Halfway through the bridge, Elaine had second thoughts about proceeding. She looked over her shoulder, then went on, pondering what to expect on the other side.
The bridge was soon at its end, and Elaine stepped off from its wooden structure. It wasn't the end of the road though, for a green carpet welcomed her footwear.
A cold shiver of excitement traveled up her spine. When she raised her eyes, she was stunned that the carpet extended farther. Up ahead, she could see a mansion. It looked to be very old as vines and flowers crept up its walls, but it was too far for her to recognize its details properly. Trees surrounded her, much like the previous forest that she had been from.
Curiously, she pushed on, looking around warily. From the trees, a figure emerged and blocked her path. He was tall, with a top hat above his shaggy black hair, mischievous dark eyes behind glasses, and a black formal suit cladding his frame. His attire signified status, but he didn't seem to carry an air of importance around him as he grinned at her, pushing up his glasses with a black gloved hand.
"A visitor from the Other Side!" He cheered as he eagerly shook her hand with both of his.
Elaine's shoulders tensed at the suddenness of his welcome. "Thanks," she returned, wearing an awkward smile.
"So, where do you wish to go?" He asked as he stepped aside and spread his arms wide with a cheery facade. "To the North, where the president goes forth?" Exaggeratedly, he gestured to the North. "To the East, where the congress holds a feast?" With a flick of his wrist, he pointed to the mansion ahead, directing her gaze to it. "To the South, where the chief justice judges a lying mouth?" To the South, he motioned. "Or to the West," he uttered, waving his arms around him as he turned in circles, "where it is the best among the rest!"
Amused, she laughed at his rhyming words. "I don't know what the hell you just said but I like you already," she admitted.
"Why, thank you." He bowed his head quickly and raised it again.
"I don't know where to go actually..."
"Simple. Stay here in the West with me," the man suggested with a grin.
"Perhaps I can," she agreed hesitantly, then remembered the woman in the water. "By the way, do you know someone named Annette?"
At the mention of the name, the stranger brightened up gleefully. "The missing president, yes! She must be! Do you not know that you are looking for someone who had disappeared for a century now?" He educated, but still wore a merry smile.
Elaine frowned as her eyebrows knitted in worry. "Disappeared for a century?" She parroted softly, searching deep into his dark eyes as if to search for the truth.
"Yes. To know more, you must head to the North where the president goes forth." He pointed to the North until his arm stiffened.
Elaine grew quiet as she assumed a pondering expression. Though, she gave up with a sigh. "Thinking is so tiring," she said. "Yeah, I don't mind going to the North. Thanks for the direction, Mister…?"
"I often forget that you people from the Other Side do not know me. I am Chaz Jamcharly." He extended his gloved hand.
Returning his gesture, she gripped it firmly and they shook hands. "Nice knowing you Chaz, I'm Elaine."
Slowly, Chaz's countenance morphed to surprise and he pulled his hand away immediately as though she had pricked his palm. "Elaine, Annette… Annette! Elaine! How have I forgotten?" He jumped up in the air and looked around, then removed his top hat and shoved his hand in it, retrieving a scroll of paper. Unfolding it, the paper tumbled down to their feet. He fixed his glasses and leaned to it as he read aloud. "It says here, if I am to meet someone in the name of Elaine, I should bring her to the North. Hmm…"
"Really?" Elaine mused, bewildered.
"Yes, and right now, you are expected to in the Palace!" He announced enthusiastically before stuffing the scroll in his top hat and putting it over his head. Chaz linked his arm around hers and dragged her off to follow the path of the green carpet. "Amos awaits, let's go to the President's Palace!"
Along the way, Elaine struggled to match his pace. His strides were advanced, and she had to hurry two steps a time just to level with his gait.
"Can you please slow down?" She appealed when she was beginning to get annoyed.
As requested, Chaz willingly did so, still linking his arm with hers. He glanced at her before heaving a contented sigh. "Oh Elaine, where have you been? Finally I can leave the bridge. Had you arrived sooner, I could have attended my mother's birthday party."
