Rabbit Hole Carnival: Gentle Giant

“Ugh.” Renee growned. “What in the—”

“She wakens!” A giant man laughed, and set Renee down. “All I saw was a few people around you in the park. They said they found this on you, so I’ve just been heading that way.” He handed the note to Renee. “Something seemed—”

“No.” Replied, as she read the note, and pushed herself away. “No, no no.” She shook her head fast, and ran off.

“Fishy.” The giant man finished, and followed her into an alley. “Where do you actually wanna go, lass? They boarded that tunnel up years ago.”

“At least, not back there.” Renee replied with a sniff. “We’ll get you a few drinks or something! Just… Please…”

The giant man stopped in tracks once he saw Renee crying. “Well, I’m sure as the Eldritch realm not taking anyone any place that makes ‘em cry like that. Girl, boy, or otherwise. Now my name’s Simon, but at this point I’m not sure of your name.”

“It is Renee.” Renee said, wiping her eyes. “Renee is right. I…” Renee shivered, and looked down.

“Was getting some weird supplies.” Simon said. “Got most of them in this backpack here. Can I show ya?”

“Do you have any idea how long I was out?” Renee asked, as she stepped forward. “I left to go shopping around 11am.”

“Well, I can say it’s about 4pm.” Simon replied. “And i’m guessing the shopping ain’t usually 5 hours.”

“Not even close, so he must be worried sick.” Renee said.

“Mike?” Simon asked.

Renee shook her head. “This looks like mostly everything, and we do still have a lot of apples… wonder why they left everything.”

“I thought I heard em say something about your old man asking to leave most of the stuff, and take the apples.” Simon said. “Like I said whole thing seemed fishy to me.”

“That’s so like him.” Renee looked over to Simon. “You’re not gonna leave me alone at this point, so will you at least escort me to where I actually wanna go? It’ll sound a bit weird when I say the name.”

“Well I'm still not taking anyone to a place that makes ‘em cry.” Simon replied. “And I am in fact not leaving you alone, so where it is we really need to go.”

Renee opened the door. “I’m home! Sorry for the scared.” Renee hugged back as Nick ran up to her. “Mike hired some group to basically drag me back there, I guess. Simon, here, ended up in crossfire, and ended up escorting me. I told him pretty much everything, and he insisted on paying for his drinks.”

“Want me a few Fruit Roulettes, and Shocking Apples while I talk to ya, Nicholas.”

“Very well.” Nick replied. “Welcome to the Rabbit Hole Carnival then.” He looked to Renee. “Will you be fine making the festival? Or do you need the day off?”

“I know I look like a mess, but I promise I'm fine.” Renee replied. “And taking my mind of things sound lovely”

“She made this?” Simon pointed at his drink.

“She was working on the idea for years.” Nick said. “Made two others now too.”

“You got quite the spark in ya, lass.” Simon replied, as Renee set down his new drink.

“Thanks.” Renee said, shyly. “For everything.” she walked away.

“Seems I made the right choice going as slow as I did.” Simon said with a swig.

“What did seem so fishy about it anyways?” Nick said. “It must have mostly seemed like a girl was just getting beat up.”

“I have some idea, if I may?” Renee replied. “That note has his number on it, and that number is not in my phone.”

“It’s not on her emergency list either.” Simon said. “But this place is, so when she said this was where she wanted to go. Didn’t know why, but knew to take her here.”

“What?” Renee asked, as Nick looked at her. “I stumbled into here at like 2am? It seemed like a number to put on the “Emergency list”.