a/n: i actually wrote this and the previous chapter as one big thing, but i decided to separate them into two. its also not going to be so alfred-centric the entire time pov wise for anyone who might be curious about that.
It was the time of day when people were preparing to head inside, night fringing at the edges of the sky through faint hints of pinks and purples. Alfred, being the stubborn, confident boy he was, had no doubts over making it there by nightfall or not. Even if it did get a little dark he'd have his father to walk home with. Hanatamago remained equally undisturbed by the oncoming sunset, happily sticking by Alfred's side, for the most part. Sometimes she'd wander a little ahead, or linger behind as she sniffed something interesting, but a quick call from the boy was enough to get her attention.
On they went, no one paying them much mind, Alfred using Hanatamago as something to rant at about how unfair it all was. However, he was plenty confident in his plan. It'd succeed and his father would be so thankful for it that he'd forget all about being mad and realize that Alfred was growing up. The boy puffed out his chest, swelling with pride at his genius. Everything was going well up until they started on the path that led through the woods and Hanatamago decided that running off after something only she knew was there was a brilliant idea. "Ah! Wait! Get back here!" Alfred shrieked as he gave chase, knowing that if he just let the dog go about on her own she might get lost. In the town it would be fine, almost everyone knew who she belonged to, but out in the woods she could get herself into serious trouble.
"C'mon you dumb dog, slow down! We have things to do and they're not chasing cats!" She remained oblivious barking and yapping her little head off as she tormented whatever animal had drawn her attention. The boy crashed after her, dodging thickening trees and bushes and trying his best not to get caught on anything. Behind him the path was becoming less and less apparent, the route they were taking more convoluted, and by the time he tackled their pet he had not the slightest clue as to where they were.
"I can't believe you! Running off like that! You're normally so good," he said, arms firmly locking the squirming dog in place. She growled, barked, and tugged, but being a small thing even the child's arms were enough to trap her. Alfred clamored to his feet, holding the dog awkwardly in one hand while he dusted himself off. Dismay overtook him as he picked up the package, which had gotten squished in his landing. "Papa's going to be furious!"
Where confidence had once been so prominent dread settled in. Hot tears pooled at his eyes and Alfred dropped the package in favor of holding Hanatamago close and burying his face in her soft fur. She yipped, most likely telling him to put her down. "It's all your fault I woulda been fine if you didn't go running off," the boy murmured, angry and utterly hopeless. He sniffled, pulled back, and glared at the dog, who in turn licked his nose. If he were a more spiteful boy he might throw her to the ground. Suddenly leaving the house seemed like the worst decision Alfred had ever made. As he turned to try and return to familiar grounds he realized he didn't even know which way he came from. It all looked so different this way than it had while running through it.
He was in trouble. So much trouble. Tino was going to be furious once he got home, if Alfred made it home at all. He clung to the dog, who protested through a whine, but was otherwise helpless. The boy took in a deep breath, puffed out his chest, and made a good attempt at gathering his resolve. Only a coward would be thinking such negative thoughts, and Alfred was not a coward! Being lost in the dark woods would not be getting the best of him, or so he tried to tell himself. All he needed to do was find the path, and then he'd be okay. With Hanatamago in tow he picked the direction he thought he'd come from and started off. It wasn't like sitting around would get him anywhere. A brave man wouldn't sit around, he would move, and conquer his situation.
With every step he took Alfred could safely say that he didn't recognize anything. His sense of direction was practically non-existent and for all he knew he could be going completely opposite the way he'd come. He tried to look for signs, moss, a helpful arrow, anything that could hep, but only came up short. Hanatamago was useless, squirming in his arms, though he refused to let her loose again. "It's okay. We'll be okay. E-everyone gets into bad situations sometimes, b-but things always turn out alright," Alfred rambled as the woods seemed to close in around them. Was it getting darker? He peered up the the sky, only to find it blotted out by the thick canopy. A canopy that could hold anything. Peering eyes, gnashing teeth. Alfred increased his pace and looked pointedly ahead.
He couldn't tell how long he'd been walking. An hour, two possibly, maybe even more. It felt like forever to the young boy. His legs ached, along with his chest, and his cheeks were flushed by the chilled air. Forget ghosts and wild animals, at this rate he'd die of the cold. Somewhere along the line the trees began to thin out. Not by much, but enough to glance at the sky, which had become spotted with stars. He was dead. Done for. If he didn't get attacked by some wild animals he'd freeze to death, that or his dad would surely strangle him for this. Alfred winced at the thought and tried his best to resist sitting down and crying. The dog he held began barking, frantically, and kicked out of his grip. "No!" Stupid thing, didn't she know it was dangerous? He'd already chased he once, the boy tempted to let her go, but he followed nevertheless. It didn't take long for them to come across something he hadn't ever expected.
A mansion lay before him, surrounded by a high gate. More frightening than any old building they had in town. Moonlight poured onto it, but it still seemed dark. Haunted. Hanatamago slipped through the bars of the gate, barking her little head off, and Alfred heisted just a minute before following her, the bars apart just enough for a small boy to get through.
Once past the gate he stopped running, trying to catch his breath, as well as taking in the sight of the building before him. Plants crept along it's walls, as much a part of it as it's intricate facade. Everything about it seemed faded and worn. There was a cracked window, and then one shattered out entirely, all too dark to make out anything in regards to the inside. It was impressive, even if age worn, and he could only imagine what sort of people must have lived there at one time. Lords, maybe. Important people. By why would anyone want to live in the middle of a forest? Did anyone in town know about the place? Alfred had too many questions he couldn't answer.
The grounds around him weren't in any better condition, the grass overgrown and gnarly, Alfred certain something horrible could be hiding in it's wake. His little canine was all but lost in it, just a sign of rustling and barking ahead of him. He cursed her, but then again she may have only been trying to help. How she knew about the place he wasn't sure, but surely she had to, using her superior doggy nose to sniff out shelter from the horrors of the night. On the other hand there was no telling how many horrors awaited him inside.
The boy finally compelled himself to walk, trudging through the grass with minimal effort, mostly looking for Hanatamago so he could pick her up again. She was at the door, scratching at it like she did at home when she wanted to come in or go out. Alfred didn't pick her up, running small fingers across the fine wood. "I wonder if anyone's home," he mumbled, contemplated knocking, but this place couldn't possibly hold any living beings. Ghosts were a different story, and just thinking about them almost made the boy wail and want for his dad.
Experimentally, he grasped the handle. It twisted easily enough and the door came open with only a slight creek. It was dark inside, but it was dark outside too, and it felt warmer inside. Alfred bounced on the balls of his feet, his stomach a tight knot of fear and childish curiosity. He didn't have much more time to decide due to the blur of white that slipped in, giving him no real choice. She was all he had right now and he couldn't just let her go off on her own, she might get hurt. With his resolved gathered, for the most part, he plunged into the house and followed after the clicking of her nails against the wood floor.