Ch. 2: You Again?
When Elsa finally reached home, she was immediately tackled in a ferocious rib cracking hug by Anna.
"Elsa! Thank goodness you're safe! Kristoff and I got here a little a while ago and when we turned on the TV it was on the news and before we could change the channel they said your work place had blown up! Are you alright? Do you need anything? Did you see anything? I've been phoning you since I found out!"
"Elsa pulled out her cell phone and saw that she had indeed missed multiple calls from her younger sister. Her state of shock probably kept her from noticing the vibrations as she drove home.
"I'm sorry, Anna. I was outside the store when it went up and I must have been so shocked that I missed your calls."
"It's alright, I'm just glad you're safe," grinned Anna and pulled her sister into another bear hug.
"Ease up, Anna, she needs to breathe," joked Kristoff from the sitting room.
The exuberant redhead let go and smiled sheepishly as they joined Kristoff on the couch.
"Is there anything you need, Elsa?" Kristoff asked the other blonde.
"I could do with a glass of wine," she admitted.
"I'll get it, you just stay there," he said and went to get the requested drink.
"So, did you happen to see anything?" Anna prodded.
Elsa paused in answering, remembering what had been told.
"Don't worry about me, forget about all this and don't tell anyone this happened."
"Why? What happens if I tell?"
"Nothing, people will just think you're a nutter."
Daniel's claim was the only thing he had said to her that Elsa actually agreed with. The rest of what had been seen was still having a hard time being taken as real. And despite it all, she got the feeling that everything he had told her had been the truth. But what were his real reasons for not wanting her to talk about what she had seen? Elsa could tell he had been serious when he said not talk.
"Earth to Elsa, are you there?" Anna waved her hand in front of the blonde's eyes, pulling her out of her thoughts. "Are you sure you're alright? You just zoned out on me."
"Yes, sorry Anna, I'm fine. I guess I'm just still in shock."
"Well here's something that might help with that," said Kristoff as he returned with the wine in hand.
Elsa thanked him, took a sip and let herself relax and sink back into the sofa. Anna, though, continued to try and get her to talk and repeated her question.
"You still haven't answered my question, did you see anything?"
"Anna, I'm not sure what I can say. I mean, I did see something but it's all so unbelievable it's like an episode of the Twilight Zone. I'm not sure what to believe about what I saw."
"What do you mean by that? Explain!"
"I'm not really sure what to tell you."
"Are we going to get any answers from you or just more questions? Just tell us what happened starting at the beginning!"
Elsa sighed, took another sip of her wine, and started talking. "I was the last one in the store tonight because it was my night to lock up. I heard a noise and went to investigate because I thought it might be someone trying to stay in after hours and steal some of the merchandise. I found the door to the stockroom open and when I went in I didn't find a person like I was expecting. Instead one of the mannequins we use for display started moving like it was alive. Multiple mannequins came to life and they all backed me against a wall. I thought it was all a prank but then they were clearly going to attack me. I was shoved out of the way just before I would have been hit. That man probably saved my life."
"Wait, he?" Anna interrupted.
"Yes, 'he' saved me and got me out of the store room and did something to the door. He said that that way the dummies that had been chasing us wouldn't be able to get past. He was taking me to an exit when we were attacked by one of the mannequins on the sales floor. He wrestled with it for a minute before hitting it and causing it to fall apart. But when he did that I could swear that I saw his hand glowing when he did it. But what I really noticed was that there was no one inside the mannequin but something vaporous did come out and float away through the ventilation system."
"Did this man say what he was doing at the store because if he was going to rob it there are easier ways of going about it," asked Kristoff.
"He did say when I asked but it's crazier than everything I just told you."
"Never mind that, what did he say?" Anna pried.
"H-he said that the building had been infested by a…" she trailed off.
"Infested by a what?"
"A ghost! He essentially said that the store had a ghost problem and he was there to take care of it. He showed me this sphere he had that was glowing and I think he's the one who set off the explosion. I don't know if he survived."
"You're right, that is crazy. Or rather the guy was crazy," said Kristoff.
"Did you get a name for Mr. Mad as a Hatter?" Anna inquired.
"That was the one thing he gave me without my asking. He said it was Daniel Griffin."
"Describe him."
"Why?"
"Because that way, if I ever see him, then I can introduce him to my right hook."
Despite herself Elsa felt her lips twitch upwards in a smile. "He was tall, about six foot, maybe be more, lean, athletic build, was rather handsome, had black hair that fell over his left eye in a bit of a fringe, and bright green eyes. I don't know if he wears it all the time but he also had on a long brown coat that looked a bit worn."
"Details cataloged, if I see him, he's going down," promised Anna.
"Neither of you will tell anyone else, will you?"
"Why would we?" Kristoff questioned.
"Because this entire story is absolutely insane and impossible and I'm scared that maybe I've found out something I really shouldn't have!" Elsa exclaimed and started to break down. "I mean, if we're not supposed to know about this then we might not be safe! Anna, we've already lost mom and dad, I don't want to lose you to."
