Nostalgia
Chapter 1: Hide and Seek

Sleeping on the cold floor of the gallery was always uncomfortable, especially when you were accompanied by headless mannequins, rabid ladies in red, and blue disturbing dolls. I have slept countless nights within Guertena's world, but I would never get used to the creations and paintings that came to life when the museum was closing. I would never get used to having people on the other side "watch me" and comment on my looks. I was well-known to be the "sleeping man" or the "purple-haired dude." Every day I always wonder what life has become beyond the museum, for I was unaware about how long I was stuck here.

"Hee, hee, hee…Garry~" There were the giggles of the dolls again. I rolled onto my side, and realized that I wasn't wearing my tattered blue coat. I looked around until I noticed the piece of clothing, three objects dancing around under it. I immediately stood up and snatched it away, the blue dolls screeching and running away to the dark corner of the room. I noticed one doll was attached to the sleeve, is jagged teeth almost tearing it off.

"Hey!" With a giggle, it crawled all the way onto my shoulder, attempting to give me kisses. "Ugh! Get off!"

It was still on me as I put on my coat, brushing off the dust that remained upon it. I sighed and looked at the dolls chatting in one corner. I woke up in the usual place, an extended hallway with framed paintings hung on each wall, and a locked door on each end. Recently I have been becoming nuts from the mannequins that constantly flirted with me, and the paintings that said cruel things to me, and decided to look for the key to unlock one of those doors. I was hoping that I would be able to return back to the world I had entered the first time I was here, and perhaps look for some type of exit there.

The dolls kept nudging me to stay, claiming that the world back then has become worse, and that there was no point in looking for an exit. They always said a bunch of B.S. that I would be forever a painting, and forever be part of Guertena's messed-up world. Today, I'm determined to find every secret passage, every loophole, and look in every nook and cranny. Ever since Mary's death, I have been turning into a wild yet depressed creature, similar to the other things here. I was worried that I would truly become one of them. That very fact spooked me, and I suddenly grew a desire to become the man I was when I came here.

"Ehhh? What man? You have always been a crying baby!" The doll on my head shook while giggling madly. I grabbed its scraggly black yarn that was meant to be its crown of hair, and held it with my two hands. Its scarlet eyes stared back at me, almost in a strange loving way. "Promise me you'll never leave, Garry! You're my friend!"

The other paintings and sculptures started arguing, claiming either that I wasn't their friend or that I was theirs only. It was weird… Some of the things here grew an attraction towards me, and other things…I guess they can't get used to me.

"What are you talking about, that I'm your friend? Besides, I'm…locked up here, I guess." I sighed, my eyebrow furrowing at the doll's strange feelings towards me. This doll and I had a confusing friendship ever since its creator had burnt to death. It loved to play around with my hair and cuddle with me during my sleep. It was obviously weird being molested by a toy.

"Hee, hee, hee! Mary loved you, you know. She wanted to be your friend too." They always talked about Mary too. As much as I had hated her for causing such hell to me, I am starting to feel a twinge of sympathy for her, now that I'm in her situation. It is tiring being alone with weird creatures, having nothing to do, and sometimes expecting something to pop out. Unfortunately, nothing much happens, besides the comments I receive every time.

"I loved you too, Garry. And I still do." A rich and lustful voice came from a few feet away. The Lady in Red was leaning against the frame, licking her luscious lips, and her bright blue eyes tauntingly staring deep into my own.

"What…what are you saying?" My face was heating up. Normally, she would make fun of my lack of sex appeal, but this…this was different. She let out a pleasurable laugh, her upper body popping out of the painting.

"Hm, you didn't hear me, lover boy? Should you come closer?" She cackled, gripping the frame, her eyes wild with lust.

