Joseph regains consciousness in a completely different world. Attempting to turn over on his side, Joseph opens his eyes just in time to keep from falling out of an enormous tree. He quickly wraps both legs around the massive limb his body is sprawled across. With one hand, he grips the tree, while surveying the surrounding area.

  Darkness as far as the eye can see. No creatures call in the night, no crisp rustling of leaves, and not even the whisper of a soft breeze. Everything is quiet. Too quiet.

  Joseph gauges his distance from the ground, and then makes his way down from the tree. The entire time, he listens for the usual nighttime sounds. He also listens closely for other sounds which might prove more threatening.

  On solid ground again, Joseph brushes himself off. He stares into the unbroken veil of darkness. With a heavy sigh, Joseph decides to simply put one foot in front of the other. Where he will end up, is anyone's guess. Better than standng around like an idiot, or staying up in that tree. Several long strides from the tree, a shrill chirping reaches Joseph's ears.

  Joseph angles his head in the direction where the sound originated. The next time he hears the chirping sound, it is directly above his head, accompanied by other similar chirping sounds. Not like a bird. More like a-.

  Joseph's eyes narrow and his shoulders slump. Please, don't be want he hopes it is not. Bats.

  The first giant bat swoops in and brushes past Joseph, jarring him with its massive size. Joseph groans and pulls both arms into his long sleeve shirt. Pulling the top hole over his head, Joseph begins to run. Bats can have rabies. Hell no. He is not getting bitten by any dog-sized rabid bat. Rabies is a horrible way to die.

  Joseph's attempt to flee draws the attention of many more bats. They swarm in the darkness above him, their wings fluttering loudly, and their bodies churning in the air like a minor hurricane. Joseph is unable to see the swarm of bats, but he can hear them. His blood runs cold and he picks up speed.

  The bats collectively decide to follow his retreat, many of them banking from the group and curving behind the fleeing man. Joseph notices the frenzied increase in sonar clicks and rolls his eyes. Why today? Why did Carrie have to need the car today? He could be at her place playing Battleship or Monopoly with Lil Brian. Instead, he has found himself running fearfully from a swarm of giant bats he can hear but not see. The worst kind. Damn.

  Joseph hurries forward, using the top hole of his shirt to look out upon the darkened landscape. He is unable to see more than a foot in front of him. The darkness around Joseph is so utterly complete. The giant bats bump and jostle him, seemingly interested with causing him little more than an inconvenience--and stirring fear in his heart. Joseph distracts himself from the noisy bat horde by thinking of better times.

  If he were really honest about his fantasies, he'd rather be sharing a bed with the love of his life. Carrie is a good enough woman. But she isn't Mia. Today's events have given him hope that they will reconcile. Mia's innocent little question has broken through his armor of casual indifference.

  Yes, he does care that they are no longer together. Dammit, he is sure as hell sorry that he slept with her best friend...And continues to do so. No, he shouldn't have gotten drunk and made the suggestion in the first place. Even to have joked in such a way was in bad taste. But to actually do it? Oh man.

  How would he have liked it if Mia had slept with his best homeboy Matt? Hell, he would have broken Matt over his right knee. No way that sucker would have made it out of his house still breathing. Damn.

  Joseph is so absorbed in his night daydreaming that he doesn't notice when the shrill sonar chirps lessen, and then cease. Racing half-blind into an empty field, Joseph sweeps his head from right to left, expecting to be jostled again. Nothing.

  Pulling his arms back through the sleeves of his shirt, Joseph searches the darkness for signs of trouble. Only when he is sure the coast is clear does he pull his head out of his shirt.

  "Yes. I lost those dang bats. Good riddance. Giant bats. Exactly what I didn't need."

  A tiny flicker of purple light appears on the horizon. Joseph squints in order to see what it could be. At this distance, he cannot be sure. However, he is certain he can make out the shape of a small house or cottage. People. Someone who can help. Maybe. His and Mia's last attempt to solicit aid hadn't gone over so well. He'd better be careful. Joseph cautiously makes his way towards the purple light, wishing he has thought to grab a limb from the tree to use as a weapon.

  ====================================

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  Joseph approaches the small purple cottage with extreme caution. A faint purple light glows from within, filtering out into the night via four tiny windows. Joseph is able to make out a solitary shape inside. Whoever is inside the cottage is seated in front of a large fireplace; their back to him. A fire composed of purple flames burns in the chimney, the aroma from the fire's smoke sweet like a soft perfume.

  Pushing aside his fear, and basic common sense, Joseph tries the doorknob. Surprisingly, the door is unlocked. Curiosity gets the better of Joseph and he pushes open the front door, knocking on it with the knuckles of one hand.

  "Hello. I hate to bother you. I saw your fire and..."

