Chapter Two
Will strolled leisurely down the aisle, glancing every so often at an article of clothing that happened to catch his eye. His brother Paul, who was younger, but by no means lacking in couth and maturity, followed behind. The two were doing a bit of back-to-school shopping before the store closed for the evening. Will carried an armload of clothing and was feeling rather satisfied with his final choices when he heard a familiar voice over the intercom.
"Five minutes until closing, please bring your final purchases to the front of the store so our associates may better assist you." The female voice said.
Will looked about, somewhat bemused. "That voice . . . Where have I heard that voice before?"
"It was her," Paul said, pointing to a dark-haired girl in the dressing room, now hanging up the telephone.
Will watched the girl for a moment before a sudden recognition came to him. "Could it be? Is it her?"
"Is it who?" Paul asked, looking perplexedly at Will.
"The girl from the philosophy meetings! Allison!" Will now turned towards Paul, grasping him by the shoulders with his massive hands.
"How should I know?" Paul shrugged, trying to make his lack of interest apparent.
Will peered over the clothing racks, trying desperately to catch another glimpse of the girl.
"It is! It's her!" He exclaimed. "Allison!"
He made his way through the narrow aisles of the packed clothing racks towards her. Unfortunately, the purses had not yet been organized and Will found himself tangled amidst the leather tendrils of the bags. He fought frantically to free himself, but by the time he did, a large crowd of TJ Maxx employees had gathered around his original goal.
As he shouldered his way through the throng of people, he heard only words of acclamation.
"Splendid job!"
"Meme couldn't have done better!" came the praises.
"I must admit I surprised even myself!" Allison blushed.
"Wherever did you acquire such knowledge of the fitting rooms?" Tiffany, a friend of Allison's, inquired with a suspicious air.
"Allison!" Will called out, still unable to reach her.
Allison caught a glimpse of him and smiled politely, but made no further attempt at conversing. Hurt, Will withdrew into the crowd to wait for a more personal moment in which they could chat.
He watched as she began to pick up various items from the floor, clean the stalls, sweep, and other such closing duties for the dressing room. Gradually, the crowd began to disperse and Will approached Allison once more.
"Allison, it is I, Will, from the philosophy meetings. Do you remember me?"
Allison smiled and nodded. "Yes, I remember. What a stimulating conversation we had!"
"Indeed we did! And do you know what?" Will said, a large smile spreading across his face. "I've been thinking about you ever since!"
Allison held Will's warm gaze for a moment before she continued tidying up her area.
"In fact, I think we should go out to Starbucks tonight once you've finished here." Will stated confidently.
"Oh Will, I'd love to, but I can't. There are other things I must do-" "Nonsense! It will only take a short while!"
"No, Will, my tutor, he's very strict-"
"Your tutor?" Will said, amused. "Don't be silly, Allison. I'll be back once I pay for this," he motioned to the clothes he had picked out. "and then we'll go!"
Will did not wait for a reply as he dashed to the cash registers. He was more then eager to initiate a close friendship with Allison, as he found her charming, intelligent and witty. If only he could break through her seemingly cold exterior, he was sure they would be perfect for each other.
Once he had paid for his clothes and sent Paul to wait in the minivan, he sauntered back to the dressing rooms. He peered through the doorway, but couldn't see anyone. Allison had apparently finished closing and turned out the lights.
"Allison?" He called, but there was no reply.
He crept into the dark space and looked about. Out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of a moving figure. He walked slowly into the ladies portion of the room where he saw Allison walking into the back stall.
"There you are-" He stopped short when he noticed something queer about the way she moved, very slowly and deliberate, as if in a trance. He began to walk towards her when he heard pulsing music emanating from inside the dressing room, which was now emitting a strange white glow. After a moment he recognized the music as "Closer" by Allison's favorite band, Nine Inch Nails.
She walked into the stall and the door closed slowly behind her. Will made a quick movement to grab it, but it closed before he could reach it. He tugged on the handle only to discover it was securely locked.
He was about to call out to her when he heard a strange, male voice.
"You were glorious tonight my child!" It said from inside the dressing room.
Will stood motionless and listened intently. Who was she talking to?
"Thanks to you, my Angel of Dressing Rooms!" Allison said passionately.
"Oh Allison, say you love me!"
Will gasped at this. Did Allison have a lover he did not know about?
"But how can you say that when all the tags I give out, all the rooms I clean, all the people I help . . . when I do it all for you!"
"Then come with me Allison . . . come to me!"
The soft, eerie music began to play once more, this time the song being "Hurt," also by Nine Inch Nails. All was silent for a moment, save for the lamenting music, and Will's heart began to race. What was happening?
"Allison!" He shouted through the door. "Allison!"
He pulled frantically at the handle and banged against the door. His shouts were barely audible over the now piercingly loud music.
"Please Allison, open the door!"
He stepped back several paces and charged the door in a final act of desperation. He threw his massive Canadian body against the small door and it immediately gave way with the force of his weight.
He stumbled into the dressing room just in time to witness Allison actually walk into the mirror that hung on the wall!
"Allison?" He cried, running towards the mirror. Alas, whatever mystical portal had existed through the mirror was now closed, as Will discovered when he ran directly into it.
He fell to his knees, cupping his hands around his nose that now bled profusely. Before he grew short of breath and fainted from the pain, he managed to feebly sob her name.
"Allison . . ."
Chapter Three