Alice's plan to overthrow the Queen of Hearts is thwarted by a dashing pirate with a hook. Years later, after the curse is broken, they reunite once again.
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I blink, looking around in confusion. Where the hell am I? The road I'm on is practically deserted. Trees run parallel to the street, almost like a hallway. The desolate area almost feels like it's mocking me, reminding me of how alone I am in this world. The only sound I can hear is the sound of the leaves rustling through the wind, whispering in my ears about all the mistakes I've made that have led me here, to this very moment. It's still light out, which means I have only a couple more hours before needing to find somewhere to sleep.
I reach into my pocket and take out my cell phone to check the time when something else falls out of my pocket. I crouch down and pick it up. A small opal glitters in my palm, about the size of a date. Where did this come from? I furrow my brows, shoving my confusion to the side. A mysterious crystal appearing in my pocket is the least of my worries.
I sigh heavily, the ache in my legs screaming for me to sit down but I know that once I do, I won't be getting back up. I stop, considering turning back, my mind running through all types of different scenarios to fix everything but come up empty. I steel myself before continuing, ignoring the growing stitch in my side. I will be happy. I will find home. Just not in Portland.
Maybe running away from my problems wasn't the brightest idea I've had. Portland has been great. It has that small town feel without feeling like everyone knows me and my business. But I made too many mistakes, made all the wrong choices. Chose the wrong friends and worked at the wrong school. Everything was just...wrong.
Klara ended up being a backstabber that, turns out, hated me the entire time. Lara was using me for a place to stay. My school overworked me until I had considered driving my car off a bridge. I'm scowling so hard at my boots that I almost miss the car speeding towards me, jumping out of the way in time before it crashes into me.
"Shit." I curse under my breath, my heart leaping out of my chest. "Watch it, asshole!" I shout but obviously, they don't hear me. I continue walking in the direction the car went, hoping I didn't get turned around. I must have really spaced out for me to not have any clue where I am. I'm not even sure I'm still in Maine. I really hope I'm not. I knew that when I ran, I wouldn't be able to take anything with me except my essentials. A bag with my birth certificate, ID, social security card, and my MasterCard.
I was initially going to buy a plane ticket, or at the very least, a bus ticket. But I found out that the soonest I could leave Portland would have been Wednesday. But I needed to leave now. I should have at least bought a bike. I think to myself sourly.
I walk, and continue to walk for another hour. The sun began to set thirty minutes ago but I don't even have it in me to feel anxious about that. The farther I get from Portland, the tight feeling in my chest starts to ease up hour by hour. Hopefully, by the time I reach New York, it'll dissipate completely. I wonder if I will dissipate along with it, since it's so ingrained in me.
Off in the distance, I can see what looks to be a diner of some sort and I let out a breath of relief. Hopefully, they have a map. At the very least, I can rest my feet. As I approach, I read the bright red sign hanging on top of the building.
