A Wonder Wrought Novel: The Curiosity Tribulation - Second book

Chapter 5

*Alice*

Sometimes I look around me and can't help but think it's all a dream. To my left is the comical Tyson, and stalking on my right is our new friend, Ches. A big kitty indeed, but I think there's more beauty to the beast than meets the eye. In fact, it was this spiritual belief that made me trust the beast when it appeared in the forest.

 I was alone and Tyson had just left to take a pee when I saw the Evanesce's fur materializing through the trees. At first I just tried to find some kind of defense, but when he finally showed himself I lost all feelings of fear. Then just as the big cat had fully gained my trust, Tyson ran in and attacked him. I'm glad Tyson didn't do too much harm to the cat, especially since we need all the help we can get. But the events from yesterday lie far behind us as we trek to. . . actually I have no idea where we're going.

"Umm, Ches, where are we going exactly?," I ask the big cat.

He turns his monstrous head towards me and says," Oh, right I forgot to say, but we're heading to my home. . .need to clear some things up if we fully intend to stop the Queen."

Tyson skids to a halt in the path and pulls me to the side," Alice, I think we're being led to a trap. Should we really be trusting Tony the Tiger over here?"

I start to interject but Ches calls over his bristled shoulders and says to us," You know I can hear you, right? I may not have a tail, but I still have phenomenal hearing. Now if you don't trust me. . .well you can go save your brother yourself, boy." 

Ches continues to saunter down the trail while I pull Tyson behind me in stride with the cat, " Come on, if you can't trust him, trust me. Okay? Now come on, we've got a twin to save."

-

While we walk, I watch  the sky around us undergo the transformation from bright phoenix orange to  cool peacock blue as night begins to set in. The forest around us is alive with the chatter of several faceless creatures, some of which I never hope to meet. We've been journeying to Ches' den without rest for about six hours, and the proof is starting to show on our exhausted faces. 

We've passed hundreds of trees, all unique with their roots and limbs. I'm the only one of the three of us who seems to appreciate the nature surrounding us, but I know it's because everyone is exhausted. As if to prove my point further, Tyson suddenly collapses mid step and face plants into the leaf ridden forest floor. Ches and I stop and wait for Tyson to recover himself, but we are stuck gazing for eons until we realize Tyson does not plan on carrying on. Without any form of communication, Ches maneuvers Tyson's limp body onto his own and goes back to walking ahead. I take a quick break before following his trail.

About twenty minutes later, Ches stops and deposits Tyson's exhausted body to the ground before walking off again. I walk up to Tyson and watch as Ches leaves us in his shadow. "Hey, you can't just leave us here after everything!," I shout after the cat's receding form.

"Who said anyone was leaving anybody? I was simply giving my back a break, your friend is quite heavy. And anyways, we're here. So wake him up and hurry up, there's bigger things than me to worry about," Ches shouts back to me. I take a complete look around me before pulling Tyson to his feet and waking him from his sleep. 

Tyson's eyes open slowly like a clan of cautious clams, and he jumps out from within my arms. He quickly spins around before looking back to me, " Where's the cat? And more importantly, where are we?"

I attempt to calm Tyson and clasp his shoulder, " We're here, we made it. As for Ches, he's up ahead cause he got tired of carrying you. But come on, we need to go before we run into some bigger problems."

Tyson and I follow the big cat's tracks to a large clearing with several large Lion King like rocks, each supporting its own Evanesce. I try to find Ches among the rocks and finally spot him in the center of the area. We start to head towards him but are haltered when an Evanesce, much larger than Ches, leaps into our path and prowls towards us. 

Because running was about the worst option we had, I instead opted to calling for Ches in hopes that he could ward off the large cat. "Ches, we need some assistance over here! I think your cousin is about to tear us a new one. . .and when I say new one I mean a new gullet."

Tyson starts to turn, as if he's planning on running and I do all but scream at him to stop. Thankfully, Ches soon comes to our rescue and reasons with the large Evanesce. Once the larger cat skulks towards a nearby rock, Ches leads us to a cave I hadn't noticed before. Resting under one of the larger protruding boulders, we are lead to a surprisingly well lit cave. 

Inside we are confronted with several furry faces, each slightly sagging from the bone. There are Evanesce of all ages, even puppy sized cubs that flicker in and out with the crowd. I watch in awe as the group all but grovels at Ches' every word as he gives a speech detailing the day's events. Ches ends his speech with a heartwarming welcome to Tyson and I, and in return I pull out the hidden blade from my waist and present it to Ches. Ches takes the blade within his jaws and gives a bow that is then mimicked a hundred times over by the the grouped cats. Then one after another the group dissipates from the cave, leaving me alone with Ches and Tyson. 

Now with only us three left, Ches turns to me and attempts to return the blade. "Wait, this is a gift. . .a representation of my appreciation and trust. Please, keep it," I say while pushing away the blade.

"Listen, girl, I appreciate the thought. . .but we both know that you will need this blade if you plan to save your friend," Ches says before dropping the blade at my feet. I go to pick it up but jump back as Ches' massive paw slams down onto the blade. 

Tyson shouts with confusion, " Hey, what's the big idea bro. . .I thought you were giving it back to 'er?"

Ches removes his paw and looks back up to me, concern in his eyes, "Where did you get this dagger, Alice?'

I reach down and grab the blade's hilt before replying, " I was rescued by this guy and he gave it to me. . .right before he ran off to battle some Evanesce."

Ches starts to pace in the empty cave, causing a eerie rustling echo to sound all around us. He stops, only to slump onto the cave's hard floor. After slumping down with a hefty sigh, Ches says, " Do you have any idea whose dagger you hold? Of course you don't, well no matter we now have another issue on our hands."

I rotate the blade in my hands and look up to the big cat's face and ask him with a worry tinged voice, "Whose blade is this , Ches?"

He walks over to me and traces a single claw down the blade's side before answering my question, "Well, that there dagger belongs to none other than the Red Queen's son, Matthias."