  Joseph's eyes widen as the cottage's occupant turns in his direction. The ringmaster stands to her full height and strides in his direction. Joseph retreats, but finds the doorway is no longer there. Hell, the door is no longer there.

  "You?!"

  "Yes...Me. I've been waiting for you, Joseph. What took you so long? Get stuck up in a tree?" the ringmaster says in a husky whisper.

  Joseph stares at the smartly dressed woman with confusion. How can someone so beautiful be so obviously devious? It just doesn't make sense.

  "How do you know my name?" Joseph inquires, looking for anything to distract himself from the crude thoughts pushing their way into his mind.

  "I know a lot about you, Joseph Yearling," the ringmaster says. "Way more...Than I am sure you'd be comfortable with."

  The ringmaster comes to stand directly in front of Joseph. She stares into his brown eyes with orbs of brilliant green. Joseph blinks rapidly, struggling to clear his head. The aroma he had believed to be a perfumey smoke is on this eerily beautiful woman too. Perhaps because she was so close to the fireplace. Or maybe not.

  Joseph purposely inhales another breath full of air. The sweet aroma is stronger now that the woman in purple stands so close to him. A smell like incense burning, the scent soft and intoxicating.

  "Where is Mia?" Joseph asks, finally regaining some measure of clarity.

  "Oh...She's around," the ringmaster replies cryptically.

  She reaches forward and toys with the collar of Joseph's shirt. When she is done toying, she pretends to straighten his collar, tugging at the material with her black, painted fingertips. Patting the neckline of Joseph's shirt, she locks eyes with him again.

  "She's with a dear friend of mine. You'll see her soon. But first, I think we should sit down. I was preparing to have tea. I'll explain everything to you over a cup. Please join me by the fireplace."

  Joseph looks the mysterious woman over from head to toe. Regretfully, liking what he sees. A lot.

  "Sure. Okay. But I don't like being manhandled. You've got a lot of explaining to do. I'm late for a visit with my son. I don't spend enough time with him as it is. To say I'm pissed would be the understatement of the year."

  "Oh dear," the ringmaster says, a coy smile turning up the corners of her painted lips.

  "Then...I hope I can make it up to you."

  Something about the woman's statement feels wrong. But right at the same time. Joseph offers her a thin smile.

  "Maybe you can."

  ====================================

  Darkness is settling over the landscape when Mia comes to the edge of the sunflower field. Several meters ahead, a wooden fence surrounds what looks like a tiny purple inn. Words and symbols Mia does not recognize are scrawled across a handmade sign on the inn's front.

  Mia makes her way toward the inn. Her feet hurt, her head hurts, and her stomach is growling something fierce. The few handfuls of sunflower seeds she'd scarfed down did absolutely nothing for her hunger. And their taste had left much to be desired. Maybe whoever runs this inn will provide her with a decent meal. She can smell food aromas wafting from inside, and her mouth has started to water.

  Climbing the tiny steps, Mia knocks on the door to the inn. Moments later, a tiny white rabbit wearing a purple dress--covered by an equally purple apron--opens the door. Mia looks down at the creature with puzzlement. Huh?

  "Uh...Hello," Mia says. "I saw the light from your inn and smelled your delicious...Food. May I come in? I've been traveling all day and I'm very tired."

  The tiny female rabbit blinks twice and then nods. She moves out of the doorway and gestures for Mia to enter.

  "Of course," the rabbit says in a polite voice. "You are welcome at the Ringmaster's Inn."

  Mia's eyes widen and she scowls at the tiny rabbit.

  "The 'What' Inn?" Mia questions.

  "The Ringmaster's Inn," the rabbit repeats with a chuckle. "Didn't you read the sign?"

  "Uh...I tried. Sadly, I can't read rabbit."

  "Oh. Well, that's okay. Stay here long enough, you will come to understand all of our languages."

  The tiny rabbit hops away from the doorway, leading Mia further into the inn. Mia follows at a slow pace, her stomach growling louder than before. Entering the kitchen, Mia is greeted by two more rabbits. Each an exact replica of the rabbit who met her at the door.

  "A visitor!" they whisper in unison. "Please come and eat."

  Mia looks at the buffet of delicious foods set upon the table and sighs. She hadn't realized how hungry she was until just this moment. Sitting down at the offered seat, Mia waits to be served.

  The three rabbits rush around, asking her questions and dishing out portions of food. Mia grins through it all. Whatever kind of dream this is, she hopes she doesn't wake from it soon. She is actually enjoying herself.

  Mia's attention is drawn from the rabbit trio when an attractive man, dressed in purple, enters the dining room. The man catches Mia's eye and smiles, his white teeth gleaming in the light. He tips his purple hat in Mia's direction.

  "Oh. I do apologize," the man says in a polite voice. "I didn't realize you had another guest, Madam Rabbits."

  Mia stares dumbfounded at the new arrival. Has a prettier man ever existed?

  To be continued................