Chapter 2

Damn it, damn it, damn! Why the hell did I even come here? How did I end up as some fairytale protagonist chasing a black rabbit and filming a horror movie?!

“Kkkkkhaaaaaa! You run good~ This feels like a fun game of tag!”

The chilling voice of Elise nearby made my heart feel like it was about to stop. What the hell is going on with this world!!! I ran for my life – if that psycho catches me, I’ll definitely get squashed and riddled with holes like Trump Soldier.

“Haaak, haaak!”

Damn it, I should’ve exercised more! Already out of breath with aching legs, I squeezed my eyes shut, praying Elise wouldn’t spot me. At least we’re not in an open field.

Giant bushes taller than adults provided excellent cover from Elise’s view.

Sssshhh!

But they couldn’t hide the sound. Running through the bushes inevitably made noise – and so did Elise behind me. The rustling grew closer.

What to do? My lungs screamed for rest while sweat poured down my forehead. If I keep running, I’m 100% getting caught. There’s only one option left.

I gradually slowed down and flattened myself on the ground. It’s the only way – praying she passes without noticing me instead of leading her straight to my location with all this noise.

Thump thump

My heart pounded like someone setting off a time bomb inside me.

“Kkkkhaaaa~ Where are you~ our black reaper~?”

She’s right nearby. Her creepy yet gentle voice echoed close by.

Thump thump.

Rustle. The bush next to me violently moved. Startled, I almost screamed but quickly clamped my hand over my mouth.

“Kkkkhaaaa! So now we’re playing hide-and-seek instead of tag?”

Plunk plunk. I swallowed hard. Every second felt like an hour. Through the thick bushes, I saw her blood-stained shoes.

Please go! Please!!

Crash!

“!!!!”

I nearly screamed. Right in front of me, Elise’s staff slammed down, barely missing me. My whole body trembled uncontrollably. Slowly, against my will, my eyes opened slightly.

“This is strange… I thought I sensed you nearby…”

Elise leaned against her staff, tilting her head. If she moves just a bit to the side, she’d see me. Her cheerful laugh echoed as she scanned the area with crazed eyes.

“Hmm~ where could you be hiding? Don’t let me see your hair~”

Plunk plunk plunk. She’s gone. I watched her disappear into the bushes. But I couldn’t move, fearing she’d return laughing maniacally.

How much time passed? When no sounds came anymore, I finally exhaled.

“Phew!”

Carefully looking around, I slowly stood up, still listening for any sign of Elise.

“I, I survived.”

Thinking about what kind of place this was, it seemed like a warm fairytale at first glance – talking animals and crazy Elise. But it was truly a land of madness and horror.

Something must be seriously wrong with this world. To escape, I need to find that damn black rabbit who lured me here. Since he can travel between worlds, he must know how to get back to reality.

But the rabbit has vanished. All I can do is walk silently in the direction he disappeared.

Damn it. I shouldn’t have followed that rabbit. I should’ve just gone home. What was I thinking falling into this dangerous world out of mere curiosity? And why does psycho Elise seem fixated on me?

My head already hurts thinking about it.

If only I could turn back time…

Suddenly, something jumped out in front of me. I flinched but relaxed when I realized it wasn’t Elise.

It was a Trump Soldier. A white card soldier with red hearts carried a heart-shaped spear. And he wasn’t alone – more soldiers kept appearing.

“Hm? Who are you? How dare you block our path!”

The Trump Soldier glared at me suspiciously, pointing his spear. Seriously, why is everyone attacking me?! I wanted to yell but feared arrest, so I forced a smile.

“I’m just a passerby.”

“Hmm, suspicious appearance.”

“What’s happening ahead?”

From behind the soldiers came a deep feminine voice. I peeked over their heads to see a gaudy throne carried by struggling Trump Soldiers.

On the throne sat the Heart Queen. Literally, she had an enormous heart-shaped head larger than her body. With pale makeup and bright red lipstick, she looked genuinely terrifying up close.

One soldier rushed to report.

“T-that strange boy suddenly appeared!”

“Boy? Hoo.”

An ominous chill ran down my spine. The queen eyed me hungrily.

“Such a cute boy. Perfect for my tastes. Meeting you while heading to capture Elise is lucky. Guards, bring him to me immediately!”

“W-wait, why is this happening?!”

Too late. The soldiers surrounded me, blocking all escape routes. They charged forward with spears, capturing me and forcing me to kneel before the queen’s throne.

The soldiers pressed down on my shoulders while the queen looked down smugly. Up close, her head seemed even bigger – like it would crush her if she fell.

“Bizarre boy, consider yourself honored! I, the Heart Queen, shall bestow great favor upon you!”

The soldiers cheered, banging their spears on the ground.

“Favor! Favor! Lovely Heart Queen’s favor!”

This looks like a musical scene. The queen continued ominously.

“Tonight especially! You shall share my bed and learn true pleasure.”

“Aaaaah! Absolutely not!”

I shouted without thinking. How could I not?! Her words gave me goosebumps and chills just imagining sharing a bed with that giant head.

“!”

The soldiers gasped dramatically, staring fearfully at the queen. Some trembled or bit their fists nervously.

“Dare you defy ME?!”

The queen’s perfectly white face turned beet red. Oh no. She’s the execution-happy queen from the original story and I just angered her.

“Execute him! Cut off that insolent brat’s head!!!”

“No, wait! I misspoke! It was a mistake!”

“Silence! How dare you insult me! No forgiveness! What are you standing around for! Cut off that insolent boy’s head immediately!”

“Y-yes, my queen!”

The queen roared as the moustache-wearing captain drew his sword.

“W-wait! Just a moment! This isn’t right!!!”

“For insulting the queen, pay with your life!”

The captain raised his sword high in the sunlight. Watching the gleaming blade made my blood run cold.

I’m dying. Really dying here?

The blade hesitated. Once it falls, I’m done. Think! Find the best solution to escape this situation. Use your brain if you don’t want to die pointlessly!

I squeezed my eyes shut and screamed with all my might.

“ELISE!!!!! I’M HERE!!!!!”