The Forgotten Wonderland

Chapter 13: Antidote

Estelle:

I watch them as they ride off. I softly smile, at least I know Suki is safe now. I slowly roll up my shoulder sleeve to reveal that I, myself, am scratched..
I have about an hour before the venom kicks in. I have to make it to someone who has an antidote...
I walk through the endless forest, my feet sluggishly drag on the ground. The moon is bright and full as always, I wonder if it ever changes its phases...

I see a crow perched on a branch not far, watching me ever so closely.

"I don't need your help. I'm fine."

If it's him or an ordinary crow, I know not. But I won't take chances.
My breath becomes shallow and my head starts spinning.
Every two steps I have to hold on to a nearby tree for support.
As the wind blows a few leaves get picked up and swirl about.

My eyes fall shut and my weak body tumbles to the floor. The crow swoops down from its branch and transforms into Killian.

"I knew it.."

I say with my last conscious breath. My heart filled with so much joy and love in his presence. I can't kill that flame which started up again.

"You say you don't need my help, yet here you are on the ground again."

With careful hands he lifts me up and carries me through the woods he knows like the back of his hand.
My hair and limp arms sway with every step. My hairpin is coming undone and letting my hair down.

🃜 🃚 🃖 🃁 🂭 🂺

Killian:

I look down at her. The moon shining perfectly on her smooth neck, her eyes shut and breath shallow. Her scent drowns my senses. God, I've missed her. On her neck, the small necklace I gave her still hangs there.
Wildly her mind beat against me, yet her soul obeyed.
With her it seemed as though the forest wasn't such a dark place.
The moon shined brighter in her presence.
Only for her the wolves stopped fighting and the owls stopped hooting. There was silence around her, for her soul gave it its own music.
I arrive at the castle, the once dim and dark castle. Now light and full of life.

As I walk through the halls, every burnt out candle now shines brightly behind me. I still loved her no matter how much she claimed to hate me.

I laid her down on my bed, she needs the antidote...
She lies there perfectly still, I wished to kiss her pink lips, but I cannot, for the Bandersnatch's venom spreads through the touch of the lips. Again, like the stars she was so close, yet so far.

In my study I go to find the book of antibiotic potions. Then I know which ingredients to get and how to make them. For her, only for her.

🃜 🃚 🃖 🃁 🂭 🂺

Estelle:

I wake up with a bottle being pressed to my lips. Mysterious liquid, I drink some before fully opening my eyes and realizing where I am. I look up and see Killian standing at the side of the bed.
His gaze softened as it met mine.

"Hello, darling."

My body relaxed at the sound of his voice.