A twisted visionary

A girl discovers Walt Diseny's true plans for the world

A twisted visionary

Claudia Cook

Trigger warnings: Death of a toon child and mentioned death of a parent

It was supposed to be a family trip to the happiest place on earth, and it started out that way.

My family stood in line, waiting to scan our magic bands. I kept seeing a flash out of the corner of my eye hearing the opening speech over the intercom

"To all who come to the happy place, welcome!"

My cousin was in front of me, so I could finally see what the flashing was. That's when the pit in my stomach started.

The flash wasn't a flickering light bulb or an attraction.

Several machines, each painted in the color scheme of the core five and the flashing were lights around the rim of it.

As my cousin stepped through, the machine's lights flashed and in his place was something Eeyore looking, but a more twisted version of him.

He had Jason's shirt on and his hair color. His ears were now floppy; he had sprouted a tail with a nail in it and his skin had turned gray.

When it came time for my turn, I couldn't move. I didn't want to move so I squeaked when I was shoved forward.

"Oh, looks like we got a little mouse on our hands" the imagineer smiled typing in a code on the machine.

My heart was pounding in my ears, and I learned I could function without thinking. Before I knew what was happening, I had taken off my MagicBand and shoved it in the machine, and heard an explosion.

When I woke up, I was on the ground and through the ringing in my ears I could hear

"To all-to all- to all who c-come to this hap-hap-hap-hap"

I sit up, the world spinning for a few moments, my vision clearing. Looking around, I notice most of the guests had left...or possibly been evacuated.

As soon as I got my bearings, I began walking around making sure I didn't have any physical injuries. Before I pass a mirror, I almost suspect I'm dreaming and that I'm in the hospital recovering. I glance in the mirror as I pass by before backing up.

I touch my face in disbelief. My eyes are no longer hazel, but different shades of grey. There are light grey lines around me as well, like I'm a sketch waiting to be inked.

I was distracted by my new look, I flinch as a loud screech came over the loudspeakers. The voice that came over was unmistakable.

Mr. Walt Disney himself.

"My dear children," he said, almost sounds gentle and loving "there seems to be someone here that doesn't want to be...one of us."

I feel my cheeks heat up as I glance around quickly as the picture of my new self-flashes onto every screen in the park.

"If you find her, do not hesitate to approach her, bring her to me."

I heard a pounding and looking down I saw a heart shape pointing out of my chest. I quickly ducked into an alleyway as tourists started whispering if there was going to be a reward for bringing the 'rogue' in.

Just as I was praying for some way to escape, a light flickered on revealing a door. Not thinking twice, I opened it and dashed in making sure it didn't slam behind me.

The room was barely lit, but I could smell the familiar smell of stall popcorn from the theater. I was glad I was now half animated so my shoes didn't make the sticky sound on the floor.

"You stupid morons!"

I froze, hearing Disney's voice angrily echo though the theater.

"I told you why we need to find that girl!"

A light switched on behind the screen, and I could see silhouettes of two toons, a cat and a rabbit, trembling before one of a man that was at least between 5'8" and 5'10". Well, I thought it was a man but he had large round ears and a thin tail like a mouse.

"We're- we're sorry, sir." A female southern voice whimpered, followed by a baby's cry

The man's silhouette paused and turned the cat toon around forcing a cat bunny hybrid out of a carrier on her back.

"Another one?!"

The baby wiggled, wailing, reaching desperately for their parents. Disney snapped his fingers, and I saw the figure of what I knew to be Peg Leg Pete come with a smoking bubbling cauldron.

"NO!" both the rabbit and cat screamed only to be held back by some goons.

I could only watch and feel my stomach tighten into a knot as the baby's wails grew loud before dying down as it was forced into the DIP.

I gripped my fists and felt tears go down my cheeks as I heard the goons and that twisted visionary leave and Pete's echoing laugh and the smell of cigar smoke linger.

I ran towards the door near the screen, opening a little too quickly, making the rabbit and the cat flinch in their comforting embrace.

"I'm sorry." I say fighting a scowl.

As I studied them, I recognized them from shorts I had seen on Youtube

"Oswald and Ortenzia..." I breathed.

"You?! You're the one who is making Father be in the mood?!" Oswald growled.

I blinked, hearing a slight Jersey accent come out of his mouth

That certainly was a surprise. I held up my hands slightly

"Look, I didn't want any of this to happen...I just didn't want to become like my cousin."

I glance at Ortenzia, who was sniffling, clutching a gray toned blanket.

"I saw what happened. I'm sorry for what happened to your baby."

I reach out a comforting hand to place on her shoulder only for it to be smacked away roughly.

