AN; This chapter is the one of my favorites. I hope it turns out to be great, like I wanted. I'm still trying to get the hang of capturing Meghan's emotions. That being said, I also want to learn how to better see others' emotions through our Heroine's eyes. There's a teensy-weensy bit of romance, nothing too heavy. In the next Chapter, Elysium, Meghan meets Ash. Actually, there is a surprise chapter coming up for Ash lovers. Puck too! Enjoy, everyone!

PS- Sorry it took so long to update. When I have writers' block, I REALLY have writers' block. Typos and errors? Let me know in an email or review so I can fix it. Don't be shy, I wont bite. Much.

House of Horrors

"...ghan..." came a garbled, yet soft voice from far away. The comfort of sleep was calling to me, but I knew I had to fight it. My eyes wouldn't open. It was like they were being weighed down by five ton anvils. I was conscious at least, but was too tired to panic about never waking up again. As sleepy as I was, I wanted to sleep forever.

If I slept forever, I would not have come here and found out my best-friend was a faery, I would never have been kidnapped by blasted goblins, I wouldn't have been turned into a rabbit. The only reason I came to this stupid faery world in the first place, was to save my brother- "Ethan!" my inner voice called. At that, I stirred in my tired state trying to wake myself up completely. My brother was still out there somewhere, scared and lonely, waiting for me. He needed me. I opened my mouth to speak, but heard a gurgle come from my throat. I tried again. Nothing came out.

"...Meghan... ple ...wake .. !" the voice was calming, though worried, but I knew I'd be okay. If he could stop being such a crybaby and help me open my eyes, well that would be wonderful. I was sure it was Puck because the person grabbed my arms and was shaking me violently. "Princess!" the voice called, this time it was clear. I was no longer fighting the clutches of sleep, but my eyes wouldn't open. I raised up, reaching a hand to my eyes, automatically assuming the worse. Had I been cursed by a faery to go blind? Had faery magic been used to seal my eyelids shut?

The material was silky and smooth, but pulled so tightly my eyes were suffocating. I pulled the blindfold from my eyes and placed it beside myself on the bed, waiting for the black fog to clear.

Soon, a blurry Puck came into view. "Puck," I whispered, my voice shaky. At least I could form words with my mouth. "What happened to me?" I asked, dazed and confused, as my vision cleared completely. I took in my surroundings. I was in the room I had been in earlier today. I was on the white bed again, on top of the covers, which were neatly pulled over the sheets. I glanced at my legs, which were bandaged from the knees up. Just how far up? I didn't even want to know. I also saw that I was covered in dirt. And blood.

Then I remembered. "The B-Body Chute," I whispered, covering my mouth. I stared at my legs, wondering how bloody I really was. My insides squirmed at the memory of landing on my back and the splattering noise that came with it. I choked down bile, trying hard not to puke. Something disturbed me, though. Why didn't it smell like dead bodies? I had a sinking feeling, like Puck was keeping something from me. I knew it was probably my vivid imagination, but this was a lot like a horror movie.

As I spoke the name of the dark hole I had fallen through, he gave me a grim look that disappeared as soon as I saw it, replaced by a normal Robbie-like grin. If you didn't know him, you wouldn't have noticed the sudden change in expression. My stomach contracted at that and I pulled back a little. I had never seen him like this. He was almost scary for a moment. Not even when I had made him angry was I afraid. "Oh. My. God. I thought. "He's going to kill me because I know too much! We've watched enough horror movies together, he should know everything in the book by now. I didn't know he was thinking like that while we were sitting there ..." I thought, casting him a quick side glance for any hint of murderous intent. Nothing. Just a normal grin. But killers had perfected the art of looking normal- "Get a hold of yourself!" I exclaimed in my mind, breathing again. I wasn't sure when I had stopped. "He's your best friend. He couldn't hurt you." I told myself, not thinking on it any longer.

"You okay, Princess?" he asked, placing a hand on my forehead. "You fell down the- " I quieted him by lightly touching my fingers to his lips. He tensed a little and his green eyes were portraying a million different emotions. I had no idea what he was thinking.

"Please don't say it, I'm already about to puke." I said, curling a hand around my stomach. I moved my hand from his mouth and he stared at me. I felt, through my shirt, the bandages had been wrapped all the way up to my waist. I assumed my wounds were treated, but I didn't want to know how he even got them on that way. I examined my legs warily, not sure if I wanted to know if the wounds had been treated or if he had just hidden them underneath the bandage.

The clothes I was wearing were still the ones from a day ago. They weren't mine.

