The Misadventure of Alexander Hughes

CROCODILE TEARS: CHAPTER 4

'Well, welcome to your new home" Leonard said, looking at the house before them. Alexander smiled, looking at the house. A white two storey house with its dried green untrimmed garden. It has distance away from the houses. "By the way, where's the landlord?"

"Oh, see that old man over there?" Leonard pointed at the distance, Alexander squinted his eyes. "Yeah"

"He is the landlord. He told me by the way that you could pay him anytime you have money to pay for the rent"

"Really?" Alexander said, looking at the old man that is sitting on his porch.

"Anyway, I gotta go now. lil buddy seemed to excited to go check inside the house" Leonard said, patting Alexander's shoulders and walk. Alexander turned around and watched Leonard heading to his car, it's great to have a best friend that helped you even you didn't ask for it.

"Dude.." Alexander said as Leonard opened the door of his car, Leonard looked at him. "Yeah?"

"Thanks, dude" Alexander paused, 'Thanks for the help. Call me if you need hel—"

Leonard cut his sentence off by chuckling, "You already said thank you more like a hundred times already" and shakes his head in amusement.

"No problem, dude." Leonard hopped in his car and drove off. Alexander take a glance on his side, Tyler tugged him, wanting him to go inside.

"Okay, Tyler. Can you help me carry this bags?" Tyler nodded and grab one of the backpacks. "Just don't carry the heavy one." and Tyler went inside followed by Alexander. Alexander smiled at the sight of Tyler that is excited to his new home. Seeing Tyler smling made him smile.

"It's all dusty" Tyler said and sneeze. Alexander put the bags on the floor and looked around. Tyler happily ran around.

"We are like from a rich family, living in here" Tyler commented.

"Yeah. Anyway, could you help me clean and unpack our stuffs?" Alexander asked. Tyler nodded and walked towards him.

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"Tyler, turn off the television and let's eat" Alexander said as he took off the roasted chicken out of the oven. The aroma of the roasted chicken made Tyler immediately turn off the television and went to the kitchen.

"Wowwww, roasted chicken for dinner?" Tyler said, sitting and looked at the roasted chicken that Alexander placed on the table. Alexander smiled and took of his apron.

"You like 'em?" Alexander asked, smiling and took of his mittens.

"Yes, they're better than chicken broccoli stir fry" Tyler said as he eats. Alexander shakes his head in amusment, what could he expect? Tyler is a kid and most kids hates vegetables.

"But sometimes you need to eat any kind of vegetables"

Tyler shrugged, "Vegetables aren't my favorite." And eats.

Alexander and Tyler peacefully eats throughout their dinner, Tyler settles on the couch as he watch his favourite TV cartoon show.

"Why did you switch the channel?" Alexander asked as he sits, looking at Tyler with remote in his hand. Tyler put the remote on the side, not looking at Alexander, "Because I want you to look at this"

Alexander moved his eyes on the television, it was a baking show. A young adult man with a kid on his side, having fun kneading the dough.

"I want to make pizza" Tyler said. "Mom used to make homemade pizza for us, I miss her"

Alexander looked at Tyler that is wiping his tears, he opened his arms. "Come here"

Tyler moved closer to him, Alexander wrapped his arms around Tyler. "I miss Mom and Dad, I miss having a pizza party"

Alexander gently rustles Tyler's hair, "Pizza is really your favorite, huh?"

Tyler didn't respond, Alexander looked at Tyler. A smile tugs on his lips, "Goodnight, lil bud"

The sound of crickets outside and the subtle voices that is heard from the television, Alexander is found sleeping on the couch along with Tyler. The sudden sound of heavy footsteps that ran behind the couch made Alexander jolt. Alexander slowly turn around and looked at the couch behind, he looked at the floor. There was no trace.

Alexander looked at Tyler, sleeping. He carried Tyler upstairs and put him to bed. Alexander went upstairs, yawning. As he arrived downstairs, he looked at the clock. It was already 2 am, Alexander went to the living room. He grabbed the remote and turned off the television. As the television screen went black, a black figure of a young boy is seen, standing behind Alexander. Alexander didn't saw him and grabbed his blanket, walking back to the couch.

Alexander settles himself and about to sleep back when the sudden sound of loud banging on the door made Alexander awake. It was on the main door. Alexander stood up and open the door. It was quiet and cold outside, Alexander scanned his eyes sideways no one is on the porch.

He went back inside, someone suddenly tugged him.

"Oh, Tyler' Tyler looked at him, smiling.

"Can you go out and buy donuts?" Tyler asked, Alexander looked at the time and looked back on Tyler.

"But it was already 3 am, you should go back to sleep. I'll buy donuts tomorrow morning"

"But can you please buy now? I'm hungry" and Tyler put his hand on his stomach.

Alexander sighed, "Okay. Just wait for me, the donut store is around the corner."

"Okay" Alexander grabbed his scarf that is hanging on the couch and went outside.

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"Okay, your donu—Tyler?" Alexander looked around, Tyler wasn't sitting on the couch nor waiting for him at the kitchen table. Alenxader sighed and put his scarf on the couch, "Tyler, if you wont come out, I'll eat this donuts"

No one responded. Alexander grab a glance at the clock, it was already 3:00 am. Alexander head upstairs. "Tyler, your donuts is here"

He grabbed for the doorknob and opened it, "Tyler?" he switch on the light and looked at Tyler that is sleeping on the bed. Alexander lean against the wall, "So you went back to sleep, huh?"

And closes the door.