♡ Selozar | Trapped. ♡

chapter 1

Selozar's life was constrained to either being locked inside of a cage or working to near exhaustion as a slave. He lived in a rustic, run-down house, right in the middle of nowhere. The air was cold and stagnant with the odor of decomposing wood. Tall silhouettes of trees shadowed the ground, towering far over the house. The sky was a permanent gray, bleak sun covered by the blankets of clouds.

Selozar always felt his body instinctively stiffen in fear whenever he entered the house. He couldn't help it; it was already bad enough having to tip-toe through the house without alerting him. Even though being out was safer than inside, Selozar's constant paranoia prodded him into fearing the outside too. The foggy and unclear surroundings, paired up with the still, disturbing ambiance, gave him yet another new worry.

It's difficult for Selozar to remember where he came from. He had been here for nearly a year, as far as he can remember. The beginning had been so foggy for him. Selozar could remember practically everything about his time here, so why not this? He used to search deep into his memories for the answer, but he eventually lost the will to care about it anymore.

Selozar's shoulders slumped. His body ached, and his muscles felt stiff. His legs were about worn out now, feet throbbing with an uncomfortable pain. Selozar tried to ignore it, sweeping the dining room's floor. Alone was supposed to be here a few hours ago. He set the broom against the wall, throwing out the contents of the dustpan. Selozar stared at the dining room for a bit, wondering if anything had looked out of place.

Alone's note was still on the table from this morning: "Selozar. Dining room clean when I get back. Make dinner, yes? Do it. Will be back. No lazy, or else :)"

Selozar had read it to himself again in Alone's voice, cringing. He sighed, heading back into the kitchen to start dinner. It's best to start soon while he still has the chance. Maybe he'd get to eat tonight.

┊ ༑ ࿐ྂ。

Selozar flinched when he heard the front door creak open. His chest grew tight in slight fear. He continued to prep the dinner, hearing Alone's muffled voice becoming more clear as he stomped down the hall.

"Stop! Now stop!" Alone hissed, his voice peaking with frustration as he shoved something to the ground. He pushed past Selozar, rougher than needed.

Selozar heard furniture getting knocked over. The floor creaked wildly with the frantic movements. By now, Selozar had looked up from the dinner, feeling a nervous curiosity. He hesitated for a second before walking out of the kitchen.

He peeked around the corner, eyes widening as he took in the horrid sight. Its body was a bright white, somehow glowing in the dim lighting. Its head, however, was an eye-soring color of red. A green wire was tangled across its head, small blinking red, blue, and yellow lights flickering on and off in an uncertain pattern. Those were at least the first things he noticed before it shuddered, then abruptly started spinning. Selozar's eyes widened, taking a step back.

"Wha...?"

"Selozar... Unleanra," Alone nodded to the creature, "Uleanra, Selozar." he gestured to Selozar. Alone frowned slightly at the small silence, "New friend. Talk? Cannot be rude, yes?"

"O-of course." Selozar nodded, forcing himself to step forward much to his fear. The thing eventually stopped spinning, not seeming to have to regain their balance at all as they stood still again. They studied Selozar briefly before looking around the barren room. Uleanra turned their attention back at Selozar.

"Hello," Uleanra spoke, voice faint, "Selozar, hm...?

"Yes, I am..." Selozar tried to smile, much to his discomfort under Alone's watchful gaze.

"...I am..." Uleanra looked around again, squinting, "Pleased to meet you... Shall we talk later, then?" There was barely any excitement in their voice, especially not any fear either.

He wasn't sure whether he'd enjoy Uleanra's company or not.

Selozar nodded. He looked over at Alone, who just pointed back at the kitchen expectantly. Selozar should've been happy, but he couldn't find it in himself to be. He sighed softly, opening the oven to take out the dinner.

┊ ༑ ࿐ྂ。

The dinner table was silent besides Uleanra's curious scraping of the fork on the plate. Selozar picked at his food, staring down at his plate. Alone wasn't the one for small talk, so nights like these weren't exactly uncommon. Considering the way he treated Selozar, and his broken English, Selozar didn't want to talk either. He could see Uleanra glance up at Alone curiously a few times.

"Talk?" Alone tilted his head, glancing at the two.

Selozar looked up nervously at Uleanra, who returned the same expression.

"Fine... No talk, then." Alone grumbled after a few seconds of silence.

Uleanra didn't seem too much like the talking type, anyway. Maybe once they got to spend time alone, it'd be better.

Alone ordered him to bed not too long after dinner. He laid on the stiff mattress, shutting his eyes. He was glad that Uleanra was around; having Alone as company wasn't exactly the best. It was morbid, but he hoped that Alone's attention would be taken off of Selozar now that they were here.