Author's Notes: Well, I would really appreciate you guys were nice to me in
this fic. First try of Mystery-Fantasy for me, ok? I've been writing drama-
angst things, but I just wanted to try this…Duo has convinced everyone to
spend some time at a carnival, but why is this kid following him? Why Duo
thinks he is in trouble? What has trapped him? What's dragging him to….
"The Mirror House"
Chapter One.
"Five with everything!"
"You want French fries with that?"
"Nope. It's fine. Here ya go!"
"Thanks, hunk…"
The girl winkled, flirting with the guy with the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen. And beautiful face, and smile, and hair, and everything else…
Duo walked towards his friends, handing to each one a hamburger and sodas.
"Here!"
They all took the food hesitantly, suspicious glances in their eyes.
"I don't really…" –Wufei started, a not very pleased look in his face.
"Oh, come on, Wu. Stop being so grumpy. We agreed to have a nice time…"-Duo pleaded.
"I can still believe we agreed to come here anyway. This is such a silly way to waste our time…"-Wufei continued, a resigned expression now.
"Fess up, man! How many times have we come to an Amusement Park, huh? This festival seems great!"
Duo raised his hand, gesturing for the others to look around. They were surrounded by people and lots of kids. The noise and laughs were everywhere as the people bought their tickets for the mechanical games or the food. It was getting dark and the place was now illuminated by the multicolor lights.
The Gundam Pilots were in their so-called vacations on Earth, and after a 3 hours plea from Duo, they had agreed to come to the carnival.
"I wanna try those" –Duo chirped as he headed towards another food place.
"Oh my…how did we let him convince us? –Wufei sighed.
"Be nice, Wufei" –Quatre smiled- "I'm sure we'll find something interesting here. Lets try to have some fun…"
"Sure" –Heero grunted ironically.
As they continued talking, they didn't see Duo stop in his tracks, some steps before the candy place. He didn't know why, but he felt the impulse to look around, at his left, searching for something.
His eyes stopped at the sight of a boy, who was looking directly at him. The kid lifted his right hand and started waving at Duo, calling him.
'Who?' –Duo thought confused.
The only appearance of the kid was…lurid. The long, almost white hair fell past his shoulders, his clothes were too big for him, but Duo couldn't see his face. His head was now bowed, not looking at him anymore.
Duo glanced around, looking for someone near the boy, but there were no signs of family or something. When he fixed his eyes over the spot again, the kid was gone.
'Maybe he was lost. I wonder…' –Duo thought, but the voice of the man asking him what was he going to buy distracted him.
'Well, maybe it was nothing…'-Duo shrugged, though in his interior he wasn't sure about it.
Meanwhile, Trowa was interested in the Come and Get your Gold Fish place, and how several people was trying to catch one of the slippery yellow forms.
"Hmm" –he said, a concentrated expression in his features- "You need technique to catch them…"
"I can catch one" –Wufei proudly smiled.
"You can?" –Quatre asked, secretly trying to encourage Wufei.
"Of course I can…" –the Chinese boy stated as he walked to the fish tank, paying for his turn.
Within seconds, Wufei had easily captured one.
"See?" –he presented it to the others.
"It depends on how fast the move is…"-Heero narrowed his eyes, making Quatre laughed at the seriousness of the expression.
"Gold fish! I wanna see it! Can I have it?" –Duo finally arrived, carrying two honey-covered apples- "Here" –he gave one to Heero and then outstretched his free hand to Wufei.
"No, you can't" –Wufei teasingly answered- "Didn't you know gold fish don't like silly people?"
"Bad joke" –Duo stuck out his tongue, gaining the others' smiles at his pout.
"Oh, that's the prettiest gold fish of all. Don't you think, Laura?" –a girl commented to her friend, both standing beside Wufei.
"Yes, and he caught it. You must be very smart…" –the other girl smiled to the 05 pilot, flirting shamelessly.
Wufei just frowned, an annoyed expression in his face. But someone there found it a great opportunity…
"Yeah, the guy here is all brains, single and available. Serve yourselves, ladies" –Duo pushed Wufei towards them, already laughing for the sake of the joke.
And the girls didn't wait a second before grabbing hold of 05's arms. Wufei's panicked glance was good enough to make Quatre, Trowa and even Heero smile at his friend's situation.
