Corruption and Conversion

Chapter 9

Tye tossed and turned, a thin sheen of sweat forming over her sleeping body.

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She was in the forest again, though something was different. Instead of cursed trees and jumbled voices there were colorful leaves and the calming chirping of insects.

She felt compelled to walk, going wherever her feet took her.

They lead her to a house in the woods, different from the one they were staying in.

It was one story, a bright welcome mat at the foot of the rounded door.

Tye cracks the door open peering inside.

The familiar white tablecloth covered the table full of humanoid animals once again.

Their whispers went from condescending to welcoming their eyes no longer scrutinizing and cold.

A hand was again placed on her shoulder guiding her to the plush red velvet chair at the head of the table.

Tye gladly took a seat looking along the table with her head held high.

The laughs and soothing lull of talking brings a smile to her face.

Then it's all gone.

Black.

Blood.

Screams.

Pain.

Terror.

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Tye woke up gripping the sheets and shivering, a sob working it's way up her throat.

She whips her head around the room, terrified.

She lets out a shaky laugh when she sees the blue walls of her temporary room.

Her little giggle soon turns slightly hysterical, sending her body into another fit of shaking.

Tye slowly gets up, her knees slightly wobbly, and makes her way downstairs.

It was dark, the only light being the faint streams pouring in from the closed windows.

She rolled out of bed, legs trembling as she left her room. Walking down the living room she grabbed the first piece of food she could find.

With an apple in hand she slipped out the front door, sitting on the front steps, knees tucked to her chin.

The dew painted the leaves with a beautiful shimer, a surreal artwork revealing itself to her. Colored trees towered over her shrunken form, Tye a small insignificant bug, like how she had always been.

"What are you doing out here all alone?" A silky voice asked.

Tye turns around and is met with Hatter's leather boots.

She sighs. "It doesn't matter."

"Nonsense" he says, sitting down beside her.

Hatter watches Tye intently with an unsettling smile.

"What?" She snaps.

"It's about the mask, isn't it?"

Tye's eyes widen, though she says nothing, resting her chin on her knees averting her eyes.

That seems to be enough confirmation as Hatter's smile grows, a little chuckle passing his lips.

"Running away from your problems never works, believe me i've tried"