Land of Losts

Chapter Three

I have no idea where I exactly am. But I've figured out that this place is outside my world. And it's real, it's not a nightmare or an imagination. I have also figured that this place is filled with dark creatures and I'm here among all of them.

The voice hasn't talked to me for a long time. A complete silence surrounds me like a dark sin all over me. I think this place is huge. I start to walk around to see if I can find anything. I can barely see anything so basically I don't know what I'm walking to. Few more steps and I find an old lady across me. She radiates faded light so I can see her pretty well. She smiles at me a sly smile and waves her hand at me telling me to approach her.

I hesitate on going further. I don't know this place and I can't just trust an old lady. I think for a few seconds and I ask the old lady.

"Hi, Ma'am. Do you mind telling me what this place is? I'm kind of lost so I think your help will mean a lot to me," I try to show a genuine smile because who would want to help a person that looks suspicious?

She looks at me. Her staring goes deep right into my eyes like it is being pierced. She walks toward me and I feel myself start to take a few steps back because of the intimidating look she gives me.

"No! Don't go, sweet. I was just about to tell you everything about this place," she says to me with a tone very much like Grandma.

"Come with me. I'll show you around."
At first I really hesitate on following her. I stand still for a few seconds before she turns around, facing me, telling me to come with her or be stranded alone.

Step by step. It's not easy to walk with someone you have never met before in a place you have never been to before. I tell myself so many times that it is okay.

Okay.

Okay seems like a very decent word. It calms me down sometimes and it always leaves a pretty nice feeling inside you. Like you have been encouraged or something. However, I cannot contain my curiosity any longer so I pick whatever sentence that is flying inside my messy head.

"Ma'am, how much longer will you keep your mouth shut?"

The lady turns to face me, and with that mysterious smile of hers, she answers me.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I got carried away with the walk. It's been a long time since the last time I have a walk with someone lovely," the lady is trying to sound sweet and all.

"Well, t-that's good for you, then."

Silence once again covers us like a cashmere blanket. It makes me warm and comfortable somehow. But it doesn't last long because, again, I can't contain my curiosity so I ask the lady where we are heading and how long we're going to get there. Then the lady begins to tell me a story.

"Once, this land was a very lovely and beautiful place. I've always loved to live here. The trees, flowers, roads. Everything. Everything was really great. Oh, and don't forget the hot chocolate," she glances and drops a smile at me. "But that was when everything was fine. It was so long ago." She looks sad and miserable. As if I can tell that she is hiding so much pain.

"What happened here?" I ask to continue the story.

"I was 27," a loud thud comes from across us.

Another thud.

It is louder than the previous one. I feel my heart skipped a beat and my breathing is becoming faster every second that is passed.

"Come. They don't want you here," the old lady reaches my hand. It feels warm and good. Suddenly I miss home.

"What was that?"

"Later. For now, we go from here."

•••

Dad's POV

Emily hasn't dropped the attitude yet. It was weird, knowing the fact she wouldn't do something like that. What was that? Was that some kind of teenager hormonal issues? It sucks that your wife isn't there to help you take care of your daughter anymore.

"Em, it's Dad. Can I come in?"

"What do you want?" she says to me, not opening the door.

"Well, I want to talk to you."

A click sound from the door unlock. The doorknob is moving so I think it's a good sign.

She opens the door not wide enough for me to get in.

"Come on, Em. Aren't you going to invite me in?"

"That's it. Or don't talk at all," she stares at me deeply with hatred.

I let out a sigh. Gosh, I really need to be patient. Now is not the time to yell at her. I keep silence for a few seconds, thinking about how I should talk to her without irritating her. You know, teenagers are really sensitive in times like this.

I clear my throat and look up. She is in front of me; staring and reaching out a hand, ready to close the door.

"Wait! Don't," I hold the door.

"You're wasting my time. Fuck off!"

"No, I'm not going anywhere. Not until you tell me that this is just some puberty shit you're going through."

"Why is it even important to you? You don't act like you care about me now because I don't fucking need you. Shit."

Her words doesn't get into my brain. Something else does. I've seen that shadow around the house before. The only part I've seen is only the back side of it. Luckily, there hasn't been any time that it turns around to face me. It feels like I know what it is deep down. All I know is that it is a woman.

It turns around, and it's the face of Emily Carson.