"Hey, I'm not going anywhere, Elsa. I'm in this with you, whatever it is," she assured and pulled her sister into a comforting hug.
"And then there's Daniel, if that's even his real name. Despite what he said the fact remains that he saved my life and for all I know he could have been killed in the explosion."
Elsa broke down completely then and started crying heavily into Anna's shoulder. Both Anna and Kristoff looked at Elsa and then at each other. The elder sister must have been really scared if she was behaving like this. Both promised silently that if Daniel had survived and either of them ever saw him then they would let their fists do the talking.
Elsa yawned and stretched in her bed as she slowly woke up the following morning. Last night had been gratefully nightmare free and she was feeling refreshed though still a little shaken up over what she had witnessed. There was no work to go to today so she stayed in the bed for a few more minutes, enjoying the luxury of being able to just lie there for a while before having to face the day. Finally, though, Elsa heaved herself out of the warm comfortable covers and started getting dressed. After waking Anna up and cleaning up their Chinese take-out dinner which was still on the coffee table, she started scrambling some eggs and brewing a fresh pot of coffee. Just before breakfast was ready Anna staggered in, following her noise to the coffee pot.
"Oh my, it looks like the zombie apocalypse finally happened in my home," Elsa joked.
Anna shot the best glower she could as the blonde and half shuffled half stumbled to the coffee maker and poured herself a mug. Soon the coffee had taken effect and Anna was sociable again as the two chatted about anything other than what had happened the previous night.
"So… what are your plans for the day?" inquired Anna as she took a bite out of her toast.
"I'm not entirely sure. I thought that perhaps I'd go to the book store and maybe the mall to do some shopping. It's been awhile since I've had this much time to myself."
"Well classes end in the afternoon for me so I can meet you at the mall and we can take the rest of the day, what do you say?"
"I think it's a plan," Elsa agreed.
The sisters were then interrupted from further conversation by a rattling coming from the door. Elsa got up to check what was going on when she heard a familiar voice on the other side of the door. Where had she heard it before? Suddenly it hit her and she yanked the door open to see an all too familiar face.
"Alright, listen, this went too far when you blew up my job. Are you stalking me?"
"Wait, what? No-I-uh, that is… what are you doing here?"
"This is my home. Do you need any other reason than that? Now what are you doing here?"
Instead of answering I dug into my satchel and pulled out an arrow shaped crystal on a chain which started swinging around and glowing with an internal light.
"Must have gotten the wrong signature somehow," I muttered. "Unless… you haven't been possessed have you?" I asked as I looked into Elsa's eyes.
"Excuse me? Last I checked I wasn't possessed like you said those mannequins were."
"Elsa, who is it?" asked Anna from the dining room.
"Obviously the wrong signature, have a good day," I smiled and turned to walk away.
"Oh no you don't, get in here now!" snapped Elsa as she grabbed my arm and pulled me inside.
"What's going on? Wait, who are you?" Anna inquired when she walked over and saw me.
"Anna, this is Daniel Griffin, the man who saved me at the shop last night. Daniel, this is my sister, Anna."
"Charmed, I'm sure," I said and extended my hand to Anna only to be decked by a right hook I did not see coming.
"Ouch, I'm pretty sure I'll feel that tomorrow."
"Anna!"
"What? I told you last night that if I saw him I'd floor him with my right hook. Besides, he deserves it for scaring you as much as he did."
"Sincere apologies, I had no intentions of scaring you last night but I can see how you would be given what you saw. And since your sister just delivered one hell of a swing I can only assume you told her about what happened," I apologized as I got back on my feet.
"She can be unbelievably tenacious in her pursuit of answers and that makes it hard for me to keep things from her."
"I can understand, secrets can tear a family apart so in the long run, no real harm done as long as she doesn't go blabbing the story about town."
"Don't worry, she promised me she wouldn't tell anyone else. Now as long as you're here do you want some coffee? We just had breakfast so excuse the mess," offered Elsa as we walked into the kitchen and Anna forced me into a chair.
"Might as well, thanks. Just creamer and a packet of sugar please," I requested as I returned Anna's glare.
"Now I still have questions that I want answers to and you are going to give them to me," the redhead insisted.
"You're not getting anything out of me, outsider! I signed a confidentiality agreement so I don't have to tell you anything!"
"Seriously? A confidentiality agreement? Is that the best you can do?"
"Well, it's not exactly one hundred percent the truth but it's close enough."
"And what about what you told Elsa last night? How much of that was 'close enough' to the truth?"
"Actually it was all the truth one hundred percent."
"Are you sure? Because your claims are outrageous!"
"And that's the way we like it," I muttered.
"Care to repeat that so we can all hear it?"
"No, not really," I shrugged.
"You are frustrating, you know that?"
"I've been told that a few times."
"Look, is there anything you can tell us at all? Because I still think I'm going insane after last night," asked Elsa as she returned with the coffee.
"I'm sorry, but I can't. Confidentiality agreement."
"Then who are you? Can you at least tell us that?"
"I told you already, Daniel Griffin."
"That's all you're going to tell us, isn't it?"
