Daniel's POV

This place was so full of mystery. Everything about it screamed out at my interest. 

Especially Joey.

I wanted to know everything about him, from his favorite color, to what breakfast cereal he likes, but mostly; the secret I know he's hiding.

I followed Alfred into the HUGE dining room. I don't understand how Joey manages to keep this place going by himself with just Alfred, I definitely plan on helping out while I stay here.

"Just wait here, what would you like to eat?"

Alfred asks me. 

"Oh, I don't mind making myself something."

I'm not really used to the whole 'staff' thing because I was brought up to rely on myself and I feel bad making Alfred do what I could easily save him the trouble of.

"No, no. You are our guest."

He says, shaking his head.

"Yep and I'm going to help out, just think of it as a return for letting me stay here."

I started walking to the kitchen before he could even speak.

I walked in and the kitchen was just as magnificent as the rest of the house. Stainless steel appliances and expensive-looking marble bench tops. It was the kind of kitchen that could easily fit 30 cooks and prepare food for an enormous party.

I shuffled over to one of the fridges and found some fake chicken in one of the cooler draws. I pulled it out along with some vegetables and brown rice.

I put the rice in a pot of boiling water and the vegetables in a frying pan.

(I don't know how to cook so let's play a little game, use your imagination.)

I gently placed the food on two pristine white platters with silver cutlery. I brought them to the dining room and placed them on the enormous table.

Alfred walked past on his way out of the room.

"Hey Alfred, where's Joey? I wanted to ask him if he wanted any food."

"He's in his study, take the elevator up one flight and second door to the left."

"Okay, thank you."

I attempted to follow Alfred's directions and almost got lost several times but managed to find the right door. I knocked on it lightly, so I didn't disturb Joey if he was busy. I expected to need to wait for a minute but he immediately responded with;

"Come in!"

I creaked the door open slowly and make sure my glasses were completely pushed onto my nose as my eyes meet with Joey's.

"Oh, hey Daniel, I thought it was Alfred."

"Um, hi I just wanted to ask if you were hungry? I made some food."

"Oh, uh okay."

He grinned at me slightly but he seemed to snap out of it for his face quickly returned to his solemn expression. It made him look sad. Almost... lonely...

He stepped past me and I followed him to the elevator.

"You should have elevator music in here."

I laughed breaking the silence.

"Elevator music?"

"Yeah, like maybe some Tchaikovsky, Marc-Antoine Charpentier or some Britney Spears..."

We laughed for my first two suggestions were much more what you would expect to find in such a place as this.

The rest of the way to the dining room was in silence. Once we made it there Joey gasped.

"What?"

"I LOVE fake chicken stir-fry! It's my favorite!"

"Hah."

"This looks amazing Daniel."

"Aw thanks Joey!"

Joey and I took a seat across from each other and began eating. 

My mind was spinning in circles as I picked away at my food. There was so much I didn't know about everything and so much I wanted to know.

Why is Joey is closed off?

How does he deal with being alone all of the time? I've felt so isolated on my own and I could barely stand much longer. Yeah, sure, being alone for a while is nice and all but when you are never around anyone you have no one to rely on, no one to care for and for you. It's so lonely on your own...

What am I going to do? I can't stay here forever! Joey's probably going to get sick of me and the longer I stay here the bigger the risk is of someone finding out...

Also...

What. Is. Behind. That. Door???

I was brought out of my day dream by the clanking of Joey placing his cutlery on his empty plate.

(I'm listening to 'What A Wonderful World' on a music box... it's so freaking cute, you're welcome.)

I glanced at my plate and realized I was only half finished mine and started to shovel it into my mouth quicker.

"Hey Daniel? Are you alright?"

"Hm? Oh yeah-"

I stopped when I realized my mouth was full and swallowed the food.

"I'm fine, why do you ask?"

"You just seem... a bit distracted or out of it... I don't know?"

"U-uh no I'm totally a-alright."

I said a bit jumpy because he knew something was up, I can't let him find out or catch onto me...

"Uh, okay... Will you be okay by yourself for a few hours? I have some, things, to do and I'll be back uh... later."

"Oh yeah, that's fine. I'll just do some... homework, or something."

"Okay cool, see you later."

He left his dish on the table and wandered out of the dining room. 

I was curious so I decided to follow him, leaving my unfinished food on the table. I saw him go down a corridor and then turn right. I sneaked down after him and made sure he couldn't see me before popping my head around the corner. I couldn't see Joey. The only thing there was the door.

I cautiously walked over to it; making sure no one was around.

I really know I shouldn't but my curiosity controlled my actions. I glanced around one last time and reached for my glasses, drawing them from my face.

It was like I could see in color for the first time, everything burst out in a big display of messy lines and splotches. It took me a minute to adjust but once I did I could see almost everything. I could see the beams inside the walls, from the ultraviolet dirt in the corner to the microscopic cracks in the wall plaster. Almost everything. I could not see through the door.

Why can't I see through it?! I don't understand! What is this made out of?!

This was so bizarre, I could see through anything on this earth... this must be something from another world. How on earth did Joey end up with it? 

Well, I guess there's no point in just standing out here wondering and risk getting caught. Anyway, I've got a job to do; saving people. 

I ran back up the marble staircase to my room and ripped open the one box I left untouched. I dug through it until my fingers brushed against a silky material not of this earth and my eyes were met with the bold emblem of Hope.

(A/N: Heyyyyy!!! In a rush so I can't say much but IL you guys so much!!!! Word count; 1179 words. Thanks for reading, please add, vote, comment, follow, share, etc. Thanks, love you, see you soon, Good Janiel Bye!!!)