The Lost and Found (A Sequel to Change of Identity)

Chapter 7 The Guardians

"Indeed!" Bill laughed. "Right you are!"

"Who?" Pacifica raised an eyebrow.

"Long story." I turned back to him. "I'll ask again. Where are we?"

"Take a guess. Look around." He grinned.

I looked around. It was still the same place.

"I don't get it." I told him.

"And I thought you were smart." He laughed. "Oh, maybe I'll tell you."

"Please do." I glared pointedly at him.

He leaned towards me. "Oh, silly Pine Tree. You're in the lost and found."

"What?" I screamed. "You're kidding."

But the more I looked around, the more I could see he wasn't. What I thought was a colosseum was actually a broken dollhouse. The "clouds" we were on were really the fluffy hair of a stuffed doll.

"Oh my god." I whispered.

"What? How?" Pacifica asked.

"It's the lost and found. You're lost until someone finds you." Bill shrugged like this happened everyday.

"Uh, can't we just like, fly out of here?" I raised a eyebrow.

"No, no!" He laughed. "I mean, you could, but first, you'd have to get through the guardians!"

"The what?" Pacifica asked.

"Oh, girls!" Bill called up, then two girls floated down.

One was spunky and colorful. She wore a puffy green ball gown with pearls sewn on everywhere that would fit right into the Middle Ages. Her curly auburn hair was in an elaborate updo with interwoven green ribbons and a crown of pearls perched on top. She had warm brown eyes and rosy cheeks, along with bright red lips.

The other was the complete opposite. She was wearing a black t-shirt with a white skull emblazoned on the front, which hung off one of her shoulders, where the strap of a deep purple tank top was visible. She also had gray jeans with a galaxy-patterned belt and tall black sequined boots. Her Ebony hair was swept over one shoulder and dyed blue at the tips. It was held with a blue barrette encrusted with glimmering black jewels that seemed to be real onyx. She wasn't wearing any blush, but her eyes were surrounded with black kohl eyeliner and purple eye shadow. Her eyes themselves were a peculiar blend of purple and blue that reminded me of irises. Her lips were devoid of lipstick but for some deep purple around the outside that was expertly blended into the normal rose color. On top of the kohl wings were tiny white gems, three to each eye. Mabel would approve.

"Oh, girls!" The spunky one grinned. "Mr. Cipher usually only brings boys down here. He has more grudges on them."

"Well, actually-" I began, but I was cut off by her.

"My name is Mimi, and this is Caitlyn!" She spoke as brightly as her outfit shone. Which was really bright.

"Wassup." Caitlyn raised one hand in greeting, then put it back down.

"So, we're the ones who guard this place!" Mimi beamed. "It's a great job, and Mr. Cipher is so kind to us!"

"Mimi, his name is Bill." Caitlyn said in a monotone drawl.

"Yes, yes, but we always speak formally of our boss, you know that, darling!" Mimi scolded. Caitlyn just rolled her eyes.

"Um, hi..." Pacifica waved. "I-I'm Pacifica...and this is Dipper...pleased to make your acquaintance." She extended a hand to Mimi, who shook it happily.

"I love this one!" She said, excitedly shaking Pacifica's hand.

"So." Caitlyn floated towards me. "You haven't talked at all."

"Um, yeah." I nodded. "Mimi is a bit too loud."

"Yeah, I agree." She nodded, glancing over at Mimi, who was still shaking a scared Pacifica's hand. "So, you're Dipper. Cool name."

"Yeah. I guess." I shrugged. "Is there any way to get out of here?"

Caitlyn looked over at Mimi, and I did too, noticing Bill was gone. Probably back to teaching art. I looked back to notice Caitlyn was much closer than I remembered.

"Just between the two of us." She whispered. "I hate it here. I'd help you break out if you wanted."

"Really?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah." She sighed. "Plus, Bill just throws away the bodies of the kids he sends here. He doesn't even use them. I know he preserves them...someone who escaped for a little told me. But I want to go home so badly..."

"Oh." I nodded slowly. "Yeah. So, when?"

She looked over to see Mimi was still preoccupied with chatting with Pacifica. "We can't do it today. Mimi watches all the newcomers for the first day. But I'll help you tomorrow night." Grinning, she added. "I'm the night guard."

Caitlyn floated away, leaving Mimi watching Pacifica and I intently. But I was content with the fact there was at least a little hope of escape.

((Mimi is annoying. I actually designed her after my little sister, Lillian. Not sorry.))