Behind Sanity

Chapter Sixteen

                                                                      Behind Sanity 

                                                                    Chapter Sixteen 

                                                                                1 

                Alice followed the rabbit as he trailed on ever so slowly, the thick, hot air bearing on her skin.  Where they were going, she did not know, but after their brief disagreement, White Rabbit was taking special care that she should not be left behind.  Since he was being so obliging toward her, she supposed she could attempt to ask him a few questions.  Perhaps she could get a bit more out of him than the Cheshire’s vague answers.

                 She took in the forest scenery around her.  Was all of Wonderland covered in these thick, dark forests?  She was sure that there had been other types of land and climate where she had experienced previous adventures – though she couldn’t quite say what those were.  But it was quiet here within these trees, so she saw no reason why she might complain.  This might very well be the perfect opportunity to pose her first question.

                 “Where are we going, Rabbit?” she asked politely, despite her recent annoyance with him. “Are we ever to get out of the woods?  Are we anywhere near Caterpillar?”

                 “Of course not!  We have a long way to go!” the rabbit exclaimed laughingly, though minding that he didn’t laugh too much at the girl he’d nearly angered. “First we have to make you small.”

                 “Oh, right,” she said.  Silly her; she had forgotten that Caterpillar was much tinier than she. “So how do we go about making me small?”

                 “Do you remember the Fortress of Doors?”

                 “I suspect so,” she said, pausing a moment to reflect.

                 A big tower, lots of confusing hallways that all looked the same.  Yes, she remembered.

                 “That is where the potion will be found.  Do you remember?  That is where it came from the last time.  That is where you will find it again.”

                 “Then I will have my answers questioned.  I mean, my questions answered,” Alice said.

                 “Yes, yes! Now come!”

                 Her eyes slipped momentarily to the trunks of the trees where large, colorful fungi grew like steps.  She could have dropped the matter then – Rabbit obviously wanted her to – but she was unwilling.  If she ever wanted them to answer any of her questions, she should not allow them a way out.  She continued on after him without fuss, but her mind was working furiously.

                 “I would like to ask you another question,” she said after a moment.

                 “Only if you can walk and talk all at once!” said the rabbit hastily.  Even this degree of lenience surprised her.

                 “Has there ever been anyone come here other than me?  I mean, any other people?”

                 “Why, the Duchess and Mad Hatter are people, if that is what you mean.”