Ch 4-Comfort/Confusion

The cabin looked bigger on the inside. The walls were painted a light purple and light pink carpet. The furniture was white and there was a glass coffee table and in tables. A fireplace was burning covered by a fence gate.

"Please, have a seat," the woman said.

"Thank you. And your name is?" Karen asked.

"Alice."

"Well I'm Karen, that's Kori, Victor, Richard and Roy."

"You guys must be hungry. I'll go fix something."

"Oh you don't have to trouble yourself."

"Nonsense, it won't be any trouble at all."

Alice walked into the kitchen and looked through the cabinets. She found a pot and filled it with water. Setting the pot on the stove and turning it on Alice went over to the refrigerator and took out a bunch of vegetables. While she was waiting for the water to boil she started to cut some carrots. Once the water boiled she put carrots, peas, and potatoes into the pot. Going into the fridge she took the milk out and poured it into the pot. Taking a wooden spoon she stirred up the contents that were in the pot. The aroma filled the air and she took out five bowls from the top cabinet. Alice walked into the next room and returned with a small bottle in her hand. A red/blue liquid swirled around in the bottle. Walking towards the stove she put in some meat and the contents of the small bottle into the pot.

Richard started to nod off from all the walking he did. Raven fell asleep in his lap and the others were talking quietly. Alice returned with five bowls of soup.

"I hope you like it," Alice said handing out the bowls.

"I'm sure it's delicious and thank you again for letting us stay here," Karen replied.

"Man that smells good," Victor replied.

Everyone ate their soup and now sat there full.

"I have to admit that was the best soup I've ever had," Roy announced.

"Agreed. It was most delicious," Kori complemented.

"Let me show you where you'll be staying," Alice said.

Everyone followed her down the hall. The hallway was long and seemed endless. Doors were lined up on each side. Alice stopped at one door.

"Victor, Karen. This is your room," Alice said.

Victor and Karen stepped into the room. It was painted dark blue and a king sized bed by the window. To the right led to the bathroom and a walk-in closet. A dresser with a mirror was to the left.

Alice walked a little down the hall to where Roy and Kori would be staying. The room was painted green with a king sized bed. The bathroom and walk-in closet were to the left.

Alice led Richard further down the hall to his room. The room contrasted with black walls and dark blue carpet. The walk-in closet was to the left and the bathroom to the right. Richard walked over to the king sized bed and laid Raven on the pillow. Walking over towards the closet he found a pair of pajamas then took his shower. Once he was done Richard climbed into bed. He was sooo exhausted from the day's events that he went straight to sleep once his head hit the pillow.

Alice walked into her room which was further away from her guests. Going over to her dresser she touched the mirror and a swirl of red formed. Pictures of her guests showed up sound asleep. She zoomed in on Richard and moved it toward Raven who was sleeping peacefully on the pillow. Alice let out a soft smile and made the picture disappear.

The next morning Richard woke up and stretched. He looked toward his right and noticed that Raven was gone. Panic started to rise and he started to search frantically for her. Trying to calm his nerves he got dressed and started to look again. After searching five times the room looked like a hurricane came through it. Richard left his room and raced to where his friends were staying.

"She's probable in your room," Victor said.

"I checked 5 times already!" Richard shouted.

"Don't worry. I'm sure she's around here somewhere," Karen said.

"Question is: Where do we start first?" Roy asked.

"This place is very big," Kori commented.

"We'll have to ask for Alice's help," Richard said. "We just need to find her."

"I'm sure that won't be long," Roy said sarcastically.

"How many rooms are in this place?" Victor asked. "I'm pretty sure it wasn't this big outside."

"Does anyone remember which way we walked down from?" Kori asked.

They looked down both ways of the hallway.

"Man this is confusing. This hallway seems endless," Roy complained.

"For once I agree with you," Victor said.

"How 'bout we go that way," Richard said pointing to the right.

Finally knowing which way to go they went down the hall. It seemed longer than last night but soon brushed it off from tiredness. They checked every room they came across. Some of the rooms didn't have anything in them. About three hours passed and they still came up with nothing.

"I'm sooooooooo hungry. I thought at least we'd find the kitchen to get a little something to eat," Victor said.

"How long have we been looking?" Kori asked.

"Three hours," Richard replied.

"And we still haven't found your rabbit," Roy whined.

"Is there something wrong?" Alice asked walking towards them.

"Where did you come from?" Roy asked surprised by her sudden appearance.

"From the kitchen," Alice replied.

"We're trying to find Richard's bunny, Raven," Karen said.

"Oh, the white bunny," Alice said recalling last night. "I put her in the infirmary. I was walking the halls at night and heard a squeak coming from your room. It turns out that she was running a fever last night."

"Oh, thank God. Where is the infirmary?" Richard asked.

"These hallways are very confusing," Alice said with a chuckle. "But first you guys must be hungry?"

"Are we ever?" Victor shouted happily.

"Come and eat and then I'll show you where the infirmary is," Alice said.

_______________________________________

Diana kept calling Richard's phone. It kept ringing and ringing. She was starting to get really worried. He always answered the phone when she called.

"Honey, will you please stop pacing. He's probably busy having fun with his friends," Bruce said from the sofa.

"But it's been six days since he's left to go camping. He always answers his phone," Diana said worried.

"I'm sure he's fine," Bruce said reassuringly.

"Ok, but if he doesn't call in the next three days I'm calling the police," Diana threatened.

Bruce rolled his eyes and kept reading the newspaper. She always got like this whenever Richard didn't answer his phone.