Down the Rabbit Hole
Chapter 1: Out of His Mind
This story is inspired by Alice: Madness Returns and both the Tim Burton and original Alice in Wonderland movie. Where is My Mind by Yoav ft. Emily Browning may have helped too.
It's actually combining two thoughts that I have had both recently and a LONG time ago that has been revealed as I thought about this oddly, peculiar story. As the Cheshire Cat would say: Peculiar is the best cup of tea, it never gets cold. I wouldn't say the same for you Mr. Jackson.
1. Percy in Wonderland after he has gone mad (this one is recent…it came after watching walkthroughs of Alice: Madness Returns.)
2. A character in PJO going mad after going on a three-person-quest that only he/she lived through. (This came before the Heroes of Olympus series even existed. It reappeared again during the Lost Hero and made a very, very short appearance during the Son of Neptune. Originally, this thought was centered on Thalia. I believe this may have helped with the idea of her future appearance in this story.)
Combined, these two thoughts made "Down the Rabbit Hole"-by the way, the title took an entire list to think of-and so as I type this right now, and as you read it later, remember this small note:
Let the Madness Begin!
~BiancaPJOHOOHG
WARNING: There are some graphic scenes in this chapter. (A person's head falls off graphically). If you get disgusted easily, this story (or chapter) may not be for you.
Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson (be glad I don't). I don't own Wonderland either, since it is technically Percy's Wonderland (though I think he rather have Alice's Wonderland-by Alice's Wonderland, I mean the original Alice) then his own since as Percy says: This is a pretty messed up Wonderland.)
Everyone has a secret, even at Camp Halfblood. If you listen closely, you'll find out that Rina Grudgers actually is cheating on her boyfriend, Jacob Smith's mortal parent has had exactly five boyfriends in just two weeks, and Quinn Stuffers dyed her hair and put in contacts just to look like the rest of the Athena children.
But, if you look closely, Rina Grudgers' fatal flaw is being indecisive, so it's no surprise she can't chose between two guys, Jacob Smith's mortal parent is really just trying to run away from abandonment not knowing she is abandoning herself, and Quinn Stuffer's roots are showing.
You'll also see Percy Jackson is out of his mind.
What do I mean? Well, let's just say you'll find out. The process started out slowly and simply. In a list it would look exactly like this:
1. Annabeth Chase dumped him for some bizarre excuse
2. He met Alice Wonders, a pretty daughter of Hecate. She was breath taking and everything everyone wanted to be, but she had one flaw: she couldn't remember a thing before she was eight years old.
3. Percy, Alice, and a boy named Tyler were sent on a super secret quest to find something from Alice's past.
4. Only Percy returned, slightly different as if he was a door that was unhinged. He had a locket around his neck and a cornered look in his eyes. He seemed normal after a meeting with Mr.D though.
But if you could hear his thoughts right now, you might change your mind. Because just one month later, he is sitting in his cabin with his knees to his chest and is stuck looking out the window again.
This takes us to today, right now (8:00 P.M if you care to know). In Cabin Three, Percy Jackson was doing exactly what was described above. His head lay in the dent between his knees as he hugged them to his chest. As Percy looked out the window, he seemed transfixed. Maybe it was the glow of the full moon, or the sight of the empty Cabins. Whatever it is, Percy seemed highly interested in it.
If a camper wondered into the cabin, he would look he was just lost in thought as he gazed out the window, but if you could hear his thoughts, you would know what he is really thinking: words.
Yes, Percy Jackson is really thinking of words. Not words like 'her' and 'me', no words like 'Alice', 'Locket', and 'Promise'. These words mean a lot more than one would think.
These words were about the quest. Yes, the one mentioned in the list above. These were dangerous words his brain told him, not ones he was supposed to think of, but the daring part of him said 'Go on, remember.'
It has been like a game to him. Think about a word, unveil a memory. He nicknamed it The Word Game (it's a bit obvious, but it's easy to remember).
This time, the memory showed a quick flash of a bloody locket clashing to the ground. It gleamed as it hit ground with a loud bing! The locket fell open revealing a picture of a younger Alice in black and white with a tall man that had a long pointed nose and small beady eyes, a women with a graceful pose and the sweetest smile, and an older girl-most likely a sibling-that had ribbons in her hair and a fearful expression on her face like she was afraid of something beyond the camera.
The memory disappeared leaving Percy grasping to unveil more. His squeezed the same exact locket in his hand, but the locket wouldn't reveal anymore than it already has.
