Glimpse Behind the Ordinary (6)

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I’ve written plenty of stories before; a bit of fiction, a touch of science fiction, and even a slice of romance. But nothing could have prepared me for what I found once I caught up with the others. I blink hard, uncertain I haven’t stepped inside a fairytale myself. Bright colors swirled around us and pink clouds speckled through the impossibly stretched orange sky above us. The grass was streaked with different shades of pink and purple, each flower taller than Rue. A golden cobblestone path leads around every building. Rows of cabins tuck closely together, a warm savory aroma floating out of each one.

People stroll past us, some wearing hats half their size, while others wore animalistic ears on their heads. Paper thin moths flutter around a building’s light, their wings reflecting its surroundings like a mirror. A school of fish swam beside us like the air was made of water, bumping into each other every few seconds. Tiny glowing figures flew next to the towering flowers, their bodies looking like translucent glass as they blink in and out of view. Everything felt completely unreal, and once again, I found myself questioning whether I was still dreaming or not. This was definitely not something I usually dream about. 

“Either I’m dreaming right now, or a strawberry starburst slipped into reality,” I squeak with anticipation, eyes darting from one thing to the next. “It’s like my Pinterest board came to life.” I couldn’t tell what I should focus on first; the bright vivid colors, the whistling music singing in the wind, or the savory scents coming from the cottages. Everywhere I looked felt more exciting than the last. Wonderland is the kind of setting every author has tried to write about but failed.

Next to me Eli was also buzzing, but for a different reason. His eyes flutter over each creature, muttering to himself. “This place remembers you… I can feel it remembering…” Jules bends down next to the glowing translucent figures, calmly observing them.

“The environment is absolutely impossible, yet my senses all report that this is entirely real,” she states, cautiously lifting her hand towards the creatures as if offering her scent to a pack of wild dogs. A large smile grows on her face as they flutter around her in acceptance. She hums as if accepting a silent challenge. “Alright, Wonderland, show me your variables. I’ll be able to figure out your patterns in no time.”

Liam’s lip curls almost in disgust as a neon green jellyfish brushes past him. “I didn’t sign up for a f*****g themepark,” he scowls, kicking it. “We need a map, or a guide of some sort. Preferably from someone that doesn’t shed.” He throws a foxlike creature a look before continuing. “How big is this place anyways? Someone better tell me who runs this place. They need to get a higher budget.”

The small hand holding mine gives a little tug and I glance down to find Rue’s large curious eyes locked on the distant hills behind me. She’s been sticking to me since we’ve left the dollroom and hasn’t loosened her grip since. I turned to see two very large figures thunder past a darkened castle, they were both tall enough that their heads briefly disappeared in the clouds with each step. Neither of them seem to notice the way others stared, just continued on with their chase like they were in the middle of a game.

“They’re playing tag, a really, really big game of tag!” Rue gasps, bouncing on the balls of her feet, suddenly filled with adrenaline. She looks up at me, eyes hopeful. “Do you think I can play too? They’d make huge tea party guests. Do you think they’d play with me?” Still, no matter how enthusiastic she was at the idea of joining them, she still stayed glued at my side, even tightening her grip on my hand. 

“Okay, real funny,” Liam snickers, his eyes also stayed on the racing giants. “This isn’t real. It has to be some dumb VR prank that Dad probably paid for. Where is he? Whoever was in charge of the special effects should be fired immediately.”