CHAPTER 8

"Yes I will get mad if anyone talk about ghost or spirit in this villa." Ms. Courtney's voice was heard at the bedroom's door. Both of Sara and Alex were so shocked by the sudden voice. Sara backed off when Ms. Courtney come inside the room. "We can't talk nonsense about ghost since they are absolutely exist and they can be anywhere. So I don't want you to talk about ghost or spirit in this house anymore. Or else.. you know what I will do to you, right?" Ms. Courtney say with an angry voice tone.

"I was sure that you understand this house's rules, don't you? This house's stories doesn't need to be told to anyone. If I caught you telling anything to anyone... then you are DONE!" Ms. Courtney say with a fierce face before heading to the bedroom's door to go back to her room.

"Ok, madam." Sara answer Ms. Courtney's question while still lowering her head. She doesn't dare to say anything anymore. As soon as Ms. Courtney return back to her room, Sara signaled Alex and Anthony to continue their sleep. Sara doesn't dare to say anything about this villa anymore.

Alex know there were something that Ms. Courtney and Sara were hiding about this villa from them. But one thing that he is sure is he won't ever try to know the secret. UNLESS it were disturbing his life. Although Alex is so curious about the secret.

*THE NEXT MORNING*

Everything are going like normal. The breakfast is also filled with peaceful like always. No one say anything about what happened last night and it was a good thing. Even though Alex's curiosity is getting bigger but he is not gonna sacrifice the peaceful morning only to satisfied his curiosity. The weather are so fine so Alex decided to go for a walk around the villa.

Anthony who is getting used to the villa were playing video games alone in their bedroom. He now can go anywhere in the villa by himself. Anthony promise Alex to not get out from the room unless Sara or Ms. Courtney told him to. Alex doesn't want anything bad happen to Anthony while he is not around.

Alex who trust his little brother's promise finally go outside the villa and walking alone in the garden. He still feel so worried about his brother. Then, he see a bench in front of a fountain and decided to sit there. He take a deep breath and he feel like all the problems left him immediately.

Suddenly, he see John in the corner of the garden is watering the plants. He remembered that Sara once told him that there were only she and John that work for Ms. Courtney. Since Ms. Courtney need some peace to heal herself. To make things fair and less tired, they decide that Sara will manage the inside part of the villa meanwhile John will do the outside part. Sara said that they didn't feel too tired after they cleaned the entire villa.

Alex never talked to John since he and Anthony moved in to the villa. The middle age man looks like he is trying to avoid the brothers as much as he can. Alex decided to approach John and try to make some little conversation. "Good morning Uncle John." Alex reprimanded John politely.

John get startled when Alex suddenly reprimanded him from behind. John look at Alex with a blank but cold expression then leave without any words. Alex looked stunned when he was left alone. "What's wrong with him?" Alex just mumbling to himself. "It's ok, Alex. Maybe he just doesn't like to talk to strangers." Alex try to think positive and enjoyed the rest of his walking.

He continue walking to the left side of the villa. He then see a vast lake in front of him. Alex had never saw the lake before. A thin mist appeared and covering the surface of the lake. Lotus flowers are also blooming in the water making the lake look magically but in a beautiful way. But then Alex look straight in front of him and see a dead tree in the middle of the lake making it look a little scary. But overall the view is still stunning in Alex's eyes.

But there were something in the lake that Alex nor Anthony should know. Something.... that probably can change their life.... once again.

Alex now enjoying the amazing view and fresh air. He then turn to look at the villa. From there, he can see the left side of the villa. He can see the inside of the Green Room since the wall is made by transparent glass. He look up at the second floor and see Ms. Courtney's room. All of the window of Ms. Courtney's room is completely closed appeared as if the person who stayed in the room didn't want some sunlight to come inside the room.

"A boat?" Alex suddenly see a wooden boat that is hidden in some bushes at one of lake cliffs. He run to the boat with excitement since it is so rare to see a wooden boat now. There is a paddle inside the boat indicates that the boat is still in use. Alex untied the rope that tied the boat. He then slowly push the boat and quickly goes inside the boat.

Since he and Anthony are used to rowing plastic boat in the park near their house when their parents are still alive, Alex is so confident that he also can rowing the boat successfully. But it isn't as easy as what Alex thought it would be. The wooden paddle is not as light as the plastic one.

But Alex keep on rowing the boat and enjoying the beautiful of nature. While he is so busy admiring the beautiful nature, he doesn't even realize that some of the lake water started to get in the boat through some small holes at the boat. Not long after that, Alex suddenly feel something wet at his foot. Then he looked down and is so shock when he see the boat is now almost half full with the lake's water.

The bad thing besides the fact that the boat is almost full of water is Alex is now already at the middle of the lake. Meaning that he won't be able to row the boat to the nearest cliff. Alex is so panicked by the situation and he froze, not knowing what to do.

"Help! Is someone there? Help me!" Is all Alex can do in that situation is screaming for help. Unfortunately, Alex voice is just echoed in the forest, reflected by the hills. Being so helpless, Alex begin to move around. Not knowing that the action just lead to a more bad situation. The boat is now almost sank!

"HELP!!" Alex screamed loudly before begin to drown.

*WILL BE CONTINUE*