the fall of red

talking

With each delicate footfall, Chloe couldn't shake the feeling of dread, as if she might have unwittingly crushed a delicate flower with a mind of its own. It seemed like an eternity since she had veered left at the radiant rosebush, but in reality, only a fleeting moment had passed. The woodland's enchanting enigmas had captivated her, rendering her perception of time as elusive as the forest itself.

As Chloe continued to walk through the peaceful forest, a sense of unease crept over her, as if an invisible gaze was fixed on her every move. She couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, and it compelled her to glance back repeatedly, scan the ground at her feet, and even peer behind the thick trunks of trees, all in a desperate attempt to catch sight of anyone who might be observing her.

Chloe felt as though she was teetering on the edge of insanity as she shuffled forward.

"Ugh, I'm completely lost," Chloe lamented, frustrated that she hadn't yet stumbled upon the tree near the rabbit hole.

A noise caused Chloe to Pause mid-step, directing her gaze down towards the ground.

"another flower?" she uttered, looking to see if there was a delicate bloom stuck to the sole of her shoe.

Chloe threw her hands to her head as the voice muttered a firm "No."

Chloe queried, "Then what are you?" as she turned her head to get a glimpse of the enigmatic voice's owner. She suspected that the source of the voice had likely shifted as she turned to face it, so she decided to outmanoeuvre it instead. Spinning her head left, then making a sharp right.

Chloe never expected what would happen next. A huge, eerie cat with a sinister grin perched in a tree, sending chills down her spine. Without warning, she let out a piercing scream and tumbled to the ground, her heart racing.

Chloe whispered in disbelief as she slowly rose to her feet, cautiously making her way towards the enigmatic cat. However, as she drew closer, it appeared to vanish into thin air, leaving behind nothing but its smile lingering in her sight.

"Nobody dares to venture into the mysterious depths of the Tulgey Woods," a low whisper echoed around her. Chloe spun around, but the voice seemed to emanate from all directions at once as if it were resonating deep within her mind.

"Why?" Chloe inquired, her gaze returning to the enigmatic smile imprinted on the gnarled tree.
The smile slowly vanished from Chloe's face, leaving her standing in the midst of the forest. It was unclear whether this was the end, the beginning, or the middle of the woods. Chloe's mind raced as she grappled with the disorienting nature of the place, causing her to question her own sanity.

After what felt like an eternity, Chloe finally stumbled upon the rabbit hole nestled beneath a grand, sprawling tree, as Red had described. The hole at the base was inviting, seemingly large enough for anyone to climb inside. However, Chloe was puzzled because Red had claimed to have outgrown the ability to hide within it, but Chloe could easily climb inside. A small figure caught her eye as she approached – a young girl perched in the tree.

"Red?" Chloe called out in a calm voice. A delicate hand emerged from the tree and lightly tapped the trunk twice in response. Suddenly, the sizeable orifice shrank into a minuscule opening, barely large enough for a cat to squeeze through.

"I'm not here to take you away or tell you to go back, I promise. I'm here to make sure you're okay. I'm the person who closed your eyes earlier," Chloe said softly as she walked closer to the ancient tree, the gnarled bark seeming to form a face in the dim light of the forest.

"I'll keep you safe," Chloe repeated, her voice gentle as she settled down in front of the tree. Gazing at the rough texture of the bark, she couldn't bring herself to look at Red's face. The thought of seeing Red's tears threatened to bring her own emotions surging back, and she wasn't sure she could handle it.

"What's wrong?" the blue-haired girl asked, leaning back on the tree.

"Dad's dead because of me." a whimpering voice spoke.

"No, I promise he's not Red. It wasn't your fault." Chloe said with urgency.

"Yes! He was stealing sweets and being nice to me! We said mean things about Mom, and she heard us! Now he's dead!" the young girl sobbed.

Chloe's words cut through the air like shards of ice, her tone harsh and unwavering as she directed blame towards Red's mother. "That is your mother's fault, Red. Not yours. Your evil, rude, horrible mother's fault."

Red shouted, her hand reaching out from the tree in a desperate attempt to grab Chloe and ensure that she was still there. "Don't say that; she'll hear you and come get you, too!

Chloe assured Red, "She wouldn't get the chance. I'm never in a place for too long, Red. I'm here now and'll be here whenever you're hurt or before you get hurt. I'll never be caught." A warm smile accompanied Chloe's comforting words as she gently took Red's hand.

"Really?" Red asked in a hopeful tone, "Like a guardian?" Their moment together filled the air with a sense of protection and trust.

"Just like a guardian, Red. I might be gone for a long time, but I'll always be around when you need me most. I promise nothing will hurt too much anymore. Things will still hurt, and you'll get upset, but never again will you ever lose hope, and maybe one day you do when everything is hurting, and you think of the worst thing. I'll turn up and give you hope. Wherever you go, whatever you do next, I will ensure it goes right." Chloe began to cry. She knew she wasn't lying, but the thought of protecting Red and helping her bring the light she never had into her life—saving her life—made Chloe want to die herself. She hated that she had to save Red because she shouldn't have needed to. She should be laughing with Red and teaching her true love right now in the present, but instead, she is sitting in front of a tree, holding onto a sad little hand of Red.

Chloe always knew her friend didn't have the best upbringing but she never realised it went as deep as this. And 'this' is only a few years of her life. How would Chloe bear to look at Red when she's at her worst? When she watches the girl she knew fall and crumble.

She dreaded the thought of encountering Red, the teenager with the nose ring and fiery red hair, once more. The uncertainty of when their paths might cross again left Chloe feeling uneasy. Each passing moment held the potential for an unexpected reunion, and the fear of coming face to face with the girl she had begun to love – the girl who was dead – haunted her.

"Next time I don't want to be alive, you'll be here?" the young girl asked, grabbing Chloe's hand tight.

"Next time?" Chloe's voice broke at Red's words. She's four years old, and she had wanted to die already?

"I mean, yes. Whenever you feel that way, I'll be here to change that feeling. I'll never leave you. Not forever, anyway." Chloe was shocked she was able to speak through her sobs.

"Thank you forever." Red's hand still held a tight grip on Chloes.

A bright light shone through Chloe's jacket, signalling that she was about to save Red again.

"I have to go now, Red, but I'll see you again." Chloe stood up, letting go of Red's hand.

Chloe felt the world around her move and turn into white lights. Unaware of the tree slowly opening and a small girl walking out to see the sight in front of her.

Red didn't see much; all she did was be a flash of blue hair as her guardian disappeared into nothingness.

"See you soon," Red muttered as she began to walk out of the forest. She hadn't gotten far before she felt someone looking at her.

"Cheshire." she giggled, turning around and coming face-to-face with the cat.

"Who was the girl?" the cat purred, jumping from the tree and strutting over to Red. He loved the young girl, and if he wasn't banned from Wonderland, he'd always make sure she was okay. There was something about her he liked. She never fell into his traps; she knew her way around the forest, and most of all, she was nothing like her mother.

"She is my guardian." red smiled, looking at the cat.

"I believe she is." the cat smiled before walking away and disappearing into a smile.

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I've been gone again. I'm sorry! i hope you guys enjoyed this chapter also i made a playlist!!!!!
it's on my account on spotify my account is 'lizluvsnae' GO LISTEN AND TELL ME WHAT I COULD ADD!
<3