Not Alice nor Wonderland

Second Adventure

CHAPTER FOUR

A house! Yes, finally, a house. I wished for a safe place to be in, and this is what I got. That's right, I controlled a part of this plan. If I am not wrong, I think I am lucid dreaming. After all, this feels entirely surreal, yet I could control what was going on in here. Though I'm not entirely sure since I didn't plan to be in this universe in the first place.

The house was a quaint one, with chipped off pastel Boysen Paint and floral patterns. A house that reminded me of my mother. How do I miss her, and dad too. I really want to see them again. Surprisingly, the house is well kept and dust-free. I was expecting the furniture to be covered with white sheets, or even empty, open spaces. But here I am, looking around the furniture.

I sat on the chaise lounge and found it rather warm. Hmm, seems like someone just sat here. And a teacup half-filled with chamomile tea. Just like what my parents drink.

I hear a soft splashing sound coming down from the hallway, and the curious critter I was, obviously went out to seek it.

The hallway ended with a door, and I heard muffled talks and... water?

It must be the bathroom.

Knock knock. My knuckles tapped the door lightly, and all noise disappeared behind it. White paint from the door stuck onto my skin like tape. I scratched it all off, leaving my skin red and raw-feeling.

"Come in, Deer," called out a coarse, low voice. "We have been expecting you."

Oh man. I sure hope that's not the person I think it is. I wouldn't want to get anywhere close to him again! I don't want to see anything strange.

"Oh don't be shy, darling!"

Wait. I know that who that lithe voice belongs to.

I warily turned the knob and I felt colder, not the airy, winter cold, but the iced water, Lake Michigan kind of cold. I was standing in water.

We were in water. Weird thing is, the water was up to shoulders, and I didn't even float. Not even my clothes. Usually I would be against this situation since I am not at all impressive in swimming, and I would be flailing my arms around in panic if it weren't for this parallel powers for now.

Weirder thing is, those voices belonged to my parents! And they were seated in front of me, looking still as mannequins, other than the lady taking occasional sips from her teacup.

"Oh, Diana, we have waited for you!" The lady, in an old floral dress, with the head of a rabbit (Why a rabbit, of all animals?) opened her arms to me.

"Don't call her that! She's Deer!" The other creature, who was supposedly known as my father, smacked her arms away. He had the head of a horse, and a human body with his white polo button-down and suspenders.

The white rabbit frowned at him. "Why not, Hudson? Give her a clue. The poor child is terrified." She turned to me and smiled. That cheeky smile I had come to know. Except for her eyes, just dull orbs of emptiness.

"You know my name," I replied, going over to her.

She nodded enthusiastically at me, making the water lap at her chin. "Oh yes, I do, my dear." Her ears were bent at an awkward position.

The horse man brayed at her, trying to shut her up. "You know nothing, Lilibeth." He snapped at his suspenders, which was strange because I was sure it was quite impossible since we were almost entirely underwater.

My mom scooted closer to me. "Don't listen to him. I'll tell you a few things you have to remember in order to get out of this dream-"

"Aha! I knew this was a dream, and that I'm-"

"Lucid dreaming, that's right, you have the power to control, my dear," she hurriedly spoke, her teeth somewhat chattering. "But here is the problem: your time is running out. If you do not figure the way out, you will lose the ability to control how you want this dream to be!"

I gasped at her. " But how will I be able to do that? If I knew I could, I would have done it hours ago without having to run into-"

"Don't say his name, Deer," my father sneered at me, covering my snout. "He can appear anywhere, as he mighty pleases and wishes. He even probably is testing you right now."

"You're losing your ability, Deer. And fast. You have to think!" Mom bellowed as she grabbed my right arm and shook me hard.

I panicked, processing the things they just said. Did it mean that he could be anywhere in this room too, and I would have to plan for a way to escape all over again? What a sick game of chase this is.

My dad grabbed my left arm and soon, I was being pushed underwater... no, the water level was rising!

What was with this telling me ways to end all this, in the end, capturing me? Twisted plots and all!

I wriggled free from their grasps as I dog-paddled my way to the window, hoping to crash through it. The creepy parentals were swimming towards me, and I headbutted the glass as hard as I could, hearing the shatters explode around me. I was starting to get really soaked, that's when I realized the whole house was underwater and it didn't make me feel any better to escape and swim further.

I fought to push my head towards the surface, feeling the water surround me more as soon as I got out of the window.

This is a nightmare! And I feel myself becoming more tired, more sluggish, weaker...

A second later, I felt fingers around my wrist. Someone had to just grab me again anyhow, huh?

But thank God! We were nearing the surface... but water was already filling up my throat. I wondered how long I would last until we were finally at the surface. Because either way, I didn't see who 'rescued' me, nor did I stay awake long enough to know if I really still am alive or not.

Somehow, I wished could give up already, and just let myself die in this mess. But I still had a ton of questions unanswered. How would I know, when my questions are being answered with questions?