In the last half hour of our walk, we have been approached by creatures in Earth's 17th century clothing wear holding giant pink umbrellas, a group of gangster mice (the normal small kind) who ask you for currency, unwrap it, and eat it; a giant insect riding a bicycle, and busty cat-women wearing gas masks. Not one citizen gave me a strange look; that was almost as unnerving for me.

Just outside the gigantic city, an antebellum home is tucked in a little corner by a giant oak tree. I like the old Southern homes and used to look at pictures for hours. I'm excited to see one and also to prop up my feet; I haven't been able to breathe since I got here.

Zera is in front of me, still huffy, and when we reach the door, she knocks on it and impatiently taps her foot. As we're waiting for a reply, twin women join us. They look human! Dark brown hair, plump, older women, but their eyes were golf ball-sized black holes. I suppose they are looking me over but I can't tell. Their expressions are sad, however, and they're cuddling together like they're frightened.

A small, scratchy voice peeps from the door and it opens. Zera frantically grabs my hand and we're in the house before I know it. The twins never attempt to get inside before the door slams shut. I stand there looking at it, feeling sorry for them.

"Come," Zera says behind me, but I can't move. Why couldn't the twins come inside too? I knew I had no business asking, but looking around the huge space and seeing only a handful of creatures in here, it's tragic to leave them out there when they wanted to join us.

The door guard, a grumpy penguin, shakes his head and opens the tiny slit in the door. "Knock three, become dust. Knock two, we cannot trust. Tap one plus three minus that."

Silence.

How many times did Zera knock? I didn't pay too much attention to it. She knocked and tapped her foot; I just thought she was still mad.

One of the twins attempt the procedure. Four knocks, three taps. The door penguin huffs and there's a scream outside followed by frantic footsteps running from the house.

"What happened?" I blurted and loom over the door guard. I'm ticked!

He doesn't seem intimidated. "She became dust. You have to know the entrance puzzle. Step back before I throw you outside. Then you'll have to solve the puzzle yourself."

Fire burns in my throat and I'm ready to step on this jerk like a wet ball. "There's more than enough space in here!"

A soft hand lands on my shoulder. "Ymoh, Sine doesn't give second chances. Please understand his intention. You know nothing of this world."

Sine and I unlock death glares. The only reason I calm down is because I see a fish child humping a globe. I'm back to being puzzled again.

Zera is correct: I don't know anything about this world. It's baffling, wacky, makes no cognitive sense, and it's brutal. I can walk around with the others, but I feel just as out of place and I still can't make anyone understand my intentions. There was NO REASON why those twins couldn't come in when we did.

Zera points to an elegant style sofa, reminiscent of Earth's 1940s interior design. I suppose. April would know this sort of thing. I sit between a naked human lady and a skeleton with a top hat on the couch. Zera disappears and I continue stewing over the Twin matter. That really ticks me off.

A gold box lands near my feet, and Zera kneels on the floor in front of me. My anger subsides once I see her open the box and pull out first aid supplies.

"I thought you were leaving me?" I lifted my leg on command.

She quickly glances at me and swabs a cotton ball on my knee wound. "I don't think you need to be alone. Sine will toss you out of here as soon I turn my back."

"Not if I toss him out first."

She grins, the first in a long time; it's cut once her eyes move over to the woman sitting next to me. I turn to see a giant pair of blue eyes looking deep into mine. "May I help you?" I keep my eyes on her face.

Her blue eyes vibrate with adoration, or insanity, I'm not sure which one. "Yes, you may." Her voice is almost breathless. I give a leery eye towards Zera, who tightens her lips in frustration. I hope it's not anything I've committed.

Before I could open my mouth, the lady replies, "I can't see Doctor Buck. You're in the way of his pretty profile."

By all means, I gladly remove myself and sit down on the floor. I turn back to look at the skeleton, the one called 'Dr. Buck', and he's motionless. The woman seems infatuated with him. I'm glad my back is turned to her because I'm tired of seeing her naked.

Zera treats a few scratches on my arm. It's hard not to watch her gravely concentrate on her nursing skills and flick her ears in frustration when Miss Naked Lady sighs and puts her elbows on my head to watch Dr. Buck.

