Rei’s footsteps echoed off the cold tile as she dragged Mr. Dream’s unconscious form into the private restroom. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting harsh shadows across the fat man’s face. Rally and Hiro followed close behind, their expressions grim.
“Lock the door,” Rei ordered, her voice low and hard.
As Rally secured their makeshift interrogation room, Rei hefted a metal bucket she’d snagged from a nearby janitor’s cart. She filled it with icy water from the sink, the rush of liquid unnaturally loud in the tense silence.
Without hesitation, she flung the contents directly into Mr. Dream’s face. He sputtered awake, water dripping from his jowls as he blinked in confusion.
“Rise and shine,” Rei growled, grabbing a fistful of his gaudy shirt. “Start talking!”
Mr. Dream’s eyes widened as he took in his surroundings, panic setting in as he realized his predicament. “What- what do you want from me?” he stammered.
Rei leaned in close, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “My sister. Where is she?”
The fat man’s gaze darted between Rei and her companions, searching for any sign of mercy. He found none.
“I- I don’t know exactly-“ he began, but Rei cut him off with a sharp slap across the face.
“Wrong answer,” she snarled. “Let me make this very clear. You’re going to tell me everything you know, or I will turn your face into a scratching post! Understand?”
Mr. Dream’s lower lip trembled as he nodded frantically. “Okay, okay! It’s the Cheshire Cat. He has her.”
Rei’s blood ran cold. “The Cheshire Cat? What the hell are you talking about?”
“I don’t know his real identity,” Mr. Dream babbled, words tumbling out in a desperate rush. “But that’s what he calls himself. He’s... he’s not right in the head. Obsessed with Alice in Wonderland.”
Rally stepped forward, his brow furrowed. “Hold up. The Cheshire Cat? I’ve heard whispers about a serial killer by that name, but I thought it was just an urban legend.”
Mr. Dream shook his head vigorously. “He’s real. All too real. He captures girls and forces them to act out twisted versions of Alice’s adventures. It’s sick. He’s a complete psychopath.”
Rei’s grip on Mr. Dream’s shirt tightened, her knuckles turning white. “And you helped him? You son of a bitch!”
“I didn’t have a choice!” Mr. Dream wailed. “He blackmailed me. Said he’d destroy my family’s business if I didn’t help him find girls that fit his... criteria.”
Hiro spoke up, his voice cold.“There’s always a choice. You chose your business over innocent lives.”
Mr. Dream’s face crumpled. “I know. God help me, I know. But you don’t understand what he’s capable of. The things he can do...”
Rei released her grip on his shirt, taking a step back as disgust and fury warred within her. “You’re right. I don’t understand. And frankly, I don’t give a damn about your excuses. But you have one chance–one–to start making this right.”
Hope flickered in Mr. Dream’s watery eyes. “How?”
“Tell me where to find this Cheshire Cat,” Rei demanded. “Where is his lair?”
Mr. Dream hesitated, fear etching deep lines into his face. “I can’t. He’ll kill me if he finds out I talked.”
Rally moved with lightning speed, grabbing the back of Mr. Dream’s head and forcing it towards the nearest toilet. “You think he’s scary? More scary than this dirty toilet?”
“Alright, alright!” Mr. Dream shrieked, his words muffled by the porcelain. “It’s here! In the park!”
Rei’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean, ‘in the park’?”
Mr. Dream gasped as Rally loosened his grip slightly. “There’s a hidden section beneath Dream World. That’s where he keeps them. But the real entrance is protected by all sorts of traps and these... these deadly robots. It’s like a fortress down there.”
A mixture of hope and dread surged through Rei’s veins. Her sister was here, so close and yet still out of reach. She fixed Mr. Dream with a steely gaze. “How do we get in?”
The fat man shook his head weakly. “I don’t know the exact way. He never let me that deep into his operation. But there are maintenance tunnels that run throughout the park. One of them must connect to his lair.”
Rei exchanged glances with Rally and Hiro. It wasn’t much to go on, but it was more than they had before. She turned back to Mr. Dream, her expression hard.
“If you’re lying to me,” she said softly, “if this is some kind of trick, I swear I will hunt you down and make you wish you’d never been born. Do you understand me?”
