Mære-ly a Game?

Merrymaking seemed genuine; a few tiny creatures danced and juggled on the table while onlookers clapped and sang. The tea was never-ending, and the laughs filled the sky, but as the party went on and on, that feeling of dread slowly crept over Lilith again. Everyone at the table seemed to have a great time, but as they grew more and more tired, she noticed their smiles failed to fade. They were still forcing themselves to smile, but why? When it looked like no eyes were upon her, Lilith leaned towards the white rabbit and lowly whispered, “Why is everyone’s smile so strained?

The table fell silent all at once. Goosebumps formed on her arms and neck as she realized her mistake with each fear-filled face staring into her. This is a nightmare. Her heart raced as she searched around for a familiar shadow to take form and swallow her whole, but only stopped when she heard Alise burst into sinister laughter. At least, it started as Alise’s voice, then turned into someone else’s. As the strange voice cackled, the marble table began trembling. The creatures sitting there were so terrified it shook the marble.

Alise’s early advice on dreams popped into Lilith’s head. My dread caused this to happen. I expected a nightmare and it manifested. The faceless man isn’t here, so I need to take control and make it a happy dream again. Come on, Lilith, you can make it happen. She stood; I don’t have to be afraid. “Alise, let’s take a walk through the gardens together.” Lilith hadn’t seen evidence of a garden, but it was her dream so she could make one appear, right?

Alise’s laughter subsided, and she leaned into the table, locking her eye with Lilith’s, “Whoooom did you call me?” The voice danced between various pitches.

Lilith’s smile faded slightly; there was something off. Her eyes grew wide—why hadn’t she realized before? Dream Alise’s eye patch was on the wrong eye. Squinting, Lilith was sure she had to be wrong; it couldn’t be what she thought…she focused until there was no doubt. Alise’s right eye was, in fact, a cat’s eye. Who is that? It isn’t Alise… Lilith’s smile had completely vanished as she decided how she wanted to proceed. I need to take control. I don’t want to be afraid in this dream too.

She calmed herself. “Who are you?”

Dream Alise seemed delighted at her inquiry and immediately stood. With a nod of her chin, the stuffed bear to her right slipped out of his chair and prostrated himself before her, creating a stool with his body. Alise stepped on his back, and just as her foot was about to land on the marble, the tabletop magically flipped and all the tableware and treats vanished. The “guests” sat so still they didn’t seem alive. Alise playfully strode the length of the marble, her shoes clacked melodically until her body cast a dark shadow over Lilith, who looked up at her undeterred. Alise smirked at Lilith’s defiant eyes and bent down to have a more intimate chat.

With a mischievous grin, Alise cocked her head and answered, “Call me Cheshire.”

Lilith’s mind whirled. Cheshire, as in Alise’s toy? The confusion was written all over her face.

Cheshire laughed, “Oh, I have been wanting to meet you, Lilith.”

Lilith’s mouth almost dropped aghast as she noticed that Alise’s cat eye had a mouth of its own, and the thin vertical pupil spoke as Alise’s mouth did. It was then that the pupil twisted horizontally to mimic a mouth. As Lilith watched, still visibly disturbed, it smiled at her and spoke.

“Looks like you’ll be my playmate tonight.” The cat pupil and Alise’s mouth moved in unison, but there was only a single voice.

A chill suddenly ran up Lilith’s spine, and she backed away from Cheshire; she wanted to wake up. She thought of the many things Alise had told her of dreams, and as her thoughts raced, Cheshire’s eerie and booming laughter darkened the sky. The entire space seemed to respond to him.

“I can read you like a book, Lilith. You are thinking, ‘How do I escape from this place?’ The answer is, you cannot.” His mouth-pupil spun around in glee. “You are trapped here until I set you free.”

Lilith faced Cheshire, “I don’t believe you; this is only a dream.”

Cheshire’s voice cackled, the sky lit up with silent lightning to the beat of laughter. Only once his laughter subsided did Cheshire’s face become all too serious. “Is it?”

Lilith’s eyes drifted to the side as she thought to herself. I trust Alise; she gave me tea to put me to sleep, not torment me, so this has to be a dream…Her brow furrowed, “I still don’t believe you.”

Lilith’s adamancy was visibly amusing to Cheshire, and in the spirit of entertainment, he slowly lifted his hand into the air just enough to make Lilith wonder what he was doing. Once Lilith’s full attention was on his hand, he snapped his fingers. The sound of his snap reverberated, creating a shockwave, and everything around them broke. The pieces of the world began falling upwards, and the ground under Lilith’s feet became unstable all at once. Just as she lost her balance, a large, beastly hand grasped her waist. Lilith watched as all the terrified toy-like creatures floated into the sky and disappeared into nothingness. The surrounding space was vast and empty. Cheshire floated playfully as though he were out for a leisurely swim while still maintaining an Alise-like appearance. Lilith helplessly watched, still clutched by the purple hand that had emerged from what seemed to be Cheshire’s shadow. The claw pulled Lilith inward, closing the gap between them, and that familiar dread filled Lilith; the overwhelming and oppressive feeling of a presence far larger and stronger. One that would soon consume her, and she was powerless to stop it.

Lilith bit her lip; the pain jarred her away from the fear that almost overtook her mind. “This isn’t real!” She and Cheshire were face to face, so close that the warmth of his breath grazed her cheek.

“Isn’t it, though?,” Cheshire retorted, “Just because it’s not what you know doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Welcome to Dreamland, a place that is very real, and everything here is my domain. Here I am supreme.”

