My Close Neighbour

Chapter 1

Bambalina stares at him painfully. Why is he so perfect? From his thick, onyx, flowing hair to his round, porcelain countenance gently holding perfectly spaced ebony eyes, a thin Duchess nose, pleasingly plunging dimples, and defined Cupid bow lips. Smiling to himself, he wiped the smudges that clouded the mirror. It's been 1900 years, yet he still looks 20 studying in academia.

As he smoothed down the invisible creases on the monochrome suit that hung resplendently despite his narrow frame, mesmerising, quiet ticks under his rattled through from his ear receptors through to his nephrons until a message finally processed through his CNS. The museum! Elegantly yet swiftly, he pranced to the medicinal museum. Nothing seemed to be stolen. "Well, I guess I don't need to do the other possession checks," Bambalina smirks. Bai Braggart. The engraved wooden badge hung perfectly onto a white gown.

As his Bambi doe eyes glanced towards the window, a warm gust of treacly airbrushed through his fluffy flowing hair. The cloying cumulonimbus clouds circled the Sun barricading its blinding, burning beams and blanketing a cool ribbon over the perennial forest of trees and shrubs. Varieties of multitudinous flowers filled the air, making it saccharine and petals from orchids, roses, tulips, bluebells, daffodils and more blended together creating a trail enticing Bambalina to follow.

An urge to venture and follow the fragrant flower petals washed over Bambalina and he scrambled towards the arched doorway. Fiddling with the straps of his leather boots, Bambalina did not notice a looming shadow that had cascaded over the diamonte window. Bambalina peeked upwards to see a pair of beady, black eyes peering through the glass. Instantaneously, he turned to hide behind the connecting wall anticipating for the reaper to disappear. However, the many times he prayed, the figure stayed put and commanded, "Please could you open the door?" in a rancorous voice. Slowly, Bambalina strolled towards the wooden entrance unbuckling the large lock.

"Good morning," he smiled.

"Good morning," the mysterious guise replied automatically.

As Bambalina scanned the mystery man, he seemed to recognise him but at the same time felt unfamiliar. The furtive effigy wore an all-black suit that caused his complexion to seem more icy and cold. A thick hood obscured most of his face however long strands of hair- perhaps an overgrown fringe- covered his deeply set, hooded, downturned eyes

"My name is Stygian," he screeched robotically, his voice felt pitchy yet monotone. "I'm looking for a Miss Bai Braggart. Do you happen to know them? "

"No, my name is Master Bambalina," Bambalina responded, attempting a smile. "Also are you new here?" He pointed towards what used to be an empty house but now must be owned by this poor soul.

Stygian nodded, "Yes, I'm guessing we'll be close neighbours?"