Underland, #1

by Rebecca Goodwin

  “I was…” What could I tell her? That I’d met a mysterious handsome guy who kissed my knuckles and had me swooning. My head spun. Maybe I was sick and had imagined the whole thing. Nobody could be that gorgeous.

  “Did you find her?” Rose asked as she rounded the corner of the house. She closed the space between us faster than I could blink. “Are you all right?” She touched my forehead with the back of her hand. “Why are your cheeks flushed? Are you sick?”

  I pushed away from her hand off my forehead, overwhelmed by the heaviness of the atmosphere like I had switched altitudes. “I’m fine. Just tired and have a headache.” I couldn’t stop the feeling that something really weird had happened to me and I wasn’t ready to share any of it until I better understood what I’d just experienced.

  “Let’s get you inside and some food and a cool drink.”

  I didn’t feel like eating, still full from the small carrot Rob had shared with me. Maybe I was sick. “I’m not hungry, but I am thirsty.”

  “Awesome, ’cause I’ve got you a big gulp in the fridge.” Blanca looped her arm through mine and led me into the house.

  When I peered over my shoulder at Rose, she stared at the hedge where the path had been. Did she know where I’d gone? Where I couldn’t explain what had happened or why? How none of it could possibly be real. That I must have fainted or hallucinated or got sunstroke or something. Did overheating give people crazy visions? I dug out my phone. Still showed the same time it had last time I looked. No way could I have gotten lost, found Rob, walked with him until my legs ached and gotten back here in thirty minutes. It just wasn’t possible.

  I’d blacked out. That had to be what had happened and the only reasonable explanation. Too bad too, as I really wanted to see Rob again.

  Blanca placed a pile of brownies in front of me along with some iced tea. “Go on, eat. I cooked them this morning.”

  I bit into one square and closed my eyes. Chocolate heaven. Out of the three of us, she was the best cook and could whip up masterpieces before I was even done reading a recipe.

  “So, did you find anything? About your grandmother’s disappearance?” Blanca grabbed one of the brownies.

  Rose licked her fingers, then snagged another one.

  The idea of explaining Rob and the maze and my crazy stress-whatever-induced delusion made my stomach hurt. Why? When it had all been my imagination. “No. I’ll search again later if you two want to come with me?” If I found the maze again, I’d have proof with them with me rather than trying to explain how hours had passed in mere minutes.

  “Sorry, luv.” Rose set her empty glass on the table. “I’ve got errands to run most of today.”

  “Here?” I asked. What could she possibly have to do in this small town except scope out guys and even then, there couldn’t be too many with spring break in full swing.

  “I-uh-I found an old library that I’m helping them organize their books.”

  Books and boys…never could wrap my head around that one. Guess Rose had book boyfriends and real-life ones. “What about you?” I turned to Blanca.

  “I promised your mom I’d help her write the thank you notes for everyone who stopped by yesterday or dropped off food.” She blushed. “My handwriting is better than yours, I can say no if you like—”

  “No, it’s fine.” I leaned back in my chair. “What about later once you’ve done with the notes?”

  “Um…your mom wants me to help repackage all the food as the fridge is overflowing and take the extras we can’t possibly eat in the next few days to the shelter in town.”

  I crossed my arms. Had my mom replaced me with my best friend? “Okay. What about tomorrow morning? Can we all search for a bit then?”

  “Sure.” “Of course.” They said in unison.

  In the meantime, I’d check with dad to see if he needed any help with anything. Then I’d search out mystical mazes and losing time.

  Late evening, after dad had me drive the hundreds of flowers to the funeral home and unload them, I curled under a blanket in Gram’s blue and white stripped recliner. Her floral perfume, a touch of honey, and soap wafted over me. The air conditioner blasted through the room, and I shivered. The laptop sat on my legs as I searched weird mazes. A dozen pictures popped up, but scrolling through them, none looked like where I’d been. Then I scanned for anything on missing time. Most came up was coma or fainting.