Realizing she wouldn’t get far with her insistence that this was a dream, Lilith changed tactics. “Alright.” Her face became serious. “If this isn’t in my head, then how did I get here?”

Cheshire’s pupil danced at the question. “How indeed! Alise can be such a naaauuughty girl.” Both mouths smiled widely. “Drink anything unuuusual of late?”

Lilith had, but if this was her dream, then anything she knew others would know, right? So Cheshire’s taunting wasn’t enough to convince her of anything. “What if I did?” She dryly stated, challenging Cheshire with her tone.

“Fu fu fu fu,” Cheshire knew she needed proper convincing. “Very well, I’ll show you how serious your predicament truly is, and only once you comprehend where you stand can our game begin. I am so very fond of games.” Cheshire mused to himself. “Hold out your hand. If you believe this is merely a dream, you should have no qualms about doing this much.”

While Lilith believed she was in a dream, she hated being manipulated by anyone, even a figment of her own imagination. However, she relented and held out her hand, if only to prove to herself that she was indeed right.

Cheshire smiled at Lilith’s bravery, or hubris, in offering her hand so willingly. The same purple shadow that held Lilith so firmly manifested around Cheshire’s hand, forming shadowy claws. In a single swift swipe, Cheshire’s sharp aura claw cut through the skin of Lilith’s palm.

“Aah!” Lilith gasped and quickly retracted her hand, nursing it in the safety of her bosom. Blood began dripping, and she quickly tore part of her nightgown to form a tourniquet. Blood, pain…is this really real? In all my nightmares I’ve never felt physical pain…Her gaze shifted from her wounded hand towards a smiling Cheshire.

“I tried to tell you. This is no mere dream.” Cheshire’s tone danced. “While the way into this realm is through dream, Dreamland is as real as you,” he pointed to Lilith and then to himself, “ and me.” A sinister smile formed. “In weak dosages, the special tea you drank ensures a dream to manifest; however, if too potent, it allows a physical body to pass into Dreamland.” Cheshire’s pupil began slowly spinning while his Alise-fashioned body followed in unison. “If you die in Dreamland,” his eye widened excessively large, “you die for real. Isn’t. That. Fun.” Cheshire’s eyebrows peaked with each word.

Beads of sweat moistened Lilith’s brow. This was worse than her nightmares; at least she could wake up from those. Her heart raced and breathing quickened, and just as she felt her body tremble, Cheshire spoke more calmly, as if coaxing a small animal from its hiding place.

“But don’t fear, I won’t break such a wonderful toy that has fallen into my lap.” Then his creepy smile widened. “At least, not yet.”

She could feel goosebumps rise, but refused to let herself fall prey to this foreboding foe.

Get a hold of yourself, Lilith, dream Alise or Cheshire…said he likes games…I might escape yet.

Noticing Lilith’s silent resolve, Cheshire stopped spinning and clasped his hands together. “So, would you like to play with me?”

Lilith’s brow furrowed. “Do I have a choice?”

He laughed, “Not if you wish to leave this place.”

She sighed long and hard; she would be subject to his whims no matter what. “Since I have no choice, let’s get this over with…as long as the games are fair and you don’t cheat.” Her eyes narrowed as she said “cheat”, fully expecting Cheshire to do so.

Cheshire’s laughter danced through the space, “Very well, I swear on Alise herself, I will not cheat.” Cheshire noticed Lilith wasn’t convinced at all, so he tried to reassure her. “Believe it or not, I am being sincere. You see, there is a secret to Dreamland that will shock you. While Dreamland is real, it only manifests and exists while Alise sleeps. Somewhere in this vast dreamscape Alise slumbers, and if you can find her, I will release you.”
Lilith’s mind absorbed Cheshire’s words, but only questions formed. “If Dreamland exists only when Alise sleeps, won’t I wake up when she does?”

Cheshire shook his head, “Your body now exists here. When Alise wakes, you will remain trapped in Dreamland and will disappear to wherever things go when she awakens, never again to walk amongst the waking.” Cheshire’s smile exceeded a normal size. “You’ll have to play my game if you wish to escape before Alise wakes; there is no other way out but through me.” Quite pleased with himself, Cheshire’s head bobbed to an unsung tune in his head. As he watched Lilith contemplate her own predicament, he thought of more to divulge. “Don’t think about calling out to her either, for she cannot hear you—not while she slumbers. You must find her physical form in order for these conditions to be met, and you will only get a single chance at identifying her.
“How do I know you will keep your word?” Lilith asked slightly dejectedly.
“I am a creature of contracts; my word is my bond.” He stated, almost proudly.
“What’s the catch? Will you keep me from finding her? Will you hide her away so that she’s impossible to find?”
Cheshire’s eye smiled, what a quick-witted toy for him to amuse himself with this time. “Not at all, Alise will not be hidden away, and I will not obstruct her from your view. You should be able to find her if you play the game well. As you beat certain challenges, you will get closer and closer to where she rests; all you must do is identify her. If you agree, shake my hand and we'll have a contract.”
Lilith bit the inside of her mouth in frustration, a habit she had developed to help keep her focused in dire situations. Looking into Cheshire’s eerie eye, she resolved to escape this awful place. Slowly reaching out her hand, she stopped to release the breath she had been holding to ask one last question: “And if you break your word, what is the punishment for you?”

“I will never break my word, but if it brings you some peace, if you find that I have lied, I will free you regardless of whether or not you have identified Alise. Sound like a deal?

Lilith grabbed Cheshire’s hand; she had no actual choice. “It’s a deal…”