Chapter Six – Munter-munters

This time I had fallen asleep during the day. The nightmares had affected me badly and I was constantly tired now. It was only meant to be forty winks, but the hell I subsequently went through seemed to last much longer than that.

Standing on the shore, looking out to sea, I was mesmerised by a seemingly wild tornado whipping towards me. I didn't feel any fear, I was safe where I was, and nothing could harm me. As the wind became stronger and the sea spray buffeted me I looked into the heart of the tornado and found exactly what I expected, a door, ~The Doctor~ neatly inscribed in amber ink.

Without hesitation I pushed through to the other side, but I kept a constant eye on floor below me, I'd had a bad experience at some point my subconscious told me.

Hugging the ground was an endless array of plant life, the leaves every colour of the rainbow from blood red through to emerald and violet. The plants were of every possible variety, cacti vied with large foliage. Ferns gave way to rampant climbers. And towering above all this, majestic pines, willows and tropical fruit trees competed with each other to touch the sky.

Revelling in the beauty of this place, I started walking forward, my sandals squelching through the damp flora. I was very aware of where I trod, but nevertheless, the density of the plants meant that I could not avoid trampling over some them. I needed to find a path, somewhere that I could walk without causing any damage.

A path could not be found though, so I carefully picked my way further into the jungle listening to the wild curious sounds that surrounded me.

Then I heard a new sound, a strange sound that made my pulse race and dried out my throat. I stood dead still and looked around expectantly, my brain trying to rationalise why I could hear a wild cat in a place like this.

I was somewhat surprised to see something run down a nearby tree, and even more perplexed when it jumped down in front of me. It was nothing like I'd ever seen before. It was certainly feline, the pointing ears and whiskers along with the smooth golden fur told me that. But it sat on its haunches like a human would, watching me warily. Its legs were short and stumpy and its tail was wide and fat. I had no idea what it was. But if the Doctor were here he would have told me it was an Abooman.

It didn't seem to pose any threat, and although its roar was fearsome its demeanour was quite the opposite.

I continued to walk on, and it ran on its legs beside me, the plants tickling it underbelly and often closing over it completely hiding it from view. It ran from one side of me to the other, dictating the direction I took, herding me even, like a sheepdog. It clearly wanted me to go in a certain direction and I didn't know any reason to avert its tactics.

"I wouldn't go that way, you'll not survive the night out," someone called out to me.

I turned on the spot, curious to see who called me. I didn't recognise the voice, but I expected it was the Doctor.

I was going to call out something in reply, but the words failed to leave my lips as I stood in astonishment at the vision before me. The bright multi-coloured coat fought with the plants for supremacy in its range of shades. The saffron striped trousers were damp round the bottom and the curly mop of hair sat atop a head that wore a disconcerting frown.

"Any native of Alfamodene knows that you don't wander into the Terrior without protection."

"Doctor?" I called out, not sure I had identified him correctly.

"Alice. You'd better come with me."

I skipped over to him, avoiding the purple flowers that were giving off a heady scent and grinned happily at him.

"I'm looking for the Munter-munter," he says to me. "Have you seen it?"

"Erm, not recently," I answer.

"Thought not. I need to know what's happening to it. It'll be extinct before we know it."

He grabs his umbrella, as brightly coloured as he is, and uses it to swish away the plants, regardless of their beauty.

I trot along and try to catch up, treading in his footprints, wondering what a Munter-munter is.

"Keep alert Alice. It will be very well hidden."

"How big is it again Doctor?" I ask, wondering if I'd been walking with one earlier on.

"Oh bigger than a Caress but not as big as a Leaval."

"Oh," I answer.

We walk on a little further and then he stops again.

"Smell that."

I sniff the air, but can't smell anything different, so I tell him so.

"I can't smell anything."

"Rubbish! You're not concentrating."

I try to concentrate, but still can't smell anything. This time I choose not tell him. Something about him is rather disturbing and I don't feel very comfortable.

He has stepped up his pace now, and I run to keep up, only the faster I run, the further away he is getting. Puffing and panting I call out his name. "Doctor!"

"Come on. Keep up," he calls back to me.

But once again it's too late. This has happened to me before. I've been left behind and I don't know which way I should go.

Instantly the day turns to night as if someone has just turned out the lights and I shudder as I slow down to halt in this strange place.

It is then that I'm pleased to see my little furry friend. He led me to the Doctor last time, so I presume he will do that for me again.

With a little more bounce in my step I begin to follow him. I watch as he scuttles ahead of me, his little legs skimming the ground and his tail thumping along behind him.

And then he stops, retreats a little and rounds himself behind me. He is egging me forward now, swaying from side to side in excitement. I trust he is showing me the right way, so I advance gingerly, feeling in the darkness, moving the soft ferns and tough vines away from me.

The foliage seems to have changed here and apart from ferns and vines I cannot see any other plants, and I wonder whether there are still beautiful flowers beneath my feet.

I am reaching out in front of me again, when a vine cracks against my skin and burns my flesh. I shout out in pain, and pull my arm back sharply. Another vine slaps against my leg, and again it feels like the hot fire of a whip smacking against me. I look around for my little furry friend but he is nowhere in sight and it's then that I begin to panic.

Where is this place, which he has led me to? Where is the Doctor?

I call out his name. "Doctor," alarm edged to my voice.

I take another step forward and another vine entwines around my leg and the pain brings me crashing to one knee. I cannot see anything and try to twist to see behind me, but something lashes across my back and I scream out in agony. I am not even moving now and yet these vines are striking at me, I feel like I am being flogged by a cat o nine tails.

"Doctor!" I scream out again, fear and panic clearly apparent in that one word.

I curl up in a ball trying to protect my body but the stinging ferocity of the attack does not subside. And then from a short distance away he calls to me.

"What are you doing there?"

I am in too much pain to answer him.

"I told you to avoid the Terrior," he says in dismay. "Oh Alice!"

I hear him trying to get to me, approaching from one side and then retreating, before trying from another.

"I can't reach you," the sorrow he feels reflects in his voice. "It's poisonous Alice, it's too late anyway."

I want to answer, but I have no control of my body now, my brain is alert but I am paralysed completely. I can't even blink.

"It won't be long Alice, you won't feel a thing. It won't hurt anymore I promise."

I know, I think to myself, it's stopped hurting already.

#

I try to move from the chair as soon as I wake up. I'd fallen asleep in a most uncomfortable position, my legs curled up underneath me. I lever myself up, release my legs, and am struck immediately by pins and needles.

'Ooh, ouch' I squeak as I wander trembling to the kitchen. I pour myself a glass of water and stomp my feet on the floor to get the circulation going.

Briefly, imperceptibly I feel my heart palpitate. It sings a merry tune of all of its own for no more than 30 seconds. I feel weird, light-headed and a light pressure inside my chest. Then everything settles back to normal and I think no more of it.