Wonderoz Chapter Sixteen: Eye

Now Eye, whomever, or, whatever he was, there was one thing I was certain of him. He was utterly, unbelievably, deeply devoted to Dorothy. It wasn’t just devotion that drove him, it was love. And while I’m not the one to get caught up in sentimental dribble, I was rather impressed by Eye’s attitude. He neither imposed his love upon Dorothy, or tried to force her to see it. He simply did a little dance around Dorothy to keep her aware of his presence.

Now, Dorothy didn’t really see the full picture. But she did sense something from Eye that definitely wasn’t what she was used to. She felt differently around Eye. She felt like she was the queen of something, or, the center of a universe. But then again, she chalked that up to the fact it seemed as if Eye hadn’t been out of that cornfield in a long while. So Dorothy thick-headedly trudged along never realizing the miracle beside her. Love at first sight.

As some sort of indescribable being, I do not know if I am capable of love. Certainly I am one to give into favoritism (see Dorothy), even distaste (see Mad Wizard). But love is an emotion I do not know that I am capable of. Although, I have noticed that I am able to sense it and recognize it within the instance of its occurrence. And it was especially easy to diagnose in the obliviously obvious Eye.

It is also unlike me to take such an interest in such a lowly creature as Eye. But because of his growing relationship with Dorothy and his close proximity to her adventures I couldn’t help but take a closer look at the boy. Oh, there was also the fact I had no idea who the heck he was. This was rare because I knew basically everyone in Wonderoz.

Now that he was superior attire instead of the rags Dorothy discovered him in, I could see Eye was not as loathsome a creature as I had first thought. In fact, the boy was quite regal. In the form fitting green Nehru jacket I was able to notice the way he stood and how he stood like a knight. The high collar showed off his sleek neck that smoothed into his handsome jaw. And the green color of the coat itself brought out the vibrant green of Eye’s eyes. All in all Eye was an extremely handsome boy in the proper attire and also extremely familiar.

“Watch your head.” Mace warned as he led them all to a cave in the middle of the woods.

“Are you not worried about the Jabberwocky?” Dorothy asked. “All the way out here?”

“We haven’t had any issues yet.” Mace said as he slipped into the cave entrance and faded into the shadows.

Dorothy put her hand over her head and braced against the mouth of the cave as she entered. “Maybe the Jabberwocky isn’t-” Her voice cut off.

“Dorothy!” Eye raced in after her, slammed his head against the entrance then slid in down the hole behind her.

An underground layer, how very smart of the Wheelers. I slide in after them and landed atop of the limp Eye who is being tended to by Dorothy.

“Watch your head?” Dorothy quipped as she pulled Eye out of the way as Nick came tripping down the entrance. “More like watch your step.”

“People normally hit their heads first.” Mace retorted, motioning to Eye.

Dorothy hefted Eye up into her lap. “I can see that.”

I have often noticed how women are so nurturing and caring. Dorothy of course was no exception. There were certain women, mostly witches, who didn’t seem to have this maternal instinct. But Dorothy had it in abundance. This was a good attribute for a future queen. Necessary even.

Dorothy looked up. “You okay, Nick?”

Nick placed his helmet back onto his shoulders and cleared his throat. “I believe I am.” He said and stood.

“Where are we?” Dorothy asked as she finally started to become aware of her surroundings.

“You are in the Land of Clubs, AKA the Club House.” Mace said as he stood his full, gangly height.

The underground cavern sloped down into a spacious and wide world of its own. Lanterns hung from the high dirt ceiling along with moss, veins, and roots. Brightly colored tents decorated the way. Inside these tents, faces peeked out to spy onto Dorothy and the others as they made their procession down the center. Little Wheelers played in the street, too young to yet gain their wheels. Although, unbeknownst to the Clubs, Dorothy was not the main attraction. It was in fact Nick who caught their attention.

“Outsiders, Mace?” A young man with wiry blonde hair snapped as he came from his tent.

“These are far from outsiders.” Mace corrected with a sharp tongue. “Do you not see this girl?” He motioned to Dorothy with a wide swing of his arm. “This is Dorothy.”

The boy frowned at her and back up at Mace. “So what?”

Mace sniffed. “She is the Dorothy you idiot. One of the lost princesses of Ozma!”

The boy stared back at Dorothy in disbelief. “And what is she doing here?”

