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“Botanical Order.”

Miles stepped next to me again.

“A secret society...”

And there it was again. The fascination in his voice. Or was it the one I felt in my stomach? Was it the curiosity that doubled exponentially with every new piece of information about this place?

“I think we've found something that should remain a secret,” I whispered.

“I think it was about time we found this place,” Larissa laughed and spun around as if we were in paradise. And indeed, it felt as if we had passed through the wardrobe into Narnia.

This place screamed of ancient hidden town history, of secrets for which people on this mysterious island had given their lives. Of darkness.

A chill ran down my spine, but I tried to ignore the uneasy feeling that told me we were entering deeper waters from now on. Waters we didn't know, where unbridled maelstroms lurked, ready to pull us into merciless depths.

Secret societies were dangerous, even though various types of them existed and had done so throughout history. But in most cases, they were manipulative, elitist groups with unrestricted power and influence.

What if the people in this painting were from the founding families and had already shaped this town as they pleased back then, perhaps even bringing these absurd contracts into existence?

I wondered if Alarik knew anything about these people.

One last time, I looked from the masks on the walls to the faces in the paintings, then to my mysterious doppelganger in viridian, but eventually turned away.

This painting was about to drive me insane.

Further back in the room, where the aisles of bookshelves led further into the room, I refocused on the large oak table, reminiscent of a dinner table, surrounded by nine chairs.

I crossed the room, walked past the sofas and armchairs in front of the fireplace, and approached the small framed photograph that first caught my eye. Once there, I picked it up.

Holding Pattern

Angus MacRae

A group of young students in uniform was pictured on it.

Wasn't that our uniform?

The photo wasn't even black and white. It didn't look old, but it didn't look new either.

My eyes widened with realization.

“Look,” I called out, and within a second Larissa and Miles were standing next to me, then Emely, and finally, I heard Julie, more human than anyone else here, coming down the stairs.

“That's Alice,” Larissa exclaimed.

I, too, quickly recognized the pretty woman with full, chin-length, wavy brown hair in the middle of the photo.

A man stood right next to her and held her in his arms.

“Alarik...”

Emely sounded so surprised, almost disbelieving, even though the picture was only a confirmation of what everyone present had long suspected.

The young Alarik looked very handsome, not any different from today, just younger, boyish. And he reminded me of someone... But the thought was so bizarre that I immediately dismissed it.

On Alice's other side stood a dark-blonde woman with glasses.

“Is that your mother?” Larissa pointed at her in astonishment, and I just nodded silently.