Chapter 2: ACT 1 – Beginning (Part 2)

Jackie was rudely awakened the next morning by a sunbeam coming through the window and shining directly in her face.

“Urgh…” she groaned, “five more minutes…”

Jackie pushed the blanket off her body and sat up on the couch, reaching for her glasses. Grabbing a handful of empty air, Jackie looked over to where the coffee table usually was. Nothing. Had Sarah moved it?

“Miss Sumire…” a voice Jackie didn’t recognize said, “you can’t keep abducting these humans…”

“Relax, Katherine. I’ll return her, when we’re done,” another voice replied, “now make sure you give our guest a warm welcome… She’s going to realize this isn’t her room, any second now.”

Jackie’s eyes widened as she stared at the unfamiliar surroundings. She was on her couch, but everything else was completely different. She was pretty sure this was a tatami room, and there wasn’t a tatami room in her apartment. And then, a purple vortex appeared next to Jackie. Just like the one in her nightmare. Jackie fell off the seat in shock as a girl clad in a witch costume dropped out of the vortex and onto the couch.

“Is this seat taken?” the witch smiled.

“W-Who are you?” Jackie asked, squinting at the woman.

She had to be seeing things. She wished she had her glasses to get a better look without getting too close. The witch chuckled.

“Oh, my, did I forget to bring your glasses?” she asked. “Can you see me alright, Jackie?”

“H-How do you know my name?!” Jackie stammered. “And where the bloody Hell am I?!”

“You’re on the floor.” the witch replied, folding her legs, putting her arms behind her head and making herself comfortable on Jackie’s couch.

“You know what I meant!” Jackie snapped back. “Tell me where I am!” She looked around. “I at-least know that I’m not in London anymore. That part I’ve figured-out.”

“How perceptive,” the mysterious woman smiled, “very well, then... You are in Phantasia.”

Jackie scowled. “Phantasia?” she growled, “Like the same ‘Phantasia’ from M.S. Webber’s novels?”

Jackie was confused, slightly scared and progressively growing angrier. She knew Phantasia wasn’t a real place. M.S. Webber made it up for the setting of their Chronicles of Phantasia series of novels. Did this girl really expect her to believe that bullshit? And why was she dressed as a witch? Halloween was months ago!

“Yes, this Phantasia and the location from M.S. Webber’s books are one and the same,” the lady replied, “I thought a superfan like you would’ve figured that out sooner.”

“If this is Phantasia…” Jackie pondered, “then, according to M.S. Webber, the only way I could be here is if I accidentally wandered in…” She paused. “Or if someone spirited me away…?” Jackie folded her arms and stared angrily at the witch. “I don’t think you told me your name?”

The witch lifted her arms from behind her head and jumped off the couch, shaking Jackie’s hand. “Where are my manners? You can call me Sumire Shakespeare,” she said, “Think of it as my penname.”

“I’m Jackie, but I think you already knew that,” Jackie sighed. “So what’s your deal? You kidnapped me so we can roleplay an M.S. Webber story or something?”

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Sumire laughed. “You still don’t believe this is real?” she asked. “Then perhaps this will convince you?” she asked, pointing at an empty corner in the room.

Suddenly another purple vortex opened-up in the corner and spat out another girl before disappearing. The new arrival was on the tall side and had long green hair with matching green cat ears and two cat tails. She was wearing a blue French maid outfit which she proceeded to grab at both sides of the skirt, as she curtsied before Jackie and Sumire.

“Katherine is pleased to meet you,” the girl said looking towards Jackie, before walking over to Sumire, “Katherine assumes our guest has settled in?” she asked her mistress.

Jackie backed away slowly and trembled as the cat girl’s tails and ears moved like those of a real feline.

“W-What the H-Hell is that thing?!” she stammered.

“Katherine will take that as a ‘no’.” the green-haired girl frowned.

Sumire shook her head and folded her arms, “That’s no way to talk to my familiar!” she scolded. “Apologize to Katherine!”

Jackie nervously fumbled around, “I’m sorry Ms. Katherine,” she sheepishly apologized, “I’ve never seen someone with… cat parts before.”

Katherine smiled, “Katherine understands,” she said, “there are no demons in the human realm after all!”

Did she just say “demons”? Was she a demon? That would explain the cat ears and tails. “But demons aren’t real,” thought Jackie. There was no way. She rubbed her eyes. She had to still be dreaming! There was no other explanation!

Sumire giggled. “Do you believe me now?” she asked. “This is Phantasia, a realm of witches, demons and kinkind.” she explained, “and right now Phantasia needs your help!”

Indeed, Sumire was truly a witch! The genuine article! The real McCoy! She was even something of a celebrity among Phantasia’s demon population, having won a competition known-as the “Witch Games”, once upon a time, although that’s a story for another time.

Jackie raised an eyebrow at Sumire’s remark. “Kinkind?” she asked. “What’s that?”

Sumire raised an eyebrow back. “How far were you into Two Beings, before I borrowed it?”

Jackie crossed her eyebrows. “You nicked my book?!” she yelled. “So that’s why I couldn’t find it!”

“I was going to return it,” Sumire bluntly replied, “Same as I’m going to return you home when we’re done.”

“Done with what?” Jackie inquired, “Just why am I here, anyway?”

Sumire sat back down on the couch and patted the seat cushion next to her.

“Take a seat,” the witch instructed, “Grab a cup of hot chocolate and I’ll tell you a story…”

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