"There. You can have the fish" –Wufei handed it and rapidly made his getaway from the girls' hold, returning to the spot where the others were laughing at him.
"You're such a bad Romeo" –Duo said, clutching at his stomach with all mirth.
"One of these days, Maxwell, one of these days…" –Wufei growled, threatening the other boy.
"So, where now?"- Quatre managed to say, still giggling.
"Well, let me see…" –Duo scanned the surroundings. In front, his right, his left…
His glance abruptly returned to the left. He was sure to have seen that boy again, pointing at him! But now that he watched carefully, there weren't any children there and….
"Duo" –Heero called, handing the apple back- "Your….eh….whatever this is…"
"Oh, keep it" –Duo said, showing he had another.
"Hn" –Heero frowned at the candy.
"It's not poisoned, Heero-man" –Duo smiled- "It's just an apple covered with honey…the perfect dessert for the perfect soldier" –Duo laughed at the way Heero carefully tasted the snack.
"You guys are lucky to have me…" –Duo added, also taking a bite, but he suddenly froze in his place at the game in front of him.
"What?" –Trowa asked.
"Here. I wanna give you my honey apple because you're such a good friend" –Duo smiled, putting it in Trowa's hand-" And because I can't play there while I'm eating" –he added, heading to the Shooting Gallery Game.
It was no surprise for them to see the DeathScythe pilot shoot down all the targets in the first try.
"This was way too easy" –Duo smiled, while taking his time to chose the prize he had won-" Oh! I want that!" –he said, pointing at the stuffed camel over the shelf.
"Here you go, Quatre! Happy No-Birthday!" –he quipped, handing the toy to the Arab.
"Hmmm…well….thanks…..I guess…"-Quatre said, taking the camel hesitantly- "But don't you think we are a little too big for this kind of presents?" –he smiled politely.
"Bah!" –Duo laughed carelessly.
"I think it's about time for you to grow up, Maxwell" –Wufei folded arms, not happy for them to have to be seen with a toy.
"Well, it's not like I had a great childhood to grow up in…" –Duo answered, his face away from them.
Wufei fell silent, just as the others. They perfectly knew how tragic Duo's early life had been. But the mask returned as fast as ever…
"But, hey! You guys sound like 58 old men!" –he smiled, taking back the stuffed camel- "I find our little fella here sorta cute. Maybe one of these kids wants it" –he said, glancing down at the many children coming, going and running to one place to another.
Duo's glance halted in one particular kid, standing like 6 meters at his left. That kid…that same kid…now he was closer, and his face seemed to be more visible, though the locks of his white-gray hair shadowed the…
"Duo…Duo" –Quatre called, patting 02's shoulder.
"Huh?" –Duo turned to see him- "What?"
"She likes the camel" –Trowa said, addressing to a 5 or 6 years old girl beside them.
"Oh! Sure!" –Duo smiled, handing the toy, which the girl took, hugged, and then ran back towards her family.
"What were you looking at?" –Heero asked.
"I just…that kid…" –Duo murmured, turning to see the boy again, but there was no one there.
"Who?" –Wufei interrogated.
"Hmmm….nothing. Never mind" –the American said with a small smile.
"So, Duo, are you up for it?" –Quatre suddenly asked.
"Up for what?" –Duo repeated curiously.
"For that" –Trowa pointed- "The Monstrous Roller Coaster"
"Wow! Cool!"- 02's eyes widened at the enormous structure.
"Well, I rather stay here…" –Wufei said with bored expression, looking for a bench or something…
"No way, my friend, no way. You're coming, just like all of us" –Duo drawled him by the arm-"Or are you, the Justice defender, afraid of a simple roller coaster?"
"I'm not" –Wufei frowned.
In a few moments, the five Gundam Pilots, those soldiers who were the terror of OZ and the Alliance, were sitting in the roller coaster wagon, ready to start the stroll.
"I still think this is a silly way to…" –Wufei tried to complain, but the sudden movement of the wagon didn't let him finish the sentence.
The people's screams lasted all the way's time, as well as Duo's laughter at the people's scared faces.
"Now guys, hands up!" –he said when the wagon reached the highest point, ready to start the fastest descend of the way.