Mace hit the boy upside the head with his wheel. “This is Arson, my second in command. I’m sorry about him.”

Dorothy shrugged. “He’s fine.”

Mace turned and opened up the tent beside Arson’s. “You may stay here and rest until your friend is brought back.” He said.

“Thank you.” Dorothy said and she entered the tent. Eye tried to follow but Nick stood in his way as he hesitated before Mace.

“You said that Dorothy was one of the lost princesses?” Nick asked with breathless anticipation. Eye watched him, wondering what was going through his mind. He knew of Dorothy’s secret. And he knew why Dorothy was keeping it. Eye stayed to make sure Nick didn’t short circuit like Dorothy feared.

Mace nodded. “Yes sir. I did.” He ten furrowed his brows at Nick. “Did you not know this about Dorothy?”

Nick shook his head. “No I…I didn’t realize. I have not been myself as of late, you see.”

Mace looked into Nick’s visor. “And who were you before?”

“Nick Chopper.” He replied breathlessly. “The White Knight and…”

“King.” Mace whispered. “Sir? But I could have sworn you were…the Queen of Hearts she has…”

“My body but not my soul.” Nick huffed banging his fist against his chest. “And if what you say is true, then Dorothy is my first born.”

Mace nodded. Stilted somewhat by all the knowledge he was gaining. “Correct, your highness.”

Nick looked down at Eye motioned to the tent. “Doe she know this?”

Eye shrunk back. “She does.” He swallowed. “Ba-ba-but she didn’t say anything because she was afraid it might short circuit you are something. You have been having a hard time remembering things, Mr. Nick.”

Nick’s head nodded slowly. “That is true.” He murmured.

Inside the tent Dorothy yawned and laid down upon some pillows. “What a day! And I thought yesterday was bad.”

A few moments later the tent opened again and a Wheeler came in, followed by a shaken, shaggy figure.

“Flinch!” Dorothy exclaimed and jumped to her feet to greet the shaking lion as he stumbled into the tent.

“He’s pretty shaken up.” The Wheeler replied.

“That’s how he always looks.” Dorothy looped her arms around Flinch’s neck and nuzzled his cheek. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

Flinch seemed to relax in Dorothy’s arms and he laid down. “Me too.” He sighed and leaned into her. “I’m sorry I ran off. I should of stayed and tried to protect you.”

“But you were so brave, causing a scene and distracting the Unicorn and attracting the Wheelers!” She pulled and plucked brambles and sticks from his mane. “I never got to thank you.”

Flinch was flummoxed. He had done no such thing. He ran in cowardice! Dorothy knew this too. But all she wanted was to cheer Flinch up and give him confidence. The tent opened again and Eye came in, rubbing his the back of his head where it cracked on the floor.

“Does your head still hurt?” Dorothy asked, offering the seat beside her. “Is there a knot?”

“I dunno.” He rubbed the back and front of his head. “But yeah…it really hurts.”

Dorothy motioned for him to sit before her on the floor. “Let me see.” She said and sat on her knees behind Eye. “Bend your head forward.”

Eye did as he was told and motioned to the spot where it hurt the most. Dorothy pushed back the hair and felt around. She didn’t feel a knot, but she did feel something a bit strange.

“What’s this?” She murmured to herself and pushed her thumb down on the strange protrusion on his skull.

Suddenly Eye jerked up and screamed. “Don’t!” He thrashed and broke from Dorothy’s hands. Flinch jumped and dove under the pillows.

Dorothy tried wrapping Eye up in her arms. “Eye!” She cried.

“It hurts!” Eye clutched onto his head and swung from side to side.

Dorothy jumped up, grabbing him from behind. “It hurts!” He screamed again and fell over on top of Dorothy.

“Eye, what’s wrong?” Dorothy gasped as she braced herself back up. “Eye?” She shook his shoulder. “Eye wake up!” He didn’t respond. Dorothy turned his head over and went back to examining the spot on the back of his head. There she saw a small panel in the back of his head was swung open and inside she saw a mess of circuits, wires, and blinking lights.

“Eye?” Dorothy whispered and quickly shut the door. “Oh my.” She rolled his head over into her lap. “Eye?”

His eyes snapped open and he looked over at Dorothy with a wide-eyed expression. “Did you say something?” He asked as if nothing had happened.

