One Strange House

Chapter Six

It felt good to let it out. Today has been, well.. Rather overwhelming. The day is coming to a close, as are my tears, so I suppose I should clean up and head out of this dojo thing. The moment I open the door, I'm hit with the fantastic aroma of dinner, and not a mediocre dinner, this is gonna be a bomb dinner.

Or so I thought. After finally stumble into the dining room, I find rolls, corn, apples, pie, and then the meat. A large, golden skinned bird that I was going to assume (and pray) was a turkey, some ribs that faintly resembled a cow's bit not quite, impossibly large pork chops.. You know what, I think I'm gonna ask what these are.

"So, Emma, Father, may I ask what exactly this is? The meats I mean," I ask furtively.

"Well, it's a variety of animals native to our land, but they're all somewhat similar to your pals up there. Coraline would bring us food from your land sometimes, it really is good. Coffee, pizza, soda, sandwiches. Fantastic creations, all of those," Emma replied.

"They're so good!!" Jack exclaimed, and I had noticed that he already had his teeth sunk deep into one of that pseudo-turkey's legs. I also noticed Father Ka was happily munching on one too; but the turkey has two legs?

"Um.. how many legs did that bird have when it was alive?" I whimper.

"Four," Emma replies matter-of-factually, "Not counting the two duds you pull off before you cook it."

I think I'm actually about to throw up. The only reason I'm about to stuff my gut is because before I got whisked off to Wonderland I was a YouTube junkie who watched a video posted by MatPat's FilmTheory channel, all about how to survive the Hunger Games. One of the main rules? Calories. Eat them all. Stuff yourself. A growing kid who may not get food for some time has to eat a ton of food to stock up on calories, that way they have extra fat to burn before they starve. Time to get chunky. I pile my plate high with all the foods on the table, rolls, vegetables, meats, all the foods. All of them. Mid-chow down I glance up and saw my friends around the table looking on in fear.

"Have you not eaten in a week, my dear? Please, take more, you must be malnourished!" Father Ka began offering the foods on the table again, but before he could finish, I stopped him.

"I just have a big appetite is all, thank you for the food it's great," I mumbled with my mouth overflowing with food. Jack groaned and Emma facepalmed, and I ended up giggling despite the absence of mouth-space. After finally having swallowed the last of my enormous bites, I started a bit of conversation and we talked merrily into the night, really it was a lovely time, absolutely spectacular. Around one in the morning, we were shown to our rooms and given a chance to at last sleep.

Parents' POV

It's evening. Maybe six or seven. All I know is that the sun is gone, as is my Marceline. My baby, my beautiful baby girl, hasn't answered any calls or texts all day. Why did I send her into that godforsaken house? Why? I thought Jack would protect her, but I just don't know anymore. I have to call her father, not to mention ask Jack's parents if they've seen him.. God, they must be worried sick. Did he even tell him where they were going? I guess I'll find out.

I go to Skype, and conference call my husband Brian, Jack's mother Angelina, and Jack's father Andrew. Jack's parents divorced two years after his birth, so I worry this will be awkward. Oh well. After ringing for what feels like an eternity, Jack's father, then my husband, then Jack's mother pick up. They all ask why I'm calling, and I dump it on them. I mean hey, they asked, right?

"Well, today I sent Marceline to go run through my mother's house because she had some keepsakes and heirlooms necessary for the funeral. That was this morning, around eleven a.m., and I haven't heard from her since. It is my assumption that she took Jack with her; Ange, Andrew, have either of you seen your son in the last seven to eight hours?" I ask, using my 'important business' tone. I was worried sick, but I couldn't show them. I couldn't scare them.

"Yeah, Jack is in his room, I don't think he ever left the house," Andrew replies calmly, "As a matter of fact, give me a sec. I'll check."

"I'll check too, just in case Andrew spaced out again," Angelina interjects. She's a bit panicked, I can hear it, but I'm glad she's trying to be helpful in this situation. The moment they leave, Brian and I began discussing what could've happened. He was twice as worried as I was, maybe three times, but he wouldn't show it. We stopped talking when we spotted Andrew running back to his computer, and shortly after Ange took a seat as well.

"He isn't in his room," Andrew was visibly afraid, not knowing where his son was.

"He isn't in his room here either," Angelina was on the brink of tears, "What are we to do? My baby.." I heard her voice break, and I knew she was going to crack.

"We'll have to go to the police," I strengthened my tone, if I break down so will the others, but I could feel my heart crumbling from within. Jack being home would've given hope. He may have known where Marceline was. Instead, they're both gone. "It's our best shot, but I don't know if they're accepting reports right now."

"I just checked," Brian finally spoke. His gaze was of steel, his face unreadable as he continued, "They're still accepting, but only until eight. It's 7:04. Carry, go and file a report. Brian, Ange, go tonight or tomorrow. Your choice." He's talking to me. I'm Carry. What am I to do? My panic is so overwhelming that I'm not sure what I'm to do. I think.. Yes, the police department. I nod and hang up the call. Throwing a coat on, getting my purse, and gathering my keys, I rush outside and drive to the station. Honestly, I don't even remember going. It's like my brain disconnected, like I'm on autopilot. I enter the station and ask the receptionist how to file the report, and he passes me a form. "Just fill that out" he says. No, who would've thought? I was planning on using it for rocket fuel.

I hand it back to the receptionist as the Stevens walk in, looking completely disheveled. They jump in line behind me, but I have to finish filing my report first.

"Normally we'd have you talk to an officer, but it's almost 7:30 and practically the whole station's gone home. It'd take around an hour anyway, so head home and get some sleep. You look like you need it," He waves, and finishes with "You'll either get a call to come in tomorrow, or an officer will come by your home. Have a nice night ma'am."

The moment I thank him and go to leave the station, the Stevens lunge at the desk with a barrage of loud statements ended with lots of exclamation marks. Poor guy. Oh well, I'll head home and try to sleep. Not like I'll be able to, though. I sigh and get in my car. Will they be okay?

Thanks for reading everyone, I hope you liked it! Give feedback on  whether or not the new POV is good please. I just thought it might give  a fresh perspective as well as show how our hero's little adventure is  effecting those who know them. Happy Thanksgiving!