Back to Wonderland

Two.

McTwisp and Mallymkun greet me on the other side.

"Welcome back, my dear." McTwisp says.

"All is not well in Underland."

"What's wrong, McTwisp? Is it..."

"Stayne. He escaped from banishment."

"And?"

"Took the throne. And the Vorpal Sword."

I curse.

"Where's Tarrant? Is he alright?"

"He's in the dungeons at Salazen Grum."

"No, there's no way!" I exclaim.

"His execution is tomorrow night."

"Not helpful, Mally!" I screech.

"We're going to bust him out."

"What?! Emma, you'll get yourself killed!"

"I'll rescue Tarrant Hightopp or die trying."

"It's a suicide wish, girl!" Mally tries to tell me.

"Where's the Bandersnatch?"

Mally whistles shrilly.

The Bandersnatch thunders up.

"Hello there," I say, petting his nose.

"Take us to the Mad Hatter, please."

He jerks his great head backwards.

"Everyone on!" I cry.

We're at Crims in a blink.

Hang in there, Hatter.

I blink, hesitating.

"McTwisp, I'm still tiny! Have any Upelkuchen?"

He nods. "Here, take it."

I nibble a tiny piece.

"My dress!"

An instant later, the most beautiful dress floats to me.

"Hello, Chessur." I say with a smile.

"Hello, Emma. Saving the Hatter, are you?"

"I am, however did you know?"

"I know how you are about Tarrant."

Blushing, I take the dress from him and quickly change.

"I still can't believe you all thought my name was Alice," I say with a smile at all the memories.

I lead everyone to the passage into the dungeons.

A floating torch drifts in front of me.

We finally reach the cells.

"Hatter?" I call softly.

"Here," he says glumly. "Is it execution day already?"

"Not til tomorrow," I say as he comes into view.

The Mad Hatter is bound to the floor.

In a cell.

In the dungeon.

At Salazen Grum.

"I'm breaking you out."

"Emma! It's you!"

"It is me, isn't it?" I say with a smile.

"Why are you here?"

"Stayne took my sword."