A/N: Above is the photo of Siegfrid Timothy Dan Alexandre Beauprè
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Zoe picked up the action figure of Naruto and placed it back on the shelf. She tightened her grip on the lava lamp as questions washed over her. Just what on Earth happened? Was he upset or something that he decided to take off without saying a word? Or maybe he wanted to play hide-and-seek as training? But that didn't sound right. She had seen a lot of scenes like this in movies and it always leads to one thing--trouble.
She dashed to the balcony, her pink fluffy slippers barely made a sound on the wooden floor. Even though it was humbly large, it was impossible to hide in such open space. Nevertheless, she must try. Zoe looked around her sofa swing and removed the pile of pillows, but Darcy wasn't there. She walked to her coffee table, touching the cold and smooth surface of the marbled platform, still, no sign of him. She wiped her hand on her pink shirt while gazing at every corner of her precious sunflower collection, yet no Darcy.
"Where the heck is that idiot? Was he kidnapped?" She chuckled at the thought.
Just thinking that someone like him could be abducted was too funny, because it seemed so impossible. His posture, confidence, and very cool sword were enough to start his own action movie. She wondered what kind of power he had aside from those glowing golden eyes. Could he fly farther than Superman or run faster than Flash?
Zoe peeked over the rails, allowing the refreshing late morning breeze to push her hair into a gentle wave. She looked from her to right, running her eyes across the vast greenery dotted with rose bushes, but he was nowhere to be found. After all, her room was in the third floor. No one could simply jump and run away without breaking a bone or two.
"But he's different," Zoe mumbled. "He's my super bodyguard."
The red haired girl turned on her heels and stepped out into the hallway, turning on both sides only to see no sign of life. Just a few days ago, this hallway was filled with her bodyguards, but now, it felt so spacious.
"Darcy, where are you?" she shouted, her muffled words echoed like the voice of a delirious ghost. "Hey idiot, if you don't come out I'm gonna hit you with this lamp! You hear me?!"
She waited for a response, eyeing every door along the rose-decorated hallway. However, not a single one opened for her.
"Fine! If you wanna play then do it on your own!"
She began marching towards her room when a huge shadow passed from her peripheral view. She whirled, searching the farthest side of the hallway, but there was nothing.
"Darcy?" she whispered, even though she knew it wasn't him.
Her feet automatically froze, followed by an uncomfortable revolt of her stomach. She tried to breathe, but her heart was racing like a wild horse that she couldn't tell if she was taking air from her nose or mouth.
Every bit of her cell yelled danger, yet her survival skills were stuck.
Before she could even decide whether to hide in her room or run away, her feet decided for her, following the shadow at the end of the hallway. Pushed to her limits by curiosity, her ninja instincts kicked in. She pressed her back on the wall and tip toed towards the edge, trying to blend her all pink attire with the red and white decorations.
She paused at the corner, thinking that this was the most horrible plan she had ever executed. It wasn't too late to retreat, but like a pawn in a horror movie, her spirit of inquiry got the best of her.
Zoe licked her drying lips and took a deep breath, holding the air as she peered. There it was, hopping at the middle of the hallway as though it was the best day ever. It wasn't hard to spot since its blue-fluffy coat stood out from the interior design. Years had passed that his name didn't even cross her mind, nor his color ever bothered her. She almost forgot that he existed.
"Cookie Monster," she uttered with pure trepidation.
She wanted to avert her gaze; however, she was too stunned to move. The longer she stared at the adorable abomination, the more her stomach protest, like a geyser about to explode. But what was he doing here? Did someone let him in? Or was he completely trespassing?
Her stomach churned and the taste of sour pancakes made their way to her throat. She covered her mouth as a chill crawled on her back, hitting her forehead with the lava lamp. She tried to control and pushed the sensation down, yet a gagging sound escaped her mouth, becoming the only noise audible in the hallway.
She bit her lip as the figure stopped, suddenly weary of its surrounding. Panic surged through her veins and paralyzed her body with fear. The mascot started to turn, showing half of its face--the only façade she never wanted to see.
Their eyes met. Black against blue.
Her vision suddenly blurred when a strong force pulled her back, almost slumping her on the ground. Zoe swung her weapon only to be grabbed by a cold hand.
She turned to the mysterious figure and furrowed her brow. Zoe opened her mouth to protest, but Darcy shook his head. So, he would appear when you needed him? He pulled her to stand and immediately let go, as though she had a contagious disease. He placed his index finger on his lips and received a nod from her.
It was only a few hours since they met, but she couldn't be mistaken. Zoe silently watched him peered, examining his ashen face covered with beads of sweat. His eyes had that light of confidence, but his expression gave him away. She bet he even looked paler than her.
Were people from Mamoria also afraid of mascots?
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Dedicated to TEBradford
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Fantasy|Book#1|Chronicles of Mamoria| A story that was forgotten by history. A secret kept for hundreds of millennia. A dark heart sheltered by the light. A young prince who gave up his pride to protect his people. And a teenage girl who was destined to lo...
