Mystery In Wonderland

Chapter 2

The Mad Hatter walked out of the palace, only to be faced with a rather tall rose bush.

"This is strange..." The Hatter mumbled as she observed the bush. The rose bush seemed to circle around the whole palace. 'That wasn't here before', the Hatter thought.

The Hatter tried to see if she could find any exits, but unfortunately luck wasn't on her side at this moment.  "This must be the Queen's doing " She mumbled to herself. At that moment she could hear the Queen's voice coming from an unfamiliar pin on her shirt. The pin was in a shape of a red heart. The Queen must've somehow placed it on her.

"Good job, Hatter, you have reached the first check point. The rose bush will let you pass if you answer their riddle correctly. It shouldn't be too hard. Good luck."

"A riddle? " Questioned the Hatter "Yes, just one simple riddle." The Queen said. "Very well then, tell me this riddle of yours."

"A monkey, a squirrel, and a bird are racing to the top of a coconut tree. Who will get the banana first, the monkey, the squirrel, or the bird?"

"Hm..." The Hatter pondered over the riddle for a moment, "My Queen, I have the answer."

"Well then. What is it? Hurry on now, I don't have all day!" The Queen said impatiently.

"Well it's easy. " The Hatter said with a small smirk on her face. "None of them get there first. You can't possibly get a banana from a coconut tree. "The Hatter said.

The Red Queen laughed a little, slightly impressed if she dare say. "Yes, that is the answer. You are the first to get that right." She said as the rose bush began to make an opening for the Hatter to walk through.

The Hatter walked through the bush and saw the first town inside of the kingdom. That town was none other than Shanelty Town. This town was a bit... depressing. The beautiful sun seemed to always be covered by the clouds, every single plant surrounding the area was dead, and the town seemed to have no color. If that isn't a bit depressing, then I don't know what is.

The Hatter simply sighed and kept walking through out the whole town. So far the town seemed slightly deserted.

At that moment, Cheshire the cat appeared in front of the Mad Hatter. "Open your eyes and the answer you seek shall come to you."

"Open my eyes? Last time I checked, my eyes were perfectly wide open, you cat." The Hatter said, slightly annoyed and confused.

"The truth will continue to avoid you because you won't look at what's around you." Cheshire wrapped her arm around the Hatter, giving her a huge grin. "Look for some clues as to where your dear Alice had disappeared too."

The Hatter shook off Cheshire's arm that was around her, and walked into the nearest bar. It was a bit deserted in here as well. Except for the bartender and a few people, it was pretty much empty. However, it still looked impressive. In the bar they actually did have a few colors. Much more better than outside.

The bartender leaned forward and flashed the Mad Hatter a charming smile. "What do you need, doll?"

"Answers. Thats what I need." The Hatter said. "To what? I'm no phychic,  ya know. "Replied the bartender.

"Its Alice. She's missing . Do you know where she might be? " The Hatter asked. There was no need to show him a picture of Alice. Practically everyone in the kingdom knew Alice. It would be absolutely mad not too.

The bartender titled his head to the side and thought for a moment. "Alice was last seen entering the forest."

The Hatter looked at the bartender intently, "The forest you say?" The bartender merely nodded. The Mad Hatter quickly gave her thanks to the bartender and set out to the forest. Hopefully she would be able to find dear Alice without difficulties. However, that's only wishful thinking. This is wonderland after all. Everything and everyone is absolutely and completely mad. But who was she to complain? She was also completely bonkers.