Twisted Wonderland 2

Invaluable Institution

You open your eyes. You rub your head, trying to remember what happened. The last thing you remember is running from the puppets. One of them grabbed your ankle and you fell. You guess you must've passed out.

Your thoughts immediately go to the boys. Your mind races as you think of what might've happened to them. Did you lead the puppets far enough away? Was Kalim able to escape? Though you feel bad locking him in the lighthouse, you didn't want him to get caught too. Your heart aches when you think you might never see them again.

You glance around, trying to figure out where you are. You find that you're sitting at a table in a dimly lit room. The only light coming from the single candle on a table across from you. You spot three people sitting there. Two of them are familiar while the third one you haven't seen before.

He's a tall, overweight man with fair skin, pale blond hair and green eyes. He wears a red coat with brass buttons, a grey pork pie hat, brown gloves, black boots and blue scarf.

Honest John sits across from this man, cheerfully singing. "Hi-diddle-dee-dee, an actor's life for me. A high silk hat and silver cane, a watch of gold with a diamond chain. Hi-diddle-dee-dee, it's great to be a celebrity, an actor's life for me!" The fox bursts out laughing. "And the dummy fell for it. Hook, line and sinker!"

You see Gideon sitting next to the fox, smoking a cigar. He blows a puff of smoke, forming a ring. The cat grabs it and dunks the smoke ring into his drink like a donut. Gideon hiccups and covers his mouth sheepishly.

"And he still thinks we're his friends! And did Stromboli pay! Plenty!" John drops a small sack of gold coins on the table with a wicked laugh. "That shows you how low Honest John will stoop, eh Giddy?"

Gideon nods with a hiccup, causing his drink to splatter everywhere.

"Now, Coachman..." John takes a drag from his cigar. "What's your proposition?"

The man across from them smirks, taking a puff from his pipe. "Well, how would you blokes like to make some REAL money?"

The Coachman drops a large sack of coins on the table. Completely making the smaller bag seem minuscule.

John grins. "Well, and who do we have to, eh..." He slices a finger across his neck.

The Coachman chuckles darkly. "No, no. Nothing like that. Ya see," His voice drops to a whisper. "I'm collecting stupid little boys."

"Stupid little boys?" John questions.

"You know, the disobedient ones that play hooky from school. And you see..." The Coachman whisperes into the fox's ear.

You can't hear what he's saying but you suspect it isn't good. Gideon tries to listen in on them, placing his ear against John's to hear better.

"...and I takes 'em to Pleasure Island." The Coachman finishes.

John nods. "Ah, Pleasure Island!" His eyes widen. "Pleasure Island? But the law! Suppose they-"

"No, no. There is no risk! They never come back... as BOYS!" The Coachman's face turns red as he grins wickedly wide. The sides of his hair lifts up at a point like the horns of a devil.

He laughs with vile glee, scaring John and Gideon. Causing the two to tremble as they hold one another. You gasp at the sight, bringing a hand to cover your mouth.

The Coachman grabs John's collar and whispers out instructions. "Now, I've got a coach load leavin' at midnight. We'll meet at the crossroads. And no double crossing!"

John shakes his head in fear. "No, sir!"

"Scout around. And any good prospects you find, bring 'em to me."