Red Dahlia

Chapter 2: Number boy

A/N: Yayyy, second chapter here ;)

Qotd: Even the darkest hour only has 60 minutes.

- Unknown

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Completely exhausted after today's events, I was walking all alone in the middle of the night. My thoughts were completely vague and I couldn't figure out where I was going, it seemed like my feet had a mind of their own taking me somewhere known or unknown without my consent. My footsteps were the only other sound audible except the chilly autumn wind in the deserted street.

I kind of knew where I was, I was somewhere near my old neighborhood. I considered that staying at a guesthouse would be the most suitable option at the moment, as I cannot stay in the same house my family once used to live in.

The welcoming scent of cocoa enveloped me as I walked inside the small inn named Omelas. I guess I'll be staying here until the chilly autumn night passes, not that i have to sleep.

Francesca Blossom owned that inn and helped me get a room. I've seen her with my mom, she was her friend and she recognized me as we used to play on the front porch of her inn and let me crash in her inn. You see Bravetown was a small town where people knew each other. We had only one inn, one high school, a shopping mall and few other shops.

***

The inn was simple, the wooden walls were unpolished, beneath the floor was also wooden and it creaked under my steps, the Victorian furniture completed the room's vintage look.

"You can always come to me for help Tobias. I won't let you down, I promise." Mrs. Blossom replied. She knew what happened, she knew about dad, she knew about Kaylee, she knew about everything yet, she never told a soul.

"Promises are meant to be broken Mrs. Blossom." I replied, my face and voice bare of any emotion. One thing I hate more than sympathy was promises; sometimes you can't just fulfill them.

"You calling me Mrs. Blossom makes me feel old now." she paused, sighing deeply. "I remember the time when you and Kaylee used to play here along with that Asian kid. What was his name again?" She tried hard to remember but couldn't recall his name.

"Lee Jun-u?" I remember him very well. He was my only and best friend other than Kaylee. His father was transferred back to Seoul so they had to move when we were 15.

"Yeah. You all used to call me Franny." she gave a slight chuckle at the memory. "I miss those days Tobias." She wiped a tear that had managed to escape her eyes.

Too bad Franny I miss those days more than you do.

Francesca Blossom was short in height, her golden bronze skin contrasted with her rich brown hair. Her skin was wrinkled and she had a pair of beautiful rich brown welcoming orbs.

She gave me a sad smile knowing that this was indeed a touchy topic for me and her too, she backed out and left me alone. I sighed and sat down on the old bed that looked like it would break anytime soon. Not that I wanted to sleep, I preferred not sleeping as I always got nightmares.

I lied down on the bed which creaked under me ever so loudly. Laying on the bed I had only one thing in mind, more like one person; Dahlia.

I don't know but something about her was intriguing me. Her personality was like Kaylee. I just couldn't help but think about her, she didn't even know me yet she convinced me not to jump off and give up on life.

I wondered what her full name was, how she looked like up close. I was very curious about her hair colour. She momentarily made me forget about all the pain and burden I carry around. She was like a miracle that happened, she was an angel who saved my life just when I was about to give up on life.

Thinking about her I didn't notice the yawn that escaped me and the drowsiness that welcomed me, I didn't realize when my vision darkened and I fell asleep.

The next morning, I woke up sweaty and panting. I had another nightmare, the same one. It was as if that only nightmare was on repeat. The exact same events repeated in my head after I had washed my face and changed into the clothes that Franny lent me.

The clothes she lent me were her son's, who happened to move for college, that's what she pretends happened, consisted of a black T-shirt, a pair of jeans and a checkered blue button-down shirt. I couldn't care less about my hair and leave them unbrushed and tousled. I really need to get some clothes from my house. Although I can't bear the sight of it.

Saying farewell for the day to Franny, I gained enough courage to go to my house. It's funny how I've stopped calling it home. Home is not a place; home is where you make it.

Walking towards my old neighborhood, I bumped into someone. My face devoid of any emotion twitched into anger. I really need to control my temper.

I was about to ignore the person and walk away when a familiar silvery voice spoke

"Ah, if it isn't the Number boy."

I felt my face briefly brighten up at the thought of it being Dahlia. But instantly dulled due to the egocentric personality I possess.

Standing in front of me was one of the most beautiful species of women.

Tobias, you sound like a creep.

Ohh look who decided to show up.

"Uhhh I'm very confused if you're talking to me or to yourself, please clarify." Dahlia stated to which I realized that I was speaking out loud, which made me sound dumber and my typical void personality came crashing down.

"It's OK number boy, you need to learn how to be calm." She chuckled.

"Yeah, Whatever." I replied not wanting to seem so desperate although I was very desperate.

"Oohhh, Number boy's got attitude." she said with amusement.

"Just so you know, I have a name." Now I was kinda annoyed by the lame nickname.

Up close Dahlia was even more ravishing. Her hair was brightly coloured in pink. Her nose was pierced and she had too many ear piercings. Again, she had the Gothic appearance today like she had last night. Fishnets, chains and black colour was a necessity for her look. Her eyes were like molten gold with flecks of green and the pupil shining in between them, you could easily get lost in those orbs.

"I don't care number boy." and with that said she plugged her ear phones and ignored me as she walked in the same direction as me.

I followed Dahlia; her bright pink hair bounced on her back as she walked while bobbing her head on beat. She stopped without any warning, which resulted in my nose smashing on the back of her head hard. I rubbed my nose while she rubbed the back of her head.

"Ok number boy, quit following me!" she removed an earphone and scowled at me.

I let out a snort. "As if I was following you." my egocentric side kicked in. She raised a confused eyebrow.

"Is it just me, or are you bipolar or something?" Her curiosity getting the best of her.

I shook my head in response and continued walking towards my house. Well I wasn't just strong enough to go there alone. An idea popped up in my mind.

No Tobias, this is a pathetic idea.

No-

Stop-

Tobia-

"Umm Dahlia-"

REALLYYY!!!!! You don't listen to anything I say and, in the end- arghh, who am I kidding. I wish I was someone else's conscience.

"Yeah number boy?"

***

A/N: Sorry for the long chapter. Will update soon. Yeah so my fan-girl side also kicked in here. ;P

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