Come Away, Human Child....(Garland)

[davvi]

Mollie had lost sight of that nice fireman from before, and by now she was really beginning to wish she hadn't. This place was like no other she'd ever seen before, and she hadn't the slightest idea where she should go or who to ask for help. She saw lots of other kids around, but none were familiar, and all seemed very busy, or else sad and afraid. She began to sense that maybe this place wasn't quite as nice as the fireman had thought.

After what seemed like days of walking--passing by a scary-looking twisted fruit orchard--which grew kinds of fruit she'd never seen or imagined--a huge mazelike-structure guarded over by huge horrible black dogs that snapped and growled, and a sandy beach where the water was shocking pink, at last Mollie came to what seemed to be an open-air market of some sort. Lots of stalls peddling things like cloth and beads and shoes and trinkets, and pet bunnies and fresh hot bread, yum! Mollie was so hungry by then she thought she'd dry up and blow away. But she didn't have any of whatever kind of money people used here. So she would have to break a rule, and be very bad. She would have to just take some of the bread. Once she'd found out how to pay for it she'd bring the money. Maybe she could even learn to make the bread herself, and bring a loaf to the standkeeper as an apology.

But first things first, sneakinbg up and snagging a hot steaming roll. So intent was she that little mollie had no idea that her attempts at stealthiness were being watched from not far away.

[Garland Von Clossen]

The mass of boogies and men left a wide berth around one particular boogie. The joyous spirit in the shocking blue eyes had faded to a dull pain, watching out on the crowd. Most had heard of, by now, the story of his nightly escapade. But Garland didn't care. Not one bit... But that wasn't why the people were avoiding him. The boogie had taken up two of his dolls every time he went some place, as to make sure those that thought now would be a great time to kill the old being of evil and be rid of his bizarre ways. Was this true? Who knows, but the unstable man had grown a sense of paranoia after his night time troubles. And so following him at the moment was Abul and Shem, a pair that looked almost human enough. Though those that knew Garland, or at least of him, would know they were far from being alive.

But the lost, empty eyes saw something not seen often in the open market: A small child on their own. Of course, some humans were sent to retrieve items or go on errands for boogies... But when a child was as small and defenseless as this one... Well, the consequences were far from pleasing. Even with his mind mostly somewhere else (a worse different place than is usually was), the boogie didn't like the thought of a small child being whisked away by another being with fowl intentions... And at that moment, he spotted a rather fat boogie lurching it's way toward Mollie. Without a hint of surprise or emotion, Garland raised his left hand, the side Shem was standing on, and twitched his fingers in a complex manner. Shem bolted forward, slipping in between the crowd with ease.

The doll came up to Mollie, just as her small hand was about to clasp the delicious piece of bread from it's spot, which was also the time the fat creature was about to bend down and swoop up the girl for his own needs. In a swift motion, Shem dove and picked up the girl, passing through the grubby boogie's arms and landing on it's feet on the other side. Now, Shem, with a molded human face, was able to smile down at the girl, doing it's best to assure she was going to be alright. Garland's lackluster eyes saw this, and usually a smile would be on his face when he saw that t he child had been safely rescued, but happiness was just too much work for him right now. To help soothe her, hopefully, Shem's other hand came up from cradling Mollie and pointed at Garland, who stood out with the open space surrounding him and Abul.

[davvi]

The surprising thing about humans is how utterly oblivious they can sometimes be, and in this regard Mollie was no exception. She had no idea the fat slimy boogie was watching her; hadn't an inkling of the vile things its twisted mind had concieved to use her for. Neither was she aware of Garland's--or his dolls'--presences, until suddenly she was swooped off her feet and and tumbled under a fat man (she had to assume it was a man; she had never, to her knowledge, encountered a boogie) to come upright on his other side. WHEE!

Giggling, she smiled back at the doll who had grabbed her, holding tight to its neck so as not to fall. She'd never seen a doll move by itself before! Could it talk, or understand her if she did?

"That was fun, Mr. Doll! My name's Mollie! I know it was bad to steal bread, but I don't have any money right now. Oh!"

The doll was indicating a man who stood watching them not too far off. Another doll was by his side. Why did he look so sad?

"Does this stand belong to him? I'm sorry Mr. Bread-Man!," she called to Garland.

[Garland Von Clossen]

Shem would've laughed, if it could've. Though the doll's shoulders did move accordingly to laughter, just without the sound accompanying it. The fatter boogies, his brain inversely proportionate to it's body, was dumbfounded on where it's fun and snack rolled into a convenient flesh package went. Scratching it's greasy haired head, it moved on to search for Mollie, only to walk further and further away. 'Chuckling' at the irony, Shem walked casually through the crowd, slipping between with ease even with his passenger. Upon reaching Garland, the doll picked the girl off it's neck and placed her before the boogie. And in a single fluid motion, he was at it's masters side once more, motionless as Abul.

Garland looked down at the girl, still curious, as he always was, but not expressing it so in his usual manner. "Why hello, dear child," He began, the accent of what humans called British hanging thick with every word, "Have you lost your way?" The eyes slowly looked over the girl, wondering where she came from, aside from the obvious other world answer. It wasn't often that a boogie would drag a human being into Wonderland and thing... just leave them. It was a horrid waste and most likely the human would be claimed by something far more horrible. And those were the unlucky few who remained alive in this realm. "It's rather dangerous to be out here alone, sweet child. You almost got taken away and ended your life in a most unnatural way." Garland's tone was nearly monotonous and slow, as if speaking required more effort. Bah... Socializing was difficult when traumatizing thoughts danced about the brain.