Down the rabbit hole

CHAPTER 13

They rode in the silence in between the trees for a while. The sky was even darker than before and you knew night time had come. The lights from the trees was brighter and the forest was calmer, silent.

'Hey,' He whispered next to her ear and she felt a shiver,'Are you sleeping?' He asked. Alice was leaning against his chest with her eyes closed. She just listened to her surroundings, feeling relaxed, as she remembers everything that had happened today. She remembered the Tea Party she had been in, all the animals that were there, Lumen... She thought about it for a while, but if she was asked, she would say that she did not mind seeing Hatter again. She wanted to tell him about how her day had gone.

'Yes.' She looked up and their eyes connected when Raithen looked down. They both looked at each other for a few seconds and she smiled.'Hi.'

'Hi, Little Wonder. ' She was a little bit surprised when he said that, but she did not mind at all. Something inside her knew that it couldn't be this easy to talk to someone, to be in silence for so long and be able to feel safe, to be happy. She could not take her eyes away from him, and the same problem happened to him. 'I wonder how much longer until we arrive.' He told her, looking at the path in front of them.

'Its seems someone is eager to get rid of me.' She chuckled and he smiled.

'I just wish I knew how much time I have left with your company.' Alice kept looking at him even though he wasn't. He was obviously trying to avoid her gaze. He knew that if he looked at her he would be done for. She decided to look at the path in front and noticed how Raithen's heart skipped a beat. She smiled to herself happily.

Time passed and they finally arrived at Lumen. They entered a different way, since Alice did not recall walking on top of a bridge. Once they got to the other side, people stared at them as they walked passed and went in and out of stores and houses. Alice went to get down, but Raithen was faster and he leaping down onto the floor and helped her down. She nodded appreciatively at the gesture so that she wouldn't fall. When Raithen caught her they parted a bit, her hand on top of his.

'I guess this is a good bye.' She said, letting her hands drop to her sides. He did the same and smiled at her.

'I guess it is.' He looked a little bit sad, or so Alice thought. She knew her heart was a little bit disappointed they had to part ways. She had had fun with him.

'Good bye, Rainthen.' She said and she took a step back. Raithen stood there watching her take another step back, and another...

This didn't feel right to him. His heart was breaking, and he did not know why. Every small step she took made his heart tremble and his eyes brightness slowly disappeared. He wanted to stay with her, but his duties were calling. He needed to head back home.

'Goodbye Little Wonder.' She smiled at him and finally turned around and left.

Raithen stood there for a few minutes, hoping she would come back, but she did not.

When he realized she had gone, he got on his horse, sighed, and left Lumen.

'I'll come back for you.' He whispered as he rode off into the forest.

Meanwhile, Alice skipped her way in between the people. Trying to figure out where Hatter could be. He had hidden inside his hat, but she was sure that by now he would have left that street. She was trying to remember if she saw anything that would guide her to where the center was. Maybe Hatter was there, or maybe...

'Excuse me.' She asked a fellow passer. He turned around and the first thing that coughed Alice's eyes was his big mustache. His black hair complimented his spotty jacket and trousers. He had small glasses and a stick to help him walk. 'Yes?' He asked, a little confused.