"He should not!" The doll spat. I looked down and noticed it clinging onto me. "She just wants you for your rose…"

It was right, and the frightening experience I had with them in the past was evidence. They may not be popping out of the walls now, but they are still not innocent as they look. This woman wasn't a Mona Lisa but an animal disguised as beautiful art. She was just based on a greedy and forgotten lover long ago, supposedly. I reach in the pocket of my tank top and there were the healthy petals of my blue rose. I was able to get it back and somehow make it bloom to its normal healthy state. So far, none of its petals have fallen off.

"He's so beautiful!" There was a muffled gasp. I turned around and noticed my painting in the middle of the wall. You could notice two dark figures behind it. I stood right in front of it, and the painting became transparent, turning into a window. There was a little boy holding hands with a woman. I figured it was a mother with its child but noticed no resemblance between them.

The boy had dark brown hair and eyes, whereas the woman had flowing platinum blond locks and the palest blue eyes I ever saw. It was a bit strange by how long they stood in front of my painting; I thought they would never leave. Afterwards, there were more people appearing, and the chatter grew louder. Today's show must be super packed.

"Ooh~ I love all of this attention!" The Lady in Red exclaimed, sitting still as men were immediately taken aback by her beauty. Rolling my eyes, I decided to sit against the wall, letting the doll play with me for once. I couldn't wait to escape, and I was excited by the sudden determination I gathered up. For one moment, I was sure that I was going to return and get my life straight. Maybe, one day, I would be able to meet her again.

Ib.

I haven't seen her ever since I had told her to go ahead and leave me behind in Mary's sketchbook world. She was so vulnerable, yet so brave, and I grew a liking towards her, no matter how much of a bond we had. Sure, I was naturally overprotective and willing to give up my life, for she was a little girl and it was wrong for her to stay in that place. In the end I realized that I really wanted her to survive. She had a family waiting for her at home. Ib was a wonderfully bright girl too, and I imagined what a great woman she would become later on.

Not even a gallery filled with freaks and sorrow had stopped her.

Still, I wanted to be with her and see that actually happen, no matter how creepy that sounds. I felt like Ib was truly my friend, and she had really let me show a side of me that I would normally hide before. We had the most precious memories in a terrible place like this, and I wanted to create more, such as eating macaroons in a café on a sunny day, having a normal conversation and not fearing about anything chasing us. Not a day passes by when I don't think about her.

At one point I was hoping that she would visit the gallery again, but there weren't any sights of her. I had thought that she hasn't escaped, but the dolls assured me that it was possible she returned to the real world. The dolls tend to be creepy sometimes, but our developing friendship made me trust their word. Besides, when I woke up, my lighter was missing. The dolls explained that their creator was burnt by something. In some way, I was relieved.

Yet, the real world tended to be a scary place too. I still want to be there to protect her. Ah, she was nine for Pete's sake. She has her parents…she barely has grown up. No matter how many times I say it to myself; I still want to be there for her. I want to be a part of her life. It doesn't matter if I get a tiny piece, as long as I can be right beside her.

"Nobody will be safe. We're in a terrible world; therefore we're all going to die." A voice wept. I looked ahead of me to see the painting babbling more nonsense. It was a white face with dark eyes. It was Worry.

I sneered at it, before realizing the headless mannequins shaking in the corner. They were the bodies of a woman, wearing a pretty dress and a pair of heels. All of a sudden the one dressed in red approached me, whimpering.

"What's wrong, Red?" I stood up and noticed how agitated and upset they were. But why? I went to the pile of boxes and peered in it to find cups of paint and brushes. I grabbed those and then took a couple of mannequin heads. "Come here, girls."

They obeyed, and stood still in front of me. I carefully placed each head onto each body. I grabbed the brushes and painted some luscious lips onto their faces along with rosy cheeks. They almost looked like porcelain dolls. I looked for some type of wig I could put on them. There was fake hair in one of the boxes and a tube of super glue.

Twenty minutes later, they turn into more beautiful beings than before. They giggled, constantly looking at each other through the mirror. I chuckled, proud that I was able to do something helpful here.

