I opened my eyes very slowly. It was like a glass window covered in mist. Slowly, as the warmth returns, the mist disappears and we see clearly.

     I was seeing clearly. I was in a big, soft bed and the ceiling was really high. I looked around. It was him - Bushy. Sitting quietly in a chair with a little book in his hand. He smiled at me. It's dark again. I think I fainted again.

     It's almost a repeat of the same again. I open my eyes, the vision clears and I look around. I am so relieved with what I see. It's Lizzie and Kevin smiling back at me. I sit up gently and look around.

     "Where are we?"

     They both turn to each other and smile. It's such a warm smile, I think. I feel at ease. They both look at me. Lizzie is first to speak -

     "You are fine and safe. We all are safe here. We are in Bushy's house."

     "You mean the dog house, right?" - I am blabbering.

     Kevin holds my hand - "Come, let us show you."

     I rise now and follow him.      Bushy's tail is still in my hand. Both are walking quietly and I am just looking around to see where we are. It's really long corridors and all painted white. There are many doors and each door has a white wooden intricate design on it. Am I dead and in heaven? - I wonder.

     We reach a large door. This one is different. It's not white - it's painted in the color of wood - maybe it's wood. Lizzie and Kevin push the door. It must be heavy as I see them pushing hard. Very slowly, the door opens a long 'Creeeeaak, is echoed in all corridors.

     We step inside. It's the same place where I had seen Bushy sitting on a chair. And he is still sitting on the same chair, looking at me with such kind eyes. I walk closer, slowly. He steps down and walks on his fours, next to me. He sits next to me with his neck brushing my ankle. Just like he did every day back home.

     I sit on the floor and caress him. I had missed him. I think we were in the same position for quite some time. Then he got up and walked back to his chair, looked at me, and spoke -

     "Thank you, Pixie! You have taken care of me and loved me. I owe you my life. What you see around is my world. A world where we return when we must, the reasons I shall reveal later. But before, there is something with you, that belongs to me."

     I understood. I walk up to him and place his tail in front of him. As soon as it is kept on the floor,  golden dust appears and the tail, very slowly it flies and gets attached to Bushy - exactly as it was before.

     I am wonder-struck. There are so many questions that need answers and my mind is spinning.

     Lizzie and Kevin are standing by my side. Them being by my side has made it a lot easier to absorb these surreal experiences. I almost forgot though and finally gathered myself to ask Bushy -
    
     "Could you please tell us where is Dan?"

     Bushy kept quiet for a long time. Me, Lizzie, and Kevin probably didn't realize we are holding each other's hands.

     Bushy said - "I am not surprised you made till here, each one alone. But, be aware now, from here on it's not going to be easy. You will need everything that you have but most of all, you will need each other."

     We were looking at each other. We were holding each other tight now - our unsaid commitment. Where exactly is Dan isn't yet clear?

     Bushy continued, " Dan is in great Peril. He accidentally opened a secret doorway when he entered my little Dog House. You are each here because you passed through the door. Dan, however, could not make it and opened a secret door to another world. He is now a prisoner."

     We are looking at each other. We don't know what to expect now; except that we are not going to let our friend be stuck wherever he is. We are together and together we shall win or we shall fall.