Two

The Kitchen: Part 1

Six,

I suppose things are starting to look up. I met someone very... strange, but nice. He's very kind as far as I can tell, though I don't know if the kindness will last. I'm not really a good judge of character, since I thought you...

Nevermind. I suppose I'm just writing to say that progress is being made. The boy I'm with has a plan, which is more than I can say at the moment. I feel like a real slacker. 

BUT, I was able to think of a few little jokes that you'd probably hate! I told one of them to the guy that found me, but he didn't really react the same way. He just giggled and patted my shoulder, telling me that was, "A good ONE." It was funny and I was glad he appreciated the joke, but I miss your reactions. Here it is:

How do you make the number one disappear?

You add a "G" and it's gONE.

Ahaha... you'd probably hate hearing that, but even so, I wish I could have a chance to tell it to you in person.

I let out a small sigh and looked over at you. It had been a few hours. You were now curled up in front of the engine. Most of the water had dried off. Even though you were lying on the hard metal floor, you looked comfortable. It looked like you were sleeping fairly soundly.

It must have been nice. Allowing sleep to take you away gently. I could only recall sleeping peacefully once, and it was when I sang to Blumiere. I slept peacefully that night knowing that he was at ease. But now... it was hard to find the tranquility needed for true rest.

I paused for a moment, then put my letter with the rest of the letters, lying down on my back a few feet away from you. I hadn't gotten a good night's sleep since I lost my jacket, so I just kept my eyes open, looking at the ceiling, humming the lullaby I used to sing to Blumiere.

"Is that Sweet Chariot?" You asked me. 

I was slightly surprised to hear your voice since I thought you were already asleep. I hoped I didn't wake you.

"Don't worry," you assured, still lying down and facing the engine. "You didn't wake me. It takes a long time for me to fall asleep. Especially without my brother around."

I frowned slightly, turning on my side so I could face you. You still didn't face me, but I didn't care. 

"Me too," I muttered.

You finally rolled around, looking at me with wide eyes. "You have a brother?!" You asked, almost sounding shocked.

"Sorta... not really," I trailed off, biting my tongue. "I... had a really close friend who I thought... maybe... I don't know. But he's gone now."

"Is that who you're writing to?" You asked, nodding at the small pen attached to my belt next to my mask.

"Yeah," I admitted.

"Cool! Where is he? What happened to him?" You wondered aloud.

I held my breath, trying to find the words. 

"I... don't want to talk about it yet," I made myself say.

"Oh..." you breathed, softly smiling. "Well, you don't have to. But when you want to, I'll be here to listen."

We both stayed in that little hideaway for some time, not quite sure where to go next. You knew you weren't about to just repeat everything you already did in an attempt to find Mario, but all the other ways to go were unexplored by either of us. You really hoped Mario was okay. You knew he wasn't captured by the Janitor. If he was you most definitely would have seen him where you met me. Even so, thinking about him all alone left a sour taste in your mouth.