Lost Souls

•two•

•two•

I DEFINITELY was not expecting to be awoken by the loud shrill sound of the alarm at 8 in the morning; I did not set the clock at all. it was the summer break after graduation; it was my right to enjoy it after years of effort. After tossing and turning once more, in order to regain sleep, and failing, I finally gave up and left my bed. So, I decided to visit the one person I could interrogate regarding the alarm clock.

I walked over to dad's room and knocked on the door. "Dad?"

"Come in, Lila," the voice answered, curtly. "I was expecting you."

I twisted the doorknob and stepped inside, greeted with the sight of my dear father sitting at his personal workspace. He looked like one of those CEOS in the movies. Quietly, I sat down on a nearby stool.

"Did you set the alarm clock in my room?" I asked.

"Yes," he answered, in a stoic manner. "I need you to get dressed formally. We're supposed to meet someone today."

People. Yay, I thought to myself.

"Oh, you're making it sound like a business meeting, Roy," I heard the familiar voice exclaim from behind me. "It's just a visit to our neighbours in this new vicinity!"

Neighbours, yay. Now it does feel like a cliché high school novel. Where's Alec?

"What time are we leaving?"

"Now. You have 15 minutes. Get ready."

"Right," I said and left for my room.

***

"Roy, you dressed up too formally, leave the tie behind," I gritted my teeth, as I heard Elizabeth whine to my father about his attire. Fifteen minutes passed already and here, they were, arguing about their outfits.

I stared down at the outfit I chose to wear; a white long shirt, covered by a beige colored lawn jacket, paired with simple black tights and black wedges. I decided to wrap a scarf around my neck. Then, I turned to observe Elizabeth and my father's outfit once more; Elizabeth wore a floral summer dress with her sandals, whilst my father wore his business suit.

As expected.

"Elizabeth, it's alright, I'm starting the car," father said, whilst putting the seat belt on. "Close the door again, Lucy."

Lucy, my five year old stepsister instantly obliged and closed the door with a thud.

"A little quietly next time, maybe?" I suggested, sarcastically. I could envision the frown on Elizabeth's face, however, couldn't really confirm it, as she was sitting on the passenger seat.

Lucy nodded and offered an apologetic smile. I ignored her and turned to face the window.

The engine of the car started with a loud vroom. I sighed and leaned against the seat, closing my eyes.

***

"

You said they were our neighbours?" I asked dad, sarcastically.

Apparently, our neighbours lived five miles away, in a different neighbourhood. I could now understand why dad had to drive us there.

Infront of us, stood a medium sized building, with a thick large roof shielding it from the sunlight and brown colored walls, exuding layers of warmth and peace. The house was large, but not quite the size I expected it to be.

"Honey, are you sure we're at the right house?" It seemed as if Elizabeth had read my thoughts.

"Yes," my father said and proceeded to knock on the tall wooden brown door.

Seconds later, we heard the sound of footsteps approaching the door and the twisting of locks until the entrance door opened; in front of us stood a man, with black hair, decorated with streaks of grey, tied up in a bun, pale skin, surrounded by wrinkles under his almond shaped brown eyes, seemingly in his mid forties, dressed in simple shirt and trousers, with an uncertain smile on his face.

"Good day, Roy," he greeted, stepping forward to shake dad's hand. "It's nice to finally meet your family."

"You too, Mr. Park," Dad nodded and shook his hand in return.

"Ah, I told you to call me Hans!" He chuckled and ushered us inside the house.

As we followed the back of Mr. Park's head, into the house, I scanned my surroundings and tried to gather my thoughts into a single conclusion.

I've heard that name before! I tried to internally recall my memories. It was indeed brought up, but what was the topic?

One thing that was for certain was the fact that Mr. Park was different from the other people dad introduced us to. For starters, he did not exude coldness or muster up a stoic expression - in fact, he seemed more friendly and humane.

Something that wasn't very common in our household.

•more of a filler, but this needs to be added in order for the story to progress.•

~