Down the Rabbit Hole ⚝ Killian Jones

4

Jefferson looks down at me, a sad smile painted across his face. My stomach twists, sharp and sudden.

"I told you, you're not dreaming, Alice. This is real. I'm real."

I shake my head.

I know I'm being difficult, but I can't help it. How can any of this be real? Just hours ago, I was being proposed to. That was the craziest thing that had happened to me since my father's death. Besides, this is my dream. Why should this one suddenly be real?

"Do you know why a raven is like a writing desk?" He asks expectantly, leaning over the table. He looks down, shoulders slumped, when I shake my head.

"I do." A different voice rings out, smooth and silky.

A furry blue cat seemingly materializes out of nowhere.

Definitely a dream.

"Who are you?" I ask.

"An old friend." He says mysteriously before appearing behind Jefferson. "Do not worry, Hatter, she will be Alice again, just give her time."

My head rears back.

Not Alice? How can I not be Alice when I am Alice?

"Everyone acting as if they know me better than I do is beginning to wear thin." I snap.

A loud howl echoes from outside.

The cat disappears and the hair on the back of my neck stands on end. That sounded like a very large beast. All the occupants at the table stand, looking like they are prepared for a fight. I stand up as well, going to see what's outside.

Jefferson grabs me, but I rip my arm out of his grasp. I swing open the door roughly.

This is just a dream.

I won't allow my own brain to trick me. People already think I'm strange enough without me confusing dreams with reality. Coming towards me is a large white beast with black spots. It looks to be a mix of a large bear and a dalmatian.

"Bandersnatch!" I hear McTwisp shout.

I feel my palms turn clammy, but I refuse to move, entrusting that this dream will finally end. I close my eyes just as the beast raises its large paw back to strike me. Jefferson pushes me to the ground. I cry out, the Bandersnatch managing to swipe my arm.

I lay on my back, mouth agape. I hold onto my bleeding bicep, warm blood dripping down my fingers.

Why didn't that work?

The Bandersnatch takes Jefferson's foot in its mouth and drags him off into the dense trees. My heart is beating out of my chest. I feel like I'm going to be sick, picturing the beast eating him.

"Jefferson!" I shout.

Before I lose sight of him, he calls one last thing to me.

"Don't follow me, Alice!"

I stand slowly, wobbling slightly before catching my bearings. I shake my head. If this is real, so is the rabbit hole, my wound, the Queen of Hearts, and Jefferson. And those things can't be real. They just can't.

I know what brand of crazy I am, and this isn't it.

That's why I know this is a dream. But God, this feels real. Why would Jefferson do something like that for me? Does he truly believe that I'm capable of defeating the Queen? So much so that he'd be willing to sacrifice himself so I can?

Could I really do that? God, if this is real, my mother is either seething with anger or worried sick right now. Knowing her, probably both. But I can't focus on that right now. Jefferson's in danger and I owe him. I steel myself, knowing what I have to do.

"Cat!" I shout at the air.

Seconds later, the cat from before materializes in front of me, paying close attention to the three gashes on my arm.

"I can heal that for you; it needs to be purified so it doesn't putrefy." He says with his usual grin.

Something strange settles in my stomach, and I move away. There's an overwhelming sense of eager energy radiating from him that doesn't sit right with me. I hold my arm protectively.

He seems to understand.

"At least let me bind it for you."

He materializes a silky blue scrap of cloth. I nod my head hesitantly in consent and wince as he binds my arm gently. I step back once he's finished.

"What's your name?" I ask firmly.

"The Cheshire Cat. But you used to call me Chesh." He says with a Cheshire grin.

"Where did that thing take him?"

Chesh appears behind me.

"To the Queen's palace, of course." He says, tilting his head to the side.

"We're going to rescue him," I state, beginning to walk towards where he was dragged.

"If I recall, did he not tell you not to do exactly that?" He asks knowingly, appearing back in front of me and rolling to his back. Heat flashes through my chest, sharp and sudden.

I haven't felt like this since I was a little girl.

"I don't care what he said! He wouldn't be there if it weren't for me. This may be a dream... but if it's not." I hesitate. "If it's not, then I must save him."

I walk around him.

"You must prepare-"

I turn on my heels to face him, my voice rising into a yell.

"From the moment I fell down that rabbit hole, I've been told what I must do and who I must be! I've been told I know all of you, and I've been scratched by a wild beast, but this is my dream! I'll decide where it goes from here."

Something within me begins to click into place. Something that I lost one night many years ago. I can't quite put my finger on what that is, but it fills me with fear as much as it does relief.

"If you diverge from the right path-"

I take a step towards him.

"I decide what the right path is! I make the path! So either help me or stay the hell out of my way!"

My voice takes on a stronger, more confident tone that startles me, rising from the front of my mouth instead of the soft, back of the throat, feminine way I was taught. I sound...more me.

His smile becomes even bigger somehow.

"Now you are Alice."

edited//

sorry for the short chapter but our favorite pirate will be making a small appearance in the next chapter

-Ky