The Red Queen - (Alice In Wonderland)

Chapter 2 - Echoes of Longing

Alice walked through the quaint streets of Heartland, her mind racing with the responsibilities of her day. At 25, she had grown into a striking young woman. Her long, wavy, golden-red hair framed her oval face, and her green eyes sparkled with intelligence and determination. She wore a simple yet elegant dress, perfect for her role as the town librarian. The Heartland Library was her sanctuary, a place where she found solace among the shelves of books and the quiet murmur of pages turning.

The day was chilly, and the first hints of winter were beginning to creep into the air. The townsfolk bustled about, preparing for the colder months. Alice waved and exchanged pleasantries with her neighbors, a warm smile always ready for those she passed.

"Good morning, Alice!" called out Mrs. Thompson from her flower shop. "You look lovely today!"

"Thank you, Mrs. Thompson," Alice replied, her smile genuine despite the lingering concern in her eyes. "Just trying to stay warm. The weather's getting colder."

"I know what you mean," Mrs. Thompson said with a chuckle. "Be careful out there. It looks like we're in for a real snowstorm."

Despite her outward cheer, Alice carried the weight of her discovery from ten years ago. She had accepted her past and cherished the bond with Emery, but the knowledge of her abandonment lingered like a shadow at the edge of her thoughts. Emery had always been her rock, her constant source of love and support. They had navigated the truth together, growing even closer as mother and daughter.

Alice's phone buzzed in her pocket, pulling her from her thoughts. She pulled it out and saw a text from Emery: "Running a bit late, dear. Got caught up at the store. See you at home soon. Love you."

Alice smiled, shaking her head. Emery had taken on more hours at Mr. Johnson's General Store after Alice started working full-time at the library, always wanting to keep busy. She was as dedicated and hardworking as ever, and Alice often worried about her overexerting herself.

"Mom, you really need to take it easy," she muttered to herself, knowing her mother wouldn't listen.

She reached the library and began her shift, finding comfort in the familiar surroundings. The scent of old books and the soft hum of the heating system were soothing.

Around noon, Alice took a break and sat by the window, watching the snowflakes dance in the wind. Her phone buzzed again—this time, a message from her friend Claire. "Hey, Alice! How's everything going? The snow is really coming down out here. Stay safe!"

Alice replied, "Thanks, Claire. I'm just hoping everyone gets home before it gets too bad. The roads are already getting slippery. Probably going to close up early today, and get home before it gets worse."

The day passed quickly, and soon Alice was wrapping up her tasks at the library, organizing books, and helping patrons find their next great read. The weather had taken a turn for the worse, and the sky was a dreary gray. Snow had started to fall, light at first but gradually thickening. As she left the library, Alice pulled her coat tighter around her, bracing against the cold wind.

She drove home carefully, the roads slick with the first layer of snow. Her thoughts drifted to Emery, hoping she had made it home safely. The drive was short, and as she approached their stone cottage, she felt a sense of relief seeing the warm light spilling from the windows.

Alice parked her car and hurried inside, the warmth of the cottage embracing her like a familiar friend. She kicked off her boots and shook off the snow, calling out, "Mom, I'm home! The weather is really getting bad out there."

There was no response.

A knot of unease formed in Alice's stomach. Emery was usually there to greet her with a hug and a smile. She walked through the living room and into the kitchen, but there was no sign of her mother.