"What for?" –Heero seriously asked, looking nonchalant as always.
Trowa also looked as calm as before, Quatre though he was also laughing looked a bit nervous and Wufei was looking green and blue by that time.
"Oh, come on, just lift your hands for the sake of it…" –Duo insisted, finally convincing the others as the descend started.
The night breeze howled in their ears as the wagon reached the lowest part, taking a last stroll. But Heero noticed something. Duo had stopped laughing. He seemed concentrated, looking with narrowed eyes at something down there.
'What? How can I…?" –Duo thought, amazed at the fact he was able to look, from that place, at the same odd kid, standing alone in the left side of the park.
The boy lifted his hand, pointing precisely at Duo once again.
'What's happening?' Are you ok?' –Duo murmured, not really understanding why he was doing it. It wasn't like the kid could hear him…
The boy outstretched his hand, calling him at the time he stepped back. His face looked up, and it was like he was a mirage, able to be visible even from so far… The hair moving slightly, showing his eyes…
'Oh my…'-Duo mumbled perplexed, a shiver running across his back.
His eyes were…hollow. He seemed to be right in front of him now! Duo could almost hear a soft whisper coming from the face centimeters away from his. But the close vision rapidly returned to his former place. And the kid in the ground vanished, still pointing at him…
Duo came back to reality as the wagon stopped slowly and the people started to get down.
"Are you coming or what?" –Heero called Duo, who hadn't moved.
Duo just nodded, coming down and following the others.
"Duo…is there something wrong?" –Quatre softly asked as they were walking together again- "You look…pale…"
"He shouldn't have eaten so much before getting in there" –Wufei said, rolling his eyes at the obvious answer.
"Duo" –Heero called again at the clearly agitated American, who was looking around almost desperate- "Duo" –Heero repeated, holding Duo's shoulders, forcing him to look at them.
"I…saw something…" –Duo murmured, still perplexed- "I saw…a kid…the same kid…this boy is calling me…"
Heero frowned, now worry painted in his usually indifferent features. He never imagined Duo's trauma could cause him visions…
"Duo, listen. The children who died back at the Home are not here, and your friend…" –Heero said, a glimpse of compassion in his eyes.
"No! It wasn't Solo!" –Duo protested, realizing what Heero and the others were thinking- "You listen to me. I… saw… a… kid… and I think he is in trouble. I don't know why, but he just looked so…dreadful. I…have to find him…" –Duo murmured, more to himself than to the others.
He stepped back, getting free from Heero's hold and started trotting across the park. Heero shared a worried glance with the others as they all started running behind him.
Duo ran, not really knowing where, but he continued towards his left. His left….the kid was always on the left…Soon, the people's laughter and noise were left behind him, as he headed into a desolate part of the park. Duo had a hunch that he was heading in the right direction, but as he stepped there, he suddenly felt hesitant.
"Am I looking for him…or is he dragging me here?" –he thought, a slight sense of fear vibrating in his mind.
A flash of light shone in front of him, and then another, and another, each one less bright than before, like if the light was walking away. Duo took a deep sigh, and followed the lights, which leaded him to an abandon huge place. The door was wide open, and the flashes seemed to have entered there.
"No. He is dragging me…" –Duo concluded, his steps now insecure, but he couldn't go back. Slowly, he went up the four stairs, heading into the darkness.
Heero and Wufei were the first ones to reach the place, and seeing Duo enter there, they went in immediately. Trowa and Quatre were just a little behind them, but as the Arab gave the first step in the threshold, he froze and backed off.
"What's the matter, Quatre? We better hurry…" –Trowa called.
"There's something inside here, Trowa." –the blonde's eyes widened in fear, his heart beating fast- "Something unnatural…"
"What are you talking about, Quatre? What's in here?" –Trowa asked, stepping beside 04. He had learned to never doubt of Quatre's warnings.
"I …don't know. It's something…" –the emphatic boy looked for the word and he finally managed to say: -"…lurid. I don't like it…"
"But Duo is in there…." –Trowa softly replied.
"You're right. We better hurry." –Quatre said, determination in his glance.
Both went up the stairs, and just before entering, Trowa looked up, at the sign of the place: 'The Mirror House'.
To be continued…….
