| Short Stories |

| A Mad's nightmare |

London, 1870’s 

Alfred was heading to his ship, smiling as he saw his crew preparing to make their way out, Seagulls flying around the blue sky as the sun shined brightly. The sun's warmth was comforting to the Captain as he sighed, knowing that He would be enjoying the trip while sending the shipment he was given to the land he was going to head towards in a few hours. Alfred soon heard his little girl's voice behind him, him turning around to see Alice, her squealing as she was hugging his leg tightly. 

“Daddy!!” The freckled girl exclaimed excitedly as she wrapped her legs around his leg as well, attaching herself to the father as tightly she can. Alfred chuckled as he pulled her off his leg and threw her up the air, Alice squealing loudly as he caught her and spun her around a bit, soon hugging her close as he kissed her forehead.

“How is my little mad daughter, hm?” Alfreds stroked Alice’s long red poofy, causing her to only squeak as she giggled, nuzzling her face against Alfred’s chest . Alfred's smile remains but begins to fade as he notices something. . . off. He looked up at the sky and that’s when he noticed it. 

The seagulls were. . . gone. The ocean water wasn’t slashing or even moving an inch, just dead still. All those that accompanied the bay suddenly stood still and had the heads down while standing straight. His crew was nowhere near sight and his ship was just as still as the ocean was. 

Alfred looked around and noticed that his daughter was the only one there that he knew. Neither his wife or his son was anywhere nearby. Alice never went anywhere without her mother, He made sure of it, making that rule the same for his son. Did she get lost and knew where Alfred was? She didn’t look at all frightened or confused, just being. . . Alfred’s lovely little rose. He began to shake as he held his little girl close, he usually felt safe when he hugged those he loved close, but. . this felt different. He felt the cold feeling he knew felt. . familiar from so many years ago.

Alfred pulled away and went pale as he saw that Alice had disappeared. He quickly glanced around, beginning to panic. “Alice?! Alice, My little mad, Please answer me!” Alfred choked out a sob as he started to run around the bay, in order to search for his little girl. He looked behind boxes, behind those who accompanied the bay, soon almost all over London. Everyone was just like those who were at the bay, just standing still while having their head down, Alfred panting heavily as he ran all over London. He soon ran back to his ship, tears rolling down his cheeks as he was in shock, Him looking down as he stood in the middle of his ship. 

He fell to his knees, gripping tightly onto his head as he began to hyperventilate. Where was his daughter? His other children? His Wife? They were nowhere in London! He grew more terrified at the thought of someone taking them, and soon all thoughts stopped as he saw something that had never happened, at least. . not in the real world, where London is. 
A light blue lily flower was blooming in front of Alfred, growing from the floorboards as the flower began to glow softly, causing Alfred to slowly calm down. “This is just. . just a nightmare. . It has to be. .” Alfred wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes away, breathing in a shaky breath until he heard someone. . singing? He quickly looked up, suddenly a blue scaly and terrifying siren was right in front of his face, cutting off his chance to scream as the siren screamed a deadly note for him. 

Alfred screamed as he quickly sat up on his bed, breathing heavily as he had cold sweat and tears rolling down his cheeks. Running footsteps came running towards his door and it slammed opened, Vanessa had worry all over her face, the rest of Alfred’s crew looked worried as well as they tried to take a peek of what had happened. 

“Captain! Are you alright?! We heard you scream-!” Vanessa paused as she saw Alfred shaking violently, panting as he was gripping onto his sheets tightly, causing Vanessa to sigh in relief as her face saddened. “Sir, Did you have a nightmare?” 

Alfred hesitated before he slowly nodded. “I believe that I be just. . . a wee bit homesick. . Nothing to worry about, Me apologies. . Go back to sleep, maties.” Alfred wiped his forehead a bit then rubbed his head as he felt embarrassed. 

Amber looked scared but looked down before running past Vanessa, hugging Alfred by the side, causing Alfred to jolt in surprise. Amber smiled as she looked up at Alfred. “Don’t be scared Captain, We can stay here the night with you before we reach towards shores! I’m sure Your family will be there tomorrow!”

Alfred paused before he smiled softly and teared up, petting Ambers red hair, similar to Alice’s yet was much shorter. The rest of the crew noticed this and smiled, walking over to Alfred and each of them squeezed in to hug Alfred all at once. Alfred felt the calmer and safe once again, making his eyes go heavy before everything went dark. 

Alfred woke up as he yawned, pausing as he noticed all of his crew were still asleep and close to his bed, he chuckled quietly as he shook his head. He slowly and carefully got out of his bed as he got ready, leaving his room quietly to lead the boat back to shore, feeling better after what happened last night. Yet, Something continued to linger in his head. 

What did that blue flower mean? Did he miss being with his friends back in Wonderland, There, where all tea parties he missed were? If that was true, why was it a lily instead of a rose, There in wonderland were COVERED in roses. Obsessed even, So why a different flower? Why BLUE instead of Red or even White like the kingdoms back at home? Even the siren looked odd. It was nothing as he seen before. He had caught glances of them before. They looked like him. Almost, well, somewhat human but had the tail of a fish. A beautiful or even handsome being, not a monster.

Something just didn’t sit right with him.