Heart No Kuni No Juli

Chapter 4

After a bit of walking, I saw a... clock tower? Why would there be a clock tower in my dream? Whatever. I knocked on the front and waited for an answer. Still no answer...? Since it is a dream, am I allowed to go in?

I walked in and heard talking. I walked towards the voices and looked in secretly. There was a guy with brown hair and he seemed to be wearing red and black... He also had a sword it seemed. The other was sitting, working on a clock. He had very long blue hair and blue eyes.

"Hey Julius, did you hear that?" the brown haired dude said. Julius looked up at the man. "Actually Ace.. For once it isn't your mind, I think someone is in here..." the Julius man said.

Oh god, what? What is happening? I want to see them, but what if I'm sent to prison for just barging in? Does this dream even have prison? Perhaps logic of the law isn't the same as in reality than in this dream...?

"Ace, go check."

"Okay!" the Ace kid laughed, coming my way.

Before I could even move I met with red eyes. Red eyes.... Yup, red eyes. Just what I wanted! The eyes widened and I felt someone grab me and drag me towards where the guys were talking. As my eyes adjusted to the light, I saw a man with red eyes and brown hair. He was smiling, he looked sort of like a strange knight of some sort.

I looked to a table with many things on top of it. Including many clocks and a coffee cup. I then looked more up and saw a man with blue eyes. His hair looked quite long though it was pulled back in a very low blue ponytail. Not much of a ponytail, but it is the best I could describe it. He was wearing a black coat... Or something. It had the colour of golden--- not actual gold--- trimmings on the black coat type thing. In the middle of the whole thing was a clock. Maybe he was the owner of this clock tower?

"What is your business?" the man with the clocks said, working on a... clock. Who works on clocks for a living though?

Gulping a lump in my throat, I finally decided to speak. "I have just stumbled upon this wonderful clock tower. By any chance, do you know this strange animal man. He has rabbit ears, but he is perfectly normal except for that. I believe his name was Peter. He had kidnapped my sister, Alice. I know this is just a dream, but I think that was a clue for her disappearance. By any chance, since you are indeed a part of this dream, do you know where I could live in this world?"

Silence filled the room, all four eyes on. I wanted to shrink into my dress now... This felt... strange. What have I done wrong? Did I have something smeared on my face. "Do not tell me you decided to drink what Peter gave you. It was a bo---"

I took out the bottle, interrupting him. "A vial like this one? I made a deal with him that if he told me where I was and who he was I'd drink it, willingly..." I said softly. The man sighed, frustrated.

"Do you know what you have done?" he looked back at me. I shook my head, certainly confused. "You have made yourself a part of the game. You are now stuck here until you fill the vial back."

"How do I fill it back up?" I asked, realizing the red eyed man was gone. I wonder where he went and how he got away so quickly and quietly... This dream is strange I guess.

"You must interact with the people of this world..." he sighed, continuing to work on the clock.

"That's to simple..."

"Actually yes it is. Then after that it is your choice to go back home or stay here..."

"Why would I want to stay here? But wait... this is only a dream! Like that story Alice In Wonderland. Except I'm not drugged up hopefully. But maybe I can't wake up unless that is to happen? I just want to go back to Lorina and Alice's warm caring arms... Alice is back... I know it..." I smiled at the thought.

"Alice..." I heard him whisper.