"Ehh? Why did you do that?" The doll's squeaky, distorted voice spoke up again. I looked at it in disbelief.

"I can't do that? Look, they're more beautiful!"

"Beautiful? Hah!" The mannequins turned and started growling at it. "You've ruined one of Guertena's works!"

"Eh, I'm pretty sure he won't mind. The ladies seem to like it!" They were surrounding me, hugging me and squealing in delight. The Lady in Red growled, perhaps getting slightly jealous. I laughed for the first time. I never thought I would actually do so in this place. Though, I still want to return to the world that I belonged to. I miss going to school as much as I hate it, eating candy and sweets, watching fashion shows of my favorite designer, and basically all of those things I liked to do.

I sighed and sat on the Wine Sofa, actually finding it comfortable, and watched the mannequins squealing and attempting to have a conversation with The Lady in Red, who seemed awfully bothered. Worry was, well, worrying aloud as usual. Then I jumped as a giant cat from Your Dark Figure leaped out of its painting. Its large gold eyes seemed pleased, and suddenly decided to play with me. His furry body was against me; a purring-like growl was heard. Meanwhile, I was startled, for its size was as big as a grown lion. But he didn't turn out to be such a bad kitty.

"Garry, I have a present for you~" Of course it was the doll. I looked down and realized it was on my lap. I snatched it away before the cat could tear it to pieces.

"What is it now?" I sighed, blowing my bangs off my eye in frustration. The doll giggled, showing its jagged teeth again, and pulled up its pink dress to reveal a candy wrapped in yellow material. I gasped, and looked at it in confusion. "Candy..?"

"Somebody told me that you like it." I didn't question it's statement, and had no hesitation in unwrapping the candy and popping it into my mouth. Finally I was able to eat something, taste something so sweet and… BLEGH!

I immediately spit it out, finding its taste rotten and sour. I could've expected that. The doll started whimpering.

"You…you don't like it?" It squeaked. I couldn't come up with a lie, and so I shook my head ashamedly. Then, it started laughing maniacally. "Hee, hee, it made tears come out of your eyes! Such a baby you are, Garry—BLEGH!"

My face couldn't stop from heating up as the disturbing doll started imitating me. I pushed it off me, and stood up. The giant cat meowed and jumped right back to its painting. I spotted the piece of candy on the floor, melting rapidly. I observed at it in disgust, barely believing that I trusted a doll once again. I recalled the time that I was locked in that room full of those creepy dolls… Now, I am starting to regret befriending them. As the candy turned to liquid, and then turned into nothing, I noticed some object shining amid the boxes full of paints and brushes.

How come I haven't spotted this before? I approached it carefully, having a small part of me thinking that it must be a way out of here. Yes! Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a silver key. Perhaps it could open a door, or something! Finally, a lead to somewhere…a step closer to Ib. Quietly, my hand reached out to grab it, but the object got snatched away before I could do so.

It was the mannequin dressed in red. Her friends immediately grabbed my arms and pulling them back. My heartbeat sped up, worried about what they were going to do next.

"Looks like somebody got caught~" The Lady in Red sang, with a stretched smile plastered onto her face. I let out a growl, trying to get free from the mannequin's clutches but to no avail.

"Please, Red. I made you and your friends pretty! Please let me go for once!" I pleaded, while sensing the tears on the edge of my eyes. Realizing how much I wanted this, I pulled harder only for the mannequins to tighten their grip and dig their slim fingers into my skin. I hissed, the rose in my tank top poking out.

The mannequin dressed in red jumped at the sight of my rose falling to the ground. She dropped the key to reach for my rose, as the others started squealing in delight. They let me go once my rose was in their clutches. Now my heart almost leaped out of my chest, out of fear of my petals will be plucked from the rose.