"Shirley." Oswald snapped

I tilted my head in slight confusion

"Pardon?"

"The baby, her name was Shirley."

I shuffle, nibbling my lip slightly. Clearly, nothing I was going to say was going to make this situation any better. I feel warmth over my head and glance up to see a lightbulb. Scowling, I waved my hands making it disappear.

"Look, if you help me maybe I can help you." I suggest.

The two toons look at each other before looking at me, question marks over both their heads.

"Whart do you mean?"

I smirk "What I mean is...if you help me find Disney and get everyone in the park back to normal, I'll give you Shirley back."

"But you can't she was-"

"Put in the DIP?" I ask sympathetically before adding "I may dabble in drawing"

Oswald narrowed his eyes and turned his wife around. I could hear whispering and murmuring with several signs going above their heads before they turned back and Oswald stuck his hand out.

"You have a deal." He pulled back his hand as I reached to shake it "No funny business."

"Never." I nodded

Oswald narrowed his eyes before gripping my hand tightly and giving it a short, but, firm shake. I pulled back, not wiggling my fingers after they were loosened.

"So...what do we do first?" Ortenzia asked, her voice sounding stopped up.

"Well," I smirked "do you know where his personal apartment is?"

Oswald and Ortenzia led me through half the park, whenever I caught to take a breath I saw a small cloud exit my mouth.

I couldn't shake away the thoughts of what happened to that baby toon. How scared she must've been in her last moments as-

I'd like to throw him in the DIP! I gripped my fists and my stride seemed to strengthen as we got closer.

"It's up there." Ortenzia whimpered, pointing at a room above the main street fire station.

I nod, taking a deep breath settling myself.

"Ok, you two stay here."

"Clara!" the two said surprised

"Look, the last thing your surviving children need are their parents put in that....stuff" I put my hands on each of their shoulders. "I'll be all right. I'll meet you here to prove it."

"You'd better" Oswald threatened in a parental way.

It almost made me smile.... almost.

Taking another steady breath, I stealthily made my way into the fire station. I slowly made my way up to the apartment door which was painted a bright lilac, praying that the stairs to the apartment were well taken care of so I didn't hit any squeaky boards on my way up. I didn't as I got to a door with a plaque that read"Backstage."

I reached for it, but found my hand stopping, hovering just inches away from the shiny golden knob.

Did I smell...cigarette smoke?

I gulped, turning quickly but there was no one behind me smoking, It must have been my imagination.

I flinched as I heard the door creak open. I knew that wasn't.

The inside of the apartment was dark, thee only light come from a small lamp with a green crystal shade. AS I cautiously stepped inside, I almost gagged as the mixing smells of grilled cheese sandwiches canned chili, and cigarette smoke hit me.

"Don't turn green on me now darlin;" came a Chicago accented voice.

I turned, as thick smoke filled the room, I coughed trying to wave it away, to no avail. Somebody would need a saw to cut through it.

It cleared three minutes later, and when it did I saw that the apartment was bigger than it looked on the web.

Hidden parts were revealed.

Beside the kitchette was....a factory floor. I made my way over to it and my legs and arms were jell-o as I saw what was being made.

DIP

"Beautiful isn't it?"

I whipped around to see Mr. Disney standing behind me. Only...he wasn't human. Or he was?

He was his human height but he had a mickey tail, the large Mickey ears, and the face of Walt Disney.

"No! It's-" I began was he walked past me his tail rubbing my cheek.

"You know, Clara, I was once like you and all the other young artist out there." He stopped at the edge of the catwalks bar. "Hopeful, kind, full of dreams."

He turned to me and I saw that his eyes almost looked human again.

"Then my mother died. Gas poisoning"

I felt my heart break

"I'm sor-"

"And it was my fault" He continued not hearing me "When that happened, I decided I wanted to give the world happiness and freedom from death. That's why I made this park to become everyone's dream home!"

I wince as 'dream home' echoed. I straightened up as I saw him looking out at the factory again, He had gone quiet. I started edging closer, quietly. I paused just inches from his back.

"I was just like you Clara. But look at me now. I'm perfect. What do you say to that?"

Perfect? Now I knew what I was doing was right. I waited until a at of dip was near us

"Saw hi to Mother for me." I said pushing him over the bar.

I listened to the splash, then the sickening scream as the DIP destroyed him. I peeked over the edge of the bar for a moment to see his unlit cigarette, suit, a fedora floating in it.

The only things that were real about him.

Authors note:

This is my first dabble into something I consider 'horror' for a bit. I tried in 8^th grade and didt succeed.