With a defeated sigh, Percy leaned back on the bed before closing his eyes, locket still in hand and mind elsewhere.
Like always, his dream started with a boat taking him down a river. The river was always so dark; you couldn't even see the creatures it contained. On the land next to the river, leafless trees were scattered among the dead grass. The river went at a slow pace, making you have a certain feeling to keep looking around. This time something was different though, a familiar girl sat in the wooden old boat with him.
This girl was Alice Wonders. She looked as alive as Percy was. For some odd reason, he didn't seem surprise. He looked at her. Her blonde hair was being held back by a black headband. She wore a dark blue old-fashioned dress with a black ribbon around her waste. Percy then looked into her eyes.
Alice had crystal blue eyes that were hard to forget, even when she's dead. She then began talking in her usual alluring voice (the British accent may have helped).
"It's so nice of you to invite me here, Percy."
"Huh?" Percy questioned. He didn't remember "inviting" her here, wherever here is.
"It would have been nice to have some tea though. I've always loved tea. You?" She continued on as if Percy hasn't said a word.
"I have always preferred coffee." He found himself saying.
Alice smirked. "Typical American."
And then things started to get weird (as weird as weird can be)
The sky began to get as dark as the night and the wind picked up fast. The trees suddenly came alive as they tried to knock the boat over with their long branches. Percy looked around with a surprisingly calm expression, though on the inside he was screaming 'This is bad. Get out. Get out. Get out. Go away. Go away. Go away. It's not safe, it's not safe.'
Alice smiled at him, but something seemed a bit off. Her eyes turned murderous red as she tilted her head to the side making a golden stray hair go astray from its former place among the neat hair.
"Welcome to your Wonderland, welcome to your Hell." Alice's voice changed to a familiar voice that Percy couldn't place. "She shouldn't have came, Percy."
Percy's eyes widened and a horrified expression came onto his face as blood began to poor from her mouth onto the boat; teeth fell into the waterfall as it began to get her side of the boat red, sticky, and wet. Percy felt like he was going to puke.
She tilted her head to the side even more and it completely fell off as if somebody took a knife and gave a perfect swing. Her body slumped over with arms and legs astray. Blood came from the stump on her neck making Percy slide back to the very tip of his side of the boat. Her body then turned into golden dust as a monster's body would have. Her bloody head fell into the water with a loud splash.
Percy looked at where it fell-his face was turning green-before noticing the difference. Only her blonde hair showed but that quickly disappeared. The water changed into blood red and the current picked up. Before Percy knew it, the boat was practically flying down the river.
"Go down the rabbit hole Percy, it is your only way to escape." A different disembodied voice traveled over the wind giving Percy shivers. He had a sinking feeling as he noticed the upcoming waterfall. The familiar feeling of a weight on his chest made it hard to breath.
Percy won't make the waterfall, he knows he won't. Once he goes over, he's dead. Without realizing it, he was breathing with ragged breaths. He's so dead. He's so dead.
"How can you be so sure Mr. Jackson?" The same voice said. It sounded sullen and deep yet wise beyond its years. "A rabbit hole can come in many shapes and sizes. One could just label a waterfall a rabbit hole."
"W-what do you mean?" Percy's voice cracked as he stuttered the words out.
"Go down the rabbit hole Percy, it will set you free."
Just as the voice said these words, Percy felt the world tip over making him feel sick again as he stared down the waterfall. All he could see was mist and a red lightning crackling.
And then he was falling.
And this finishes off Chapter 1. You'll meet Wonderland next chapter. And as for now please review!
BTW I felt disgusted as I was describing what happened to Alice. It may have been just the words I used, or the demented images in my head.
Question(s) of the Chapter: What is your Wonderland like? What is your worst nightmare? (As for the Nightmare part, it's for inspiration)
I'll give an example by answering the questions myself:
My Wonderland would be filled with large books and floating quills, pens, and pencils that you can ride on. Book characters would roam freely. Houses would be beautiful as the place itself. The sky would always be clear. There would be no school because of the random books.
My Nightmare will be an actual nightmare I had for an example. There would be a gigantic grey building surrounded by dark, looming trees. Inside the building there are terrifying things like a really creepy Snow White doll with large round red eyes, a stereotypical Snow White outfit that is ripped, and the doll itself was covered in blood. The stairs would creak and the paintings would like they're watching you.