Mr. Dream nodded frantically, his multiple chins wobbling. “I swear, it’s the truth! Please, just... just don’t hurt me anymore.”
Rei stared at him for a long moment, weighing her options. Finally, she nodded to Rally, who released his grip on the man’s head.
“Thank you for your cooperation,” Rei said, her voice devoid of warmth. Then, without warning, she lashed out with a vicious right hook, catching Mr. Dream squarely on the jaw. His eyes rolled back in his head as he slumped unconscious once more.
Hiro raised an eyebrow. “Was that really necessary?”
Rei flexed her hand, knuckles stinging from the impact. “No. But it felt good.”
She grabbed Mr. Dream under the arms, dragging him towards one stall. With a grunt of effort, she propped him up on the toilet, his bulk barely fitting in the cramped space.
“Let’s go,” she said, wiping her hands on her pants as if to remove the taint of touching him. “We’ve got work to do.”
As they exited the restroom, leaving the unconscious Mr. Dream behind, Rei’s mind raced with the implications of what they’d learned. Her sister was here, trapped in some madman’s twisted fantasy world.The idea of what she could be going through caused Rei’s stomach to churn.
“So, what’s the plan?” Rally asked as they strode purposefully through the crowded park.
Rei’s jaw clenched. “We find those maintenance tunnels. Scout them out, figure out which one leads to this psycho’s lair. Then we go in, guns blazing if we have to, and we get my sister out.”
Hiro frowned. “It won’t be that simple. You heard what he said about the traps and robots. We need to be smart about this.”
“I know,” Rei said, her voice carried clear tones of frustration. “But every second we waste is another second, she’s in danger. We need to move fast.”
They paused at a junction, the cheerful sounds of the theme park a jarring counterpoint to the grim reality they now faced. Families laughed and children shrieked with delight on nearby rides, blissfully unaware of the horror lurking beneath their feet.
Rally’s eyes scanned the area, his training kicking in. “We should split up. Cover more ground that way. Look for any signs of hidden entrances, service doors, anything out of the ordinary.”
Rei nodded. “Agreed. But stay in constant contact. The moment anyone finds something suspicious, we regroup. No one goes in alone, understood?”
Hiro and Rally murmured their assent. As they prepared to go their separate ways, Rei felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Hiro’s concerned face.
Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.
“We’ll find her, Rei,” he whispered. “Whatever it takes.”
For a moment, Rei’s tough exterior cracked, revealing the fear and worry that churned beneath. She gave a small nod, unable to trust her voice.
Then, squaring her shoulders, she pushed the emotions back down. There would be time for fear later. Right now, her sister needed her to be strong, to be focused.
“Let’s do this,” she said, her voice steady once more.
As they dispersed into the crowd, Rei’s eyes darted from one cheerful facade to another, searching for any hint of the darkness that lay beneath. Somewhere in this labyrinth of light and sound, a monster waited. And Rei was determined to drag him into the light, no matter the cost.
The hunt was on, and Rei silently prayed she wasn’t too late. Her sister’s life hung in the balance, and failure was not an option. Whatever horrors the Cheshire Cat had in store, Rei would face them head-on.
For her sister. For justice. For vengeance.
*****
Luna’s footsteps echoed off the stark white walls as she ventured deeper into the Wonderland maze. Her eyes darted from side to side, scanning for any sign of danger or deception. The air felt thick with tension, every shadow a potential threat.
As she rounded a corner, a quaint cottage came into view. Its thatched roof and whitewashed walls stood in stark contrast to the sterile environment of the maze. A wooden sign hung crookedly above the door, proclaiming in faded letters: “White Rabbit’s House.”
Luna approached cautiously, her muscles tense and ready to spring into action at the slightest provocation. As she reached the picket fence, the familiar voice crackled to life over hidden speakers.
“Ah, our little Alice has found her way to the White Rabbit’s abode,” the Cheshire Cat’s voice oozed false warmth. “How delightful. Your next task is simple, my dear. Find the rabbit’s pocket watch hidden within. That’s all.”
Luna’s eyes narrowed. “And what’s the catch this time?” she muttered, more to herself than the disembodied voice.
The Cheshire Cat’s laughter echoed through the air. “Now, now. Where’s the fun in spoiling the surprise? Tick Tock, Luna. Best get a move on.”
