The Lost Ones

Chapter 2

Cameron was scrubbing the toilets for what seemed like hours until he deemed them good enough. He told Alyssa what his punishment was and she laughed at him! He would laugh at himself too if he wasn't so tired from cleaning the bathroom. He wipes his arm across his forehead and wipes away the beads of sweat that had formed during his meticulous scrubbing. It was about 9pm and Cameron trudged downstairs to put the cleaning supplies away and headed back upstairs to his room. His room wasn't that decorated like others. He had a poster of his favorite movie 'Zombieland' up on the wall, a few books on the bookshelf, an alarm clock, radio and a picture of his sister. His sisters name was Zarina. She had passed away when cameron was 10 years old. After his sisters passing, his dad divorced his step mom and she fell into drugs shortly after.  He was taken into foster care at 12 years old after word broke out of his step moms addiction and neglect. At 12, Cameron learned that life isn't fair and that you have to stick to yourself to survive and not get attached. Cameron knew it was already too late as he has become good friends with Alyssa. Granted, He doesn't know much about the mysterious blonde haired girl, but she doesn't know his backstory either. Maybe that was something they'd talk about down the road, but now didn't seem like the right time to do so. They had just become friends after all, and Cameron didn't want to jump the gun yet. Cameron plopped down onto his twin sized bed and sighed.  It had been a long day as he had predicted, and Cameron was just ready to sleep.  But sleep didn't seem to come and Cameron tossed and turned for a few hours before getting up and heading downstairs to the computer.  As he was rounding the corner he saw the screen brightness on the other wall.  Who's up this late on the computer? Cameron peeked his head out and saw it was Alyssa.  She looked very involved in whatever she was doing, and she didn't notice him peering around the wall to see her. He contemplated whether or not he should approach the confusing girl, but decided against it and tip toed back down the hall and up the stairs to his room and the floorboards quietly creaked at his door as he gently opened the door and bounded into his room quietly and shut the door.  What was Alyssa doing up this late in the first place?  Cameron shook his head and got back into bed, this time sleep being forgiving and taking him in his arms. 

Cameron awoke to the sun shining in his face.  He quickly got up and changed for the day and brushed his teeth and hair.  Cameron wanted to find out what Alyssa was doing on the computer last night.  Cameron smelled the scent of eggs and bacon cooking and crept down the stairs to the kitchen.  Seems like Cameron was the only one awake.  6:30 am.  Mrs.Tyler was in the kitchen fixing up breakfast for everyone.  "Hello Cameron" she said as she continued cooking the delicious breakfast.  "Oh hey Mrs.Tyler.  I didn't expect to see you down here cooking." Cameron said as he sat down at the bar and watched the elderly lady cook.  Mrs.Tyler was very nice, but very old fashioned.  She has been working here for 40 years and still somehow puts in so much care and effort into her work.  "Cameron dear, I'm sorry about yesterday, but you can't just beat up people and not expect consequences you know" Mrs.Tyler said as she glanced and Cameron and he nodded his head.  "I know, I just lost my cool, but what he said was not okay at all." "I know, that's why you both are going to apologize to each other and move on with life.  That's how life works dear" Mrs.Tyler says as she fixes Cameron a plate of eggs and bacon.  Cameron's mouth waters and he thanks the elderly lady for the food and digs in. The food of course was delicious. Cameron rinses his plate off and sets it in the dishwasher. He then goes into the "living room" area and boots up the computer. It whirrs back to life and Cameron opens the browser and checks the search history. Weird. The last few websites visited were about people who could talk to animals. Maybe Alyssa just took an interest in that. Cameron decided he had enough snooping and shut down the computer and turned around only to find Alyssa behind him watching him. "So you were snooping on me last night huh?" she says as she crosses her arms, a smirk plastered on her face. "You saw me...Sorry for snooping, I was wondering what you were so fascinated with and it looks like I got my answer" Cameron says as he stands up. Alyssa grabs his arm, a serious look across her face. "We need to go talk somewhere private" she says quietly and pulls him to the back door and opens it and walks outside, dragging Cameron with her to the storage shed. They hide out beside the shed and Alyssa says "I know this is going to sound crazy, but crazy is all that makes sense right now. I always knew I was different but..." Alyssa trails off. "Well what is it? I promise not to tell anyone since you're my friend...well my only friend to be exact but that doesn't matter right now" Cameron says as he looks at Alyssa's face. She's definitely serious he concludes. "I can hear animals talk to me and they can understand me" she finally says, a look of embarrassment across her petite face. "How long have you been able to do that" Cameron says quietly, thinking to himself. "Since I could remember" Alyssa says, looking down at the ground. "Well you're not alone" Cameron mutters and Alyssa snaps her head up and looks at him in surprise. "I can read minds if I want, but I don't like to do that. But i've been able to do so since I was little too." Cameron says as he scans Alyssa's face for a reaction. She does seem surprised but her face softens. "That's so cool" Alyssa says enthusiastically. "We should probably head back inside...We look suspicious out here" Cameron says and the two head back inside.

EDITED: 6/10/19