Chapter 50 - The sleepwalker's walk

― Ah... you've got to be kidding me.

― On the contrary, I am sure that the young master will be able to do it.

Leonardo sighed defeated. Entering the office, he would have to face the pile of documents that Vincent had insisted he sign.

― What are all these?

― Reports from our survey of franchises that might accept the space at Winter flavour, budgets and... a lot more.

― A lot more? ― Murmured the boy arching his eyebrow in complete disbelief ― Funny you, aren't you?

― No wonder the young master calls me a clown.

Making a face, Leonardo sat on the chair and pulled the first folder from the pile of documents. Even if it was tedious, he would make an effort to finish the work, refusing to lose to Vicente.

From the moment he arrived at the mansion he had had regular classes with the clown to learn how to run Dreamland. Although at first he believed it would be hours and hours of tedious chatter, he was surprised at how easy he found it to learn. Which he certainly wouldn't admit out loud, since Vicente could sing victory.

As time went by, Leonardo was already getting used to his job as the new owner, receiving documents and delving into the park's affairs more often. And this was something he hadn't even noticed, so natural was the process.

― Hmm so the dancers have already been hired, but they haven't started planning anything yet for the debut of the food court?

― According to the project of the late master Evilian, Winter Flavour should become Dreamland's newest attraction. So it is natural that it also has its main attraction.

― Main attraction... ― Leonardo drummed his fingers on the table, reading the document with the project explained in detail. Despite reading those words, his mind was working on something else ― Are you talking like those three?

― That's right.

― By the way, how did they end up being chosen? Was it because they were popular in their sectors?

Vicente let out a low laugh as he went to the far side of the counter to pour a cup of coffee.

― Their popularity with the clients is certainly a strong point, but this is only a result of their efforts.

― So?

― So... the main attraction is like an industry head, they are responsible for managing, looking after the staff and the running of that industry.

― They have to be responsible.

― That's right, young master.

Vincent handed the coffee cup to Leonardo and stood next to him.

― Do we have any candidates?

― Not yet.

Leonardo took a sip of coffee without losing his eyes from the paper. A food court whose purpose is to give artistic performances for customers at key times. As if it were a show house where customers could enjoy their meals and have fun.

The person in charge of this place would need to be someone who understands sales, but most importantly can help coordinate the performances. But it would be difficult to find someone like that. The most they could produce would be another Ray or Benjin, who are focused only on presentations because they are popular.

― Haa... that's too much work.

His eyes went to the portrait holder that still showed that happy family. Feeling a discomfort in his chest, Leonardo took a deep breath and faced the pile of documents, reviewing the details and taking more of his lessons with Vicente.

Everything to run away from a memory.

When the clock in the corridor struck twelve, Vicente was taking out the revised and signed documents.

― Young master, so we are done for today. The rest can be left for tomorrow.

― I'll just finish these ones here ― murmured Leonardo, concentrating on the document.

― Very well, good night, young master.

Even alone, Leonardo continued to focus on his work until finish it some minutes later. Only when he leaned in his chair did he realized he was alone in the office. The silence that surrounded him was strange.

From the moment he set foot in that place he hadn't had a moment's peace. He was always busy doing something, and he could hardly sleep alone. Wherever he went, Benjin would be following him, disturbing him and trying to kiss him.

But to his surprise, from the moment he had arrived along with the detective, Benjin had not approached. Maybe he was following his request that everyone be receptive to the girl, since she might feel uncomfortable among them.

― Not that this is bad... ― He muttered getting up from his chair ― ...But it's strange being alone.

Walking around the office, he approached the bookcase of books that were divided between administrative matters to foreign fairy tales. He was not an avid reader, so he had turned around and approached the window. Outside, the mist between the trees already prevented him from seeing the toys in the distance. Only the waving of the flag on top of the circus tent he could see, and very dimly.

But the flag soon lost his attention. Something in the mansion's garden was moving.

