User blog:Cartoonprincess/Somnium: Chapter 2 The Middle of Imagination

''' NOTE : This chapter is a little bizarre. Keep in mind while reading it that my name is in fact, Cartoonprincess. Song lyric credits go to the amazing musical genius that is Joe Raposo. Enjoy! :)'''



The Middle of Imagination

Isabel awoke to a gentle breeze. Sweet smells of spring filled her senses. Birds chirped faintly in the background. She opened her eyes. It was pure daylight. The breeze blew once more as she sat up and looked around. Clouds were rolling in the bright blue skies. It was warm, but it wasn’t a harsh heat. Somehow, she wasn’t blinded by the sunlight. All she could see for miles were trails along patches of green with scattered trees all around. In the center of it all was a large, majestic Weeping Willow tree. As Isabel took in all the scenery, she took a deep breath of fresh air. Never in her entire life had she ever felt so calm, soothed and relaxed. It shocked her.

           All of a sudden, Isabel felt someone chuckle behind her. “Welcome home, at last!” the voice said.

           Isabel’s eyes widened. An uneasy feeling filled the pit of her stomach as she suddenly recognized the tone of her voice. She slowly turned around to see a young teenaged girl with piercing pink eyes and long, chestnut brown waves of hair cascading from her scalp down to her shoulders. The appearance was unmistakable.

           “S-Sydney..?” she stuttered as she tried to find her breath.

           Sydney smirked, “Duh!” She crossed her arms in her arms in her signature fashion.

           “I-I can’t believe it’s actually you…how did..? Where am I?” Isabel stood up and blinked a couple times in confusion and amazement.

           “You’re in your happy place!” Sydney smiled brightly. “It also doubles as Looney Tune Land.”

