Encryption ➵ Sally face

Envy and Encounters

"Todd? Like red head Todd?" Sal cocked his head to me as I made the suggestion.

"Yes red head Todd, he's really into the paranormal stuff," I let out a laugh and stood up slowly, heading for the hatch downwards.

"Really? I mean I barely know him but I guess he always seemed so..." I looked to Sal as he searched for the words hopelessly.

"Normal? Rational?" I grinned as the hatch whipped open, letting in bolts of cold air into the now chilly construction.

"Exactly," Sal laughed as the three of us began to climb down slowly - making sure not to miss a plank on the journey downwards.

"Well for now I think that's our best bet - he's one of the smartest people I know that lives here so maybe he has a reasonable explanation," Larry chimed in as we started to head back to the apartments.

"Or maybe there's NOT a reasonable explanation," I chuckled at the two as we reached the metal door leading into the apartments, snow still flying in every direction.

"Oh please, there always is," Larry joked, he seemed to begin acting like himself more as we headed inside, warmth swallowing us as the door swung open.

"Alright, well I'm heading up - who else?" Sal's eyes a bit squinted as he smiled beneath the mask, looking to the both of us.

"Well me of course," I laughed lightly - standing beside Sal after meandering through Larry's room - littered with various objects. Most of which being Sal's and I's.

"You guys know I'd love too but I gotta stay here and take care of my mom... She's still really sick," Larry shrugged at the two of us, "But hey don't forget to tell me what he says!"

"Of course, we'll be back down here once we have what we need," I smiled as Sal and I began walking back to the elevator - back to floor 2.

~*~

"I don't know... I guess I just didn't know he had so much... baggage," Sal shrugged as the elevator doors opened. Almost immediately we took a right, avoiding Charley's old place at all costs.

"I guess everyone does, I mean there's still a lot you don't know about me," I smiled to the blue haired boy as we reached 202.

"Oh yeah and what's that Liz?" he questioned jokingly, leaning his 'face' inches from mine.

"Guess you'll have to find out huh Sally Face," I grinned devilishly, lifting his mask and giving him a quick kiss as I knocked on the pale green door.

Happily the two of us pulled apart, awaiting a response from the other side. After standing in silence for a few moments, Sal looked to me curiously.

"Are you sure he's home," he elbowed my side lightly as his attention directed back to the door adorning the bronze plaque.

"I don't see why he wouldn't be, he usually is working on his inventions most weekends," I shrugged and knocked lightly once again, though this time almost immediately got a response.

The door quickly swung open after only barely knocking once more, and there stood the red head - glasses and all.

"Oh, hey Liz, Sally, what brings you here?"

"Heya Todd, just wanted to talk a bit - can we come in...?" I eyed the red head hopefully, as I spoke. I had known Todd for awhile but we were never close, the only time I ever stopped by was with Larry if he needed to pick something up or complete a quick favor.

Other then that I never really got to know him.

"Of course," he smiled to the two of us as the door swung open, revealing a much more colorful apartment then most.

"Sorry it took me a minute to answer, I was just wrapping up a tutoring session with Ashley," Todd spoke as he shut the ill hued door behind him, slowly I turned around to be met with a short brunette girl staring back at us.

Once she saw the two of us enter, she plastered on a smile - most of her attention being directed on Sal.

"Oh you must be Sally Face, I've heard so much about you!"

I eyed Sal as she spoke flirtatiously - my presence being completely ignored by her as Todd stood beside the two of us.

"I.. Uh ... Yeah..." Sal looked to her oddly, fluster lacing his voice. Irritation began to form in the pit of my stomach.

"Oh don't worry, all good things of course," she let out a small giggle as she began to approach him - still continuing to be oblivious to me.

Hastily I interlaced my fingers with his as he took a step closer to me, eyeing the brunette suspiciously. Quickly her attention was ripped away from Sal and directed to our hands - then to me, her eyes tinted with anger.

"I'm sorry, and you are?" Irritation ratted her voice as she spoke to me, eyeing me up and down.

"Elizabeth - Liz to most everyone," I plastered on the best false grin I could - putting my fake persona into affect.

"Wonderful. I'm Ashley, Ash to you," envy tinged every word she spoke, her eyes locked on me.

"Right well... We we're just going to talk to Todd - right Liz," Sal noticed the tension between the two of us and looked to me, his eyes noting to just ignore it.

"Of course - just got a little side tracked is all," I smiled up to him, though I could feel Ashley staring me down.

"Well, I was just leaving. Thanks again Todd, and Sal - maybe I'll see you around," she winked slyly as she exited, shutting the door behind her with force.

Anger welled up inside me as the three of us were finally left alone. Sal must've noticed as he squeezed my hand lightly, turning to Todd.

"Anyways - what was it the two of you needed? Sounded pretty important," Todd continued to try to void the tension as he spoke - sitting down on the edge of his couch awkwardly.

"Well we need your help..."

Quickly the two of us summarized what had been happening for the past couple of months, including the Gear Boy, Larry's demon, though mostly focusing on Megan - as she had been the only real apparition we had spoken too. But it had been weeks since we last seen her...

"Odd indeed... I actually seem to have a similar experience - as I believe an apparition resides in my bathroom. I do however find it peculiar that both appear in that location... Maybe the pipes act as some sort of conductor..."

Sal and I looked to each other as he began formulating some conspiracies, the two of us eventually getting lost within his words.

"Though that could only be a speculation on my part... Right sorry I seem to be rambling. Do you have the Gear Boy with you?"

I nodded to Sal as he pulled it out of his pockets - the game cartridge still being the only game in the slot.

"Perfect, let's go check out the bathroom," Todd smiled as he lead us through pieces of multi colored furniture and into a similarly hued bathroom.

"So what do you guys do to usually call upon your Megan?"

"Usually she comes out on her own but we haven't seen her around lately..." I looked to Sal who nodded in agreement.

"I think the last time we spoke to her was a couple of weeks ago, but we haven't seen any sign of her since then," Sal shrugged and looked to Todd who nodded contently.

"Interesting.... Well let's give it a shot."