Chapter 2: Musically Painted Sailing Boats
The sight before us was a lot more surprising than the floor underneath.
The hallways were... Tiled. Many small blue and violet tiles ran along the walls, along with thicker white tiles on the floor. The notices and cork boards on the walls were still present, though. The majority of the doors on this floor seemed to be made out of varnished wood, rather then the ones on the first floor, which were more plastic-y.
"Damn..." I heard Candy's voice fade into the new floor.
"How are we gonna explore all of this...?"
"...Let's explore it how we like. We can look in groups, we can be alone, it can be however we like. But this time... I suggest we focus on finding anything that might help us get out of here." The fox in the group announced.
"...Sure." Pedro gripped his arms, cocking his head.
"Good plan everyone? Ok, we'll all meet up in the hallway after... Maybe an hour?"
Hm... Explore however you like...
"...George? Do you want to explore with me?" I asked, turning my head to my brother.
"No thanks sis. I'd prefer exploring with Edmond or Richard..." The shorter pig scratched his neck.
...I never realised he was THAT short.
Even after all this time... I never realised?
...Oof, Peppa. Oof.
"Oh. Ok... Would you like to come along Suzy?"
"I'd love to..." The sheep smiled, gripping onto her faded white formal jacket.
"...Have fun." I noticed my brother simply smiling at me, before running to join Richard and Edmond.
George... You little.
"Ok... Where should we look first?"
"Maybe... That door there?" I pointed, aiming at a door at the end of the hallway.
"...Sure!" The sheep suddenly dashed away from my side, leaping down to the door. The movement took me by surprise, nearly causing me to jump. By the time I had started on my way to the door, Suzy was already inside the room behind it. Not wanting to be left behind by her, I hopped through the doorway myself.
I was met with various horizontal lines of easels and canvases. Wooden walls lined up on all sides, smooth gashes separating the individual planks. Many cabinets and other storage-based pieces of furniture sat at the furthest wall.
It looked like... An art room.
"Hm... Nothing here that seems... Useful... Onto the next room!"
"What?-"
Before I could reply properly, the sheep had already sprinted out, leaving the art room's door wide open. I was left with my natural instinct... The instinct to follow her.
And so, I followed her.
Running back into the hallway, I snapped my head in both directions, stopping it when I noticed another open door. It wasn't too far from the art room's door.
"...Suzy? Are you in there?"
Not hearing any response, I leapt up to the door, swinging myself through it. My momentum soon halted, landing me next to a fluffy figure.
"Suzy?"
"Sh..." The lamb quieted me, making me glance forward. What laid in front of me was... Without a doubt stylised in a certain way.
The room was coloured with navy blue and cream white, multiple pictures of boats and other beachy decor rested upon the walls. Three stuffy, rust-brown, comfy armchairs rested at each doorless wall, a splintered coffee table wedged in front of them. Duck egg blue cabinets with speckled gold handles took up the remaining space, sitting upon the spruce wood floor. An antique coloured rug ran along the middle, from the door to the coffee table.
And standing in the middle of that rug... Was Danny. His back to us, unmoving.
"..."
"Danny?"
"..."
"...I think something's on his mind. Let's go..."
I looked to my side, realising that Suzy had already started to leave the room. Eventually, her body slipped out of the door, moving away slowly.
However... I stayed.
...I'm worried about Danny.
Why? Who knows.
"...Danny?"
"I think you already heard Suz', Peppa."
"Well, yes, but I'm worried..."
"You shouldn't be Peppa... You remember me from playgroup, right? Were you worried about me then?" The chocolate-furred hound turned to face me gradually, "And besides, the relations I'm thinking about don't have to do with you..."
"...What do you mean?"
"Freddy and Rebecca. I'm... Worried about going to the next level with our friendship. It's a stupid idea, anyway... Why did I have to care so much for both of them..."
"I-I don't think that's a bad thing! It's just... Weird."
"Exactly. Freddy doesn't seem like the kind of guy who agrees with weird. And Rebecca... She's straight forward. Man... I should've cared a little less..."
...
"Danny... That might not be true. They might just be worried themselves. That's the best I can come up with, anyway... Just forget about it for a while. Don't stress yourself out."
...Those words just came out of my mouth... Unintentionally.
Does this... Have to do with that dream I had...?
"...You're right Peppa. I should let go of the worry for a while." Danny gripped onto his shirt collar, yanking at it toughly, "I should be focusing on the situation at hand. Trying to escape!"
"...Ok...? Whatever works for you...?"
"Indeed, Peppa! Now then, should we explore another room?"
"Together? But I thought you were more into Freddy and Rebecca?" I joked.
"Oh please. It's not like they're yandere, heh." The dog laughed as he stepped out the sailor-themed room, the enlightenment in his face almost making him seem like a puppy once again.
The hope radiating through my body provoked me to go along with him.
"So... What's in the neighbouring room...?" The dog questioned, turning to the right and halting in front of another wooden door, as I stepped into a space next to him.
"Lets find out." I sighed, grabbing the silvery handle and yanking it down, drifting the door away and revealing the room hidden behind.
Various kinds of guitars were hung up on one of the walls, with a drum set in the opposing corner. Other smaller instruments such as violins and flutes rested on cabinets, supposedly holding pages full of sheet music, and other equipment for musical performance. Resting in the wall facing us was a stiff, metal door, a translucent window showing the path to another room.
"Woa..." Danny stood, staring at the corner. "...Drums!"
"Yes, they're drums. What about them...?"
"I'm rather good at drums!"
"Really? I thought you were always a bit too obnoxious with them..."
"H-Hey! I'm able to control it!"
"Ok, excuse me. I wonder what's behind the door...?"
"Lets see!"
"Wha-"
At that moment, a loud slam sounded as the door swung open harshly. We took a look inside to find... A piano? As well as a bunch of other equipment for some kind of recording...
"...Well. I've just found Zoë's favourite room."
"Haha... Nice joke."
"Don't mention it!"
"I just did." I smiled, before taking a closer look. "Is... This a recording studio?"
"Seems like it..."
"..."
"...This now looks a bit boring. You wanna check out another room?" Danny looked at me with anticipation in his eyes.
"Sure thing!"
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