Lost In Wonderland

Chapter 2

AN: I dearly apologize for Cory, I liked him to. RIP Cory

I sulked around the castle the next few days. Cory was my friend, and I felt it was all my fault he was dead.

I wanted to go back to the mortal world and try to forget about Cory. The day after it happened, I saw servants carrying his bare bones to the furnace. I think they used them as fuel.

The thought sent a shudder down my spine.

In my depressed state, I stupidly said yes when William asked me to marry him. I can't marry a prince no one knows is real? And I barely know him. But still, how do I break it off?

I sat alone in the throne room, sitting on a new third throne. It would be mine.

"Princess," a familiar voice cooed in my ear.

I turned around and saw the familiar yellow cat's smile. Slowly, the rest of Cheshire appeared. I smiled. "Cheshire, I'm not a princess yet,"

"I cannot believe you're marrying William." The cat spat his name like it sent bile rising just by saying it.

"Why not? Everyone is very happy for us,"

"You're not,"

I dropped my voice. "How do you know that?"

"You don't look at Sir William like you did to Corinth. Oh, by the way, I heard about that. Just horrible."

I nodded. "Tragic accident."

The cat started to laugh. Loud and hearty. "You—you think it's an accident? You really aren't as smart as you seem," The cat stopped laughing, still letting out a giggle or two.

"What do you mean? It was an accident. There wasn't anything we could do."

"You daft fool. I saw it all... if you want to know what really happened."

"What happened?"

"William was wiping Corinth. Sounded painful. He told Corinth to keep quiet, not to let out even a yelp. Corinth couldn't help it. By the third strike, he cried out. Finally, William had had enough. He grabbed Corinth by the collar and told him that he should start running.

"Corinth ran, faster than I'd ever seen a halflife run. But not fast enough when the wolves were let loose. William let them go."

"No, William wouldn't."

"I think the Queen set him up to it. She saw that he was an obstacle in getting William married to you so she had to get rid of him."

I stood up. "No! The Queen promised that Cory would be let free."

"The Queen of Hearts is a dirty liar who only cares about power and the welfare of her son. I couldn't believe no one told you this. Everyone in the kingdom knows it."

"I want to get out of here, Cheshire. You have to help me."

"What do I get in return?"

I shrugged. "What do you want?"

He thought for a second. "Take me with you. To the mortal world. I'd be a great pet."

"A pet cat? Really? Okay. Show me how to get us home."

Cheshire smiled a Cheshire Cat smile. "Right this way."

. . .
We walked through the night. I was in a short red dress that hugged my chest too much, giving me too much cleavage. It had white and black hearts on it. I wore patterned tights that made me feel skankier than a skank. I had black pumps on, the only shoes I could find.

I followed Cheshire, eager to get back home, one hundred and fifty percent over Wonderland.

"Where are we going, Cheshire?" I finally asked. The sky was dark and the woods seemed darker.

"Absolem."

"Absolem? I don't recall an Absolem."

"Well I guess you'll just have to wait until we're there. It isn't very far, now," Cheshire weaved between the trees, at times going out of my sight. I was worried that I'd lose track of him and become Lost in Wonderland.

Each time I started to worry, Cheshire would appear again.

Finally, Cheshire stopped walking. We were in front of a small tent, the type that I've always imagined gypsies to live in, way back when.

"This way," Cheshire said, going into the tent.

I followed him, immediately slammed with the smell of incense. It was the type that reminded me of smokers who tried to cover up the smell of tobacco with more smoke.

A thin film of smoke hung low in the air, washing out the bright colors of the rugs and pillows. Beads hung everywhere. It all reminded me of a Hookah lounge.

Sitting in a mound of blankets and pillows, sat a blueish caterpillar.

Oh.

Absolem.

He took a drag on the hookah in his hands, blowing the smoke right into my face. "Princess," he said, his voice deep and soothing.

"I'm not the Princess,"

"Yes, but you're in line to be," he laughed. "I didn't think royalty were the type to vaporize."

"That's not why I'm here,"

Absolem blew more smoke into my face and I struggled not to cough. I cleared my throat instead. "My friend, Cheshire, brought my here,"

"Cheshire Cat? Come on out of your hiding, feline,"

Cheshire appeared beside me. "Hello, Absolem, long time no see." Absolem blew out a puff of smoke towards Cheshire. The Cat scrunched up his snout. "You really should cut back. It's not healthy."

"What do you need, Cat?"

"We need to get to the mortal world without the Queen or Prince knowing."

"Sounds like you're in a bit of a jiffy."

"That's where I hoped you'd help. If I recall correctly, you're the one who owes me. Do me this favour,"

"Why don't you just go see the Rabbit? She fell down his hole, didn't she? Can't she just fall up?"

"The mortal world doesn't work that way and you know it." Cheshire looked annoyed, and slightly bored, like he'd had this conversation a dozen times before. "Help a cat out, help your Princess out."

The Caterpillar thought it over, tossing and turning the idea. "Okay. Fine. I'll do it. But I'll need some supplies."

Now the challenge is how they get out... considering I haven't even figured that out yet... Hehehe.

School starts Friday, and I don't want to go. Ever. Can I just skip high school?

No?

Fine.

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