Claire groaned. She was lying on the floor of the cottage, and Tangerine was licking her face. She pushed the cat away and stood up.

"Alright. Let's get this over with. Follow me, kitty, and we'll get out of this crazy dream."

Claire opened the door to the cottage, stepping into a very colorful world. She didn't take in the scenery, however, because she wasn't exactly the "sentimental" type. Besides, she wanted to get home, not sightsee.

"Hello? Glinda Goodwitch? You around?" Claire called.

A pink bubble appeared on the horizon. When it dissolved, Claire saw a winged figure standing in front of her.

"Oh, great. It's you. I figured my mysterious 'guardian angel' would show up at some point."

The woman smiled pleasantly.

"I'm no angel, Claire. I'm a good witch."

"Of course," Claire muttered sardonically, "Can you tell me how to get home? Do I have to tap my heels?"

The witch shook her head.

"You don't have silver slippers. However, you do have a necklace . . ."

". . . Which you gave me. I remember."

"I never gave it to you. You landed on the-"

"-Wicked Witch of the East-"

The good witch bopped Claire on the head with her wand.

"Don't interrupt me. The Munchkinsauruses are very pleased with your work. You're their national heroine."

Claire snorted.

"Yes, I'm sure some of that must have been involved . . ."

The witch bopped her on the head once again.

"Don't get sassy with me. You need to go on an adventure."

Claire considered removing her magic necklace and gutting the angel-witch with her horns, but she quickly decided that it was a bad idea. Assuming she was knocked out, there would be people around to supervise her real self, and if she lost control while she was asleep . . . No, it was best not to risk an incident. In a dream, it would be easy to slip up. When people tried to pee in dreams, for example, they might accidentally wet their bed. Claire's situation was far more delicate than that.

"Alright, crazy witch-lady, I'll go find the Wizard or whatever," Claire hummed, "Maybe I'll wake up before-"

She was interrupted by a burst of red smoke. Zara jumped out of the cloud and cackled.

"Aw, shit. Not this again . . ." Claire sighed, "Look, Zara, I'm not giving you my necklace."

Zara sneered.

"I don't want your necklace! I want revenge. You stole my limelight-"

"You sure? Because you look pretty green to me . . ."

Zara grabbed her throat.

"Try to say that again. Just try!"

Claire coughed.

"Sorry," she choked.

Zara dropped her.

"I'll get you, my pretty, and your little cat, too! HAHAHAHAHA!"

The good witch watched as Zara sunk into the ground, cloaked by smoke and fire. She hummed lightly, then turned to Claire.

"Now, then. Will you-"

She frowned when she saw that Claire was already jogging down the Yellow Brick Road.

"Alright. Screw you, too, then."