Chapter 4: Back Stories, Colors, and Rituals

“Welcome to St. Augustine’s, we hope you enjoy your stay, for you may never leave once you enter. Your salvation is in your hands and your hands alone. The only way to make it out…is to face your fear.”

The group exchanged wary glances with each other.

“They’re just saying this to get us all scared right?” Madison asked with a slight shake in her voice.

“Uh, yeah…I’m sure that’s it…” Glen said a bit hesitant.

“Yeah, that’s gotta be it. Otherwise how else are they supposed to get the best of us when we head in there right? They know it’ll be stuck in the back of our heads while we’re doing whatever and we’ll start imagining things.” Aiden commented almost confident in his statement.

“Right, so let’s just get this thing going so we can be done with it.” Ashley said while taking a seat on the desk.

Jessi clicked the mouse again and the voice continued.

“Tonight you will be forced to face your greatest fears. There are many secrets hidden within the walls of St. Augustine’s; secrets that you will uncover while completing your assigned tasks. Before we get to the fun you must first be briefed to the tragic history that is St. Augustine’s. Prepare yourself, for what you are about to hear is anything but pleasant. Click the icon labeled History.”

Jessi looked to the rest of the group, “You guys ready for this?”

“Yes.” They responded in unison.

She took a deep breath and clicked the icon. The screen immediately changed to a timeline. Automatically, an old picture of the building with a man standing proudly in front of it popped up and the voice spoke again.

“St. Augustine’s Preparatory School was established in 1887 by Reverend Thomas Quinn. Quinn named the school after his late wife who was mysteriously murdered two years prior. According to town records the woman was found with her throat slit and abdomen sliced open and missing internal organs, including her heart.”

“That’s so sad.” Spencer said.

“Uh yeah, and totally disgusting!” Kyla added.

“10 years after the school opened, a string of murders occurred causing a temporary closure of the building as authorities conducted their search. As it turned out, Reverend Quinn had been the one to commit the dastardly deed. Five students lost their lives to the deranged man, but when the police arrived to take the man to jail they were met with yet another bloody scene. Quinn had committed suicide in his office, taking a pistol to his head, leaving only his body and a note detailing the murders, including his wife’s.”