"Mom, everyone is wearing clothes. Can we buy some?" asked Taji_806, a slender
Aisha who was proud to be a fetching glowing green. "I promise to wear them
often; I just want to show my friends," she whined. Her owner, Skylily, looked
down at her begging face, and twirled a strand of her chestnut hair around her
finger.
"Well, I guess I could," she started. Then an observant look crept over her
pale face, and she crossed her arms over her chest. "Wait a minute," she scolded.
Taji looked down at her feet, her face as red as roses. "Taji," she continued,
"You can't wear clothes yet. They haven't made that part of Neopia yet."
Skylily glanced down at her mischievous Aisha, only to discover that she was
gone. She frantically twirled her head around the large crowds of Neopians,
only to find her pet's innocent face pressed against the glass window of the
Usuki Store. Taji's face was lit up with excitement, until she peered over her
shoulder and saw Skylily anxiously tapping her foot. She gleefully gestured
Skylily over to the display and pointed at a beautiful Usuki bride. The well-sewn
dress glittered in the afternoon sunlight.
"Hmm," pondered Skylily, her hand rubbing her chin. "Well," Taji glanced up
with hope glowing in her eyes. "Um... no."
"Why not!" screamed Taji. She scrunched up her face and glanced over at the
Usuki again.
"I don't want to pay the money, and you already have the stewardess... flight
attendant... whatever Usuki, and that is enough," replied Skylily, and it was
obvious that the conversation was over.
"Humph," mumbled Taji as she slugged off towards the Chocolate Factory. "Why
can't mom just buy one little Usuki for me? I mean, doesn't she have the money?
She is too stubborn," growled Taji as she turned the corner towards the Toy
Shop.
"Yah!" she yelped as she bumped into a large, furry, red Chia. He glared at
her with menacing eyes, and after a long, detailed apology Taji whimpered off
into a long, thin, alley.
The thin streaks of light got dimmer and dimmer, until only her glowing fur
lit the way. Maybe I should turn back she thought. After walking a few
more steps, she began to feel uneasy. A sharp, cold, pain crawled up her back,
and finally she turned to leave, only to find two deep red eyes staring straight
at her. She opened her lips as if to scream, but only a soft whimper escaped
her throat.
"Hheelloo," hissed the creature. She could feel its warm breath on her face,
and she took a step back. All she could see was the cold red eyes that seemed
to bore right into her head.
"Ah! Yikes!" she screamed, even though she knew no one could hear her. The
figure stepped closer to her, and Taji began to tremble with terror. Without
thinking she brushed past the creature and ran for dear life. The creature had
felt cold and lifeless, and Taji knew she would never forget the feeling.
Soon the light got brighter and brighter. She didn't know if the thing was
following her, but she knew better than to stop and check it out.
Taji took in a gasp of fresh air as she reached the end of the alley. She
collapsed on a bench, sweat rolling down her cheeks. Hoarse huffs and pants
escaped her throat, and she thought she might faint.
"Taji, time to go home," she heard Skylily's voice calling. Taji gave out
a sigh of relief as she saw her owner trotting over to her. "What happened?"
she asked as she sat down beside her. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Nothing, mom," grumbled Taji. "Nothing."
The End | 
