I almost collapsed.
"Wonderland? Like, the story?"
Where else, my dear? But, Wonderland is obviously not a story anymore, is it? Wonderland is simply the state of insanity. All of those who past the point of no return, enter Wonderland.
"Past the point of no return?"
Yes, it is as threatening as it sounds.
I noticed I was shaking.
Now hurry up dear, you'll be late.
"Late? Late for what?"
Why, meeting the Hatter of course.
"The Hatter? Like from Alice in Wonderland?"
Yes. The Hatter.
"I don't understand."
You do seem to be the thick headed type-
"What?!"
-so I'll explain. Wonderland is a state of mind. You, are an Alice. The first Alice to ever come to Wonderland, was Alice. That is why all the others were called Alice's. The Queen hates Alice's. Every single one dies. Only the information from the Hatter can save you, but no one listens.
"I'll listen!"
No dear, you won't. And that is just the point. Now, hurry up... You are definitely late now.
Cheshire's form disappeared in an explosion of flowers petals. Blue flower petals.
"Wait! Where am I supposed to go?" I shouted desperately at the air. I turned around multiple times, trying to take in my surroundings.
"I need to get to the Hatter."
A dirt and cobble path that was hidden before slowly shimmered into view. I pushed past some low hanging branches, stepping onto the path.
By the time I reached the garden, it must have already been an hour. I was going to be late for whatever kind of meeting I had with the Hatter.
The Hatter's garden spiraled out past the horizon. Flowers of all kinds and shaped trees were the population, along with lurking shadows that moved not in accordance with the bending trees.
I started taking careful steps into the garden. After even one step, my surroundings changed. I was in a maze. The sky was suddenly darkening, and I could hear could groaning in the wind, and I was sure that it wasn't the trees under the pressure of a building storm.
I started to run through the winding maze, the panic rising in my chest every passing second.
I burst out into the open, my eyes finding a table draped in a white laced cloth.
A man was seated at the head of the table, his head bent down. The hat he was wearing blocked his face from view.
"Hello? Sir?"
"You're late." He lifted his head, reveling a mad look in his eye and an insane grin. "It's not good to be late. How else will you impress the Queen?"
"Cheshire said you would have information for me. On how to survive."
"Survive? Survive?!" The Hatter broke out in laughter. "You can't survive! No one ever has!"
"But.. but Cheshire said..."
"Cheshire lied." The Hatter calmly took a sip from his cup of tea. "Mmm.... Oolong." He noticed me staring at him with terror. "What?" He said confused.
"Are you just going to leave me to die?"
"Of course you'll die. If you die in your mind, you'll die in real life. Now, if only White was here, he would solve all your problems." His grin was crooked.
I was gripped with fear. I almost missed what he said. "W-White?"
"Yes, of course! He could help you escape. Or was it March Hare?"
"It's not March though, Sir."
"Nor does he march. You are a clever girl. Follow the red road. Or not, I don't care." He took another sip of tea.
"The red road?"
"It's red. Or not, I don't know. Or care."
"Ok, now you're just being difficult." I places my hands on my hips.
"Of course." The Hatter keep drinking his tea in the same fashion each time, with a crooked grin.
My blood froze. The story of Alice in Wonderland. I started searching my mind in panic. What was the story? That tea time with the Hatter was endless.
"But how to get out?" I crashed back into reality. Or at least, reality in my mind. The Hatter was staring at me, voicing my thoughts. "I don't know dear, you might want to find out soon though. Soon the dolls will be here, and they aren't the nicest."
"I just leave, right?" I said, swallowing my fear.
"Yes. Leave me in my prison rotting forever."
"Hatter? Where is March Hare?"
The Hatter and his garden started to melt, his face being distorted in shadows. "Why, he's right behind you Alice."
I bolted. I could hear the groaning and screaming growing behind me. A forest appeared, blocking my path with trees. My dress tugged on the branches and my apron caught and ripped half of the lower fringe off.
I broke out of the woods, skidding across a short stretch of dirt. I stared down in horror at the gaping cavern in my way. The groaning was getting louder. I was trapped.
Looks like you're in a pickle!
I whipped around, facing a smirking cat.
"Cheshire! You gotta help me!"
Why would I help you?
Cheshire started to circle me, crouching down low.
"Because... you need to help me get to the Queen."
So eager to die, aren't we? Well, if you want to escape the dolls, all you have to do is simply jump down in there.
He gestured with his tail towards the cavern.
"But... but I'll die!"
What makes you think that? Is it because it would kill you in real life? I suggest looking out for things that wouldn't kill you in real life, like the dolls.
I stared at him until I heard another deafening moan.
Your choice, Alice.
"My name... is not Alice." I slowly turned around, and took one step over the edge.
I fell, my blue dress fluttering in the air behind me. Looking up at the blue sky one last time, I saw Cheshire's disappearing petals floating gently down, with no hope of catching up with me.
