Boogeyman

The Mad Hatter

“And let me guess you’re the Mad Hatter?” Roger retorts,

The man frowns, “No, I’m David Bowie.”

“Lovely.” Roger sighs, a little done with the shenanigans, “I’m Roger.”

“And I’m Freddie.” Freddie beams, “And the curly haired one is.. Uh… What is your name, darling? I forgot.”

“Brian.” Brian says softly, “I think… it was stitched into my old shirt. I assume it’s my name.”

There was an air of awkward silence before David spoke up, “Are you guys hungry?”

Roger stomach gurgles softly and he realized it must have been hours since he last ate. And the thought of food was sending a punch to his stomach each time.

“Food sounds wonderful.” Roger says softly, practically drooling from the thought.

“Where ya from?” Bowie asks him pouring the three men a pint of frothing beer,

“England.” Roger says taking the beer,

“England? Such a funny little name. I’ve never heard of it.” Bowie says, pushing his dyed red hair back out of his face. His eyes are weird. His right eye is blue and the other is brown.

“Yeah.” Roger says softly, “I’m going to find my fiancé. The Boogeyman took him and I’m going to fight the beast off.”

“You’re madder than me.” Bowie laughs, “Good luck dear.” He giggles some.

Roger shakes his head and drinks his beer. David comes out with three plates of food, fish and bread for Freddie and Roger, some weird grey “meat” and bread for Brian. The three men dig into their food. Roger guessed by taste that the meat was a sour sweet tasting fish and the bread was buttered and had herbs.

The meal was delicious and mouth watering. Roger was full and he finished his beer up,

“Do you three need to rest up for the night?” Bowie asks them as he cleans a glass.

“Yeah we need to rest.” Brian says softly rubbing his eyes.

Bowie takes them upstairs into a room. There were two beds, “That’s all I got.” Bowie says.

Freddie and Brian get a bed together since Roger didn’t feel comfortable sharing a bed with someone else that wasn’t his John. They slept until early morning. When Bowie bopping and hopping around.

They make their way back downstairs. The tavern was dead, not a soul in sight but them and the ever hyper David Bowie. He was cleaning up dishes and plates. They watched in amusement.

A few lone souls walked in, got their beer and left. But a little girl with dirty blond hair and a soiled pink nightgown walks in. She smells of urine and licorice.

“I’m Heather.. have you seen my mommy?” She asks and Bowie shakes his head making her head droop.

Bowie smiles softly,  “Welcome to Wonderland, we've got it all,” Heather’s eyes start lighting up, “Potions-“ he gestures his hand and potions appear, “And pastries that make you grow tall!” Bowie gestures with his other hand making pastries appear.

Heather giggles and squeals in delight forgetting about being scared for a moment,

“Cards that can talk!” Bowie shouts sending a deck of cards flying around in the air singing a magical song.

Freddie smiles sadly, “Such a shame the Boogeyman took her.”

“Seems like such a sweet girl. Never going to see her parents again.” Brian says, “I can’t even remember mine.”

Roger shudders, “Heather! Come with us. We’re going to help you get out of here.”

“I don’t wanna go!” Heather pouts,

“Please you want to help us beat up the Boogeyman?” Freddie tries to reason,

“Okay.” Heather smiles and bounces.

Bowie snapped his fingers and the little girl was wearing a blue dress and white Mary Janes and black knee high socks. Bowie walks over to the three men, “Here’s the Boogeyman's last known location. Good luck.”

They read over the map, notes and the pictures. Freddie and Brian know where to go; they know of the area but haven’t been there. So with that they head outside and to the barn to get their horses who are now covered in glitter, thanks Bowie.

Heather giggles as she’s helped onto Roger’s horse and they are off again. Up a rocky bump mountain that kept scaring the horses and making them buck and throw off their humans. Roger gripped the back of Heather's dress. He wasn’t about to get a child killed on his watch. Can they die here? Roger didn’t want to find out.

The ride up the mountains hurt Roger’s ass. The bare back of the horse and his jeans didn’t mix well, he probably had a nice chafe going for him. Now they are in a cave resting and eating their ration for lunch. Once their bellies are filled they take off on horseback up the mountain.

They are nearly to the top of the mountain after nearly six hours and a handful of bathroom breaks. But right as they can see the tip of the mountain a huge roar is let out. The horses buck and neigh scared. A blackish slimy creature darts in front of them. And then it stops spotting them. It runs up the mountain.

“After it!” Roger yells jerking on the horse's reins.

And off they go. Racing up the mountain with Heather screaming covering her face. After all, she's barely five-years-old. With three strange men in a magical land that’s full of nightmare-like creatures. She wishes it would all be a dream. But everytime she closes her eyes and reopens them she’s in the same hell. Roger keeps her safe though and makes sure she doesn’t fall off their horse.

When they got to the top of the mountain there was nothing there, just the smell of licorice and stale candy. They all look around Heather holding Roger’s hand so she doesn’t get lost or scared on the foggy mountain. They’re too late; whatever they saw is long gone. The adults check over their notes and pictures before getting back on their horses and taking back down the mountain. Roger hardly slept last night and he’s constantly worried for his Jonn. They have to be getting closer to finding his John. They just have to be. Why else would they see the Boogeyman? Was it even the Boogeyman? No one else seems to be asking questions. And that makes Roger feel nervous and sick.