Not something, someone.

With crossed arms and arched eyebrows, Leonardo watched the girl shrinking into a blouse walking across the garden.

― What the fuck is this? ― Taking the mobile phone from his pocket, the boy checked the time ― You shouldn't be walking around.

Turning around, Leonardo soon left the office and crossed the corridors to reach the ground floor. There was someone who kidnapped people without a trace, and that girl was the only survivor. So why would she leave carelessly at dawn?

He knew it had been a bad idea to leave her there. He should ignore Vincent's strange requests.

As soon as he went downstairs Leonardo found the front door open. Carefully he peeked in, finding Giovani hiding behind the statue on the stairs, seemingly watching the girl who was still crossing the garden.

― Giovani?

The detective turned to Leonardo and made a sign of silence, soon beckoning him to come closer. Foot before foot, trying to avoid being noisy, the boy went to the detective and crouched down beside him.

― What are you doing?

― I said I would keep an eye on her ― whispered Giovani ― I stood guard in front of her room, but when I left to go to the bathroom and came back the door was open.

― You know that she is a victim and not a suspect, right?

― Then could you explain to me why a victim is walking towards the place where she was probably kidnapped?

Leonardo pressed his lips together in defeat. He was right, it was suspicious.

― But what about you, brat? You disappeared after dinner.

― Ah, Vicente made me go over some documents until just now. But... wouldn't it be better if we followed her?

Giovani pondered as he watched the girl's silhouette moving further and further away.

― You can stay here...

― You don't know Dreamland well enough, you might get lost.

Giovani frowned trying to deny the request, but Leonardo had given him an innocent smile that made him sigh defeated.

― Ha... whatever. Let's go then, but quietly.

Then, the two began to follow the girl. They kept a safe distance so as not to lose sight of her or get caught. She had gone through the gate, but was not following the trail that would lead to the park.

No, she had gone to the opposite side.

Leonardo knew the map of Dreamland thanks to his childhood memories, but also thanks to Vincent's lessons. And if there was one thing he knew it was that to that side, there shouldn't be any construction. Not all the space in the lot had been used by the corporation.

So where was she going?

From the moment they started following the girl, neither of the two boys spoke. They were focused on watching her and trying to guess where she was going. The bushes she passed through, suddenly turning to go another way, made it seem like they were inside a maze.

And the deeper they went through the trees and bushes, the denser the fog that surrounded them.

― Let's get closer, otherwise we'll lose sight of this girl ― Giovani warned.

Both of them hurried their steps to reduce the distance from the girl, but the fog had become so dense that it was difficult to see an inch ahead.

― What shall we do? ― Giovani questioned, growling as he looked around.

Leonardo, on the other hand, was calm. The darkness didn't seem to bother him, and his dark eyes were wide open to his left. He couldn't see anything, but he felt that something was there. A strange and somewhat mysterious sensation he had when he felt surrounded by objects.

― Let's go this way.

Pulling the detective's arm, Leonardo followed to the right.

― Do you know where we are?

― Maybe... I'm not sure ― In the middle of the silence, both heard the sound of footsteps on the grass and exchanged glances ― She must be around here.

Hurriedly they continued walking blindly until they found the silhouette of the girl standing still. But before they could call her and lead her back to the mansion, Leonardo's eyes widened when the blackout dissipated.

It was like a smoke screen that revealed the secret he was hiding. Little by little a shadow formed, serving as a key to open the darkest chest in Leonardo's memories.

And when it dissipated completely, the boy felt his whole body goose bumps and his eyes bulged as he saw the abandoned train almost swallowed by the forest itself.

― That... why...

― A train? ― Giovani looked around, approaching the girl about to call her when she fell faint in his lap ― Hey, what's going on? Wake up! Hey! Oh brat, help here...

Giovani was silent the instant he saw Leonardo fall on his knees, his pale skin being the very face of dread. Only a whisper escaped his lips.

― Lucca.