As the voice faded away, Luna stood before the cottage door, weighing her options. The task seemed straightforward enough–almost suspiciously so. After the near-death experience with the caterpillar’s riddles, she couldn’t afford to let her guard down.
“Nothing for it but to go in,” she said under her breath, steeling herself for whatever horrors might await inside.
With a deep breath, Luna pushed open the door and stepped into the White Rabbit’s house. The interior was a jarring mix of normal and absurd–oversized furniture jostled for space with tiny doors and upside-down picture frames. A grandfather clock in the corner ticked away, its hands spinning wildly in opposite directions.
Luna’s eyes swept the room, searching for any sign of the elusive pocket watch. “Alright,” she murmured. “If I were a neurotic rabbit obsessed with time, where would I hide my-“
Her words cut off abruptly as a low groan reverberated through the house. Luna froze, her heart pounding in her chest. “What the heck was that?”
The answer came swiftly and terrifyingly. With a sickening lurch, the walls moved. Slowly at first, then with increasing speed, they started closing in. The ceiling, too, began its inexorable descent.
“Shit!” Luna cursed, her mind racing. The Cheshire Cat’s game became horrifyingly clear–find the watch or be crushed to death.
Panic threatened to overwhelm her, but Luna forced it down. She couldn’t afford to lose focus now. Her eyes darted around the shrinking room, cataloging possible hiding spots.
“Think, damn it,” she hissed through clenched teeth. “Where would a paranoid rabbit hide his most prized possession?”
Luna dove into action, yanking open drawers and cupboards, their contents spilling onto the floor. She upended cushions, ran her hands along the undersides of furniture, searching desperately for any hidden compartments.
The walls crept ever closer; the space growing claustrophobic. Sweat beaded on Luna’s forehead as she worked, her breath coming in quick gasps.
“Come on, come on,” she muttered, her voice tight with fear and frustration.
A glint of metal caught her eye, and Luna’s heart leaped. But it was just a butter knife, fallen from an overturned drawer. She flung it aside with a growl of disappointment.
The ceiling was low enough now that Luna had to stoop to move around. The furniture emitted groans and creaks as it succumbed to the crushing force, contributing to the cacophony that accompanied Luna’s desperate search.
As she stumbled over a fallen chair, Luna’s gaze fell on a small trapdoor in the ceiling, nearly hidden by the descending roof. Hope surged through her veins.
“The attic,” she breathed. “Of course!”
With no time to spare, Luna clambered onto the remains of a bookshelf, using it as a makeshift ladder. Her fingers scrabbled at the trapdoor, finally hooking the latch and yank it open.
Dust rained down, making Luna cough and sputter. But she ignored the discomfort, hauling herself up into the cramped attic space.
Boxes and aged furniture filled the room, each item blanketed in a dense layer of dust. Luna’s gaze flitted between objects, frantically searching for any sign of a concealed pocket watch.
The ceiling continued its relentless descent, forcing Luna to crawl on her hands and knees. Her breath came in ragged gasps, fear and adrenaline coursing through her body.
“Where are you?” she growled, frustration mounting as each second ticked away.
A glint of gold caught her eye, partially hidden beneath an old top hat. Luna lunged for it, her fingers closing around the cool metal. She yanked it free, a cry of triumph escaping her lips as she held up an ornate pocket watch.
But there was no time to celebrate. The walls were mere inches away now, the space rapidly shrinking to a fatal crush point.
Luna’s eyes frantically searched for an escape route. A small, round window on the far wall offered her only hope. Without hesitation, she scrambled towards it; the watch clutched tightly in her fist.
The ceiling pressed against her back as Luna reached the window. She slammed her elbow into the glass, ignoring the pain as it shattered. With one last burst of desperate energy, Luna hurled herself through the opening.
She tumbled through the air, hitting the ground hard and rolling across the grass. Behind her, the cottage gave one final, sickening crunch as it collapsed in on itself.
Luna lay on her back, gasping for air, the pocket watch still gripped tightly in her hand. Her whole body ached from the impact, but she was alive.
The speakers crackled to life once more. “Well done, my dear!” the Cheshire Cat’s voice rang out, dripping with false praise. “I must say, that was quite the narrow escape. I do so enjoy a bit of suspense, don’t you?”