"Puck, where are my clothes?" I asked, letting this new question distract me from all the horrible things whirling around inside my head. His expression was an annoyingly devious smirk as he propped his legs up on the bed, lacing his fingers behind his head. The chair he was sitting in was leaning back so far that I could barely touch him and send him crashing to the floor. I honestly thought about it, but maturity got the better of me. Still, his mischievous attitude was contagious.

"That's for me to know and you to- " I interrupted him again.

"Puck," I yelled, turning to face him, "Where are my clothes?" I asked again, serious this time.

"Don't worry about that, Princess. I'll have them waiting for you when you finish your shower." With that, he turned in his chair, stood up, and motioned for me to follow. He was smirking like the overgrown brat he was. I stood up, staggered over to him, and hobbled after him. I kept my distance, but not enough to get lost. I finally decided to catch up to him after about fifteen seconds of walking and when I finally did, I slapped him across the side of his head. A loud 'whack' resonated throughout the halls, silence settling around us. I shifted uncomfortably.

He stopped dead in his tracks, causing me to jump back. I found myself backing away slowly, ready to run if I had to. I swallowed hard and turned ever so slightly, so that I may escape somehow. His head jerked back in my direction. I almost screamed when I saw the whites of his were pitch black. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he was doing this on purpose. My body went into hyper-active mode and I ran the other way. "Why am I running, I did hit him. He's my best friend ... I have to quit with this damse in distress thing." I said to myself, but I didn't have time to think more on that.

With a loud 'thud', I ran smack into the wall and bounced back. I rubbed my chin. Was it just me, or had the walls moved? I cursed and turned around, startled to see Puck directly behind me. I blinked. That was all it took.

Suddenly it was like I tripped the lid on his giggle box. He was hysterical, almost in tears, as he doubled over. He laughed until he was on his back gasping for breath. I leaned against the wall for support and, dropping this whole 'terrified' thing, started laughing too.

"Seriously, Princess?" he asked, wiping a tear from his eye. "Next time we're about to be killed, remind me to do that again!" he chuckled, trying to breath.

"Well," I laughed, "There wont be a next time if you keep that up." I walked over to him, offering a hand. I was impressed with my mock-threat. In all honesty, though, I was a little wimpy. I was a little embarrassed about my behavior. I could have handled that better. But somehow it was like he knew he would frighten me. "That must be it. He's trying to scare me so I'll go back home and not be hurt." But we both knew it wasn't going to happen. I was hell-bent on finding Ethan.

Puck sat upright, taking my hand. I pulled him up, but... he pulled back, trying to pull me to the floor. I was not about to get made fun of this time. I was stronger than that. He smirked up at me and I smirked back, pulling with all my might. He got the upper hand. I tumbled to the floor with a scream and he bolted. He wasn't about to strand me here. He laughed at me as he started out running, but I was too fast. I lunged forward and grabbed his shirt, pulling him backward.

Uh-oh. Quickly I tried to pull him to my side, as he had done with me. No such luck. I was too late and before I could think to move, he came crashing down on top of me. That's what I get for messin' with a Faerie. My ribs ached and my legs were throbbing from over use of ripped muscles.

"Hey big butt," I wheezed. He had landed right on top of my chest, crushing my lungs. I knew he wasn't fat, but hey, if it worked ... "Get. Up." I said between broken gasps. The jerk just sat there and cast a glare over his shoulder. It was the same look as before. For a second I started panicking, thinking I would suffocate. I squirmed and wriggled, helplessly, trying to escape. If he looked like that all the time, he wouldn't have any friends. Was he seriously mad at me for something so trivial? I saw the corner of his mouth twitch upward and knew he was faking. He was trying not to lose it, trying not to start laughing again. I was almost relieved, but if I wanted to win this little fight, I couldn't give in.

"Two can play at that game." I thought playfully. Staring up at the ceiling, I focused on a bright spot cast from the window down the hall. My eyes became dry and watery and, pulling my best sad face, I looked up as he turned sideways to face me. The shift in weight hurt, but I didn't flinch. One wrong move and it was all over for me. He wasn't being fair, using fey magic to scare me. He stared for a few seconds before his face softened. My eyes began to burn and I closed them.

I knew my cover was blown, but I could recover. I covered my face with my hands and, hating myself for it, used a double-edge sword. "Puck, get up, please? D-don't look at me like that." I begged, peering at him between my fingers. "I'm sorry, okay? You don't have a big butt, I just have a small chest." I heard a dignified snort and the weight lifted off of me.

I turned on my side to cower some more, but I wasn't finished yet. I had just told him a few minutes ago not to give me that look. It seemed as though he was testing me, trying to scare me like when I first arrived here. But, I promised to take him down the next time he looked at me like that. And I was bound by that promise. Since when was I a coward? How did I end up so scared? "I'm stronger than this." I told myself.

