Bryan In Wonderland (A FamousFilms Fan Story)

Page 10--The Loss Of A Friend

Bryan sits by a tree, laying against it, trying to catch his breath and process what had happened. Cheshire leans on a tree and waits for Bryan to calm down before an attempt to talk to him. After a couple of minutes of silence, Cheshire speaks up. "How're you feeling, bud?" He asks. Bryan snaps back into reality and looks up at him. 

"I-I don't...know," Bryan stutters. Cheshire looks around, checking for any listeners and then looks back at Bryan with a serious look.

"Look, I get you're confused...we all are these days. And you're most likely wondering what the hell that thing was," Cheshire states.

"Why does he want my sanity? How will it get revenge on the queen? What did she even do?" Bryan questions. Cheshire takes a deep breath and then sits a few feet in front of Bryan. 

"If you want to know...I can explain it to you," Cheshire states. "But not right now...as there is someone that needs you." Cheshire then points deeper into the woods, signaling to Bryan to walk in that direction. Bryan looks back at Cheshire but then realizes he's vanished. He gets up and walks in the direction Cheshire told him to go.

After a couple of steps, Bryan spots Dum and hears what sounds like sobbing. He quickly rushes over to Dum's direction and realizes who his tears are directed to. Dee's body lays limp on the ground in front of Dum, remaining bloody from where Hatter slashed her. 

"Lef...Dum...I'm...so sorry this happened to her, "Bryan says, tears starting to form in his eyes. The sight of Happy Frog's lifeless body gives him severe flashbacks. True, Happy Frog looks different and can bleed, traits that his Happy Frog doesn't possess, but the fact that she's dead right in front of him gives him that horrid familiar feeling.

"Why...why did she have to die? Why did this have to happen to her, of all people? She was always so gleeful...always so happy...and now her eyes are just...soulless," Dum states with heartache in his voice. Bryan kneels beside him and puts his hand on Dum's shoulder.

"I'm sorry you have to go through this. Losing someone precious to you is the worst feeling in the world. I should know...But...she'd want you to carry on for her. She'd want you to keep your ambition high. I know it may take time...but after a while, you'll feel better," Bryan reassures. Dum looks at Bryan, still with tears in his eyes, and they both share a hug. 

"No...no matter what happens...I'll get back at that Hatter...he'll pay for what he did to my best friend," Dum vows.

"Sure you will... I and the others will help you," Bryan says. 

"BRYAN!" Helpy cries from a distance. 

"Helpy?" Bryan questions as his and Dum's hug breaks. Helpy and Cook run over to the two, Cook still holding her injured wrist.  

"Oh...oh no...Dee," Cook gasps as she glances past Dum at Dee's body.

"Wait...guys where's the queen?" Bryan asks.

"What do you mean? She's back at the palace," Helpy informs.

"You guys just left her there with Hatter?! He could be killing her as we speak," Bryan cries.

"We tried looking for the guards, but there was none in the palace anymore. They probably fled or something...the cowards," Cook explains.

"W-We have to go back for her. She's the ruler of the kingdom, she can't die," Bryan says.

"She's still alive, worry not. You should worry more about yourself, new Alice," Cheshire says, appearing once again, leaning against a tree. "If you give The Mad Hatter access to your mind, the entirety of Wonderland and its inhabitants will bow down to his will, living a life of pure misery and despair."