A Knock on the Portal

Freckles:

It all started, as these things sometimes do, with a nap. I rested inside my giant cave in the Other World with visions of grassy fields piled high with bowls of carrots. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the high-voiced one bustling around waving a silly-looking fuzzy thing. She had already awoken me once with the roar of that huge monster she chases around the Other World on occasion. I have learned to ignore her and it, pretending I don’t notice the ear-grinding noise or intrusion they churn up.

I’d found that I could ignore most regular-occurring noises with the exception of Nice Guy’s arrivals and the rustling sound of food pouches. Those sounds have always brought my ears to attention and my heart leaping for joy. However, the sound that I suddenly heard on this afternoon was one that sent chills down my spine. I remembered that sound from a previous time and I also remembered the misery that accompanied it through the portal.