Chapter 1:54 White Walls

Theo and Maise are dragged into a colorless, square room. White walls with ten white doors all equally spaced.

"One leads to freedom. The others do not." one guard says.

The other whispers, "It's lions."

The guards exit, slamming the door and locking it behind them. Theo walks around inspecting the unsettling room. Maise follows.

"Hey! Watch your step!" a small voice yells.

Maise looks down to see a bee with no wings.

"Hey." Maise says, bending down. "What's your name?"

"Oliver."

"I'm Maise and this is Theo. Hey— you don't have any wings." she observes.

"Neither do you!" Oliver says. "Just watch where you're stepping!"

"How long have you been in here?" she asks.

Oliver thinks for a moment. "I have no idea."

"Can you help us get out of here?" Theo asks.

"Help yourselves. I'm stuck in here same as you are."

Oliver notices Theo's watch. "Hey, wait— let me see that."

"My watch?" Theo holds it out. The second hand ticks in perfect rhythm.

"Your time. It's working. How is that possible?"

"My lucky watch," Theo says.

"Ada has to see this. We have to get out of here," Oliver says.

"Which door do we choose?"

"I haven't heard any noises from this one," Oliver says as he presses his cheek against the door. "I think this is the one."

"Ok." Theo says as he grabs the door knob. "Ready?"

They nod.

Theo slowly turns the knob, easing the door open. He peers inside:

A lion. Sipping tea from a tea cup. The lion drops the cup and yelps, startled.

They scream!

The lion scratches at the air, "Rar."

Theo slams the door!

"Hey!" the dandy lion shouts from behind the door. They run to another door and swing it open— behind it the dark stillness of the night— they sprint through it!

"Mr. Bear?" Maise says, shocked to see the old bear waving his arms at them frantically.

"Come on! This way!" Oliver says as he leads them toward the clocktower.