Take the Yellow Brick Road [Ways to Wonderland Book 1] [OLD VERSION]

T'was Brillig in the Slithy Toves

The twins were roughly awoken by two cards bursting into their cell and releasing them from their chains.
"What's going on?" Georgia grunted, yelling in pain as one of the guards yanked her to her feet. Carter watched a drop of blood fall to the floor behind her where her wound had been reopened.
"Careful with her!" Both he and Fiona yelled at the same time. The redhead looked at Carter puzzled as they were pushed from the room, diamond shaped spear heads digging into their backs.

Carter was shoved into a carriage with the others, Otto being thrown carelessly into his chest. Iron clamps held his wrists together.
"Hey watch the fur!" The cat yelled, slamming into his owners chest. A chain ran from the cats collar to Carters ankle. He hissed at guard as the carriage door slammed shut and they began to move.
"Hey England." Fiona demanded, squeezing her sisters arm, as blood once again seeping into her clothes. "Would now be a good time to ask what in Ozma's name happening?"
Carter looked out the barred window of the carriage. "Have you ever heard of the Jabberwock?" He asked quietly.

Georgia went rigid, speaking for the first time since they'd left the cell. "What did you do?
Carter couldn't look at the twins. "They were going to execute us." He muttered. "Or... Or we could slay the Jabberwock."
"You agreed?" Fiona yelled. "Are you insane?"
"Everyone in Wonderland is insane. I think it's infectious." Otto grumbled, pacing around at Carters feet.
"I couldn't just let you guys die." Carter pleaded. "Not because of me. When they send us out, you three run. There's no chance of me getting home anymore, and I won't let you die for a lost cause."

No one said anything for a long time. Eventually, the carriage slowed to a stop and the door was flung open. Three more cards stood outside, and they easily pulled the teenagers from the cart. Carter didn't recognise the landscape around him. The grass below him was a deep purple, almost black. The sky overhead was overcast, and it appeared that rain was on its way. In the distance, a large tent had been constructed, facing a forest of dead, blackened, gnarled trees.
"This way." One of the cards yelled, digging his spear closer into Carters back. He picked up the pace, Otto struggling to keep up at his heels. Eventually, the three were pushed to the ground in front of a crow of seated people. Sitting at the very front, was the Queen of Hearts.

"So." She snarled. "Thou hath chosen to slay the Jabberwock?"
Carter looked up at her. "Thou has."
The woman smirked, sending shivers down Carters spine. "Very well." She clicked her slender fingers and White bounded along in front of the them in a white tunic, the letter J across the front. Struggling under the size, he placed their wrapped up weapons on the ground.
"White?" Otto asked. The rabbits eyes widened. He shook his head slightly, a gesture barely noticeable.
"Jack." The Queen snapped. "Do you know these traitors?"

"No your majesty!" White squeaked. "Absolutely not your majesty! I am loyal to none but you!"
The Queen relaxed in her chair slightly, pursing her lips. "Of course you are." She rounded on Carter.
"Are you ready to die boy?" She smiled wickedly. "To walk yourself and you're friends to a painful death?"
Carter didn't answer as the Queen laughed. "Very well then. Guards release them."
The guards undid their shackles whilst several archers readied a volley of arrows. Carter collected his knife as the twins hastily retrieved their bows. The guards began pushing them closer to the forest.
"Wait!" Fiona screamed, turning the Queen. The woman looked furious at the interruption. "Where is Felix?"
The Queen of Hearts tilted her head. "Who?" She asked sweetly.
"Our friend. The scarecrow!"
The woman smiled. "Ah, of course." She chuckled slightly. "He's making an excellent archery target for my cards."
The three teenagers and the cat were dragged into the dense forest, Fiona screaming at the Queen as they went.

After a minute or so, the cards let them go. Without a word, they left them in the centre of the wood.
Carter helped Georgia rest against a tree.
"You should, have let them kill us." Fiona sniffed, sitting down on a tree root. "If the Jabberwock doesn't kill us something else will. If Geogia doesn't bleed to death first."
"Someone's a downer." Otto muttered.
"Well what is there to be positive about?" She snapped. "We're being held in a dangerous forest, ready to get killed fighting an impossible battle!"
"You're not going to get killed." Carter stopped her. "You three are getting out of this forest. The east is that way." He pointed opposite the now setting sun. "If you keep heading that way, you'll end up at the coast were you can signal Hook and leave."

Georgia placed a hand on his shoulder. "What about you?" She asked. "We can't just leave you here."
Carter looked into her eyes. "You-You've done more for me than I could have ever asked of you. Both of you."
He turned to look at Fiona. "But I can't ask you to do anymore. Get your sister to safety."
Fiona nodded, standing up. She hugged him. "Thank you." She whispered.
"For what?"
Fiona looked at him. "For giving us an adventure." She slipped her arm under Georgia's shoulder.
"Wait." Georgia grunted, falling forwards onto Carter. He stumbled backwards under her weight. "England you can't. Without the Vorpral blade, you-you'll die!,
Carters throat was dry as he gently pushed her back to Fiona. "Then-" His voice cracked. "Then I guess I'm going to die."
"No." Georgia muttered, struggling weakly as her twin half carried her through the trees. "England no!"

Carter stared at the spot in the trees where they had gone. "Go with them." He said to Otto. "Look after them."
"I don't do the looking after." Otto forced a laugh. "I'm your pet, remember?"
Carter smiled weakly. "I though I was your human."
Otto purred quietly as he rubbed himself around Carters leg. "I-I'll miss you, human."
"I'll miss you too cat." Carter said. "No catch up to them while you still can."
Otto slinked off into the woods, glancing one final time over his shoulder.

Carter stood alone in the forest, the cries of birds echoing in the distance. There was an earsplitting roar off to his left. The Jabberwock.
Carter shivered, pulling his dagger from his belt. If the Jabberwock was anything like he pictured, this would do him little good. Swallowing, he moved towards the sound. The first line of the nonsense poem floating to the surface of his memory as he walked.
Twas brillig, and the slithy toves did gyre and gimble in the wabe.
He he wished he knew what any of that meant...