𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐈𝐃 | tcf x wmmap

two

Cale's eyelids fluttered open, his vision slowly adjusting to the bright, almost surreal surroundings.

The room around him was bathed in a gentle, golden light that seemed to come from nowhere in particular, casting soft shadows that danced on the walls.

'Huh? Where am I?' he thought, his brow furrowing as he took in the unfamiliar room.

The walls were covered in vibrant, colourful murals depicting fantastical landscapes and whimsical creatures.

Towering trees with faces, playful animals, and enchanted castles stretched across the expanse.

Plush toys of all shapes and sizes lay scattered across the floor, each one seemingly more inviting than the last.

Teddy bears with stitched smiles, rag dolls with yarn hair, and toy soldiers in miniature uniforms were sprawled haphazardly.

The air carried a faint, sweet scent of baby powder and fresh linen, a scent that was both comforting and strangely alien.

This place felt completely foreign.

Nothing like the comfortable confines of his home.

Cale paused.

He pieced together how he had ended up here.

Fragmented memories flashed through his mind-a blinding light, a voice urging rest.

It felt too real to dismiss as a dream, yet too bizarre to accept as reality.

Cale recalled being enveloped in that light, then a void.

Gathering his strength, Cale attempted to sit up, his head spinning with the effort. His gaze fell to his hands-or what should have been his hands-but instead, he found tiny, chubby fingers. An involuntary scowl crossed Cale's face.

The sight was so absurd, so impossibly surreal, that he almost laughed. Almost.

'What the...?' Cale wasn't the type to easily lose his composure, but this surreal situation was rapidly fraying his nerves.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing thoughts and slow his pounding heart.

His mind churned, desperately seeking a rational explanation.

And then it hit him.

'It's all that god's fault.' Cale thought, clenching his tiny fist.

The memory of that bastard's voice. It had spoken to him, telling him to rest. But this is the rest he gets? Reincarnated as a baby?

He wasn't in his own body anymore!

The absurdity of the situation made him want to scream, to lash out in frustration, but he was too exhausted to do anything more than lie there, staring up at the ceiling, contemplating the bizarre turn his life had taken.

He noticed the ceiling was painted too, adorned with fluffy clouds and twinkling stars, as if to complete the room's enchanting ambience.

The door to the room suddenly creaked open, and a warm, gentle voice called out.

"Is my little Cale awake?" A boy entered, his face lighting up with a radiant smile as he approached the crib.

The boy's hair was a vibrant shade of red, tousled, and slightly messy, giving him a carefree appearance. He wore simple clothes, a plain white shirt and blue overalls, exuding a comforting, homey aura.

"Good morning, Cale." he cooed, his voice a soothing melody that seemed to wrap around Cale like a warm blanket.

Cale's heart pounded. He wanted to ask him what was going on to demand answers, but all that came out was a series of incoherent babbles!

The boy chuckled softly and scooped him up, holding him close. The warmth of his body and the rhythm of his heartbeat were oddly reassuring.

Cale sniffled.

This damn body.

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