Allice in Mysterious Land (ON HOLD)

23: Figurative

Torturing minutes pass by without Beatrix lifting her gaze. And after her departure minutes later—without carrying something new, we bolt to the treehouse.

Mr. Julian, Arsy, and I climb on a fallen log and hurl it to the river, where we advance by paddling. Soon, my fingers are bitten by the frosty ripples. The calm current also prevents our speed from improving. While Sandra sits on Ax's back as the beast limps through the stomach-deep stream.

A huge stain of water marks the shore once we reach it.

"We must hurry," Mr. Julian says as his teeth clatter and his arms belt around his torso. "The night is coming."

"I'll go." Before one of us agrees, Sandra already trudges to the majestic plant. Ax guards her back like a domesticated dog, despite its visible breath after the swim. Whenever her movements become sluggish, Ax nudges her with its maw.

Does Sandra know how lucky she is to have Ax around?

"Keep an eye on her, boy. We can't lose her in that maze of debris." Mr. Julian rises from the ground. He slings an arm over his daughter, who already wraps her arms around herself without any complaints. Maybe somehow, this trip teaches her to mature up as well. "Whoever made this place was a sly genius. The treehouse is like a castle without human guards."

I nod as my eyes flash with alert.

Sandra climbs the nature-made rungs with much difficulty. The gap between a branch to another cost at least two normal staircases. But Ax's claws are made for this, and while it glides effortlessly to the cottage, Sandra needs plenty of sighs to meet the front door. She wanders around occasionally, peeping with her toes to the other side of the treehouse, as she observes the door.

The sky is still void of light sources. As long as it does, our thinning timeframe will only end in futile break-in efforts.

"Should I help her?" I cast a sideways glance at Mr. Julian, whose damp mustache twitches haughtily. But once the river beckons my eyes to it, I change my mind. "Or should I check out what Beatrix did with the river before?"

"It might be dangerous, Allice. We don't know what's in there."

The lanterns swishing over Sandra's head flicker like dying fireflies, allowing darkness to consume both her and Ax. Her face leans close to the doorknob while her eyes wander around—even landing on me for the shortest second.

By the time she returns, the furious wind has blown my clothes dry. She rests a hand on the crook of Ax's neck before ambling down the steeping land. Her shoulders rise and fall in a hasty pattern, complementing her increasing pace.

"Can you slow down?" Mr. Julian huffs as his meaty palm treats Arsy's shoulder and mine like a walking cane. "What's the hurry? And why aren't you talking?"

The first droplets of rain bounce on our skin once the grassy land stops steeping down. Not long after, they gather into a city-wide crowd, blessing those astray with a chilly sensation. The wind picks up the pace to announce the storm's arrival.

Sandra and Ax lead the way with unmatchable speed, though Ax's hind legs are slightly limp. Mr. Julian groans as he swerves right in an awkward angle, his arms flailing on his sides. "Cursed weather forecast. Hurry up, kid." He beckons Arsy under his arm, and once she's tucked in, they dash together to the direction of the cave.

The storm explodes in my ears while I drag my legs forward. Blood seeps out from my wounds, soaking my bandage and viscously wrapping around my ankle. A plea for help claws up my throat like a mountain goat, only for its grip to slip at the sight of my companions turning into dots at the distance.