Luna pushed herself to a sitting position, glaring toward the nearest speaker. “Go to hell,” she spat.
The Cheshire Cat tsked. “Now, now. Is that any way to talk to your gracious host? But I’ll forgive your rudeness this time. After all, you’ve only just begun your journey through Wonderland. Best to keep moving, little Alice. The next challenge awaits, and time is always ticking.”
As the voice faded away, Luna struggled to her feet. Every muscle in her body protested the movement, but she forced herself to stand tall. She couldn’t afford to show weakness, not with the Cheshire Cat watching her every move.
Luna looked down at the pocket watch in her hand. Its golden surface gleamed in the artificial light, the hands ticking away steadily. She briefly considered smashing it out of spite, but thought better of it. Who knew what other sick games the Cheshire Cat had in store? The watch might prove useful later.
With a weary sigh, Luna tucked the watch into her pocket and surveyed her surroundings. The maze stretched out before her, its white walls seeming to mock her with their sameness. Somewhere in this twisted labyrinth, more challenges awaited — more brushes with death orchestrated by a madman obsessed with Lewis Carroll’s fever dream.
As she took her first steps away from the collapsed cottage, Luna’s thoughts turned to her sister. Was Rei looking for her? Did she even know Luna was missing? The thought of her twin filled Luna with a mixture of hope and dread. She desperately wanted to be rescued, to escape this nightmare. But the idea of Rei facing the Cheshire Cat’s deadly games terrified her.
“Stay safe, Rei,” Luna whispered, her words carried away by the stale air of the maze. “I’ll find a way out of this. Just... don’t do anything stupid trying to save me.”
With renewed determination, Luna pressed on into the depths of the Wonderland maze. The Cheshire Cat’s next challenge loomed somewhere ahead, unseen but inevitable. Luna clenched her jaw as she walked, her mind whirling with potential scenarios and strategies.
She had survived the poisonous riddles of the caterpillar. She had escaped the crushing death trap of the White Rabbit’s house. Whatever came next, Luna swore she would face it head-on. She would beat the Cheshire Cat at his own game, unravel the mysteries of this twisted Wonderland, and find her way back to the real world.
As she rounded another corner, Luna’s eyes narrowed, scanning for any sign of the next trial. The pocket watch ticked steadily in her pocket, a constant reminder of the danger she faced and the precious time slipping away.
The game was far from over, but Luna was determined to see it through to the end. No matter what horrors the Cheshire Cat had in store, she would persevere. For herself. For her freedom. For the chance to see her sister again.
With each step, Luna moved deeper into the heart of the maze, leaving behind the wreckage of the White Rabbit’s house. The Cheshire Cat’s laughter seemed to echo in her mind, a taunting reminder of the challenges yet to come. But Luna refused to let fear paralyze her. She had come too far, survived too much, to give up now.
As she pressed on, Luna’s mind raced with possibilities. What twisted version of Wonderland would she encounter next? The Mad Hatter’s tea party turned into a deadly game of poison roulette? The Queen of Hearts’ croquet match, with flesh-and-blood hedgehogs as balls and razor-sharp flamingos as mallets?
Luna shook her head, trying to clear away the morbid thoughts. Speculation would only distract her. She needed to stay focused, to be ready for anything.
The pocket watch in her pocket seemed to grow heavier with each step, a tangible reminder of the precious time ticking away. Luna resisted the urge to check it, knowing that watching the seconds slip by would only increase her anxiety.
Instead, she forced herself to take steady, measured breaths. In through the nose, out through the mouth. A technique Rei had taught her to stay calm under pressure. The thought of her sister sent a pang through Luna’s heart.
“Don’t worry, Rei,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “I will survive until you find me.”
With renewed determination, Luna squared her shoulders and pressed on into the unknown depths of the Wonderland maze. Whatever horrors the Cheshire Cat had planned, whatever sick games he wanted to play, Luna was ready. She would beat him at his own game, solve every puzzle, overcome every obstacle.
And when she finally came face to face with the madman behind it all, Luna swore she would make him pay for every moment of fear, every brush with death, every sick twist of her beloved childhood story.
The game was far from over, but Luna was no longer just a pawn. She was a player now, and she intended to win.