The Lost

Chapter 2: The House

"You're welcome, by the way." Alina looked at Argus curiously. "You know, for saving your life. That was me. I threw a rock at it." Argus gloated
"Oh, well, thank you... Arges," said Alina hesitantly.
"Argus!" Argus sharply corrected a look of annoyance growing over its many eyes.
"Right, sorry..... Argus." apologizes Alina.
"Hmmm. Are you secretly a ghost, Alina?" inquired Argus. "Cause you kinda look like one."
Alina stared at the creature before looking down at her slender figure. The comparison was not unwarranted. She was pale as paper as if her skin was unfamiliar with sunlight. Matted, long, blonde hair was netted into two sloppy buns atop her head. She wore a ragged, baggy panda jacket with fingerless gloves resembling claws. It was good at concealing just how scrawny she was. "Might as well be, I look the part." She shrugged, "They called me TAD at my school."
"Pfft! They called you TAD!?" Argus laughs, perhaps too much.
"It stands for The Angel of Death. I have a history. Everyone I love dies. Tragically, most of the time." Her face becomes grim as memories churn inside her.
"I'm so sorry," Argus whispers. Awkwardly, it continued, "Ummm, you're kinda in B-I-G trouble. Just so you know."
Alina's glaze instantly shifts to Argus, "What do you mean, Argus?"
"The Wolf has your scent. He's coming for you now," explained Argus. The statement lacks even a hint of care or concern. It might as well have been referring to the weather.
"What?" Alina gasped. As panic set in, she started pacing back and forth. "So basically I need to spread my scene around the whole house, but how?" wondered Alina.
"So that's it? Isn't there some way to make it lose my scent?"
"Nope. Can't take it back. Can't get rid of it either, it's all over you."
"Oh no," Alina runs her fingers through her hair and pulls anxiously. She can practically hear the heavy, dreadful steps coming down the hall after her. She looks back at Argus pleadingly.
"How much do you like hair?" Argus asks with a knowing grin.
Before she can answer, Argus guides Alina to a room resembling a barber shop. Mirrors lined the walls, with leather chairs and oak tables set about. However, Alina was more enthralled with what seemed to be a barber. They were well-dressed, with a classy brown vest and black gloves. They stood like signposts, tall and slender with TVs placed where a head should be—the screens displaying a singular, spiraling, purple-gray eye.
"HEEELLLLOOOOO LE-O-PLOD!" Argus skittered over to the barber, embracing with what little arm he had. Leoplod bent down to pat the little head.
"It is a pleasure to see you once again, Argus." Leoplod's voice was accented by a light static. Something you would expect from the old TV he wore.
"I got a new friend!" Argus gestures to Alina, "Her name is Alina. Both of our names start with 'A'. It's so cool!"
"Ahhh, a human. It has certainly been a while since I've seen one here." The TV eye turns to Alina. "Why hello there, Alina! My name is Leoplod"
"Oh! Hi. Umm, Argus said you might be able to help me," explained Alina.
"Yes!" cut in Argus "She's being chased. By The Wolf!"
Leoplod gasped, "I think I see what you have in mind, Argus! Well, in that case, hop in my chair, I'll help you right away, Alina."
Alina hops in the chair and Loeplod promptly begins to trim. As Leoplod cuts, Argus started playing with Alina's fallen hair like a child playing in the snow. It was peaceful. She looked and felt like she was five again. Her dad with the hair clippers. Clair messes around with the hair, the radio in the background. The music was so soothing, her head bobbed up and down. Before long, Alina was asleep in the barber's chair. She awoke on a couch, a blanket draped over her. Her head felt lighter. Half awake, she walks over to a mirror. Her hair was gone. Cut so that it barely covered her ears.
"Ah, just in time for tea," Leoplod posits as he sits down and hands her a cup of tea. "There is no need to worry for now. The Wolf will not be coming after you anytime soon. Now, tell me about yourself."
Somewhat embarrassed, Alina mutters, "My name is Alina Eindis. I'm fourteen. I live in Violet Valley, the downtown area." Alina couldn't think of anything else, so, she started chewing her hair nervously.
Nodding his head, Leoplod chimed in, "I see, I am sure you've had questions regarding the house?" Alina nodded her head aggressively. "I don't know everything about the house, but what I do know is important so listen carefully. This house is cursed. The legend says, that once you've closed the door, it will only open to a living hell. With no escape. The house transforms into a labyrinth. There's no exit until the next victim walks through the door. And whatever you do, stay in the light during the night. Since you aren't able to leave, you are welcome to stay with Argus and me in our little shop. Do you understand Alina?" Alina averted her eyes and nodded, understanding everything. Knowing this was it for her. Then it hit her.
"What if you opened the window first before closing the door?"
"I wouldn't know, that has never happened before." Leoplod pondered for a second causing an awkward silence to permeate between the two. Finally, Leoplod broke the silence.
"Are you thinking you've discovered a possible way out of this nightmare of a house?"
"I-I, I'm not sure." She said hesitantly. She looked at her tea glumly.
"Why do you always look so sad, Alina?" Argus poked, "A wise, old wizard once told me that if you always look sad your face will become a blobfish. Honestly, it doesn't sound all that bad to me. They're such cutie pies." As Argus continued, Alina started to giggle at the little thing's comments, jests, and jokes. It reminded her of Clair, but she was happily looking back on the past.
"Mr. Leoplod, may I stay here with you and Argus for the rest of the day? Then I'll leave in the morning," asked Alina.
"Of course, you are welcome to come and go as you desire. But are you sure you want to go out by yourself?' questioned Leoplod, clearly wary of the idea.
"You and Argus have been too kind. I don't want to burden you anymore," Alina sulked
Leoplod let out a deep, static sigh, "Very well, I won't stop you if that's your decision. But let me help you, take this. It will help me contact you should you need assistance." Leoplod pulled out a walky-talky and handed it to her. "As you can see, it has a built-in locator that will always point you to the other walky-talky. So that way you can always find me."
Alina took the walky-talky and thanked Leoplod for his generosity. The three of them chatted and played games for the rest of the day. Alina was able to learn a lot about the other two. Argus was six years old, and Leoplod was thirty-seven years old. Leoplod was married and Argus had a mom. When night crept over the house, Leoplod shined a flashlight on Alina. She cozied up on a couch and began to drift off to sleep. She felt a gentle nudge and saw Argus with a little cat stuffed animal cuddling next to her. She smiled, putting her arm around the strange, little creature and wishing it a good night.
"Argus. Alina. It's time to get up, you two."
"Five more minutes," groaned Argus, rubbing each eye one at a time.
"Alina, I packed you some food, some water, and some other necessities," explained Leoplod.
"Thank you, Mr. Leoplod," Alina beamed. She put everything together that she needed. She made for the door to leave.
"WAIT!" Argus piped, "Uh... I'm going with you, Alina! Leoplod, can I go with her, please?!"
Leoplod squinted at the little cat-eared monster thoughtfully. "Only with Alina's consent."
"Consent me, Alina!" Argus nodded vigorously.
"If it's fine with Leoplod, then it's fine with me, I guess," she agreed.
"Go get your sackie, Argus," Leoplod conceded, "there's great danger behind this door."
Argus scurried off to go pack his things and scampered back full of excitement. "LET'S G-O-GOOOOO!" he roared.
Alina opened the door of the little shop. It was comforting to know that, for the first time in a while, there was a place she could count on, even though it was a nightmare of a house. Maybe she could even get used to calling it home.