***********Shinigami's Voice*************
A/N: Wow, I thought I wouldn't finish today! How is it? Please R&R! And, yes, I couldn't help the little humor at the beginning. But from now on, the story gets serious, with hints of horror too. Tell me what you think…
"The Mirror House"
Chapter One.
"Five with everything!"
"You want French fries with that?"
"Nope. It's fine. Here ya go!"
"Thanks, hunk…"
The girl winkled, flirting with the guy with the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen. And beautiful face, and smile, and hair, and everything else…
Duo walked towards his friends, handing to each one a hamburger and sodas.
"Here!"
They all took the food hesitantly, suspicious glances in their eyes.
"I don't really…" –Wufei started, a not very pleased look in his face.
"Oh, come on, Wu. Stop being so grumpy. We agreed to have a nice time…"-Duo pleaded.
"I can still believe we agreed to come here anyway. This is such a silly way to waste our time…"-Wufei continued, a resigned expression now.
"Fess up, man! How many times have we come to an Amusement Park, huh? This festival seems great!"
Duo raised his hand, gesturing for the others to look around. They were surrounded by people and lots of kids. The noise and laughs were everywhere as the people bought their tickets for the mechanical games or the food. It was getting dark and the place was now illuminated by the multicolor lights.
The Gundam Pilots were in their so-called vacations on Earth, and after a 3 hours plea from Duo, they had agreed to come to the carnival.
"I wanna try those" –Duo chirped as he headed towards another food place.
"Oh my…how did we let him convince us? –Wufei sighed.
"Be nice, Wufei" –Quatre smiled- "I'm sure we'll find something interesting here. Lets try to have some fun…"
"Sure" –Heero grunted ironically.
As they continued talking, they didn't see Duo stop in his tracks, some steps before the candy place. He didn't know why, but he felt the impulse to look around, at his left, searching for something.
His eyes stopped at the sight of a boy, who was looking directly at him. The kid lifted his right hand and started waving at Duo, calling him.
'Who?' –Duo thought confused.
The only appearance of the kid was…lurid. The long, almost white hair fell past his shoulders, his clothes were too big for him, but Duo couldn't see his face. His head was now bowed, not looking at him anymore.
Duo glanced around, looking for someone near the boy, but there were no signs of family or something. When he fixed his eyes over the spot again, the kid was gone.
'Maybe he was lost. I wonder…' –Duo thought, but the voice of the man asking him what was he going to buy distracted him.
'Well, maybe it was nothing…'-Duo shrugged, though in his interior he wasn't sure about it.
Meanwhile, Trowa was interested in the Come and Get your Gold Fish place, and how several people was trying to catch one of the slippery yellow forms.
"Hmm" –he said, a concentrated expression in his features- "You need technique to catch them…"
"I can catch one" –Wufei proudly smiled.
"You can?" –Quatre asked, secretly trying to encourage Wufei.
"Of course I can…" –the Chinese boy stated as he walked to the fish tank, paying for his turn.
Within seconds, Wufei had easily captured one.
"See?" –he presented it to the others.
"It depends on how fast the move is…"-Heero narrowed his eyes, making Quatre laughed at the seriousness of the expression.
"Gold fish! I wanna see it! Can I have it?" –Duo finally arrived, carrying two honey-covered apples- "Here" –he gave one to Heero and then outstretched his free hand to Wufei.
"No, you can't" –Wufei teasingly answered- "Didn't you know gold fish don't like silly people?"
"Bad joke" –Duo stuck out his tongue, gaining the others' smiles at his pout.
"Oh, that's the prettiest gold fish of all. Don't you think, Laura?" –a girl commented to her friend, both standing beside Wufei.
"Yes, and he caught it. You must be very smart…" –the other girl smiled to the 05 pilot, flirting shamelessly.
Wufei just frowned, an annoyed expression in his face. But someone there found it a great opportunity…
"Yeah, the guy here is all brains, single and available. Serve yourselves, ladies" –Duo pushed Wufei towards them, already laughing for the sake of the joke.
And the girls didn't wait a second before grabbing hold of 05's arms. Wufei's panicked glance was good enough to make Quatre, Trowa and even Heero smile at his friend's situation.
"There. You can have the fish" –Wufei handed it and rapidly made his getaway from the girls' hold, returning to the spot where the others were laughing at him.