"God, Princess." he said, leaning over me. "You're really scared." he sounded hurt and I jerked my chin up towards him. He wasn't smiling. There was no hint of humor in his eyes. His eyebrows arched over big green eyes, peering down at me. I felt a pang of guilt stab into my chest and I winced.

"Puck." I said normally. "I was kidding." I said sincerely, propping myself up onto my knees. I threw my arms up around his shoulders and pulled him into a hug. He was always there to comfort me when I was sad for as long as I could remember. Now it was my turn. I pulled him closer and ... with one swift move he was pinned to the floor before he could blink. I sat, straddling his chest, proud of myself. I wore a triumphant smirk as I crossed my arms and dared him to move. He didn't.

He stared up at me, bewildered, something I couldn't read raging behind his eyes. I was instantly curious about what could be going on in that messed up head of his. What was he thinking?

"M-meghan. Stand up." he stammered. He used my name. He was serious this time, but why? He didn't look me in the eye anymore. He was trying to hide something. I stood, not questioning his reasons. Maybe he was trying to get me back. Again.

My knee locked painfully before I could give it another thought and I collapsed to the right. I pulled my other leg away from him, rubbing my sore knee. I grimaced. "What did he do to my knee?" I thought.

"You twisted your knee." he said plainly. He was already standing, helping me to my feet. He was quiet as he lead me down the hall. I was silent as well, wondering what had happened to make him change from Puck to a stranger. I didn't dwell on it too long. The thought of being able to bathe, finally, diminished all other thoughts into oblivion.

A few minutes later we were at a dark blue door. "You'll find extra towels in the corner to your right. And don't go rummaging through my stuff." he ordered, giving me a Puck-like smile. With that, he left me. I didn't know where to go after my shower, I still didn't know where my clothing was, and I didn't even know how to work the shower. He was excellent at giving instructions...

I stepped into the room and looked around, amazed that this was actually a bathroom. "Wow." I said to myself, astounded. The room was Golden, accented with black. I looked around. Sparkling ivy leaves decorated the walls and the floor was tiled with black, golden crosses etched all over them. Then I saw it. The toilet. Apparently, Puck took the term 'Golden Throne' seriously.

After I did my business, I pulled the shower curtain and found a king sized tub with rainbow colored steam swirling about the top of the water. I would have been afraid it was too hot if I hadn't been so entranced by the colors skimming the water. Before I knew it, I was out of my clothes and sinking into warm water, hoping it wouldn't dye my skin some radical color. I was so comfortable and at ease that I become overwhelmed with drowsiness. That fantasy was interrupted by a white horse's head poking out of the water. I smiled at it, dazed and delirious- what in the world did he put in the bath?

I tried to think of what it was called, why I felt like I should run as I drifted. Kelpie. The thought startled me so much that I leaped up to escape. I remembered my last experience with one of those, those horse-like-thingies, and screamed bloody murder. I scrambled to get out of the tub, then slipped, sprawling onto the floor. I was terribly embarrassed and grabbed the closest clothing I could find. They were not mine. No time to worry about that now.

When I turned to look back at the water as I reached for the door, The kelpie began thrashing around in the water, banging the tub with it's over-sized tail. I screamed tried the door. It didn't open. I banged on it and screamed for help. It shot open and I fell into the hallway. I took this as my chance to run. As I did so, the Kelpie roured and the door slammed, just as it made it's way out of the water and onto the floor. I bolted.

I wasn't sure which direction I took. The rooms changed colors as I passed through them, not hesitating at the doors. Eventually the rooms took on all new terrains of their own. There was a snowy dessert, where the sand was like warm snow. Across from that room was a normal closet, with normal things you would see. I raided the closet because, hello, this was Robin Goodfellow's house. There were a lot of sparkly things that made me wonder if the journal really was his, but then I found it. The mac-daddy of all treasures. A small silver box, decorated with jewels, held a dancing ballerina. If that didn't scream gay, I didn't know what would.

I slipped on a golden bangle with purple and blue diamonds. I would give it back later. I moved out of the closet and walked back down the hallway and into a room that was nothing but pink. My mind began reeling. Was he really gay? My best friend. Was gay. At least we could trade clothes. That had always struck my fancy, but I didn't have any girl friends back home. I had never had a boyfriend either. I was about to cry, now that I was alone. A gut-wrenching noise shook me from those thoughts as I noticed the walls were closing in on me.

I ran again and as soon as I was out of that room, I staggered to a serious slow-down. I leaned on the wall for support. My legs were still sore. How could I only begin to realize how pathetic I was after I almost died? I made my way to the only door I could see now and pulled it open. It was a small, pitch black room. I remembered the body chute and staggered backward. Then I heard it. The kelpie screamed and slithered down the hallway, that seemed to come from no where, dragging its tail behind it.