"Isn't that uncomfortable?" Zera dryly asks and lunges supplies back into the gold box. Snaps it shut with a cold glare towards the lady.

I nod. "A little." I'm ready to remove the lady's elbows, but Zera pushes the them off my head and scuffs to another room. I don't know whether to follow her or not, but a sharp click of her tongue prompts me to move my tail. It's getting rather creepy on the sofa, anyways.

The bathroom is quite spacious. And very pink. Peachy and pink. A photo of a lovely lady hangs beside the extensive mirror in a, naturally, rose period dress. Zera clinks around the sink and washes her hands. She has a few scrapes and cuts, too, and I think I should return the favor by helping her.

"I will doctor your wounds." I touch her arm and she looks at me in the mirror.

"No, thank you. I'm fine."

"Please."

Her tail puffs. Uh-oh. "I'm not finished with yours," she snaps.

I act like I drop the conversation, but I mildly slam the door and point to the toilet. "Sit." Just like she always demands of me. My brothers usually joke that my glares are fearsome, I don't blink in the process, and I could strangle someone with their own intestines and be fine with it.

I believe I really could do that.

Now wild-eyed, ears-drooping-by-her-face Zera obeys and stays put on the seat. While I rattle in the gold box and find all sorts of non-medical items like a buzzsaw and whip, I glance over at Zera and she's huddled on the toilet like I'm about to do unspeakable acts to her.

"I'm not going to hurt you, Zera. Relax."

She relaxes her ears and whiskers at least.

I find ointment beside an erotic dvd (Hot Nurses and Intensive Care – yuck!). "You remind me of my brother, Raphael. I had to be tough with you because you won't listen otherwise. I apologize."

Her legs soften; she can't look at me, I gather.

Gently, I touch her leg, clean the wound with a pink flamingo towel, and apply the ointment. She doesn't wince even though the wound looks angry. I remember cleaning April's wounds one time and she slapped me from the pain. I have been careful since then. "I'm sorry for getting mad at Sine, your friend."

A smile curls on her muzzle, whiskers bounce slightly. "I tried not to laugh, Ymoh, and he's not my friend."

"I'm not the clown of my family, believe it or not. Michelangelo holds that title."

She leans back and looks up at the ceiling. "I like laughing."

"You should do it more."

Zera blankly said, "I am when I'm with you."

I make sure her fur isn't terribly matted together from the ointment. "Then don't leave my side. I need your help." I hope that didn't sound creepy to her, but it is very true.

She nods and straightens, popping her back. "I can take care of the rest of the wounds. Thank you."

I almost protest but strangely, she's grinning and pointing to her tattered clothes. Nothing more needs to be said. I take a couple of supplies and a flamingo towel with me. When I exit the bathroom, a deafening alarm blares through the house.

"Put the towel back!" Zera whispers sharply. I catapult it to her and the alarm stops. All over a towel? Sheesh!

I didn't want to investigate more of this temperamental place so I resumed my spot between the lady and the skeleton, making sure the lady could always see Dr. Buck and because I didn't want any part of my body being a footstool or head rest. The sighing and awkward staring annoys me, but Dr. Buck doesn't seem to mind. Is he even alive? Does he realize a naked woman has the hots for him?

My biggest concern is if Zera is holding up well and if she needs my help for anything. I suppose if a monster appears in the bathroom, she could grab a machete out of the box and scare it away. I wonder if she looks at the photo on the wall, too. It was interesting and almost familiar.

The lady in the photo.

I turn to the lady beside me. Wow! They're similar! Are they the same person?

"Hello there!" A cheerful, bouncy male voice rings from my right. It's Dr. Buck, the skeleton. Talking to me. Looking dead at me. "She IS the same person! Meet my longtime patient, Martha Bumingstead. Will you be joining our session today, Mister...?"

I close my mouth and lightly stammer. "It looks like I will. I don't have a choice while my friend is in the restroom. Leonardo. My name is Leonardo."

He crosses his bony legs and removes his hat. "I am Doctor Buck, psychiatrist and Head Chef."

Martha leans closer to me and lovingly stares at her doctor. I really wish Zera would hurry!