Candies in Wonderland

- Prologue -

"So... Why are we here again, Brycen?"

He looked over to Melinda and Lyka Mae. "Why do you think we're here?" He asked, "We're here because we finally found a place for all of us!"

"All of us..?" Melinda asked, seeming confused. "What do you mean, all of us?"

"And what do you mean, place?" Lyka Mae continued, "Are you talking about the Wonderland? Is that why you brought us here again?"

"I mean, that's part of the reason," Brycen shrugged, "You see, I propose we co-sign a deed to own this Wonderland for ourselves!"

"Okay, I'll entertain your idea," Lyka Mae said, "But, why own the Wonderland in the first place?"

"Who's stopping us from owning it?"

"...Am I the only one who thinks this is a bad idea?" Melinda asked, gripping her parasol nervously. "I mean.. we all came here for a reason, but.."

"Melinda," Brycen looked over to her, a sly smile on his face. "Come on, don't be so nervous. It's just a deed. A glorified contract! It's not like we're gonna die or anything."

"Hmm.." she looked down to the pen in Brycens hand. "Sign... the deed..?"

"Yes," Lyka Mae let out a sigh. "Let's just get this over with already. Where is this 'deed' of yours, Brycen?"

"Right here," Brycen shuffled through his book bag, pulling out the deed. There wasn't a lot of writing on it, in fact, it didn't even look that fancy. But in the middle, there was a line. Under it said, "By signing this deed, you have full legal custody of the Wonderland and every secret that resides inside."

"I still don't know about this..." Melinda said. Brycen let out a sigh, which almost sounded like more of a groan. "Okay, you know what?" Brycen said, taking the pen from her. "I'll just sign it, first. Then, Lyka Mae will go!"

He walked over to a nearby rock, using the moonlight to help him as he signed his name. Brycen T. Hayes. "Alright," he said, "Lyka Mae, get over here."

She stood, walking over and looking down at the deed. "Where did you even get this in the first place?" he asked as she signed. "This seems pretty professional.. Even for you."

"I'm going to take that as a compliment," Brycen responded. "And... I found it the last time we came here. It was just... on a tree."

"On a tree?" Lyka Mae asked, "You found the deed to this entire wonderland on a tree?"

"Yes," Brycen responded simply. There was a dull pain creeping into his head, but he just shrugged it off as a simple headache. It's not like he hadn't just had random headaches before, he just wished he had brought himself aspirin.

"Well, that's weird," she responded, handing the pen to Melinda.

"...Should we really be signing this?" she asked as she approached the deed. Brycen looked over to her. "There's no point in turning back now," he responded. The pain in his head was getting worse. Hopefully whenever he got a chance to get back home, he could pass out somewhere. It was beginning to become too much.

Melinda looked down to the deed once more, letting out a sigh. "Okay..." she said as she signed. "... What now..?"

"Now, we own the wonderland," Brycen said, walking over to the deed and picking it up from the rock. "Now, let's get out of here before we-"

"Brycen," Melinda cut him off.

"...Hm?"

"What... what is that over your eye..?" Melinda pointed towards his left eye.

He raised his hand over his eye, feeling... something wet? He moved his hand away and looked down at his fingers. Was that.. was that chocolate..? His vision started to fade in and out of focus. Brycen tried to respond to Melinda, but no words came out. The two's voices mangled together in incoherent whispers as Brycen tried to remain conscious, using the rock as support. The pain in his head almost felt like it was eating away at him.

He couldn't resist it anymore. He gave into the pain, passing out before finding out what even happened to him.