Marlos

"Time"

The first rays of a peculiar, multi-colored dawn filtered through the towering mushroom caps, casting a kaleidoscope of light across the clearing. The air, still thick with the scent of damp earth and strange flora, was now alive with the chirping and buzzing of unseen creatures.

Mal stirred, her eyelids fluttering open. She blinked, her vision adjusting to the unusual light, and found herself nestled comfortably in Carlos's arms. A soft smile spread across her face as she remembered the quiet intimacy of the previous night.

Carlos was still asleep, his face relaxed and peaceful. She gently shifted, careful not to wake him, and took in their surroundings. Evie and Jay were still sound asleep, curled up together like kittens, their breaths soft and even. The clearing, bathed in the strange morning light, looked almost magical.

She gently shook Carlos's shoulder. "Carlos," she whispered, her voice soft, "wake up."

He groaned softly, his eyes fluttering open. "Morning," he mumbled, his voice still thick with sleep.

"Morning," Mal replied, smiling. "It's morning. Or at least, I think it is."

Carlos sat up, rubbing his eyes. He looked around the clearing, his eyes widening as he took in the strange light. "Wow," he said, his voice laced with awe. "This place is even weirder in the morning."

Evie and Jay began to stir, their eyes fluttering open. They sat up, yawning and stretching, their faces still flushed with sleep.

"Morning, everyone," Mal said, her voice cheerful. "Time to rise and shine."

"Where are we?" Evie asked, her voice still groggy.

"Still in Wonderland," Carlos replied, his eyes scanning the strange landscape. "But it looks like morning."

"We need to figure out how to get out of here," Jay said, his voice laced with urgency. "We can't stay here forever."

"I know," Mal said, her voice thoughtful. "But we need to be careful. We don't know what kind of dangers are lurking in this place."

The four friends crept through the bizarre landscape surrounding the Queen of Hearts' castle, their movements slow and deliberate. The strange, glowing flora cast long, distorted shadows, making it difficult to discern what was real and what was merely a trick of the light. They moved like shadows themselves, their footsteps silent on the soft, mossy ground.

"Remember," Mal whispered, her voice barely audible, "we need to be extra careful. The Queen's guards are probably on high alert after our last visit."

"And after the whole croquet incident," Jay added, a mischievous grin playing on his lips.

"Focus, Jay," Evie hissed, her eyes scanning the surroundings. "This isn't a game."

They reached the edge of the castle grounds, their hearts pounding in their chests. The towering walls loomed above them, a formidable barrier against their quest.

"There," Carlos murmured, pointing to a section of the wall that was partially obscured by overgrown vines. "There's a small opening. We might be able to squeeze through."

They carefully made their way to the opening, their bodies pressed against the cold stone of the wall. One by one, they slipped through the narrow gap, their movements practiced and precise.

They found themselves in a dimly lit courtyard, the air thick with the scent of roses and something vaguely metallic. The courtyard was deserted, but they could hear the sounds of activity coming from within the castle.

"Okay," Mal whispered, "we need to find a way inside. And we need to do it without being seen."

"Jay, Evie," Mal whispered, her voice barely audible, "you two keep watch. If you see any guards, create a diversion. Anything to keep them away from the entrance."