No Refunds: Part Two

by PotterFollower

"The Terror Mountain Ski Lodge - Built in 1658," said a sign above the front desk. I reached out my hand and rang the bell.

"Good-day, ladies," said a mysterious voice. "Ahem. Behind you…"

We turned quickly to see a Bellhop. "Will it just be the two of you?" We nodded. "Do you have any baggage?" We nodded again, handing him our backpack. "Will it just be for the night?" We nodded a final time. "I see. Follow me." LiliaLu and I followed him and walked quietly up a large staircase. "You'll be in room 1a this evening."

"Shouldn't we sign in and pay for the room?" asked LiliaLu.

"There is no need, ma'am."

"Why is that?" I asked.

"Because no one ever leaves."

I giggled quietly. "Why is that funny?" he asked.

"I highly doubt that it's the truth."

"Believe what you wish, ma'am."

After a short walk, we reached our room. "Sleep well." The room was large, with two beds, a bathroom, and a television.

"It's not exactly the Neolodge," I said.

"Well, I'm getting into bed right away. I'm terribly tired." I was yawning as I got into bed. "'Night."

"Goodnight," said LiliaLu.

During the night, my companion woke me several times. "Did you hear that?" she would ask. In return, I would whisper, "No. Go back to sleep." Finally, after the sun had risen, we awoke. "We should really be getting back home, LiliaLay," said my friend.

"Of course. Where's the backpack?" I asked.

"Maybe the Bellhop still has it."

"Didn't it have that thing in it?"

"He didn't! Why would he steal it? No one even knows what it is!"

I raced out of the bedroom, staring at the main desk. I turned to face LiliaLu. "Wasn't there a staircase here last night?" She nodded. I walked towards the desk.

"Excuse me? I'd like my backpack. We'll be leaving now." The Bellhop stared at me. In his hands was the thing. "Hello?" I shouted, waving my hand across his face. When I reached for the thing, I noticed it looked different. "What did you do to it?"

It was open, and sharp needles were coming out of the center. I grabbed it from his hands, and suddenly heard a low singing sound. It was a lullaby.

"LiliaLay… help me," groaned LiliaLu.

Her face had turned pale. Moments later, I realized what had happened. The lullaby had put the Bellhop and LiliaLu to sleep.

"Wake up! What's happening to you! Wake up!" I shouted, frightened.

"No one can help them," whispered a voice.

"Who's there?"

"Crimson, of course," said the voice.

"Who are you? Where are you?"

"In your hands, foolish thing," said Crimson.

"You're the… the… the thing I bought at the Garage Sale!"

"Now, was that so difficult?" it asked sarcastically.

"Wake them up! You did this! Wake them up!" I shouted.

"They aren't sleeping."

"Then what are they doing?" I asked. "They're not doing anything… They're gone."

I gripped Crimson tightly in the palm of my hands. I lifted it high in the air and threw it against a nearby wall. "Do you think that you could destroy me? I am much too powerful for you."

"Why did you kill them?" I whispered.

"Why?" Slowly, Crimson began to transform. The ball of spikes began to grow, and suddenly a figure emerged from it. It looked somewhat like the creature I've read about in Neopian books - a Porcupine. Its back was covered in sharp needles.

"Answer me!" I shouted.

"With the help of you, I will take over the world! I've tried once before, but the foolish Neopians stopped me. If you look at the I.D. on my back, you will see Crimson. However, when my people tried to save me, they put my mind in the body of a robot. The robot was originally called Crimson. My real name is Dr. Frank Sloth."

The robot laughed evilly. "You see, LiliaLay, I will be bringing you back to my Space station. There, you will be transformed into a robot like me. I've seen how intelligent you are, LiliaLay. I've listened to your thoughts. You will help me. Together… we will take over Neopia!"

"Never!" I shouted. "Give me one reason why I should help you!"

"I have six Faeries being held captive upon my Space station. They are the only things that can bring back to life the people of Neopia. If you help me, they will not be killed," persuaded Sloth. I took a deep breath. "Fine. I will help you."

To be continued...