<span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           Isabel looked curiously at her. Even though everything she was saying sounded vaguely familiar, it was as if she wasn’t used to hearing her own thoughts being spoken by someone else.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           “Looney Tu-”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           “Ha, well actually, it’s not just Looney Tune Land, it’s also where the dudes from Regular Show live and hang out. The park has many uses.”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           Just then, a 6-foot-tall blue jay and a wide-eyed raccoon came strolling down the trail.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           Sydney giggled, “Oh, hey Mordecai! Hey, Rigby!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           “Hey, Sydney!” The two greeted simultaneously.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           “Oh…hey, Izzy!” Mordecai smiled softly.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           “Yeah, hey Izzy!” Rigby chimed in enthusiastically.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           At that moment, Isabel felt her eyes pop out of her head.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           She staggered for her breath, “Th-That was…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           Sydney chuckled lightly, “Mordecai and Rigby, yes.”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           “And…and they even used my cute, imaginary nickname!!!” Isabel squealed.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">            “Ha-ha, you’re so adorable, Izzy!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           “So…like, all my Cartoon Pals…they all live here!?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           Sydney nodded, “Yep, and you live in the cottage right down there, in the countryside.”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           Isabel looked over, “Cottag-and all of them are here!?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           Sydney smiled, “Mhm.”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           “So…Finn?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           “Yes,”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           “Timmy?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           “Yes,”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           “Arnold?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           “Yes,”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           “BLOO!?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           “Oh-ho, yeah!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh…my…god…” Isabel’s eye began to twitch as she let out a high pitched giggle that quickly turned into hysterical, psychotic laughter.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sydney just stood there awkwardly witnessing her moment with a concerned, slightly scared look on her face. “Here, have some apple crumb pie!” She offered nervously.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isabel’s face brightened, “Holy crap, how did you know I was craving apple crumb pie!?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Heh, well I just got it from the store of all your favorite foods, over there. There’s also a Mongolian BBQ if you wanted to try…Izzy?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In an instant, Isabel fled and she took the pie with her. Sydney could hear her overjoyed shrieks in the distance.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           Isabel spent the rest of the day frolicking with her Cartoon Pals and having the time of her life. There was a buffet and a picnic, among other incentives. Saturday in the Park by Chicago was playing in the background. By the end of the day, she had hoarded all the food from the store.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sydney had spied on her like a hawk all day, from behind the Weeping Willow tree. Finally, as the sun was setting, she got a hold of her.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">She motioned from behind the tree, “Psst! Izzy, get your butt over here!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">With a huge grin on her face, Isabel quickly scurried up the trail to meet with her. When she finally made it to the top, sweat was rolling down her forehead. It gave her face a shimmering glow that truly reflected her infantile joy.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Meanwhile, Sydney tried her best to remain calm. She played it cool and collected, so as to not worry or distress Isabel. “Soooo, what do you think? How do you like it here?” She asked eagerly.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isabel’s eyes lit up, “Oh, it’s even more wonderful and amazing than I ever could have imagined…” She dreamily replied.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Actually, this is exactly how you imagined it…” Sydney pointed out matter-of-factly. She then smiled nervously. “..You should sit down.” She motioned to a rock under the tree.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isabel gasped, “This is the tree I always daydream I go to when I’m feeling sad, where all my Cartoon Pals go to comfort me!” She smiled widely as she sat down.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“That is correct!” Sydney said half-heartedly. She smiled weakly, trying to hide her concern. “Would you like some green tea?” She offered.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isabel’s eyes brightened, “Oooh, yes please!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sydney carefully handed her a steaming mug. Isabel slowly sipped it, taking in the warm sweetness. Once again, she was feeling as relaxed as she did when she had first woken up.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sydney anxiously chewed her lip, deciding how she wanted to start. “So, you’re probably wondering how you got here…” She began.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah…” Isabel said softly, her voice trailing off. It had suddenly dawned on her how bizarre and unusual this day had really been. “…Yeah, how did I get here?” She asked with a confused look on her face.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, if you can remember far back enough, you were in bed and you were breathing really deeply and rhythmically, and before you were aware of it, you were in your fantasy world…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Just by breathing..? But…that seems so simple…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“It wasn’t just the breathing; seriously, when was the last time you really relaxed and focused your mind, like that?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isabel thought to herself for a second, “I guess, never…” She admitted.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“The truth is, anyone can go to their fantasy world, at any time…have you ever stared at an object for a long period of time, and then after a while, you start to forget who and where you are?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isabel nodded seriously.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, if you let yourself surrender to that, you can get to her fantasy world. This generally tends to happen at night, when people are more relaxed.”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Does this mean that when I dream at night, I’m in my fantasy world?” Isabel asked, her eyes blinking with interest.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, not exactly. Night-dreaming takes place in the halfway point between reality and fantasy, where you still have partial control, but so does your mind, and depending on how close you are to the fantasy side, the dreams become more vivid and out there…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isabel was completely mesmerized by her words. Somehow, everything she was saying made perfect sense. “Wow, that’s incredible…so cool!” Isabel said with a fascinated twinkle in her eye.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sydney nodded with a half-smile and continued, “But night-dreams are basically just your mind spitting out random crap; daydreams are the ones that are really important. When you daydream, you continue to expand your fantasy world by creating new characters, places and situations; what sets it apart from reality is the fact that you create it. That’s why it’s so dangerous to daydream about real people.”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isabel tilted her head curiously, “Doesn’t everybody do that?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sydney chuckled, “Well, yes, to a certain extent, but the situations are usually so wild and out there that it would be nearly impossible for them to become a reality. However, ever since you joined…” Sydney cringed and shuddered, “that website…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“The wiki!?” Isabel’s face once again, lit up.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sydney was slightly annoyed, “Yes. And ever since you met your little…friends…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“My wiki buddies!?” Isabel smiled excitedly.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“YES, would you let me finish!?!?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Sorry,” Isabel bowed her head a little.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sydney groaned, “Anyway, ever since then, all of your daydreams have become almost exclusively about them, and not only has this made you completely forget and abandon me, and has altered the natural growth of your fantasy world,” Sydney was getting exasperated, “BUT all your daydreams have been nearly spot-on to what would happen in real life, if put under those circumstances; DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS!?!?” At this point, Sydney was in Isabel’s face. Isabel fearfully nodded her head no.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Suddenly, Sydney began laughing hysterically, which made Isabel slightly nervous. After a few minutes, she calmed down, “Oh, I’m sorry, I went a little crazy there!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Little bit,” Isabel nodded with a nervous smile.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sydney took a deep breath, “Whoo, okay! Anyway, it means that your fantasies have the potential to become your reality…now, I know that sounds great, but it’s REALLY not…” Sydney laughed a bit more as her eye twitched.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isabel looked slightly scared, “Um…okay.”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">There was a brief silence before Sydney spoke again,” So…you may have noticed that aside from the episode I just had, I’ve been acting a bit more mellow than usual.” Sydney slumped in her seat with a melancholy look on her face.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isabel nodded in agreement, “Yeah, you were beginning to sound like my psychology textbook, earlier.” She chuckled.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sydney stomped her foot loudly on the ground. Faint moaning sounds were coming from underneath.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You know what that sound is?” She asked.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isabel nodded her head no.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Those are all the characters and alter egos you’ve created that are based on yourself…they’re all dying. Once you set foot in your fantasy world, you sucked all the personality out of them. You’re essentially taking their place.” Sydney looked sad and weak. “It’s starting to happen to me, too. The only reason I’ve survived up until this point is because I’m technically a part of you,” Suddenly, Sydney grabbed Isabel’s shoulder with a desperate look on her face, “You do know I’m a part of you, right?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Of course,” Isabel said. “I created you.”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Good,” Sydney sighed in relief, “Always remember that.”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Another brief but freaky moment of silence passed by.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Okay, well, this has been fun, but I think I’d better go home, now.” Isabel chuckled softly.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sydney chuckled nervously, “You can’t go home…” She rubbed her neck awkwardly.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isabel looked confused, “Wh-What do you mean?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well…” Sydney squeaked, “You kind of don’t exist, anymore.” She muttered softly.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What!?” Isabel was now officially snapped out of her dazed bliss.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, you know how I mentioned earlier that you surrendered to your fantasy world, and you completely forgot who and where you were?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, at that point, you sort of lost your identity and…long story short, you don’t exist in the real world, anymore.” Sydney sipped her tea awkwardly.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“WHAT!?” Isabel was about to yell, but then thought for a moment. “Wait a minute, why would I want to leave? Today, for the first time in my life, I didn’t feel like an unpopular, socially awkward loser. Here, I can have power over everything and everybody and literally be the princess of CARTOONS!!!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sydney continued to chuckle nervously, “Oh yeah, there is one other thing I forgot to mention…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isabel fell dead silent.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sydney mumbled under her breath, “You have no control over your own mind, anymore.”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isabel’s eyes bugged out in total shock.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You see, the deeper you get into your fantasy world, the less control you have over it…it basically has a mind of its own, right now…” She began to mumble again, “and something else could potentially take it over…” She cleared her throat, realizing she was getting ahead of herself.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isabel glared with her mouth agape in both disbelief and annoyance. “Then, what exactly is the purpose of my existence here?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sydney took her hand, “Right now, all you have is your personality; I would keep it somewhere safe, if I were you.”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isabel yanked her hand away, “You must be joking, there’s got to be some way out of here!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Well, you see, getting here is relatively easy, but getting out is a rather complex procedure…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Wait! So, you’re saying there’s a way out!?” Isabel’s eyes widened in excitement.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, but it requires performing many tasks and challenges, as well as overcoming obstacles, admitting your faults, facing your fears, blah, blah, blah…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, you’re going to tell me that blah, blah, blah…” Isabel whispered sinisterly as she got closer.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sensing that Isabel was about to hit her, Sydney needed to think fast. “Wait!” She said frantically. “Remember what you were saying before? You don’t want to leave. Every daydream you’ve ever had is in here. This is exactly what you wanted. Sure, you might not have control over everything anymore, but it does make things more spontaneous…and I know you like spontaneous…” Upon hearing those words, Isabel began to calm down and loosened her grip. “Hmmmm, that’s true.” She admitted.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sydney was on a roll, but she needed to finish it off. “Listen Izzy, I know all your life you’ve longed for adventure, and now you’ve finally been given the chance to live out your dreams by doing just that. You couldn’t possibly want to miss out on an opportunity like this.”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isabel skeptically thought it over, and gave careful consideration to what Sydney had said. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” She said finally.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Good,” Sydney said, “Now get some rest.” She motioned to the cottage she had pointed out earlier.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Without a word, Isabel gathered herself up the hill into the cottage. Inside was a cozy, humble abode with a homey feel and look to it. Tchaikovsky music was playing in the background. Isabel was too tired to look around, and eventually made it upstairs to a room with a canopy bed. She was shocked to see that her beloved blue, stuffed lion, Dummy was walking around. She plopped on the bed and tried to make herself comfortable. Once she was under the velvety soft covers, she realized that she couldn’t sleep. Tried as she might to be happy about her new setting, she couldn’t help feeling a bit troubled and uneasy. Her mind kept coming back to what Sydney had said and had inconspicuously tried to cover up. ''You have no control over your own mind…someone else could potentially take it over... ''

