The Pages Between Us (Karkat Vantas x Reader)

Chapter Fifteen

"Are you Achlys?"

You looked up at the seven-foot-tall wooden desk and found a woman with eight limbs; all of which were busy with papers and files. You were intimidated by her, not just because she was sitting on a very high stool that made it seem like she was above you. You also felt... threatened. Like a fly trapped in a spider's web.

"If you won't answer my question, then please step aside. There is a line." The woman spoke again, having reached the edge of her patience.

"I'm sorry," you said, smoothing down your dress. You were momentarily distracted when she adjusted the silver plaque on her desk. Vriska Serket, you read. Even her name sounded like a spider. "What was your question again?"

"Are you Achlys?" Vriska asked.

"No, Ma'am," you shook your head fervently. "I am (Name). I'm from (hometown)?" The last statement came out more like a question. You weren't so sure about yourself, either.

"There is no such place as (hometown) in Wonderland, child." Vriska spared you an indifferent glance through her spectacles before turning back to her paperwork. "You must be a wastrel, then." Vriska scribbled something on a small piece of parchment and handed it to you.

"Thank you." You said, reaching up for the parchment that was just slightly out of your reach. Vriska produced an amused sound from her throat and released the paper, letting it flutter down. You frowned and huffed at her, snatching the paper from the ground. How rude.

"Next." Vriska said impatiently. You gave her a very crossed look before stomping off to the path ahead. Trial by trail, read the wooden signpost along the dirt path. You continued walking until the road branched out into a maze, formed by thorny rose bushes that grew up to an unnatural height. The further you ventured, the more red paint stained the roses' pristine petals. Everything was covered in a hazy fog, like those in a dream. Were you dreaming? If so, then what a strange dream this was.

Some time has already passed when you bumped into another living being. It was a tall, blond cat with strangely-shaped sunglasses and an impossibly wide grin. "My, my," purred the cat. "What's a beautiful maiden doing in this labyrinth?"

"To see the Red Queen." You said as you continued walking.

The blond cat hummed deeply, intrigued. He disappeared around the left corner of the maze and emerged from the right. How did he do that? You wondered to yourself. His sunglasses seemed to have changed in his absence— instead of triangular, it was now round. "And you wish to see the Red Queen why?" He cooed.

"Because," You began. But after uttering one word, you realized that you were actually at a loss. "Because—" You echoed yourself with more doubt than before. Why did you want to see the Red Queen?

"Because?" The cat echoed lazily. He was enjoying your struggle.

"Because it's none of your business!" You frowned. He vanished into the left path and reappeared behind you, this time with the sharp-angled sunglasses.

"Calm down, Achlys," the cat said smoothly.

"I am not Achlys," you hissed through your teeth. "My name is (Name)."

"That's a lovely name. I apologize for making assumptions. I'm Strider." The cat pounced off the ground and hovered steadily over you. "You are an interesting young lady, Miss (Name). I must say, I am enjoying your company. Not many interesting people arrive here in the labyrinth. Since you're already lost in the maze—" Strider snuck around another corner of the maze.

"I'm not lost," you countered sharply.

"—perhaps I should take you to the Mad Hatter," Strider appeared once again on the other side of the maze. His sunglasses were round again.