Dorothy didn’t have the stomach to tell Eye what she had seen. His smile was too innocent and trusting, which hurt all the more. “No.” She shook her head. “Do you feel okay now?”

Eye sat up and beamed. “Better than ever.”

“Good.” Dorothy shivered.

Eye noticed and took off his new green coat. “Here.” He said draping it over her shoulders. “You looked like you were cold.”

Dorothy swallowed. “Thank you.” Her cheeks flushed and I couldn’t help but laugh.

Flinch was slowly making his way back out from under the pillows. “Are you ok now, Eye?”

Eye stood up. “I’ll be alright.” He said, smoothing his hand down his front. “I’m going to try and find some food. Do you need anything else while I’m away?”

Dorothy shook her head. “No. I’ll be fine.”

Eye smiled and went out of the flaps of the tent. Dorothy sat there clutching Eye’s coat to her and realizing that perhaps her feelings for Eye weren’t what she had first assessed them to be. In fact, confused little Dorothy didn’t think that sudden rush of the heart meant what it did mean. At least she knew it meant something.

Suddenly from her basket a hand came out and waved towards her. Dorothy cautiously approached and looked inside. “That you, Maddox?” She asked. “What is it?”

The hand reappeared holding the small matchbook.

Dorothy took the small thing and studied it. “What is it?” She asked into the basket.

“It’s from Alice.” A voice answered. “A calling card.”

Dorothy flipped it open to see the twin’s names written inside along with a show schedule for the This Way That Way Cabaret. “Are these twins the ones I need to find?”

“Exactly. They are the ones who are taking care of her. Keep this with you in case anything should happen.”

“Thank you.” She leaned over to look deeply into the basket to see if she could see the Mad Wizard. “Is she well?”

The Mad Wizard lied, “of course she is!” Of course he wouldn’t mention Snap. Dorothy would panic and instantly rush to her sister’s aid. And that would cause the Queen of Hearts to take notice and then the shit would really hit the fan. So I suppose he did it from the kindness of his heart.

But still.

Dorothy sighed. “Okay. Thanks, Maddox. I really appreciate this.”

Suddenly the Mad Wizard popped out of the basket from the shoulders up. He folded his arms across the top of the basket propping there as if sitting on the side of a pool. “Is something the matter?”

“Nothing to bother you with.” Dorothy laughed. “You’re doing so much for me already I’d hate to bother you with anything more.”

The Mad Wizard reached out and put his hand on Dorothy’s face. “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you. Remember that.”

Dorothy shrugged. “This is my battle. Remember that.”

The Mad Wizard eased himself up and out of the basket and kissed Dorothy on the cheek. “For luck.” He whispered before disappearing back into the basket.

There sat Dorothy, silly little girl with no clue at all to the Mad Wizard’s affections. And just beyond the flaps of the tent stood Eye. To say he was crushed was an understatement. More confused than he could take and his heart hanging on by a small red thread he swallowed the lump in his throat and forced himself to go back into the tent.

“I’m back!” He announced with forced enthusiasm. He carried an assortment of fruits in the crook of his arm.

Dorothy beamed, honestly happy to see him back. “Good. I was getting a bit lonely now that Flinch is asleep.” She patted the seat next to her then noticed the flower in his hand. “What have you got there?”

Instead of tossing it aside like he wanted Eye thrust the flower out towards Dorothy. “They said it’s a Club flower. It’s supposed to change colors depending on the mood of the person who is holding it.”

Dorothy took it. “That’s so sweet, Eye. Thank you.” The little flower turned from red to pink in her hand. “That’s so cool!”

Eye sat down beside her. Should I tell her, he thought. Or should I just let her keep on thinking what she’s thinking and keep on thinking what I’m feeling.

Dorothy then put her lips against his cheek.

“I dunno!” He suddenly yelped.

Dorothy laughed and he couldn’t help but laugh with her.

“I dunno what that was.” Eye confessed, rubbing his cheek where Dorothy had kissed him.

Dorothy pushed her hair behind her shoulder. “It’s okay.” She pulled her knees up to her chest. “I’m glad you’re here Eye.”

“Why?”

“Because…I dunno.” She smiled. “I guess…it’s because I just get the feeling that no matter what happens I can turn around and see you there.”

“That makes me happy,” Eye said softly, “to hear you say that.”

Stupid kids.