I knew what I had to do. Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward to fall down the hole. Before I began falling, I felt someone pulling me away from the room. The kelpie. It had me. I was dead. Next thing I knew I was being hurdled through the air and hit a wall. Pain exploded throughout my body as I crumpled to the floor. I looked up to see Puck. Relief filled my heart and I smiled up at him, though he was facing the monster-sized kelpie.

He saved me again. In that moment, I wondered if it was really true that he was gay. Instantly, I wished with all my heart that he wasn't. I made up my mind to ask him. I didn't know why, but seeing him standing there, protecting me, made my heart turn flips. He was strong and I had always looked at him like he was an immature child. But looking back, he was always there. There were times when he would have done anything to keep me from getting hurt. He was far more mature than I was. How old was he anyway? That was my last thought before consciousness left me.

I opened my eyes to find myself still on floor where I had been slammed into the wall. I stood up, knowing Puck must be around somewhere. Everything swirled and swayed until I caught myself from falling. A second later, Puck leaped out of the pitch black room. My breath caught when I saw him standing there, a feral look in his eye. He was smeared with blood and his hair was a mess. And then the scent of his shampoo hit me like a whirlwind of colors. It was very much like honey and lavender. I blinked a couple times. Was he really all bloody? Was I seeing things?

"You look like a druggie, Princess." he scoffed, playfully. There was a morbid look in his eye, one that made me stand up straight. It disappeared, again. What was with him? Gods, what was he thinking? I brushed off the comment and focused more on the death tunnel.

"You don't look so great either. What's with your shampoo, Puck?" I asked, wincing as I shifted my weight to my right leg. I limped over to him, slowly. He grinned and patted me on the shoulder.

"I guess it's about time I told you. It isn't really shampoo." he said. I was stricken with fear. "It's blood. Plain and simple. It didn't smell like rotting corpses down there because fey don't stink. Fey never stink." he said. His prissy attitude did nothing to help the "gay theory". Speaking of...

"Are you gay, Puck?" I asked, exasperatedly. I just wanted answers. If I wasn't getting out of here, I deserved to know the truth.

He looked at me with huge eyes. Slowly, though, a huge grin made its way across his face. Before I knew what was happening, he was hysterical again. He slapped his leg as he laughed, out of breath. "Wow, Princess!" he called. "You really know how to brighten someone's day."

I was relieved. He wasn't gay. "Okay. So what about this body chute thing?" I asked as he began walking. I kept pace with him as we turned corners and corridors.

"Ah, that. This place is crawling with goonies and creepers. Sorry for not telling you that before you got here." He said, raking his hand through his hair. He inhaled deeply and sighed. Puck gave me a half-smile before continuing. "I didn't want you to know this about me, Meghan." he said. I shrank back. He was a killer.

"While you were out, there was another bogey-man. He looked like me again. I had to get rid of him as well." I looked at him as he spoke. "We need to figure this out."

I grimaced as I remembered why the bogey-man looked like Puck. Bogeys take on the form of your current worst fear. And mine was losing my best friend. "Puck, I wanted to say that I am sorry for reading the journal." I whispered. I reached out to him, but he shrugged back.

"Ah, it was nothin'." he said, thought I knew it wasn't nothing. He was still hurt over that. "By the way, are you afraid of me?" he asked, scratching the back of his head. I almost laughed at the absurdity of it, but then I realized that he was serious. How could he think that?

"Robbie, are you insane?" I stared into his eyes for a long moment before I caught what I had just said.

"That tells me everything." he sighed.

"What do you mean? I meant to say Pu- " he interrupted me.

"Are you kidding? All you've wanted was to go back to your normal life since the day you set foot here. You didn't mean to say Puck. You don't want Puck, you want Robbie." he was pissed. "Well, too bad Princess, the only one here is Puck and you're stuck with him until you save your brother. That, or until he kills you." He was glaring daggers at me now.

My throat tightened to the point that I couldn't breathe. Why was he saying these things to me? How dare he insult me like that? Well, I wasn't about to cry. Not this time.

"How dare you threaten my life." I said, more as a statement than a question. "You and I both know you wont raise a hand to me." I glared back at him. Then, as if only to defy me, he raised his hand in a threatening manner. Before I could stop myself, I slapped him so hard it split his lip and brought tears to his eyes. I saw fear, raw fear, evident in his eyes for a split-second. Then it turned to anger. I thought he might hit me. I was ready for it.

This was about to be one Hell of a bloodbath.