Chapter Three

The Caterpillar

"So where are you from anyway?" Garfield asked.

He'd been quite the chatty cat since their recent scare, presumably to keep his mind off of things. Despite this, Raven couldn't help but feel a little...annoyed. Trudging on foot through a dense forest wasn't exactly an activity fit for small talk, and all she really wanted was to just get to wherever they were going.

Unfortunately, the werecat refused to let her ignore him.

"Rae," he whined. "C'mon, where are you from? The meadows? Shimmering Beach? The Cave of Darkness?"

"It's Raven," she snapped. "And I've never heard of any of those places."

His tail shot upright, and he threw her a baffled glance. "Really? Wow, you must be really lost."

Raven sighed, her face darkening. "Yeah, I'd say so."

Lost was probably an understatement. She had no memory of anything before waking up in that damn field, and now she was traipsing across a mystical land where picture frames led to another realm and mythical creatures existed.

Waves of remorse tickled the edges of her emotions, and Raven glanced up to see Garfield's concerned gaze resting on her.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, his ears drooping pathetically. Her expression softened, and she sot the boy a smile.

"It's okay, I'll be fine."

His gaze lingered for a moment before he returned her smile with his signature cheeky grin.

"C'mon, we're almost there!" he quipped, snatching her wrist again and dragging her along once more. Raven bit back a retort and rolled her eyes, stepping carefully to avoid tripping and falling. Once her arm was free, she'd probably smack him.

Probably.

Raven thumped into Garfield, who'd come to a sudden halt. She yanked her arm from his grasp and shot him a withering glance, opening her mouth to snap at him. He shushed her then, making her scowl deepen.

"We're here," Garfield whispered. Her brows furrowed in confusion.

"We are?" she echoed, glancing around at the thick shrubs surrounding them.

The forest was odd in that despite the lack of sunlight, it was rich with tall shrubbery and ground cover, to an almost eerie extent.

Garfield smirked at her and pushed some branches to the side, beckoning her forward. Hesitantly, Raven took a step and leaned into the opening he'd created and she gasped.

There, in a small clearing, lay a building. A small building it was, black wrought iron providing support and the framework for the multifaceted glass panes that made up the walls and ceiling. The glass was colored for every color of the rainbow; pinks, purples, blues, greens. It was certainly a sight to behold.

"Pretty, isn't it?" Garfield said. Raven nodded, speechless. The werecat gently grabbed her hand and led her forward, padding quietly in into the clearing.

Although the building wasn't far, maybe a stone's throw away, it seemed to grow larger the closer they got. Soon, the brilliant, rainbow structure towered over them, gleaming prettily in the sunlight. It went from the size of a small shed, to the size of a mansion within just a few yards. Raven gaped at the sight, her logical mind fighting for an explanation.

She found none.

Instead, she stood there stupidly, gawking, while Garfield rapped his knuckles sharply on a section of the glass. There was a moment's pause before the camouflaged door swung open, creaking on its hinges. Garfield tugged Raven forward and the two stepped inside.

"Whoa," Raven breathed.

The sight enraptured the girl. Magnificent flora spread about the space, basking in the warmth and sunlight the structure provided. Flowers of all kinds spread their colorful array of petals out to the beams of light, their colors radiant and beautiful. Butterflies of all types and colors flitted from each flower, presumably soaking up the precious nectar and nutrients they provided. Vines wrapped up the sides of the windows in their own venture for light, and soft ferns and mosses padded the floor.

It was quite the sight to behold.

"Welcome to the Kaleidoscope," Garfield purred. The name seemed most appropriate, as the abundance of colors certainly gave it the appearance of a kaleidoscope.

"Garfield, it's been a long time."

The two companions whirled around at the sound of the deep voice. For a moment, fear seized Raven, and she braced herself for an attack. However, a shock wave of happiness smacked into her senses the moment Garfield's gaze landed on the figure behind them.

"Victor! How are you dude?"

