Let Me Hear Your Madness

◇Chapter 2: I Wake Up in an Upside-Down World◇

I mumbled in my sleep as I felt something light like a butterfly landed on my arm. I slowly moved my head to my left arm, my eyes slowly fluttering open. What they were met with made me question everything, though. In front of me was a purple toad. Pastel pink spots speckled over its skin, and its legs were those of a butterfly, but they had more joints, which could be seen. I blinked multiple times. This... This has to be a dream, right?

The toad stared at me with its wide, beady eyes, as if he were trying to read my mind. Or he was just trying to read my soul so he could steal it. you know, one or the other. I screamed and jumped back, but the moment I did that, I instantly regretted it. My throat felt dry and rough as if I had swallowed sandpaper. My body ached and stung. I slowly looked down to inspect myself. My legs were scratched and covered with red from both the injuries and the blood that had flowed through them. Other parts of my legs were purple where bruises were roughly forming. My socks and skirt had become torn, and my shoes were covered in mud and had scratches so that their initial shine was now gone. I bit my lip and began to touch my collar when I noticed something strange. There was a warm sweater draped over my shoulders. I inhaled, trying to calm my nerves, but the scent the jacket held finally made its presence known. It wasn't overwhelming, but subtle and subdued, instead. I closed my eyes, slowly hanging my head back. It... It smells like lavender... and the smell of a waterfall making contact with the water it falls into.

I couldn't help but feel a smile edge onto my lips as I felt my body finally lose the tension that had been tangled in my limbs and muscles. I could hear the faint sound of birds (or maybe monkeys?) echoing through the trees, and, if I listened close enough, then I could hear a run flowing in the nearby distance.

"Huh, I didn't realize the Princess could smile," a familiar voice chuckled. I jumped back.

"Oh no, not you again!" I yelped. I looked up to find a familiar pair of violet eyes, but they had a different glow to them. They were no longer lingering in malice, but they seemed to glisten with playfulness and delight. His large grin twisted into a pout as he turned his head away.

"Oh, you don't have to be so mean! I was off, getting you some food and water, and this is the welcome home that I get?" I blinked in pure surprise.

"Are... Are you a twin of the man who threw me into this world?" I finally asked, nibbling uncontrollably on my bottom lip. He looked at me peculiarly.

"Oh.. I guess that you still don't really know too much about me..." He sighed, looking down and hiding lightly behind his opaque bangs. He was silent until he slowly stood up, reaching his hand down to me. "I know that you don't have any reason to trust me, especially with how I brought you here. But, I promise that if you come with me and try to understand, I will explain everything I can to the best of my ability." I looked up at him.

Am I crazy? I asked myself as I finally looked around to examine my surroundings. The trees seemed so strange, with their yellow trunks and blue leaves. A few of them actually had eyes that seemed to be landing straight on me, causing me to squirm a little under their gaze. At this point, yes, yes I am. I sighed and shrugged, which caused me to wince in pain.

"Okay, okay," I sighed, slowly looking up at him. "I guess I don't really have a choice now, do I?" His eyes lit up happily.

"Wait, really?" he squealed childishly, looking at me with excitement. I cracked a slight smile at his enthusiastic attitude

"I mean... I don't really have any other options." I looked down a little, biting my lip and feeling my face burn up a little. "But, uh..." I turned my head completely away from him. "I can't really walk. It causes too much pain." Without any warning, I was swept into Chad's arm. I felt my face warm up even more so.