Guilty Alice: Finding Love In Wonderland

Chapter 9

When I open my eyes I see, "Wonderland." Grassy green fields that seem to go on forever. It's a scene that's even more beautiful than anything you could see in the real world. Yet it seems more real than a dream. I have the same strange feeling as I did when I was in the court room. And that more than anything proves that I'm in Wonderland. I'm trapped in a dream that I'll never fully awaken from. That fact hits me hard.

Joker must've sensed my tension cause he speaks up, "Looks like we're in Alchemilla. Even the Red Queen's eyes can't see this far."

"Really?" I ask. Joker puts his hand on my shoulder and says, "The others must've told you that Wonderland has several kingdoms. Protea is the place where the Queen lives. Alchemilla is pretty much all nature so we should be safer here. But just in case you end up in Gentiana, watch your back. That place is severely dangerous." He removes his hand from my shoulder. "Thanks for the tip," I say. "I'll show you around my world now. C'mon."
He's showing me around? Maybe he has more of a soft side than I gave him credit for. "You showed me around your world so I might as well show you mine in return," he mutters under his breath. A giggle escapes me when I hear his mutter. I meant to be quieter, but he must've heard my giggle, because he looks at me. "What are you laughing at? Let's go."

"I'm coming!" He gives me an annoyed look and starts walking and I follow after him.

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"The lake is so beautiful!" I gaze in awe at the scenery, until I see something float up to the surface of the water.
It looks like a person, but the silhouette's not right. "Wait Joker! Is that?!" I'm cut off before I can finish by Joker saying, "That's a mermaid. Don't act so surprised." I can't believe my eyes. "I am surprised! It's a freakin mermaid!"

The lake and the mermaids are beautiful enough to be right out of a painting. There were flowers blooming around the perimeter of the lake and the water was so clear you could see the bottom. Wonderland really is wonderful.

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We leave the lake and head towards the woods. On the way there I see a squirrel and fox chatting amicably to each other. There's a bear a small distance away from them, ease dropping on their conversation. This would be unthinkable in the real world.

"You overreact to every little thing, you know," Joker sighs in exasperation. "You acted the same way in my world!" I fired back. "It was kind of nuts there, but I didn't freak out like you."

"Yes you did! Everybody was staring at us, it was embarrassing!" Joker's face turns red as he shouts, "What! Listen to yourself, you're just as bad! Can't you see that you're weirding them out?!" He motions to the animals and I look over at them. They've stopped their fun conversations to stare at us silently. Jokers right. I'm weirding them out.

I blush from the dubious looks from the animals, struggling to find an excuse. "Wow, now you're suddenly behaving?" Joker asks. "You're throwing me off. C'mon let's go," Joker says. He starts walking away so I start walking after him. We both hurry through the woods, blushing.

That's the first time Joker's been that upfront with me. Maybe the distance between us is closing.

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Next we reach a glorious flower bed. All around were flowers of different kinds and colors. I find myself in admiration at the brightly coloured flowers in full bloom.