Chapter 3

For some odd reason, he felt the need to tiptoe across the room, though he knew it was a moot point- his governess could sleep through anything, and at any rate, the feeling of her and the butler being out of reach lingered, spurring him onward. Upon reaching the dwarf door, he released a breath he hadn't known he'd been holding and knelt upon one knee to peek through. Odd, I thought she kept it locked. Could the rat have unlocked it? Doubtful, but one never knew.

Initially, the crawlspace- or whatever it was- was exactly what he'd been expecting: nothing, just black nothingness. A nothingness that felt persistently alive, but a nothingness nonetheless. A nothingness that disquieted him. Then, he squinted closer.

A pinprick, laser point of light blinked into sight. A light that quickly spread, gaining momentum as it approached. Instinctively he ducked, only to watch in amazement as the light expanded into an ornately decorated room. His living room. Words failed to reach his tongue as he observed the spark of light illuminate- or did it bring into being?- the entire space.

He was home. He'd never left. Yet he knew he should have left, that he'd traveled... What was this place? A mockery? A dream? A rough pinch confirmed it wasn't the latter. A hallucination, perhaps? In that instant, he silently vowed to never again wander around alone at night. Especially not after consuming food of questionable quality- that tuna had smelled suspiciously fishy.

Wherever or whatever this place was, it was occupied; he heard humming down the hallway. Why, he wondered, should he be surprised his own kitchen was waiting for him at the end of it? Yet surprised he was. What shocked him more was the person- no, being- cooking within.

Even with her back turned towards him, Henry would have recognized her anywhere. Graceful curves formed her hourglass figure while her snow-white arms busied themselves with pots and pans and food. Various soft shades of gray adorned her, though without the familiar hint of pale blue he was so fond of. Her navy black hair curled down midway down her back. It was good to know he stil remembered her so well; had his memories somehow brought her back to flesh-and-blood? He wasn't sure anymore.

Only one way to find out. "Mama?"


Hello readers!

I am SO sorry I haven't updated this story in so long. I honestly thought no one was reading this until one lovely fan reviewed it. Thank you so much, Storms in my Coffee! I hope I don't disappoint you!

I'll try to update this more regularly, basically winging it as I go lol. Enjoy this and future chapters, guys! And please don't forget to review.