Victor smiled. "I've been alright. I see you've finally gotten that collar off."

Garfield chuckled shyly, rubbing his neck. "Yeah, well uh, you know. I manage."

Victor was a large man. He towered over the two of them, and had muscles so big that Raven had no doubts he could crush them both with a single blow. What really caught her attention though, was the man's odd ensemble.

His clothes were ragged, more tatters than clothes. Thick, mechanical gloves covered his hands, giving him the appearance of donning gauntlets. A device sat in front of one eye, reminiscent of a spectacle, though Raven could tell it was some sort of high tech eyepiece. A metal pack was situated on his back as well, the contents unknown to the budding empath. In his mouth a cigar hung lazily, wisps of smoke trailing off the end.

"Who's your friend?" Victor asked, pulling Raven from her reverie.

"This is Rae, she's lost and needs to get home."

Raven tossed a glare at the werecat. "It's Raven. And yes, I'm...lost."

"Well Raven, where are you from?"

She hesitated. "I don't...know." A flush spread across her cheeks and she shifted awkwardly. This was embarrassing. How could anyone really help her? She had no idea where she was or where she was from. This whole idea was stupid.

"What's that?" Victor asked. Raven glanced up, confusion knitting across her features.

"What?"

"That golden chain on your belt," he said, pointing. "What's that?"

Raven snatched the stopwatch and held it up, shrugging. "Some stopwatch a guy gave me. I'm not sure why."

Victor strode closer, bending low to peer at the golden trinket. "Shit man," he murmured. "It can't be."

"Can't be what?" Garfield asked. Victor pried the watch from Raven's hands, cradling the trinket as he examined it.

"This watch...it's from Mother Time." He looked up at Raven, peering inquisitively at her. "You said a boy gave this to you?"

She bobbed her head. "Yes. He wore a suit and a mask. He...he told me not to be late and then gave it to me."

Victor straightened. "Follow me," he said, taking off through the garden. Raven cast an apprehensive glance at Garfield, who smiled reassuringly. They followed, Raven's gaze trailing along at the towering plants. They only walked for a few minutes before halting in front of a massive tree that Raven hadn't previously noticed. Victor reached forward and tugged on a low hanging branch, revealing a hidden door. He stepped inside, bidding them to follow.

Inside was a cozy setting, much like the inside of a cottage. Soft light from low burning lamps lit up the space, casting gentle shadows among the well worn furniture. Raven paused, surprised at the setting. They didn't remain in the neat little room though, instead Victor lead them down an adjoining hallway to a staircase.

"Ladies first," he said gently, holding the door open for her. She bit back a retort and descended the staircase. All malice drained from her mind when she reached the bottom however.

The room was reminiscent of a military bunker. Whitewashed stone walls greedily refracted the lamplight, brightening the space considerably. Her gaze caught sight of a bulletin board covered with maps, pictures, and an array of different documents. Beneath the bulletin board rested a large, metal table, covered in equipment and tools.

Victor brushed past her and snatched a map off the bulletin board, clearing a space on the worktable to spread it out.

"Here," he said, pointing. Raven peered at the yellowed paper, the green werecat leaning over her shoulder.

"That's where we are now. Mother Time doesn't have a specific place, but she'd known to be there." Victor jabbed another spot on the map, much farther than where they were. Raven squinted at the page, trying to familiarize herself with the mysterious landforms.

"Oh, that's the golden ocean, right?" Garfield said, pointing eagerly. The statement earned him a smile from their companion, who nodded.

"Yeah, it is. She tends to like that area." He turned to Raven, his face serious.

"That watch there isn't just any old watch. The boy you described is her messenger. He's called many names, but none really matter. What matters is that Mother Time wants to meet you. I don't know why. I don't know when. All I know is that it's in your best interest to find her." He gestured to the stopwatch. "And keep that safe. You may need it."

Raven glanced down at the golden trinket, nodding solemnly. Hope begin to kindle in her heart.

Maybe, just maybe, she'd find her way home yet.