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<And it all ended wonderfully> Wally finished talking to the Home. Today his day went absolutely perfectly. Barnaby got a new ball, Frank caught another butterfly. Eddie and Howdy find a lost package which Eddie accidentally lost. Oh not to mention Julie and Poppy baked a delicious pie and he and Sally were played hide and seek today. Yes, it was a beautiful day. That's why Wally sat down in his chair where the easel and paintbrush were in front of him.
<Ah, I should seal this beautiful day with a painting!> Wally said cheerfully.He picked up a paintbrush and dipped it in the tin of green paint that lay beside him. The Home creaked a little. Wally ignored the words of the Home. It was a successful day. After all, everyone had a fun today.
The Home creaked again, but louder now.
<I had a good time Home. Why you still asking me?> The Home didn't answer. Wally shivered a little and went back to painting. After that, the Home became very quiet and the only sound was the paintbrush moving on the canvas. Wally started more focusing on the painting, this needs to be perfect, he was telling himself. Suddenly the overhead light went out, leaving Wally in the dark.
<This is not funny, Home> Wally said a little annoyed, though actually Wally was trying not to sound scared. Did he do something wrong again? Did he upset Home?. Maybe he did something today that he shouldn't have.
<Did I do something wrong today Home?> The light came back without any explanation.
<Thank you, Home> Wally sighed with relief and went back to painting. Something was wrong and Wally felt it but from his own experience, he chose to ignore this feeling. The Home still was silent and paintbrush began to sound louder and louder. Suddenly, Wally's leg accidentally knocked over a can of red paint.
<Oh dear> Wally stood up and picked up the can. Luckily the can was empty. Wally sat back in his chair. Just as he was about to put the brush on the canvas again, he heard it. Heavy deep breathing which comes from the wall.
‘’Great” Thought Wally. The grip on his paintbrush tightened.
‘’Don't think about him, he will go away eventually” Wally could feel warm breath against his neck. It wasn't the first time his dad visited him like this. He just need to ignore him and he will disappear after a while. Wally silently counted the minutes. He just needs to get back to painting the picture. Dad never hurt him he can ignore him. But the loud deep breathing started to get louder.
Wally closed his eyes, he was pretty sure his dad was behind him. ‘’Just go away”. He pleaded in his mind. The deep breath began to disappear and just when he thought his dad finally was leaving.
Wally relaxed but suddenly he felt a hand touching his shoulder. Cold realization flooded Wally.
Dad wants something from him.
He turned around slowly, and as he expected. Dad's hand stretched from the hole in the wall. It is worth noting that this hole was not there before. Wally sighed
<Hello Dad> Roy didn't answer him, just continued to watch him from the wall. Wally's eye twitched a little. His dad really needed to learn how to have a normal conversation.
<What can I do for you?> Roy's hand went up and pointed to the new door. Wally didn't have to guess to know that this door led upstairs. He looked at the door and back at Roy.
<Is this your idea?> Wally asked, pointing at the door.
<Because if it is. Mom will be very angry> Roy roared when Wally mentioned Mom. Wally crossed his arms.
<I'm serious. Do you remember what happened last time you did something she didn't know?> Wally really hopes his dad still remembers this. He doesn't know what his dad can remember and what he can't. But Wally really hope that his dad at least remembers THIS incident. Because otherwise it will be difficult to convince him to not do.
Roy came out of the wall, cobwebs and dust clung to his back. Wally froze it's been quite a while since he saw his dad showed up outside the hole in the walls.
<Ummm D-dad?> Roy put a hand on his shoulder and with the other hand points to the door. Another roar came out from him but less menacingly this time. Wally suddenly understood.
<She want me to visit her?> Wally pointed at himself Roy nodded. Wally turned toward the door and as if on cue, the door opened. Wally was still frozen did he really need to go there. What if he gets punished. After all his mom told him not to go upstairs. Roy must have noticed his elder son's fear. Because the next thing he did was walk over to that door and waits for him. Wally slowly followed Roy. Just as he'd expected as soon as he walked through that door. The door closed behind him.
<Am I in trouble?>Wally whispered as if every word he said could now be against him. Roy didn't answer and kept walking up, he only stopped when Wally was too far away from him. Wally walked slowly upstairs worry could be seen on his face. The passage was silent until they hit the first floor
<Oh it's been a while since I've seen this place> Wally says. He was pretty sure a few things had changed here, his mom had to change them. Roy ignored him and kept walking. Wally paused for a moment, he really wanted to see more of this place. But before he could change course, Roy's hand pulled him up to another flight of stairs. Wally could have sworn he heard someone enter the kitchen, but it was too late to check.
‘’I wonder if it was David’” Wally thought and looked at Roy. Wally knows his dad doesn't like to talk about David. He had already started to dislike this topic way before all of THIS event happened. Wally looked back, he really wanted to see his younger brother again. And for a moment he almost dared ask his dad about it but he quickly came to his senses. His dad has no authority here at least not anymore. They went up to another staircase and somehow, the atmosphere became even more awkward.
