Down the rabbit hole

CHAPTER 9

She ran until she could hear her own heart beat. She did not remember walking this much. She had obviously been very distracted by Lumen. It was actually normal. The town was too wonderful, too beautiful and she would never forget.

She ran for a couple of minutes, the horn had stopped a few seconds ago, and even though she didn't know what was happening and why the horn had sounded, she perfectly knew it was not good news.

Just a few meters in front, just at the right she coils and sees two big trees. The garden.

Even though Hatter said it was a Fairy garden, she couldn't quite think what might be in there except fairies. Okay, fairies were supposed to be nice, right? But what if they werent? What if they ate human skin? Hatter may have laughed at her imagination, but that imagination kept her alive and sane, so she might trust it a bit for a little while.

She ran until the door. The doorknob did not speak, and a feeling of nostalgia filled her. She turned to the right and the door slowly creaked open. Light poured on the floor as she opened it wide.

She looked to the sides of the street she was on, took a deep breath, and entered.

The door closed behind her, and the sound of birds filled her ears. The Moon shined bright and the garden was as beautiful as she had imagined. She walked down the few steps there and her shoes touched the grass. Everything was green, except for the magnificent flowers. The scent of this place reminded her of her dreams, of a magical place.

She walked forwards. At the left there was a small white rose maze, and at the right there was a swing on a tree. There were benches all around the place and then she remembered. Hide. Go to the fairy garden and find the Wishing Well. You must whistle three times.

She had to find it.

She decided to enter the white rose maze. The grass became white stones once she officially entered the maze. She looked around and turned to where her heart thought the right way was. Every turn scared her a bit, where were the fairies? What if she wasn't supposed to be here? Would they attack her?

She would first try to get a pick through the branches to see if there was anything but there wasn't. She sighed in relief each time she confirmed she was by herself. Even if she did not like being alone in general, she had to thank the gods she was safe with whatever was outside.

She turned a couple of times until she saw it. Just in the middle of the maze there was a white well made out of stone, just like in the fairy tales. The well was situated in the middle of a square with benches on the side. There was a bucket beside it with a rope to get water out of the bottom. She walked towards it and looked at it. This time, she didn't lean too forward. She grabbed the edge and when he felt that he was not going to fall he looked at the water. There were golden coins and leaves at the bottom.

She smiled to herself and whistled three times before she wished, 'Please, save me.' She closed her eyes while she heard the echo of her whistles becoming more and more silent.

She waited for a few seconds, but nothing seemed to happen. She opened her eyes and looked in the well. A small breeze brushed her face and she could hear birds chirping and rocking horse neigh.

She looked around helplessly. What was going to happen to her if this well did not answer her wish? Hatter was scared, but of what?

She turned her head again and looked in the well anxiously.'Oh please, save me.'

'And who speaks?' Said a voice. Alice jumped in surprise, her eyes darting to where the voice had come. She looked at the bucket on the floor and her eyes went wide in surprise. The bucket had eyes and a mouth. Two hands appeared from its side and they picked themselves up with both his hands.'Who speaks to the Welly?'

'Welly?' She took a step back, a little shocked. This place never seemed to stop surprising her, or scaring her.

'The well. Welly the well.'The bucket said while two pairs of gray legs appeared from the bottom of the object. It walked towards Alice and she stood as still as a rock, her eyes never parting from the bucket. 'May I ask why you are here? You interrupted my nap. Did he send you here? Where is your horse?' He raised an eyebrow, both his hands at his side.

Alice was a little puzzled with all the questions he threw at her. She stayed quiet for a while.'Have you gone mute?'

Alice's cheeks went a little red and she finally came back to earth, even if she didn't know if this was her planet.'Sorry, i do speak.' The bucket looked at her from top to bottom.

'You are very dirty.' He just pointed out'

'Indeed.'

You are not from around here are you?'

'Not really.' She smiled at him. 'What is your name?'

'Buck the bucket.' Alice chuckled and the bucket crossed his arms making her serious once again. 'So? Who are you and why are you here?' It seemed more like an order than a question and Alice felt a little bit annoyed.'

'It's a secret.' She sat on the floor and the bucket seemed interested.'Would you like to know?'

'If he sent you, I'm not interested. He interrupted my nap.' Alice thought that maybe he meant the Hatter but even so, she did not mention that mad one.'I do not know who you speak of. I came here because I need to make a wish.' The bucket huffed.

'And your name is?' He walked towards the well with his arms crossed and Alice decided to get up and walked behind Buck.

'My name is Alice.' The Bucket stopped moving.'Alice Wells.'

Slowly, Buck turned around and stared at her. His eyes roamed over every part of Alice's body and he felt a little bit insecure. What if he didn't believe her?

'The Alice?' She nodded a little bit confused. She still didn't know what that meant, but soon she would figure it out. 'Oh!' He shouted joyfully.'Why didn't you say so sooner! Gosh it's such an honor to meet one of you. I have heard so many things about you.' Alice wanted to ask but she feared she was wasting time.

'It's my pleasure.' She smiled widely at Buck and he jumped happily.

'Come come. Make your wish.'

'I already did, but it didn't work.' She walked towards Welly. Did the well talk to? Was it alive?

'Because you need my permission. Not everyone can wish, imagine the disasters that would create.' He offered a hand to Alice and she bent down to do so. She maybe was a little uncomfortable, but as long as the bucket was happy and made her wish come true, she did not mind at all.'What do you wish for Alice in Wonderland?' The bucket let go of her hand so she could put hers at the edge of Welly.

She took a deep breath and looked inside. 'I wish to be safe.'

She closed her eyes and waited. She did not see how Buck smiled widely.

'Your wish is granted.' And he pushed her.