  I bit my lip. Did dehydration cause hallucinations? Hmmm…it could, according to the internet, but mostly in the elderly. I mean, I didn’t have a lot to drink before I found the maze but I couldn’t have dreamed up such an elaborate place and Rob too, could I? Scanning down an article showed up about heat stroke. It was warm this morning. Combined with not enough fluid maybe that’s what happened to me. I scrolled through the article for the symptoms and the hairs on the back of my neck stiffened. Heat stroke could cause confusion, hallucinations or delirium. There was my answer. But as I stared at the screen, disbelief rolled through me. I snapped the laptop closed and stood.

  So why was I upset? I rubbed my arms and drifted into the kitchen.

  Mom was wiping down the table. “Hi honey, how are you feeling?”

  Like I just got hit by a weed whacker into crazy land. I still couldn’t believe none of it had been real including Rob. “I’m fine. Blanca, Rose, and I are going out early in the morning…to run.” Couldn’t tell her it was to search for grandma. The funeral was tomorrow evening. My mom would freak if I told her what I’d saw much less that I still didn’t believe Grams was really gone.

  Mom tossed the rag in the sink, then frowned at me.

  “What?”

  She placed her damp hand on my forehead. “Are you running a fever? You look flushed.”

  “I’m fine.” I pushed her hand away. “So anything I can do for you right now? Like what did you want to have everyone eat for dinner? I can ask Blanca when she gets back about her spicy gumbo recipe.”

  “Oh Alicia, you know I can’t eat spicy food so late.”

  Right. I’d forgotten living at the dorm since college started last fall. Most of the conversations with my mom ended in fights and I so didn’t want to argue right now. It was everything from wearing my blond hair long instead of cutting it to act my age to wouldn’t I have done better in an Ivy League college. That was out not because of my grades but the costs would mean my great-grandkids would still be paying my student loans. Or rather my parent-student loans since I had like zilch credit. But mom’s and my conversations were hard-worn ruts that we always fell into but so hard to get out of.

  Yet, I wondered, if with Gram we could find common ground. “When you were young, like a kid, did Grams ever tell you her stories?”

  She leaned her hip against the counter. “All the time.”

  So far so good. “Did she tell you about a hidden path through the hedge? Like a strange, colorful world that looked normal like ours, but didn’t?”

  “Why are you asking such questions?” But her fingers tightened on the edge of the countertop.

  “I just wondered if you remembered some of the stories about the hedge out back, in her garden.”

  “We should do the pot-roast for dinner tonight. I can boil some potatoes and mash them. Want to help me peel and chop?”

  Why was she changing the subject? I had to know if the path…real or not…had anything to do with Grams’ vanishing. And what if in some weird way it was real? I mean, I couldn’t stop thinking about Rob and I was pretty sure my imagination wasn’t that good. “I found Grams’ trowel.”

  “Oh?” She turned away to the pantry, pulling out a large bag of potatoes. “Don’t know why your grandmother would always buy the largest bag. I mean, it was just her for years, did she eat potatoes morning, noon, and night?”

  “Yes, it was down this weird path. Through the hedge. And I know the police must not have searched through there because—”

  “Enough, Alicia!” She slammed her foot down. “Now, I know you and G
rams were very close which is why I’ve allowed your shenanigans, but there is no magical path to anywhere. There is no wondrous world where your grams is still alive and well. She’s gone.”

  I jerked like I’d been slapped. Should’ve known my mom wouldn’t believe me or care to. When had she ever? Even I questioned what I’d seen. Mom’s way of dealing with things was to pretend it wasn’t there. Denial was her confidant.

  In silence, I peeled and chopped the potatoes. Then I put the roast in the oven to reheat it and stomped off to the bedroom. Tomorrow would be the funeral, then the reading of the will the next day. And here I was trying to convince her that Grams might still be out there alive somewhere. I wiped away my tears with the back of my hand. Crying never fixed anything.

  Outside, a car door closed. Dad must be home. Then the front door opened and clicked closed. Heavy footsteps echoed across the kitchen tile. I waited several seconds debating whether or not to go downstairs or stay in the guest room. Murmurs drifted from the kitchen and my gut clenched.