Wally could hear music in the distance or maybe it's just his imagination. Actually what his mom wanted from him anyway Wally considered. He doesn't remember anything strange happening recently unless…
Roy stopped outside the door, Wally knew he had to go alone now. He stood in front of the door, correcting his dark blue sweater and carefully opened the door. In the center of the room was a piano and an old lady who played a song. Wally stood unsure if he could interrupt her. He carefully looks around. There was a dollhouse lying on top of the piano ‘’David's house” Wally thought quickly. Out of the corner of his eye he could also see that on the floor next to the piano was his neighborhood. Which was all made of cardboard except for his Home which was similar to David's but much smaller.
<Are you just going to stand there?> Lesley ask. Wally shook himself quickly and walked over to the piano. On the way, he encountered a few disturbing things, but he decided to ignore them.
<Hello Mo- > The piano immediately stopped playing Wally jumped slightly.
<Hello miss Lesley> Wally corrected himself. Lesley's face softened and she went back to playing.
<Hello Wally Darling, good you're finally here> Piano music filled the room again.Wally waited calmly. He connected both his hands and looked around again. Now that he was closer, he could see the little figures on the piano and to his uneasy surprise, he also saw the stuffed dolls that were at the bottom of the piano. He wasn't surprised that the stuffed dolls looked like his neighbors.
<Why did you wanted to see me?> Lesley laughed and got up from the chair and walked over to him. Wally laughed a little too.
<Why are you laughing?> Lesley asked seriously without emotions. Wally got a little scared.
<Um from nothing i just cleared my throat> Lesley smiled at him again and picked him up like a toddler. Which looked little a bit comical considering his height.
<Oh Wally what can i do with you> She sighed. Wally wasn't sure if this act of affection was due to these true signs of affection coming from his mother or maybe Lesley wants to make sure Wally remembers who has the power here. Lesley picked up the yellow figurine and showed it to Wally.
<He is one of my favourites> Lesley said it full of kindness. ‘’Of course David is your favourite,he already was in the moment when he was born’’Wally thought bitterly.
<You know who else is my favorite?> Lesley ask camly. Wally looked at her.
<You of course>Lesley poked slightly where Wally's nose might have been.
<You and your cute little adventures, I love to listen to them when I finish my studies with him> Lesley showed the figurine again. She sighed again.
<You know compared to him, you always tries to be more careful>
<Um thank you?> Wally wasn't sure where this conversation was heading to.
< Do you remember what happened to HIM when he did something without my knowledge> Wally was sure she was talking about Dad now.
<Well, you don't have to, after all, he didn't mess anything up in your playground> Lesley walked around the room.
‘’Are you sure” Wally wanted to say. Of course something happened then, everything had to be reset after all. But on the other hand Wally was happy about it, at least he got another chance with his neighbors. Lesley's foot stepped on something.
<Oh look this is your favorite toy> Lesley picked up Barnaby. Wally wanted to shout that Barnaby isn’t a toy but he thought it best not to.
<You know, one of you has been really worrying me lately>
<What do you mean mo- echem miss Lesley> Wally ask. Was it about that recent event where David visited him? Lesley laughed Wally followed her.
< WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING THIS WASN'T EVEN FUNNY!> She accidentally drop him. Wally fell to the floor, and looked at Lesley in horror Lesley chuckled.
<Oh sorry my darling me and my holes in the hands> Wally stood up quickly.
<I’m okey don’t worry> Lesley looked at the small dollhouse.
<You know he's not allowed in your playground> She said finally and went back to the piano.
<He could be lost or worse but luckily you found him quickly and kept an eye on him> Wally began to wonder what his mom was going to say. Does she want to punish him again?
<Recently, me and HIM started arguing again> Wally walked over to the piano and touched Lesley's hand with a little trepidation. Are she and dad arguing again? this can't end well for any of them.
<Oh don't worry I've got it all under control, I'm just gonna need a little help from you>
<What kind of help?> Wally really didn't want to be involved with this.
<Nothing hard, just want you to keep an eye on my favorite while I get things done> Watching David? Well this is something new usually Lesley doesn't want him and David to be in the same place.
<Of course everything will be happening here> Lesley put a figurine that looked like Wally on David's dollhouse.
<But don't worry I will call you when it happens. Now go home and finish your beautiful painting> Wally slowly turned and walked towards the front door something bad will be happening soon.
<Bye mom> Wally suddenly realized what he had done and quickly started running downstairs. He didn't even want to know how Lesley reacted. it only took a little shaking to know he shouldn't say that. Almost falling down the stairs. Wally was on the first floor again. It was dark in the kitchen. but this time Wally didn't dare and politely walked back downstairs to his house. Once back, he could see his easel and a large red stain on the floor.
The house greeted him with a creak.