Alice hadn't been in Wonderland for over a year. She had started slowly forgetting. Every face was getting fuzzy with every passing week. All hope to return had been lost, that was until she had seen the White Rabbit. His large ears flopped while he hopped outside. As always he was in a hurry and he was anxious to get his job done.

The blonde girl had spotted him from her window. He was watching her. At first she blinked and shook her head. When he had disappeared she began to grin. The White Rabbit seemed to panic and scamper off. Not bothering with shoes she raced from her room and out the door. Running through the woods for a good hour she came home empty handed.

Feeling disappointed, she sulked back to her room. As she walked to her over sized bed she spotted the heart. It was bright red and rested on her fluffed pillow. Her eyes darted around her cluttered room searching for any hidden creature or moving chess pieces. Stepping closer, she realized it was a folded paper. Alice sighed thinking it was the Red Queen attempting to mock her.

When her fingers opened the letter she almost dropped it. Something about it wasn't sinister even though it clearly came from the desk of such an evil power.

"Dear Alice,

I have heard many stories about you. Once a week I go for tea and listen to your great accomplishments. While everyday I'm forced to listen to Her Majesty ramble about how awful you are. I came to my own conclusion and have already fallen for you. Each tea party I attend, I fall just a little harder. I no longer could help it and had to send word to you. Return to Wonderland and save my heart from a restless eternity without you.

–T."

Next to the T was a little heart. Alice almost melted as she put the note in her journal filled with memories of her adventures. Each page was filled with a friend or enemy. Every drawing was carefully crafted to resemble every feature. With each word it unlocked a mystery and revealed the truth. It was her pride and joy, the only tangible object linking her to Wonderland. Sometimes memories just don't fill a gaping hole.

Alice tried not to let the note confuse her, but inside the pieces didn't match up. She knew no one whose name started with a T and lived with the Red Queen. All she could think of was the Tweedles, but they had met her. They loved their riddles and foolish games more than they liked her.

Instead of frustrating herself over it she went to grab a snack. The sun had set after her snack. Removing her pale blue dress, she went to bed and dreamed of Wonderland. The evil had been gone and all she found was the good memories but there was a shadow that followed her. It wasn't dark but it was safe. The shadow kept her on her toes but nothing emerged from the large mushrooms as she followed the shadow to the Caterpillar. This time there was no advice from the sleeping creature.

A month passed and every week she would obtain a letter each one sweeter than the last. Alice even tried to write back. She had stashed the note outside by the tree she had seen the rabbit at. It had been more than a week and a note was due soon. Checking every day the letter was gone, but T remained just a letter she couldn't put a finger on.

Something about each letter made her feel loved. Then finally she had spotted the rabbit. His watch was in his paw along with the newest letter. She pretended to leave the house, not for a moment letting the rabbit from sight. He scurried into the house and once in her room Alice sprang in trapping him.

"Oh dear! Oh dear!" He was frantic as the letter and rose fell to the ground. The rose was unexpected. Alice's heart thudded hard.

"Where do you think you're going?" Those big black eyes scanned for an exit. Alice grabbed the letter and held him still.

"There's no time! I must return back." She chuckled softly. Gently she opened the letter.

"My dearest Alice,

Your letter touched my heart. You were right, I do live in a castle full of hearts, but mine beats only for you. We both know Rabbit won't listen and he will run, but it is time for your return. The Hatter knows the plan, but if he's not lost in tea by your arrival you will be in for a treat. Bring the rose even though it could never compare to your beauty.

–T."

Again there was a heart. Alice held the rose to her nose and gave a sniff. This rose smelled sweet, like cotton candy. As her nose brushed the edges, it removed a dab of red paint revealing the white underneath. She laughed out loud before turning on the White Rabbit.

"It's time I return Rabbit." His ears twitched as she let go of his soft fur. Alice kept up the best she could manage. He had almost lost her once. Her hand holding the rose stayed close to her heart as the other held up the blue dress to keep her from tripping.

All the trees morphed together until they opened up. The tree tops intertwined but the trunks were keeping their distance. The rabbit ducked behind a tree and vanished. Alice followed and stopped short. She had made this mistake before. With a grin she looked at her feet spotting the hole just inches away.

Her soft laughter filled the air as she jumped. The rose dug into her skin but she didn't mind. It was only coming closer to her heart. As her hair rushed up around her, the smile grew. The skirt of her dress whipped in all directions as the light above dimmed. Things began to fly up past her. A cup here, a chair there, and the occasional treat flew her way. Finally she landed on the bed and sprang off onto the cold dirt. The stretching hall appeared before her, as she shoved herself off the ground.