My Dear Alice

(1) Down the Rabbit Hole

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                                                      (1) Down the Rabbit Hole - Prologue

                                                                             10 Years Ago

 My body shook violently, heat radiating around me. Was the lamp close to my bed? Was that why it felt like I was sweating buckets? I shifted around, refusing to open my eyes. Did I leave it on my bed stand? I was sure I left it on my dresser and had blown it out before I went to sleep. Then why was it so warm? Did mother put some hot coal under my sheets so I wouldn't freeze? Most likely. I snuggled back into the covers, before jerking upwards in a coughing fit. My eyes fluttered open as I coughed painfully. Black smoke filled the room, circling and swirling in a hazy mess. My eyes got lost as I looked for the source. Fire blazed around me, my sheets catching suit as I struggled to climb out of the heavy comforters.

"Mother! Father!" I shrieked, only to hear their cries from the other side of the door.

"You're door is locked Alice, climb out the window and jump into the snow banks! We'll be right there!" My mother's desperate voice screamed back at me, I heard the hard pounds of their foot steps, struggling to find a way outside. Father had an injured leg from playing in the forest with me last fall. He wouldn't be able to jump out the window! I bit my pink lip, before rushing over to the window, opening the latch in a hurry and pushing my tiny body out the window and into the deep banks. Sirens could be heard from miles away, and shouts and screams from our neighbors were pointed at me.

"Alice!" "Hurry Alice!" "The fire is spreading Alice!" "Helps coming Alice! Don't worry!" Their voice were being drowned out as my eyesight went blurry for a moment. Then pushing myself out of the thick, icy, white blanket of snow. I rushed over to a tree, praying inside my mind that my parents would still be alive, still be okay! The manor was burning! What about my Nanny? And the maids and butlers? Had they gotten outside alright? What about my sisters? Had they made it out alright? I shivered, wrapping my arms around myself. The thin night gown wasn't sufficient enough to keep me warm in this cold weather.

 "Alice." A voice said in the wind, barely audible from where I was standing. My petite body leaned against the tree, the warmth of the fire making my cheeks red and my forehead feverish. Blank eyes stared at the blazing fire. Curling and whispering my name, calling for me. "Alice." the voice said, it's voice smooth, yet humble. It had a charm to it, and a small hint of mystery. It's mysterious, over whelming and soft voice whispered my name, as if calling me to walk back into the burning house and fall asleep in it's arms. It felt like it was reaching out to me, and all I had to do was walk right back inside the crumbling building I once called home. I took a single step, before feeling a large, firm hand grasp my shoulder.

"Oh no you don't Miss Liddell. That fire will surely kill you if you go inside." The smooth, dark voice spoke. Much like the one I heard coming from the fire. "You're family will be out soon, besides. You have much more important places to be." It purred, it's mysterious voice revolving in my head, playing over and over again.

The fire. The once black sky was swiveled and mixed with the thick grey smoke. My throat produces a blood curdling scream as the windows crack and my sight grows blurry. The bright, hot flames produce evil cackling noises as they busily lick every inch of my crumbling home. The cries and screams of my parents easily heard over the cackles and glow of the fire.

They were trapped. Trapped upstairs and couldn’t get down! This was my entire fault! Before I could blame myself on the simple house fire, my body fell. Fell backwards. The last thing I saw as I descended was the voice’s smile. No body, just darkness and a grin wider than the length of my 8 year old body. Was this a joke? Was I to die? I closed my eyes, letting my blond curls flip like fish out of water around me. Hinges were burnt in small places, the black, crispy tuffs standing out like a sore thumb. I’d have to get Mum to cut my hair- or Nanny. She’d help me fix my hair.