Hi," Felix said, still smiling.
Austin turned around and said hi, which was just a polite greeting.
"How long has it been since you arrived?" Felix asked.
"Yes, in 15 minutes," Austin replied while looking at the digital watch on his wrist.
Felix and Rebecca smiled and sat not far from Austin.
"People think we're slow people. Apparently he's late." Rebecca also spoke up.
"Well, I promised 4.00 pm, now it's 4.20, I don't think anyone will see him anymore."
Rebecca and Felix nodded in agreement.
"Hmm... Is this your first time joining his group?" Felix asked, just creating a topic.
It would be boring if he didn't speak. Last night, they didn't have time to chat because the other seniors were so busy.
Austin nodded.
"The first time, I always watch his videos on YouTube. I want to join him, but I'm shy. When Alex posted a status on Facebook looking for someone to join him, I immediately inboxed him.
"You're really interested in investigating ghosts, right?"
"Hmm..."
"Not interested, but just wanting to know and looking for experience. I always watch Ghost Hunter Sekeers and TV shows like it. It's interesting when he's busy hunting ghosts. I want to experience it myself."
Felix and Rebecca looked at each other and nodded a few times to show understanding.
"But you know, he's not a ghost hunter. He just likes to record videos in places that are said to be 'horror'."
"I know. But it doesn't matter. If you want to go alone, you don't dare. There's a gang here, you can experience it together, right?" Austin, who has a masculine body, replied while laughing.
Felix and Rebecca laughed fakely. They didn't laugh, some were a little discouraged.
You two, why do you want to join them? Do you like investigating ghosts? Or do you have an assignment related to ghosts?"
"Err..."
Felix looked at Rebecca. It seemed that Rebecca knew the answer to Austin's question better.
"We just like it. We always watch their videos on YouTube. So, we also want to know how they feel about the paranormal activity records," Rebecca replied, hesitantly. It was obvious that the answer was false.
Felix rolled his eyes at Rebecca, showing that he was angry because Rebecca had lied. Rebecca also rolled her eyes.
"Oh..." Austin agreed.
The conversation was interrupted until the person who would be their meeting showed up three minutes later.
"Sorry guys, I'm late," Alex said while panting.
"Are you alone? Where are the others?" Rebecca asked.
Felix quickly glared at his best friend.
"Just me only. Aiden has a lecture until 5:00 pm. As for Fiona, I can't reach her. I don't know what's wrong with her cellphone. It broke for about a week, but she didn't send it to the shop to fix it. It's because of her that I'm late. I waited in front of her house for a long time, but she didn't come out," Alex answered at length while taking something out of his backpack.
The others just listened and watched.
Alex took out three pieces of paper with hundreds of letters printed on them and gave each of them one.
"This time I just want to give you this agreement. Please read the items, then sign. I'll give you time to read the contents of the agreement. The day before we carry out the activity at the mansion, I want you to hand me the signed agreement, okay?" Alex explained.
"Agreement?" Felix asked, surprised.
"Yes, the agreement is black and white. Oh, we explained the items last night. We won't be responsible for anything that happens to you that night. It's all on your own responsibility."
Felix was torn between wanting to join their activity tomorrow night.
"Now, you guys go back and get ready. At 6:00 PM, make sure you gather at the bus stop in front of the campus. I'll pick you three up there."
"Are you picking us three up? Where are we going?" Felix's question again since he was the person who disliked what they were going to do tomorrow the most.
"Before we go ahead with the mansion raid activity, we have to get to know the mansion first. See what it's like, right? No one will be surprised when the day comes. Because our activity will be carried out in the dark," Alex explained.
"Okay, I can't stay long. There's something else for a moment. See you at the bus stop in front of the campus at 6.00, don't be late." Alex said and walked away from the shed.
Felix thought for a moment.
"We've been waiting here for him to get ready for the car walk from the car park, he didn't come for five minutes, then go? It's waste time!" Felix grumbled angrily.
Rebecca laughed, Austin also laughed at Felix's grumbling.
"What are you laughing about? This is all your business. That's it! Let's go back, at 6.00 pm we have to face him again at the campus bus stop. Stressful, you know!" Felix continued and then walked away from the shed.
Rebecca laughed again.
"We'll say goodbye first," Rebecca said goodbye to Austin and quickly followed Felix's footsteps, who was still babbling.