The Shadow Bear (Hiatus)

Falling Inside

No one seemed to pay the girl any attention. She quietly snuck through the door and crawled about in the darkness. Where is it? Where is it.. She was struggling to find what she came for.

Rows upon rows of bears but not a single one was what she came for.

Then all talking ceased. The men at the front of the store stopped their conversation. "Wasn't there a girl with you Mister Parker?"

Crap! The girl hurried up her pace.

"Sorry, I don't believe I brought a girl with me." Altaria saw an empty cubby up ahead and she quickly went inside to hide.

"Mister Parker, you know how much I don't appreciate liars."

"Of course Sir." Altaria bit her lip. Stop stalling and just go already!

More silence.

"Alright. Well gentleman, I do believe it is time we leave. I'll lock up shop and tomorrow the sales begin. I bid you all a goodnight."

There were several murmurings of 'See you tomorrow' and 'Let's go out to celebrate' before finally they all left. Altaria was still breathing shallowly and her body was stiff.

She thought about moving but she wasn't sure whether or not the old man had left. Finally the clicks of locks falling into place answered her unspoken question.

Altaria now began to move about. She stayed close to the ground while searching for the one and only stand advertising "The Best Bear You'll Ever Want to Have!!!"

All the way in the back was where she found the boxes. She didn't understand why they'd be here if tomorrow they were going on sale.

Quickly she dug through the first three boxes and came up empty. What the hell?!

All of them were empty. They carried nothing more than packing peanuts and bubble wrap.

"Looking for this?" Altaria froze and jerked to the side. The old man hadn't left. He was just waiting for her to come out.

"I should report you to the constable but I have a much better idea." He came up behind the girl and hauled her to her feet.

"Follow me before I decide to just end you for trying to steal my merchandise." Altaria didn't say anything but she nodded.

The haggard led her towards the deepest parts of the store where only darkness ruled. Around her were discarded crates and sacks of white powder.

"What is all that white powder for?" Having owned a toy shop you'd think you'd see more cotton and toys than emptiness and powder.

"Powder? I don't know what you speak of. Your eyes must be playing tricks on you." Altaria glanced at the man and continued following him.

Finally, they arrived at a steel door. Bolts lay scattered all over its surface. Typing in a password the seal relaxed and swiftly popped open.

"After you, Miss." Warily, Altaria stepped in and looked around the room. Everything was stainless steel. The walls, the floor, the single table, the two chairs across from each other, the chains...

The man noticed her panic at the cuffs and he quickly produced a faux excuse for them.

"Don't worry. It just came with this interrogation room. It's what I get for ordering off a policemen catalog." The girl nodded but she stilled stayed as far away from them as possible.

"Why did you bring me here?"

"Why were you in my store?" The girl stared at the floor.

"I wanted a bear." Surprised by her answer the man laughed. Altaria ignored him and continued talking.

"I didn't think I'd be able to get one since they announced that the bears were limited so I..." The man nodded and said nothing else.

"Is that all?" Altaria showed a look of puzzlement.

"Yes. Why wouldn't that be all?" The man neared her with a look of distaste.

"You want me to believe that a girl just randomly thought she wouldn't get a bear and then decided to sneak into my store to steal it?"

Altaria frowned. "Yes. A girl who is obsessed with bears wanted one so she came to collect."

"Oh, okay. All you had to do was ask politely." The man wrapped one arm around her shoulder and they started walking back to the door.

"So, who sent you? Paul? Trinks N' Toys? Gordy's Goods?" Altaria flinched as the old man practically screamed in her face.

"W-what?" The grouch yanked her by her hair and dragged her toward the chains.

"Did you really think I believed your stupid story. You're just here for my coke! Trying to expose me and tear me down. Why I ought to kill you! But no matter, I'll just make profit off of you in the underground black market."

Altaria struggled but to no avail. One hand and one leg were now chained to table.

"I'll come get you tomorrow after I've sold every single one of those bears! Tomorrow you better be prepared to have an owner who can probably provide good punishment to you!"

With that, the door sealed shut, leaving a confused and heart broken little girl inside.

"Stupid bear."