Animals in all shapes and sizes stalked them from behind the trees and some peeped behind the shrubs/ She did not fail to notice the creatures as she too ogled at them.
"Um, I've been with my grandparents... for my entire life," she mumbled.
Chaz didn't question it and merely he nodded his head.
"Wait, where are we going again?" She questioned when the mansion ahead began to look more descriptive in her view.
"To the President's Palace," he answered cheerfully. "Amos awaits."
"Who is Amos?"
"The current president," he said. "But not for too long, because you're here now." Regarding her with a beaming smile, Chaz constricted her arm with his elbow to tighten their connection.
"What do you mean because I'm here now? I don't understand what you're saying," she admitted, growing more confused.
Chaz shrugged carelessly. "You'll have to save your questions for Amos. He knows everything," he answered.
Still, her mind was brimming with questions, but Elaine saved it until she meets this man Chaz is referring to. The sun beat down on them, making her raise her hand up to provide little shade for her face. Shortly after, Chaz was placing his hat over her head.
"You can borrow it," he remarked, before making a loop of his arm and offering it to her.
The hat that felt funny over her head. Nevertheless, she smiled at his gesture, something which was not practiced anymore, and linked her arm in his.
Ahead, the green carpet came to an end, as the path was now split to three; a red carpet to the right, a blue carpet to the left, and a yellow one leading to the mansion.
Chaz stopped abruptly and stirred her away from the green carpet, avoiding the very middle of the carpets, where the colors green, red, blue, and yellow clashed. He directed Elaine on the red carpet, and when they got to their destination, she was faced with a towering gate that stood to ten feet before her. Behind that, an old building loomed over. She had to crane her neck just to see the very top of the structure, her top hat almost slid off her head, but she kept it in place.
"Amos know everything about Annette," Chaz spoke as he separated himself from her. "Just ask him, politely." He turned to the gate and banged it with a tight fist.
With each blow that he inflicted so aggressively, the gate quivered as if in fear. Elaine observed with narrowed eyes. "It's moving," she commented.
"Elaine has returned!" Chaz called out, making her conscious with how loud he was.
Then the gate burst open, its giant doors swinging inside to welcomed her inside. A strong gust of wind and dust blew her hair from her face, the top hat almost falling, but she caught it. Her clothes were still damp from when she emerged from the lake. She shivered, wishing for a change of outfit.
Chaz turned to her, grabbing her hand once again to shake it enthusiastically. "I am very honored to have you met you first, Elaine! Looking forward to seeing you again," he said, his grin much more joyous than ever. He let go. "Now my job here is done." He then patted her shoulder and pushed her forward. "And yours is about to start."
Elaine stumbled forward nervously, then looked back to him. "Wait, you're leaving me just like that? How do I know where to find Amos?" She asked.
"Just keep going. They'll lead you to him." He waved at her dismissively as he resumed to walk away.
Drawing in a breath of courage, she found herself entering the compound. Her heart was thrumming erratically in her chest. It's funny where she is now. Zacharias will laugh at her story when she'll come back. I saw a woman on my reflection and found a strange world on the other side of a bridge.
Slowly, the gate creaked close and Elaine stood in front of the building, cold and shivering, confused too. Then there were murmurs. People were pouring out from the entrance to crowd her, hands on their mouths in curious poses. Up in the castle, more heads were popping out from the windows to see who had barged in. The gate was rather loud.
A little nervous, Elaine paused and looked around. What was happening?
"Who are you and what is your intention?!" Bellowed a voice from above her head.
Flinching, she looked up and held the top hat. She forgot to return it to Chaz, maybe he'll show up some time. Her focus zeroed in on the man who had white hair, looking down at her from the very top of the castle.
"Who are you?!" He repeated, sounding angry. "You cannot enter without an invitation from me! Are you a messenger?!"
"I'm sorry for trespassing, sir! My name is Elaine! Chaz led me here. He told me to look for you to ask about Annette!" She responded, now trembling. There were so many people around. She never liked attention nor moving mouths. What were they talking about?
The man, who had questioned her presence, gaped at her, stunned, his eyes round. Quickly, he retreated from the window and she heard shouting from above. "Bring her in!"