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">To get her mind off things, Isabel decided to take a walk. As opposed to the serene, peaceful vibe her fantasy world had during the day, it seemed rather eerie at night. In an effort to calm herself down, she began to sing a familiar, childhood Sesame Street tune, under her breath.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">''<span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Here in the middle of imagination ''

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">''<span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Right in the middle of my head ''

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“She shouldn’t be here!” An angry voice said.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You think I don’t know that!? How was I supposed to know she’d do the breathing thing!?” A frantic Sydney replied.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">''<span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I close my eyes ''

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">''<span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And my room’s not my room ''

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">''<span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And my bed isn’t really my bed ''

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           “She must do it! She must complete the tasks!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           “No! She’s not ready! And besides, she can’t do it all on her own!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">''<span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I look inside and discover things ''

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">''<span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">That are sometimes strange and new ''

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           “Psh! She’s plenty ready! What are you talking about!?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“No! She doesn’t have the emotional capacity!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">''<span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And the most remarkable thoughts I think ''

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">''<span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Have a way of being true ''

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sydney was now in tears, “Please, I beg of you, don’t put her through this!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">''<span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Here in the middle of imagination ''

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">''<span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Right in the middle of my mind ''

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I have to! She needs this and you know it.”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">''<span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I close my eyes ''

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">''<span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And the night isn’t dark ''

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">''<span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And the things that I lose ''

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">''<span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I find ''

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sydney sniffled, “She can figure all this stuff out without your help!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">''<span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Time stands still ''

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">''<span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And the night is clear ''

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">''<span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And the wind is warm and fair ''

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Can she, Sydney? Can she, really…?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yes she can, I believe in her.”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">''<span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And the nicest thing ''

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">''<span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Is the middle of imagination ''

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">''<span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">when ''

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           “Well, to put it simply, I don’t.”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I’m <span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">           “Mark my words Sydney Smith; you haven’t seen the last of me…MWAH-HA-HA!” The laughter then faded as she disappeared.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">''<span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">There ''

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">            <span style="line-height: 200%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sydney let out an exasperated sigh, “It’s a good thing Izzy’s sucking out all my personality 'cuz she’s really going to need my sass and charisma…”