The instant London turned around and saw what Paris was pointing at, she jumped back in her seat as far as the chair would allow.
The Cheshire Cat’s face was just two inches from London’s. His big, yellow eyes looked menacing, but slightly amused. “Hello,” the grinning Cheshire Cat purred, “You’re a jumpy one, aren’t you?”
London slowly turned her head to look at Paris. “Are you going to pinch me now?” she asked quietly.
Paris didn’t get a chance to answer because at that moment, the Tom Hiddleston look alike walked over to Paris and introduced himself. “Hello, I’m Tom Hiddles,” he said as he extended his hand.
“Hiiiiiiiii,” Paris’ breath came in short, rapid breaths as she tried not to hyperventilate while she shaking Tom’s hand. “I’m Paris. Forgive me, but do you know anyone named Tom Hiddleston?” she asked jerkily.
Tom thought for a moment and then shook his head. “Nope. Doesn’t ring a bell. Sorry.”
Bilbo cleared his throat and both girls snapped to attention. The Cheshire Cat grinned wider and whispered in London’s ear as Bilbo began talking about the two girl’s new roommates, “See me in the Rose Garden later. We have much to discuss,” he said, disappearing starting from his tail and working up to his head, where only the grin was left.
London blinked and the Cheshire Cat was gone. She sighed and moaned, “Oh, joy.”
-
10 Minutes Later
-
Once London was outside the building, she started to get very nervous. So many questions reeled through her mind: The Cheshire Cat wanted to speak to her? What about? Why?
The Rose Garden was behind the apartment building and looked like what she expected the Queen of Heart’s garden to be, such as having red rose bushes tall and shaped like hedges for a maze. Even the grass was a strange teal color.
“Hello?” London called out.
“Hello,” a voice said casually behind her.
Her reflexes kicked in. As she spun around, she swiped her fist at the voice in a karate fashion. Fortunately for the Cat, he, too had reflexes. If he had not dodged when he did, he would have had a severe headache.
London froze when she saw who it was and widened her eyes in surprise. “Sorry.”
The Cheshire Cat was tempted to glare at her, but he knew she was sincere. “I called you here to talk to you. You know that, right?” he asked, lowering himself to the ground.
“Yes…” London said, wanting him to tell her just what the heck was going on.
The Cheshire Cat suddenly got serious and said, “To make it short, you can never leave FANWOOD.”
London stared. “You’re joking.”
“No. You and your friend can never leave. Ever. You are stuck here. Forever,” he said in a low voice.
“Were you trying to be creepy right there?” London asked.
“Yes,” the Cat responded, crestfallen.
“You succeeded,” London said truthfully. “Why can we never leave?”
The Cat was disappearing, but he managed to get one word out before he disappeared completely – “Complicated.”
London stood in the Rose Garden and the fading sunlight cast dark, threatening shadows. “Oh, joy,” she repeated in the silence.
-
20 Minutes Later
-
London sat quietly on the sofa in the apartment that she shared with Alice. Alice was busy chatting away about the Mad Hatter and possibly about the Cheshire Cat. She didn’t know because London really wasn’t listening. The last conversation she had with the Cat still echoed in her mind. She wanted to know why she could never leave FANWOOD – wherever that was.
Even as London drifted off to sleep, she still couldn’t believe what she had heard. “You and your friend can never leave. Ever. You are stuck here. Forever…”
YOU ARE READING
Life At Fanwood
FanfictionImagine a place not so far from here and yet so far away - a town called FANWOOD where every storybook and movie character you have ever known lives, breathes, and eats. A place that holds your dreams. And your nightmares. A town where Loki, the god...
