Alistar of Wonderland

Prologue

The Hatter House, Fantasy Woods, Wonderland
August, Golden 9s

It was nine o' clock.
Everything was peaceful, except for the little house in Fantasy Woods.
"No!"
"I don't want that either. But this is not safe."
"Dumping him in my world is unsafer!"
"Oh, so that is what you think? Unsafe?"
"Matthew Hatter, are you trying to mock me?"
"Certainly not."
There was silence.
"I love him, I want to keep him. I don't want him to not know who he truly his, and where he came from."
"I don't want that to happen either. But that's the truth, Wonderland isn't as wondrous as it sounds. There are many great evils. Especially now that the WWW has returned. I'm afraid it won't be safe for our son, Alice."
"But in my world isn't that safe either. Like... because... I am known everywhere, and everyone has a perfect image of what Alice looks like. If he suddenly appears, there will be suspicions... that Alice is real and alive!"
"Didn't you say Liddel was everyone's attention?"
"I did, but the truth is... the image to everyone about Alice... it's me. Blond hair, blue dress, white socks, black shoes... Everyone thinks it's, as in the story, based on Alice Liddel, but the shape of Alice is me. Am I making any sense?"
"Yes."
"Alistar looks like me, Matt. I... umm..."
"I totally understand."
"Good."
"But I can't agree on you."
Alice Victoria Hatter, nee Wonders, looked at her husband disapprovingly.
"I gave you my reasons."
"I know, but did you remember what happened to Mallory?"
"Mallory... I..."
Then she burst into tears.
"Sorry, perhaps I shouldn't have said that."
"No, you're right. Our son wouldn't be safe here. I... guess you are right. Let's send him away."
"What?"
"You mentioned this first! Now what?"
"The problem is... where in your world?"
"Elinor."
"Who?"
"Elinor Tibbet, my niece. Or I should say, my sister's granddaughter. She runs an orphanage, 'Miss Tibbet's Home for Boys'. He can go there, won't be easily exposed. And live there till time is right."
"When is the right time?"
"That depends on you, husband."
"Well then," began her husband. "Wonderland had this rule, that by the age of 12, every Wonderldian needs to have this special ceremony, The Drop. As in what Princess Liana says fall off the cliff."
"Fall off the cliff?"
"Not exactly. Just take him back here before he turns 12, that's all."
Husband and wife looked at each other, silent. No words were said, but the look in their eyes meant enough.
"I miss him already, Matthew."
"Me too, Alice. Me too."
Matthew Hatter, aka the Mad Hatter, held his wife tightly. He patted her back as she sobbed.
"I have a question, Hatter."
"What is it my dear?"
"Why didn't I do The Drop?"
"Oh, because you aren't always Alice of Wonderland, isn't it? Well, but you've done The Choice. That's the back-up plan for the The Drop. And you're kinda the first person doing that."