A Crack in the Middle of Reality

“It’s the middle of the night and I have a test tomorrow,” Elaine argued as she closed her Chemistry book. The Watcher was merely seated on her bed, a smirk on his face, watching as she put away her study notes for the subject. “If I fail, it’s going to be your fault and I won’t be able to go to Japan this summer.” The brown-eyed girl sent the blonde a glare, but it was evident in her eyes that she was interested in his offer. Half an hour ago, he had appeared in her kitchen, took out some fruit from the fridge, and entered her room without knocking as he munched on the apple.

She was the only one in the house, and it would be that way for around a week.

“Relax, Elaine. We’ll be back by,” he checked his golden pocket watch, “at least three in the morning, if possible. That is, if you don't get yourself into trouble,” the man teased. She sent him yet another glare and folded her arms over her chest. “Unless you don’t want to go and would rather study for your midterms, I can let you do that.” The Watcher turned and headed towards her bedroom door, but chuckled to himself as she grabbed the end of his coat.

“Hell no. I’m going with you.”

“Suit yourself.”

“And why did you think I wanted to go with you anyway?”

He looked at her, and then at her bedroom wall.

“You may not know, but there’s a crack in there.”

“…a crack? It’s been there for a long time.”

“Because of what, Elaine?”

She shrugged. “How should I know. Maybe from the weird construction they didn’t bother to fix or whatever.”

The man gave yet another chuckle. “Close. And you can let go of my coat.” She blushed at this and did so, clearing her throat awkwardly. The Watcher didn’t seem to notice and approached the wall, running his fingers over the small yet noticeable crack, studying it carefully. Elaine Rivers hung back, watching him as well, and finally walked forward, pushed him aside, and stared at him herself.

“Oi, what was that for!?”

“You take too long,” she muttered under her breath, and did the same thing he did: she ran her fingers over the crack once, then twice, and then thrice. “There’s nothing weird about this.”

“But there is!” he argued. “Just look at it, isn’t it weird to you?”

She stared at him.

“The only weird thing in this house is a man who broke into my room with random fruits in his hands and begged me to go with him on an adventure in the middle of the night.”

“Says the girl who can explore different Parallel Worlds.”

“Says the guy who brings the said girl to the different Parallel Worlds.”

“Says the girl who got stuck with a baby Setomion.”

“Says the guy who has a weird fascination for the word ‘marbleball’.”

They didn’t seem to notice the crack opening wider and wider.

“Oh, that’s how you play?” he smirked. “Says the girl who fell –” Elaine smiled, amused, upon seeing his own eyes widen. “Elaine, move.”

“So, I win?”

“Yes, you win,” he snapped. “Move out of the bloody way!”

“What’s your problem?” Elaine saw him stare in shock behind her and finally turned back to the crack in the wall…

…the crack that practically took a portion of her wall away. She gaped.

“WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO MY WALL?!”

“Elaine,” he tried, but she growled and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt.

“Fix it. Fix it right now or I swear to God I’ll stick your head in the blender and turn you into a Watcher smoothie.” He tried speaking but she dragged him to the hole, pushing him into it without a moment’s worth of hesitation.

Too bad he dragged her along as well.

* * * * *

“…oh blast it, not again.”

“Eh? What you talking about?”

“It seems like we’ve got two more visitors.”

“But…what?” A man by the name of Alfred frowned. “How were they able to get in? I thought Elly and the others were the only people that could get in here?” the shorter one shrugged and got off his throne, paying attention to the skies outside. “I’ll go with Matthew, see what’s up.”

“You go and do that. I’ll have to tell the girls about out.” When Alfred ran out, calling for his brother, the King sighed and massaged his temples. “More visitors…that’s impossible. Unless people have accidentally wandered into the tree hole the girls claimed they went through, there can’t have been another hole between worlds.” Outside, the sky rumbled slightly. “I’ve tried everything I could – spells and whatnot, but the barrier remained closed. So why now, of all times?”

* * * * *

“Watcher.”

“Elaine.”

“Whose Parallel World is this?”

Watcher ran a hand through his hair.

“This…this isn’t a Parallel World of anyone, Elaine.”

“It’s not?!”

“It can be, but I’ve never seen it throughout my travels.” At that, he actually hesitated. “For once in my life, I have no idea where we are.”

“Huh. Huh.” She turned around and shut her eyes, letting off a groan. “We’ve got worse to deal with.”

“What?”

“The crack.” She glared. “The crack. Is gone.”

“That can’t be,” he tried, but was interrupted by the sound of galloping. The Watcher gave her a look. “Run or stay?”

“Stay. They’re coming for us, anyway.”

He couldn’t help but sigh at the lack of emotion in her voice.