"Afraid so. Sorry."
Anna finally had enough of my dodging their questions and took a step forward with a harsh glare. "Look, I don't know who you think you are but what my sister saw last night terrified her! After she told me and my boyfriend what had happened she broke down and started crying on my shoulder. The only other time she broke down like that was when we lost our parents so I think you owe us at least part of the truth!"
"I really am sorry to hear that but I can't tell you anything. You outsiders aren't ready to know about this yet."
"Oh come on, you have to give us something! After all, you weren't exactly this tight lipped at the store!"
"That was different. Your sister was there, she saw things she really shouldn't have, so I felt at the moment I had to give some sort of explanation but beyond that my lips are sealed."
Anna looked like she was about to fire off a biting remark when a scuffing sound from behind the sofa gained everyone's attention.
"What's that?" I asked as I got up to investigate. "Do you have a cat?"
"No, Olaf died a year ago and Anna hasn't wanted to get another one."
"Olaf? You named your cat Olaf?"
"She named him, not me," insisted Elsa with a finger pointed at Anna.
"Anyway, whatever that was it might be what I'm looking- ACK!"
My speech was impeded by a vice suddenly being closed around my throat. It was one of the arms from the display dummy I had fought last night. Elsa and Anna both shrieked before coming to try and stop the arm from strangling me. With their help the offending arm was thrown off. It floated in the air for a split second before firing a blast of ectoplasm that barely missed Elsa's head.
"Everybody take cover!" I ordered as I turned the coffee table on its side.
"It's shooting lasers at us!" yelled Anna from behind the recliner.
"Those aren't actual lasers," I stated as I dared to peek out over the top of the overturned table and was rewarded with another blast flying past my ear. Its aim was lousy.
"I don't care what it is, I just want it to stop!"
"Finally, something we can agree on!" I snapped back as I pulled a special type of gun out of the inside pocket of my coat. Unfortunately I was shot at every time I dared to expose any part of myself. I needed a distraction.
"Alright, are any of you feeling particularly brave?"
"What?" asked Elsa from behind the sofa.
"I need someone to draw its fire so I can get a clear shot!"
"Anna, Elsa, are you alright?" came a voice from the front door.
"Kristoff? Get out of here!" exclaimed Anna.
"What's wrong?" he asked as he came into view and was greeted with the sight of a messy and scorched living room and a plastic arm floating in midair.
The arm immediately turned on him and fired off another bolt of ectoplasm. Only Kristoff's fast reflexes allowed the shot to miss him and impact the wall behind. His arrival couldn't have been more timely, though, as he had provided the distraction needed for me to take my shot. An arc of golden energy spewed forth from my gun and struck the possessed arm which fell to the floor.
"Alright, time to put this monster away for good," I said and pulled a small circular copper container out of another pocket and unscrewed the lid. Immediately a strong suction started pulling on nearby objects and an orange colored vapor was pulled from the arm into the container. As soon as it was in I slapped the lid back on grinned triumphantly.
"Is it over now?" asked Elsa as she and Anna came out of their hiding places.
"Yeah, it's safe," I assured as I picked up the arm. "I've stopped it, see? Armless," I joked and tossed it to Elsa.
"You really think so?" the younger sister inquired as she grabbed it from Elsa and hit me in the shoulder.
Elsa grabbed the arm back and fixed me with a glare. I seemed to be getting them a lot from these sisters. "Are you going to tell us anything now? After all, they've seen a bit of what I saw last night now."
"Sorry but this changes nothing except that I've got what I came for. Now even if it's not all the same to you, I'll me taking my leave now. Bye!" I waved and bounded for the door.
"Could you at least tell us who you are really?" she insisted from the doorway.
I stopped in my tracks and turned to look back at the trio. "Who I really am?" I repeated.
Elsa nodded her head.
"I'm a fairytale," I said simply and resumed my walk.
"Was that Daniel?" asked Kristoff.
"It was," answered Anna with a frown.
"Did you get any answers from him?"
"No, not a one. He kept dodging our questions."
"He owes us some, especially after that… that thing attacked us in your home! I'll drag him back here and get him to talk."
"Kristoff, wait!" exclaimed Elsa, trying to keep him from starting anything.
"W-where'd he go?" Kristoff stuttered as he looked up and down the street.
"What do you mean?"
"Daniel… he's gone."
"What do you mean?" Anna inquired as she joined him.
"I mean gone! As in vanished, disappeared, he just… gone."
The trio looked around but the street was empty. It very much appeared that Daniel had vanished into thin air.
A/N: My brain seems to be devoting the majority of its imagination capacity to this story. *sigh* Oh well, at least I'm progress on my other fics. I should have another chapter out soon in A Wish Upon a Star but progress is slow on Waking Nightmares. Hope you all like this chapter as much as the previous one. Also, if you leave a review I'll send a personal response. In addition to that I still need ideas for future stories. Remember, this fic is drawing inspiration from Warehouse 13, The Librarians and The X-Files. If you send an idea and I use it I'll send you a sneak peek at the chapter.
Keep on writing.
