“Fantasia, time for school!” Mrs. Miller yelled.

Fantasia groaned as she slowly sat up in her bed, wiping the crud out of her eyes. She didn’t recognize the voice, but it didn’t frighten her. Crud gone, she took a proper look at her surroundings. There was a distinct lack of water. The walls were sky blue and the ceiling was white. Fantasia hadn’t been in such a small space since… well, she didn’t like to remember that.

Quickly looking around, she noticed a bright light coming from what looked like a square piece of glass but on closer inspection turned out to be something else. Another light source came from the floor in the form of a slender rectangle. Fantasia dropped to the floor and cralwed over to it.

Suddenly it grew in shape and brightness and the wall came towards her face. Scrambling backwards frantically, she leaped onto her bed and hid under the coverings there.

Standing in the doorway was the aforementioned Mrs. Miller. Arms crossed, her face held an expression of general boredom.

“Fantasia, I can see you hiding under there,” Mrs. Miller said. “School will be fine. You’re a good kid.”

School was the furthest thing from Fantasia’s mind. What she wanted was to get home. This had to be a dream… right? Or a nightmare, just like the ones she used to have when she was very young. Fantasia took a deep breath and decided to be brave.

“Who are you?” Fantasia asked while slowly lifting up the covers. To Fantasia, Mrs. Miller’s soft eyes appeared to hide secrets, her raincoat made her appear imposing and threatening, and her nonchalant stance gave Fantasia cause to fear for her life. These were gut reactions not everyone would have.

As Mrs. Miller uncrossed her arms, Fantasia got out of bed on the far side and stood at an angle, ready to move fast.

Mrs. Miller responded, “We’ve been over this, girlie. I’m taking care of you after your accident while we try to find your parents.” She put her hands on her hips. After a moment, Mrs.Miller extended an arm and gestured for Fantasia to come in for a hug.

“Come on over and we’ll get you ready for school.”

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Fantasia slowly shook her head.

“There’s no way I’m just going to believe that I belong here,” Fantasia retorted. “You may have stolen me from my home, but I’ll find my own way back.”

Fantasia took a breath and an offensive stance. “Just let me go and I won’t have to hurt you.”

Mrs. Miller’s easy-going smile melted -literally- as she slowly transformed into a many-tentacled monster, oozing green goo and growing till her head brushed the ceiling.

“I said… we’ll get you ready for school!” Mrs. Miller growled.

One of her tentacles darted toward Fantasia, who sidestepped and punched it into the wall behind her.

“Grahh!”

Screaming in pain, Mrs. Miller launched a second tentacle, which she wrapped around Fantasia’s left wrist. Fantasia desperately hit the tentacle with her free arm and pulled as hard as she could until she was free. By that time, there were more tentacles appoaching. Fantasia kicked at one reaching for her ankle and jumped over one right next to it, launching herself onto the bed.

Mrs. Miller kept advancing. Fantasia picked up the pillows and threw them, one at a time, at Mrs. Miller’s head.

Could she make a run for it?

No!

She had to defeat this adversary.

“For Farcesia!” Fantasia yelled.

As Mrs. Miller’s attacks came in, Fantasia was ready: blocking, punching, and kicking whatever came her way.

“I’m trying to keep you safe, girlie. You’ve got to go to school, and you’ve got to fit in. I am not your enemy.” Mrs. Miller suddenly dropped her tentacles to the ground.

“What about right now? Why attack me?” Fantasia retorted, her hands flailing in the air indignantly.

“You don’t understand how vital it is that the wrong people do not get control over you. It may not seem right, but your parents chose me to protect you. They-“

“You knew my parents?” Fantasia interrupted. “I didn’t know there was anyone left alive who knew them.” She narrowed her eyes.

“Prove it.”

Mrs. Miller transformed back into her middle-aged self. “You have a sister that you haven’t seen in years. Only your parents, you, and a select few know this.”

“That’s… wow. You’re right. Very few people know that.”

Mrs. Miller smiled. “You see? You can trust me. Now how about that school?”

“What’s school?”

“Girlie, we have a lot to go over. Get changed and I’ll explain it all in the car.”

“What’s a car?”

“Just come downstairs when you’re ready. I’m sure the principal won’t mind your being late on your first day.” Mrs. Miller extended her arm once more.

“May I?”

Fantasia looked down with shame, then looked up shyly. After hopping down from the bed, she hugged Mrs. Miller fiercely and let go quickly.

Mrs. Miller left the room without another word.

Fantasia would take her time. Princesses understand the importance of a first impression and she doubted the wardrobe in this dwelling had sufficient armor to ensure her safety in this world she knew nearly nothing about.