  Had Mom told him that I’d lost it? That I was stressed and grieving the wrong way for Gram’s? Through the narrow bedroom window, the sun dipped low in the horizon and I lay on the bed, curled on my side despite my stomach growling but the ache in my heart stole my breath.

  “Grams, I miss you so much,” I whispered and drew my knees up tight against my stomach. When I talked to Mom again, I’d have to deny everything. It would be better for everyone if I just pretended nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Pretend everything was fine. And maybe it was. Maybe all of this was my overactive imagination hyped up by Gram’s disappearance. I’d never believed it, so my mind could’ve made it all up as a way to deal with the trauma. That my grandmother had found another place sang more true to me than her funeral tomorrow.

  All I had to do was wait until morning, then check the hedge. No pathway…then no other world. But part of me longed for the reverse. For Grams to be okay and safe. For Rob to be real and the chance to see him again.

  Chapter Five

  Waking up, laying on my bed, I yawned. I shifted my leg to get up and cursed, “Fuck!” as my entire calf cramped up. The morning sun winked through the blinds. Shit, how long had I been asleep? I must have dozed off last night because I was in the same position as yesterday evening and wore the same shorts and T-shirt. For several minutes, I rubbed my aching muscle, then stood. I had to prove to everyone about the path in the hedge.

  God, I was starving. I pushed off the bed, my calf still sore, and padded down to the bathroom. After showering and changing into capris and a white blouse, I went into the kitchen. A quiet stillness unnerved me. When Grams was here, she always was singing or talking or at least had the radio that was older than her playing. I moved to the old wooden box and switched it on. A light jazz song filtered through the air, and I smiled.

  Swaying to the music, I smeared jelly over two pieces of toast and ate. My hunger abated, I searched through the house. No sign of my folks or my friends. Where was everyone?

  My pickup truck was parked in front but Dad’s car was gone. Maybe they decided to let me sleep and ran an errand. I grabbed my cell and sent a group text.

  I’m up. Where are you all?

  A few seconds later, two messages popped up.

  Dad and I are at the airport. Your cousin Anabelle came into town this morning, we’re taking her by the funeral home to see Grams after we find her luggage.

  Disbelief hit my chest. Why were they taking her there now? To see Gram’s casket? Our grandmother wasn’t there. And why wouldn’t anyone believe me? Right, ’cause I didn’t have proof.

  My phone dinged again.

  Helping the guys at the shelter. Blanca replied.

  Can’t talk now. Catch ya later. Another message flashed. This one from Rose.

  Well, crap. Everyone was busy but me. At least this would give me time to check out the hedge. The idea of seeing Rob again made my heart flutter. God, he’d been so nice. Charming. And I needed proof of Gram’s vanishing and the chance that she was still alive sang through my veins.

  In case I was hiking through the maze without Rob this time to help me, I grabbed my duffle bag and dumped out most of the clothes, keeping a blue silk sundress for when I met his so-called queen, and two pairs of shorts, underwear, and T-shirts. No, I didn’t expect to stay that long but Grams had always over packed for everything and the tradition still stayed with me. Even if I knew I was taking a day trip, I’d pack like I was staying for a week. This was light in comparison to what I really wanted to bring. I brushed my teeth, then threw my toothbrush and toothpaste in there too. Who knew? Maybe I’d eat again with Rob and what if he wanted to kiss me? I smiled so big it hurt my cheeks.

  Back in the kitchen with my bag in my arms, I put in the loaf of bread for eating and I could use the crusts as breadcrumbs in the maze. Then I stuffed in two cans of pinto beans, some crackers, several bottles of water, three apples, and a can of pineapple rings. Don’t ask me why Grams always had a can of pineapple in her pantry. Never cooked with it except the occasional upside-down cake she made every spring.

  I added in a huge can of tuna I found in the back of the pantry that hadn’t expired and a box of marshmallow cereal. What if Rose or Blanca wondered where I was? I swallowed the bile rushing up my throat. Or if I vanished too like Grams and they held my funeral a few weeks from now after Grams? I scribbled a note and stuffed between the folds of my closed laptop. By the time anyone found it, if I didn’t make it back, they’d either believe me or think I’d completely lost my mind. Then I sent a text to everyone that I was going for a walk and planned to be back later. A few seconds later my phone dinged with everyone’s thumb up sign or an okay.