"You're such a bad Romeo" –Duo said, clutching at his stomach with all mirth.
"One of these days, Maxwell, one of these days…" –Wufei growled, threatening the other boy.
"So, where now?"- Quatre managed to say, still giggling.
"Well, let me see…" –Duo scanned the surroundings. In front, his right, his left…
His glance abruptly returned to the left. He was sure to have seen that boy again, pointing at him! But now that he watched carefully, there weren't any children there and….
"Duo" –Heero called, handing the apple back- "Your….eh….whatever this is…"
"Oh, keep it" –Duo said, showing he had another.
"Hn" –Heero frowned at the candy.
"It's not poisoned, Heero-man" –Duo smiled- "It's just an apple covered with honey…the perfect dessert for the perfect soldier" –Duo laughed at the way Heero carefully tasted the snack.
"You guys are lucky to have me…" –Duo added, also taking a bite, but he suddenly froze in his place at the game in front of him.
"What?" –Trowa asked.
"Here. I wanna give you my honey apple because you're such a good friend" –Duo smiled, putting it in Trowa's hand-" And because I can't play there while I'm eating" –he added, heading to the Shooting Gallery Game.
It was no surprise for them to see the DeathScythe pilot shoot down all the targets in the first try.
"This was way too easy" –Duo smiled, while taking his time to chose the prize he had won-" Oh! I want that!" –he said, pointing at the stuffed camel over the shelf.
"Here you go, Quatre! Happy No-Birthday!" –he quipped, handing the toy to the Arab.
"Hmmm…well….thanks…..I guess…"-Quatre said, taking the camel hesitantly- "But don't you think we are a little too big for this kind of presents?" –he smiled politely.
"Bah!" –Duo laughed carelessly.
"I think it's about time for you to grow up, Maxwell" –Wufei folded arms, not happy for them to have to be seen with a toy.
"Well, it's not like I had a great childhood to grow up in…" –Duo answered, his face away from them.
Wufei fell silent, just as the others. They perfectly knew how tragic Duo's early life had been. But the mask returned as fast as ever…
"But, hey! You guys sound like 58 old men!" –he smiled, taking back the stuffed camel- "I find our little fella here sorta cute. Maybe one of these kids wants it" –he said, glancing down at the many children coming, going and running to one place to another.
Duo's glance halted in one particular kid, standing like 6 meters at his left. That kid…that same kid…now he was closer, and his face seemed to be more visible, though the locks of his white-gray hair shadowed the…
"Duo…Duo" –Quatre called, patting 02's shoulder.
"Huh?" –Duo turned to see him- "What?"
"She likes the camel" –Trowa said, addressing to a 5 or 6 years old girl beside them.
"Oh! Sure!" –Duo smiled, handing the toy, which the girl took, hugged, and then ran back towards her family.
"What were you looking at?" –Heero asked.
"I just…that kid…" –Duo murmured, turning to see the boy again, but there was no one there.
"Who?" –Wufei interrogated.
"Hmmm….nothing. Never mind" –the American said with a small smile.
"So, Duo, are you up for it?" –Quatre suddenly asked.
"Up for what?" –Duo repeated curiously.
"For that" –Trowa pointed- "The Monstrous Roller Coaster"
"Wow! Cool!"- 02's eyes widened at the enormous structure.
"Well, I rather stay here…" –Wufei said with bored expression, looking for a bench or something…
"No way, my friend, no way. You're coming, just like all of us" –Duo drawled him by the arm-"Or are you, the Justice defender, afraid of a simple roller coaster?"
"I'm not" –Wufei frowned.
In a few moments, the five Gundam Pilots, those soldiers who were the terror of OZ and the Alliance, were sitting in the roller coaster wagon, ready to start the stroll.
"I still think this is a silly way to…" –Wufei tried to complain, but the sudden movement of the wagon didn't let him finish the sentence.
The people's screams lasted all the way's time, as well as Duo's laughter at the people's scared faces.
"Now guys, hands up!" –he said when the wagon reached the highest point, ready to start the fastest descend of the way.
"What for?" –Heero seriously asked, looking nonchalant as always.
Trowa also looked as calm as before, Quatre though he was also laughing looked a bit nervous and Wufei was looking green and blue by that time.
