the fall of red

out with a bang

Red's life was riddled with regrets, but none haunted her, like the decision to flee from a gang of pirates and run to the rabbit hole on foot.

As she trudged through the dense forest, with the entrance to her personal hell still a distant prospect, Red couldn't help but dwell on the mistakes that had brought her to this point. Without her car, she moved slowly between the imposing trees, constantly scanning her surroundings for any sign of being followed. Every step was laden with the weight of uncertainty and dread.

Red's mind raced through the potential outcomes that awaited her upon her return home. The most favourable scenario involved facing a severe punishment that would shatter her desire to even glance at her mother's face again. But what about the worst-case scenario? Oh, right, yeah, beheading, which meant she never saw Chloe again. Oh, and yeah, she'd be dead.

As the red-haired girl approached the rabbit hole, it felt like a heavy weight was pressing down on her chest. It wasn't just the fear or shame of going back that made Red hesitant to turn around. It was the thought of being trapped in the same monotonous routine - looking out of the same window every morning, seeing the same people working, breathing in the same air, eating the same food, and hearing the same screams. What made it even worse was the realisation that Chloe wouldn't be there to rescue her from this never-ending nightmare. There would be no waking up to Chloe's comforting presence, no falling back asleep in her protective embrace - just loneliness and helplessness.

How in God's green earth would Red survive it all? Well, truthfully, she might not have to.

Red continued on her journey, the memory of the path she took to the school from Wonderland fading as she walked. The girl rarely looked back once she left, and as Red returned, she hoped she had recognised the correct trail.

As she neared the rabbit hole, Red spotted worn-out signs warning of danger ahead, urging her to turn back. She quickened her pace, and soon, she could see the entrance looming before her. With a sigh of relief, she patted herself on the back. Standing at the entrance, she hesitated before turning away.

Red wanted to savour the moment. She longed to take in the sight of the magnificent forest of Auradon one last time before it vanished from her view forever.

She gazed at the magnificent trees towering proudly in front of her, their branches reaching out towards the sky. The grass beneath her feet was long and wild, and the ground was uneven, scattered with gentle bumps and dips. Some areas of the forest were devoid of grass altogether, exposing the raw earth underneath. Red found beauty in these natural imperfections, unlike the artificial perfection she was accustomed to back home. She reflected on how nothing in life is truly perfect, including herself, so why should the world around her be artificially forced into perfection? It struck her as surprising that she had never taken the opportunity to sit and immerse herself in the quiet beauty of the forest while in Auradon, considering that it had been her sanctuary in Wonderland. Despite this realisation, she was grateful for it, knowing it would have made leaving much more difficult.

Red slowly rose to her feet, brushing dirt off her jeans as she gazed at the dense forest ahead. She recalled the tales she had been told about the rabbit hole and how it had a way of luring unsuspecting wanderers into the enchanting world of wonderland. She knew that the best bet for leaving the other side without a head injury was to keep your feet firmly planted on the ground.

Armed with this knowledge, Red took measured steps onto the creaky wooden planks marking the entrance to the enchanted wood. A sense of unease and fear washed over her as she ventured further into the weird place.

As she continued to walk, it seemed as though gravity had ceased to exist. Grandfather clocks appeared to float past her, and the tunnel seemed to shift and morph in size and shape as she ventured further into its depths.