~{Madly In Love~Mad Hatter}~

2~Falling Nowhere

   Years later, Alice, now 24, had returned from sailing once again. Only this time she was going to take a longer break to be home for once.  Standing on the dock, the blonde-haired, brown-eyed woman smiled at the sight of the gleaming waters.  Alice turned to face the far-too-familiar off-white building.  The sign "Kingsleigh & Kingsleigh reminded her of the family she held close to her heart.  If only Charles could see his girls now.  An important thing a family, you only have one.  Alice remembered what Tarrant Hightopp had told her before leaving her home-away-from-home for the last time.  She had this feeling like she had a certain place to be, almost as if they needed her there again. She hasn't been there since she was 21.  More of a wait than it seems. But Alice had a business to upkeep.  She just hadn't the time and no sign had been given that she had to save Underland again.

   Coincidentally, Evelynn, now 23, was traveling to London to find her friend she hadn't seen in over ten years. Neither one of them ever stopped thinking about each other.  The light-skinned woman wore a frilly pink dress, with ruffles and bows covering almost every inch of the dress.  Evie thought it was a little over the top but thought it was casual and formal at the same time.  Evie pushed her ebony eyeglasses farther up the bridge of her nose and sighed dramatically.  The smell of seawater was one of the most interesting yet nostalgic scents to her.

   Evie decided that when she turned 21 she would sail to England and find Alice, no matter how much time it would take. She did have to postpone her plan for a few years since her schedule was tight.  She made it to the dock and staring her in the face was a building that said "Kingsleigh & Kingsleigh". 

Could it be...?

   She ran into the building and saw a familiar face.  "Mrs. Kingsleigh?  Hi, you probably don't remember me but-" She was cut off. "Evelynn?  Is that really you?  Oh my goodness I thought I'd never see you again!"  She pulled Evie in a warm hug. Oh, how she loved Mrs. Kingsleigh's hugs!  "I-is Alice around?"  She asked nervously. Does she even remember me? Does she still want to be my friend?  She anxiously thought.  "Yes of course she's by the Ascot's estate in the rose gardens."  Helen nodded.

   Evelynn walked into the familiar gardens, a place she knew too well. A woman was humming a familiar tune a few feet away, examining the rows of white roses. "Hmmmm mmmm hmmmm hmmm..."  Evie smiled and came forward quietly. "A very merry un-birthday to you!"  Alice gasped and quickly turned around.  There's only one person that could know such a tune other than herself. "E-Evie???"  Evie nodded.  Without saying another word, they slightly giggled and embraced in a hug. "Oh, Evie I thought I'd never see you again!"  Evie raised an eyebrow.  "Like I could ever forget about you!  I made a promise to myself that I'd voyage out to find you!"

   The girls talked about everything that has happened to them in the past ten years. They spent about 2 hours talking until Evie brought up the subject of Wonderland. Alice told her about how she has visited Wonderland a total of 3 times. When she was 7, 19, and 21.  She told Evie about the Jabberwocky and how she had to slay it with the Vorpal Sword.  And how she went back in time using the chronosphere to save her best friend, The Mad Hatter.  It was all so surreal, just like when they were kids.

   "Well, are you going to take me there?"  "What on earth are you talking about?"  Alice crossed her arms over her chest. "Don't tell me you forgot your promise!"  Evie gave Alice her infamous puppy dog eyes. "I suppose I have...I'm sorry."  Evie sighed. "When you first told me about Wonderland, I said that I wanted to visit there someday. You said you would take me there someday.  And promised."  Alice looked noticeably uncomfortable, although Evie wasn't sure why. "Well, I'm not one to break a promise...okay fine.  Follow me."

   She led Evie to a dead tree with a giant rabbit hole. "Well, here we are, happy?"  She said impatiently and irritability. What was up with her?  "In here?  Down this rabbit hole?"  Evie queried. Alice nodded. "I did follow a white rabbit to Wonderland the first time, remember?"  She said.

   Evie got down on her hands and knees and looked into the seemingly endless hole. Alice came closer. "Be careful!  I've accidentally fallen in before, it's not a fun fall."  Evie completely disregarded what her friend just said and leaned in further. "I can't see anything..."  "LOOK OUT!"  Alice screamed as the ground gave out around Evie. It was too late. "AHHHHHHHH..."  Evie fell down to the point of no return. "Oh no, Evie!  I just got you back and you're gone again!"  Alice paced back and forth in front of the hole.

{•~•~•~•~•~}

   "Come on Alice, you HAVE to save her, you can't just leave her in there."  Alice was arguing with herself if she should go back. If she did, she'd save Evie but have to see everyone again for the first time in two years.  She truly did miss her Underling friends, but she made a promise that she would return within a couple of months. It's been three years. The worst part was she knew that she had broken that promise. And the person it had affected most, was The Hatter.  She knew how much she meant to him, they've been the best of friends and he couldn't bear to part with her after she helped save his family. She felt bad but she knew she couldn't stay even if she wanted to.

   "Alright Alice, she'll never survive without you guiding her.  This is an insane idea, but that's the best part. I'm coming, Evie!"  She took a running start and dove into the never-ending rabbit hole.

{•~•~•~•~•~}

   Meanwhile, Evie was endlessly free falling. Strange objects came hurdling towards her but never collided with her.  Finally, she landed with a splat on the floor. Or at least, she thought it was the floor. It turned out she was on the ceiling.  Once she realized that, gravity seemed to kick in and she fell on the actual floor this time. "Ouch!  What? No throw pillows?"  She yelled to no one. She looked around cautiously in this dark room.  Then everything slowly sank in all at once. There is no one. She was all alone, without Alice to help her. Or really anyone for that matter.  And she was trapped in a strange room with seemingly no way out.

   "Alice?  Somebody?  Help me!!!"