"Oh, come on, just lift your hands for the sake of it…" –Duo insisted, finally convincing the others as the descend started.
The night breeze howled in their ears as the wagon reached the lowest part, taking a last stroll. But Heero noticed something. Duo had stopped laughing. He seemed concentrated, looking with narrowed eyes at something down there.
'What? How can I…?" –Duo thought, amazed at the fact he was able to look, from that place, at the same odd kid, standing alone in the left side of the park.
The boy lifted his hand, pointing precisely at Duo once again.
'What's happening?' Are you ok?' –Duo murmured, not really understanding why he was doing it. It wasn't like the kid could hear him…
The boy outstretched his hand, calling him at the time he stepped back. His face looked up, and it was like he was a mirage, able to be visible even from so far… The hair moving slightly, showing his eyes…
'Oh my…'-Duo mumbled perplexed, a shiver running across his back.
His eyes were…hollow. He seemed to be right in front of him now! Duo could almost hear a soft whisper coming from the face centimeters away from his. But the close vision rapidly returned to his former place. And the kid in the ground vanished, still pointing at him…
Duo came back to reality as the wagon stopped slowly and the people started to get down.
"Are you coming or what?" –Heero called Duo, who hadn't moved.
Duo just nodded, coming down and following the others.
"Duo…is there something wrong?" –Quatre softly asked as they were walking together again- "You look…pale…"
"He shouldn't have eaten so much before getting in there" –Wufei said, rolling his eyes at the obvious answer.
"Duo" –Heero called again at the clearly agitated American, who was looking around almost desperate- "Duo" –Heero repeated, holding Duo's shoulders, forcing him to look at them.
"I…saw something…" –Duo murmured, still perplexed- "I saw…a kid…the same kid…this boy is calling me…"
Heero frowned, now worry painted in his usually indifferent features. He never imagined Duo's trauma could cause him visions…
"Duo, listen. The children who died back at the Home are not here, and your friend…" –Heero said, a glimpse of compassion in his eyes.
"No! It wasn't Solo!" –Duo protested, realizing what Heero and the others were thinking- "You listen to me. I… saw… a… kid… and I think he is in trouble. I don't know why, but he just looked so…dreadful. I…have to find him…" –Duo murmured, more to himself than to the others.
He stepped back, getting free from Heero's hold and started trotting across the park. Heero shared a worried glance with the others as they all started running behind him.
Duo ran, not really knowing where, but he continued towards his left. His left….the kid was always on the left…Soon, the people's laughter and noise were left behind him, as he headed into a desolate part of the park. Duo had a hunch that he was heading in the right direction, but as he stepped there, he suddenly felt hesitant.
"Am I looking for him…or is he dragging me here?" –he thought, a slight sense of fear vibrating in his mind.
A flash of light shone in front of him, and then another, and another, each one less bright than before, like if the light was walking away. Duo took a deep sigh, and followed the lights, which leaded him to an abandon huge place. The door was wide open, and the flashes seemed to have entered there.
"No. He is dragging me…" –Duo concluded, his steps now insecure, but he couldn't go back. Slowly, he went up the four stairs, heading into the darkness.
Heero and Wufei were the first ones to reach the place, and seeing Duo enter there, they went in immediately. Trowa and Quatre were just a little behind them, but as the Arab gave the first step in the threshold, he froze and backed off.
"What's the matter, Quatre? We better hurry…" –Trowa called.
"There's something inside here, Trowa." –the blonde's eyes widened in fear, his heart beating fast- "Something unnatural…"
"What are you talking about, Quatre? What's in here?" –Trowa asked, stepping beside 04. He had learned to never doubt of Quatre's warnings.
"I …don't know. It's something…" –the emphatic boy looked for the word and he finally managed to say: -"…lurid. I don't like it…"
"But Duo is in there…." –Trowa softly replied.
"You're right. We better hurry." –Quatre said, determination in his glance.
Both went up the stairs, and just before entering, Trowa looked up, at the sign of the place: 'The Mirror House'.
To be continued…….
***********Shinigami's Voice*************
A/N: Wow, I thought I wouldn't finish today! How is it? Please R&R! And, yes, I couldn't help the little humor at the beginning. But from now on, the story gets serious, with hints of horror too. Tell me what you think…