  Outside, I hefted the strap across my shoulder, shaking my head. Anyone saw me and they’d think I was completely nuts. Part of me said as much. The missing time I’d had while in the maze didn’t make any sense. The only logical explanation was that I’d fainted and dreamed it all up.

  But the stronger side of me nagged that what if it wasn’t my imagination. What if the break in the hedge was a portal to another place? Like that Twilight Zone I watched where the little girl fell out of bed, rolled underneath, and slipped into another dimension. I shivered in both curiosity and distress at the thought.

  The warm spring day heated my skin. I hiked around to the back of the house and Gram’s garden. Her flowers that should be open and beautiful, sagged. I grabbed the water hose and set the timer on the sprinkler head. Hopefully, that would help them but I didn’t have my Gram’s emerald thumb. Mine was a brown with an occasional green running through it. She tried to teach me how to garden for years but finally gave up. I wouldn’t kill the plants outright, they’d just die if I had to tend them long.

  I set my pack down then crept over to the hedge a few feet from the shed. No break in the hedge here. I frowned. Maybe I’d miscalculated it. Shifting over a few steps, I looked again. Nothing.

  That couldn’t be right. It had to be here. The doubt that had haunted me since I discovered the missing time on my cell phone.

  No, it had to be here. I wasn’t that great at inventing stuff like this. Stomping backward a few steps, I glared at the row of hedges that acted like a fence around my Gram’s garden. It had to be here. I jogged up and down the row of bushes, stopping every few inches to pry and make a path. But when I hopped on tiptoes to see around the seven-foot tall shrubs, only the other side of the grass was visible. Where was the path? It couldn’t have just vanished. I’d been so sure…well, mostly. And if I’d been wrong about the other world, was I also wrong about Grams?

  No, no, no. She couldn’t be gone. My legs shook so hard that I plopped down on the ground, swallowed past the boulder lodged in my throat.

  I wrapped my arms around my knees and rocked back and forth. Why had I let myself get carried away into something that couldn’t have possibly been real…that I knew wasn’t real. The hope I’d held onto for days smothered by a hollowness
swept into my chest like someone had punched me.

  An aroma of wildflowers and pine tickled my nose, reminding me of Rob. I sniffed, scrubbing a hand over my face to wipe my tears. There, along the hedge, a stark-white rabbit stared at me. Its silver eyes glinted in the sun. Wait…did rabbits have eyes that color?

  I let out a half-hysterical giggle. Maybe I was losing it and just didn’t realize it.

  The bunny’s ears swiveled in my direction, then it bound off across the yard along the hedge. Disappearing into a break.

  The path!

  Was it really there or had I fallen asleep or fainted again? But the thought of finding Grams slammed into me so hard that I couldn’t think of anything else. I would prove to my mom and to everyone that Grams wasn’t dead. Snatching up my bag full of supplies, adjusted for the sudden weight, and hiked after the rabbit.

  When I emerged from the hedge, the maze loomed ahead and my breath hitched. Not because of fear of getting lost, I had the breadcrumbs now, but possibly finding Rob again. I didn’t bother taking a picture with my phone since I was already sure it wouldn’t work. Besides, pictures and clocks didn’t matter here. What did was finding my Grams or proof that she’d been here so I could get everyone to listen to me.

  I shifted my duffle bag over my shoulder and climbed down the steep path to the maze. Digging through the stuff I packed, I removed a piece of bread. Then tore a fraction, placing it along the first path to the right. This time, I wouldn’t get lost.

  I stayed to the right and tossed a sliver of bread behind me to mark the path. The maze didn’t seem as intimidating today as it had yesterday. Maybe because hope filled me that I was going to find my Grams. Or that I’d made it through this labyrinth with Rob’s help and I could do it again now that I was prepared.

  Humming a song I couldn’t remember the name of, I didn’t cringe when I came to a three-forked path. Was this here before when I was with Rob? Or had I been so busy talking with him and assured that he knew his way around that I’d missed this one. I took the path to the right again, dropping another crumb to mark the way.