Dorothy Must Die fanfiction - years later

Part 2

Another part because I figured why not, and it's short and already written. I might be posting a third part depending on whether it's done or not.

I felt a cool breeze on my face. I opened my eyes, letting them adjust to the light. The first thing I saw was the sky; I had no idea why I was outside. As I started looking around, I realized that none of my surroundings were familiar. I was in a field near a small wooded area, and there were no signs of civilization. I was not in Sage Valley anymore.

I sat up, trying to take it in. It was probably just a dream, and I'd wake up in a couple minutes. Standing up, I took in a breath of the fresh air. I stepped toward the trees to explore and see if I could find anything. I stepped through the foliage, my black combat boots shielding my feet from whatever dangers lurked beneath the vegetation. A stray stick caught on the flesh of my arm, making me flinch. I looked to see if any mark was left, and found a small cut.

This is definitely not a dream.

I made my way through the trees, emerging into a small clearing. I observed my surroundings, trying to figure out my next move. What would happen if I didn't find anything? Would I die? Would I just meander and hope I found something to help me? How do I get home?

I sat down and leaned against a tree. Some anxiety started building up and my thoughts were all jumbled up. What if I did die? What if I couldn't get home? Do I have to stay here forever? What about school? What about my father? What about my books?

I rested my forehead on my knees, trying to calm myself. Think about the good things. If I found someone, maybe they would know how to send me back. It is nice here, so maybe it wouldn't be horrible if I stayed for a little while. Maybe it would be better to be here instead of Kansas.

I don't know how long I sat for. I lifted my head and picked myself up off the ground. I looked around once more to see if anything had changed.

In the distance, I saw a person. He had dirty blonde hair that almost looked brown. His tall, lanky body was clothed in an outfit similar to that used for battle. I crouched behind a bush, peering at him through the leaves. He walked swiftly, but soundlessly, like he was a lion on a prowl in the jungle. He was partially hidden by the foliage of the forest, but emerged to check his surroundings every now and then. Once he got a few yards away from me, he stopped in his path.

"If you're trying to spy on me, you're doing a horrible job," he said in a low, gruff voice.

I stood up, revealing myself to him. "I wasn't spying on you, I was observing you."

"You were trying to observe me unnoticed, which is basically the same as spying."

"What are you doing out here? How do I know you're not the one spying on me?"

"To tell the truth, I had been watching you for a little bit," he replied casually, as if it were a normal thing to do.

"Oh, so you just happened to be in the area when I came and didn't bother to ask if I'm ok?"

"Well, you woke up and started walking around, so I assumed you were fine."

"I'm still skeptical about your story. Are you sure there's no signal that someone entered the land and alerts people to find safety? Like in Jumanji?"

His unreadable expression shifted into one of confusion. "What's a Jumanji?"

"You've never seen the movie?"

"I don't even know what you're talking about. We don't have whatever those things are here in Oz."

"I'm in Oz?"

"You didn't know?"

"No, I didn't know!"

"Let me guess, you're from Kansas."

"Yeah. I didn't think this place actually existed though. There were some rumors a while back about a girl named Amy who supposedly came here, but they were just rumors. Who knew if they were true."

"Oh, her. I mean, that did happen."

"So they're true?"

"They seem to be."

"Who are you anyway?"

"My identity is as important as the color socks you're wearing."

"What if I wasn't wearing socks?"

"Then it doesn't concern you."

"So what do I call you, then?"

"You can call me whatever you want."

"Ok, Whatever You Want."

"Haha. Very funny."

"Fine. Joe."

"Joe?"

"Yep."

He shrugged. He ran his fingers through his messy hair, clearing it out of his pale gray eyes.

"What about you?"

"If you're not telling me your name, I'm not telling you mine."

"Fine."

"Ok, then. Now I'll just go on my merry way." I turned away from him, walking towards a field.

"You don't even know where you're going, though."

"I'll figure it out," I called over my shoulder.

"Do you even know where you're going?"

"Goodbye." I kept walking on my route, not caring to look back to see if he was following me.