"Give it!" I yelled without hesitation. They shook, and then faced each other, deciding whether or not that they should return it to me. My knees buckled, as the other paintings started begging for the rose. Others screamed out insults, pleased with the tears running down my flushed cheeks. "Please…"

It was only a whisper, but the mannequins somehow heard it. They lingered around for a moment, before shakily giving it back. However, they were able to get the key back. My whole body was throbbing. What should I do? I can't…I can't stay like this, as much as this world isn't filled with the problems from the real world… Though, it feels like this world has less freedom than any other. I need to escape, I need to live, and I need to see her.

"If…if I g-give you one petal each, wi-will you give that to me?" I knew it was a terrible deal, but as long as I was still breathing and have a chance to get out of here. Nevertheless, the mannequins found the exchange satisfying. With my hands shaking, I gently touched the sapphire petals of the rose. There were still ten petals in all. I pulled one off, and I sensed a small pang within my pounding heart. It then felt like somebody was slicing my chest open once I plucked two more. Seven petals remain.

The paintings in the room started groaning as the exchange occurred, and they seemed to be intimidated to the point they were going to pop out and attack me. Luckily, that didn't happen, and I was able to have the small key in my hands. Finally.

"I guess this is it." I sighed, while smirking at the paintings. The Lady in Red pouted as I passed by her.

"Garry." She spoke up, her eyes filled with a different type of emotion. I sensed a tug on the bottom of my pants, and found the disturbing doll making some noises.

"I'm coming with you! Don't leave me here with these fools!" It seemed like she was sobbing. I raised an eyebrow, as The Lady in Red rolled her eyes and returned her gaze at me.

"You know, the stupid doll is right…about how the gallery has changed so much." Wow. She was actually giving me some advice. I didn't know what to say, but she continued talking. "It has become more dangerous with more puzzles, traps, and well…the strange creatures lingering around. Be especially careful with the Ladies in the paintings and of course, the mannequins. I have no control over that."

The doll was hitting me now, urging me to walk away. Ignoring it, I nodded at the woman, who smiled and blew me a kiss.

"Good luck." She murmured, to which the doll started spitting out nonsense at. Without thinking, I pulled out another petal. I moaned, as one of my fingers started bleeding. The Lady in Red seemed shocked as I reached in her painting and handed her the petal. She smiled wider. I turned to the doll on the floor and leaned down.

"You want one too?" I honestly didn't want to ask that, but I wanted everyone to finally let me go.

"Eh? I'm going with you! You can't just wander around aimlessly. That's what you have me for!" It laughed madly, hugging onto my foot. A bead of sweat rolled down my cheek. I was unsure, but the doll did seem to know the ups and downs of this place. I finally let her come with me, and she squealed.

I walked down the hallway, saying farewells to each painting and sculpture, even to the ones who greatly dislike me. The doll was excitedly sitting on my shoulder, as I tightly hold onto the key and place my rose with its six petals in my pocket as usual.

"We might need this!" The doll squeaked, turning my head towards my painting. I scratched my head and stole a glance of the doll's creepy-like, happy face.

"Why?" What's the point of carrying my painting around? I'm not even a painting!

"Just in case!" The doll screeched in my ear while pulling onto my hair. I sighed and took ahold of the frame, and in a snap, the whole painting came off. I carried it under my armpit as I walk towards the end of the hall.

"Let's try this one…" I murmured, pushing the key into the hole. The paintings and creatures behind me stared in anticipation. After taking a loud gulp, I turned the key. Click, and there was a sound.

I'm fighting for you, Ib.

So, I've been replaying the game "Ib" (currently trying to get the last ending, "Forgotten Portrait") and reading fan-fictions of it. Look, I've been crying over this game, and talking about it to my friends constantly, so…why not write a fan-fiction with what writing skills I have? I'm well-known for uploading stories and never updating them, and then deleting them. I just can't find the motivation sometimes…

I really hope I can continue this story, for I really love Ib, and trying to get back on track with my stories. Reviews will be much appreciated! Thank you, and good-bye!

Tommy Rabbit