“Mattie, here!” Elaine stared at the two horses that came with the men riding, one with honey-blonde hair and the other one with softer hued blonde hair that fell in short waves. “I’m not sure if you two can provide an explanation, but hop on and we’ll get you somewhere safe.”

“And who exactly are you two?”

Was he being protective?”

“Alfred Jones, Knight – and my sibling here is Matthew Williams.” He flashed a grin. “Part of the Kingdom of Spades. We don’t want you two hanging around this part of the area, so why don’t you two hop on and we’ll take you to the Kingdom, yeah?”

After much coaxing, Elaine rode behind Matthew and the Watcher behind Alfred.

* * * * *

“Elisa.” A brunette looked at Arthur with a raised brow.

“Arthur?”

“We’ve…” he paused. “We’ve got company coming.”

“Is it Rianne? Or Tricia or Reese? Or all three?” he shook his head, and she narrowed her eyes. “Who, then? Any of the other Kings coming along?”

“No, it’s…it’s just this. I’ll be relying on you when they come here.”

“Eh – what – why?”

“Elisa, they’re not from here.”

“What – then that means we can get out – Arthur, I have to go there!”

“Alfred and Matthew already picked them up.” She stared at him in disbelief.

“Arthur, this is my chance of getting back home with my friends.”

“But what if they pose as threats?” he snapped, and then sighed once more. “When they arrive, we’ll see. We’ll see what we can do and if they can get home.” As she was about to respond, the doors opened and both turned their heads to see Alfred bringing in two people – a girl much younger than Arthur’s companion with black hair, and an older man with blonde hair and a long brown coat.

“They aren’t from here.”

“I’ve gathered.” He cleared his throat and approached the two, smiling slightly. “Hello, I am Arthur Kirkland, the King of Spades. You’ve met Alfred,” he nodded at said Knight, “and this lady is Elisa la Cruz.”

“Elly,” she added, rushing to his side and looking at the two. The girl looked anxious and the man’s eyes darted around the place. “Call me Elly. And you two are?”

“Watcher.” The man’s reply was short. “This is Elaine. Elaine Rivers.”

Arthur gave Elly a nod, and she asked them to go with her to the dining room. At her request, both of them followed, leaving the King and the Knight in the room.

“Bringing in the four wasn’t as quiet,” Alfred noted.

“I can see why.” And that was his only reply.

Him? Again?

* * * * *

“Here, have a cup while you’re at it.” Elaine quickly took a drink and Watcher left his untouched, glancing around him. Elly frowned. “…you’re not from here, are you?”

“What makes you think that?”

“They don’t have cloaks like yours in here.” Watcher noticed she used they instead of we.

“They?”

“The people of Cardverse.” Elly sat down across them, her own cup in her hands. “They’re the traditional sort of folk, not as modern compared to others.” The man was about to open his mouth, but she went on. “And before you ask, no. I’m not from here.”

“You’re not?” at Elaine’s question, Elly nodded.

“No. I’m from England, actually. Back home at Earth.” She gave them a sympathetic smile. “And I guess you two are as well?” Watcher nodded.

“I’m from the Philippines.” Elaine spoke. “And this…weird dude is from wherever he comes from. It’s his fault I got dragged into this.” Watcher gave an exasperated look.

“So you’re stuck?”

“Unfortunately. My three other friends are in the three other Kingdoms…it’s been some time since we’ve been here. They don’t keep tabs on time as much as humans from Earth do.” She sighed and drank more tea. “We – my friends and I – have grown accustomed to Cardverse, but it's nothing like home.”

“…do you think we can go back?”

At that, Elly gave a pained smile.

“I don’t know about that.”

* * * * *

Watcher glanced at Elaine’s sleeping form and quietly went out of the room, closing the door and heading elsewhere. He walked and walked until he reached the gardens, and sat down on the bench as he ran his hand through his blonde hair. Tired eyes looked at the pocket watch and he frowned upon seeing the same time he did while he was back in her house.

Frozen.

“I honestly didn’t expect to see you come back, Watcher.”

He looked up and smiled slightly.

“I didn’t expect to either.”

“The last time you were here…you were with someone else.” Arthur looked at him. “A girl by the name of Eli-”

“Yes. Her.” His voice was clipped. “And we were able to get out.”

“She was different, that’s why.” Arthur gave Watcher a look. “She had abilities, and you do as well. And my instinct tells me this Elaine Rivers of yours is no different than your previous companion.”

No reply. He sighed.

“You two aren’t supposed to be here.”

“I know that, Arthur.”

“Well, what if I told you that things that weren’t supposed to be could go back?”

Watcher looked up.

“You’re implying–”

“ –that you two can go back, yes.”

“How?”

“Through how you came in. Remember your first time here, Watcher – I told you the same thing. Things that weren’t supposed to be could go back.”

And with that, Arthur Kirkland left.