Alice and What Came After: Between the Glass
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to the SyFy production of Alice!
Summary: At twenty years old, Sarah Hatter is questioning much of her life and her choices. She decides to do what she always does—run. With her twin at her side, Sarah goes through the mirror to Wonderland. Only, this time, something goes wrong and Sarah's stuck in between the worlds.
Prologue: Five Years Later
Five years ago, Sarah Hatter made her first trip to Wonderland with her twin brother. On that first adventure, she found an ancient sword, rescued her father, got shot, and fell in love. She also bonded with her nerdy brother in more ways than she cared to recall.
But a lot can happen in five years.
Which is how, on her twentieth birthday, she found herself facing the mirror in her parents' dining room. Connor was busy stuffing his mouth with food, Rex, Sid, and Nancy all circling around him for scraps. Her parents were in the kitchen and her grandparents were in the living room. Other than that, their flat was silent.
Sarah touched the silvery surface of the mirror, her hand slipping right through.
"Ya gonna go back on your own?" Connor asked.
"'Course not."
"Then why are you staring at it? You expectin' company?"
Sarah glared at her twin. "You know very well that… whatever it was is over. It's been over. We both moved on."
"You didn't."
"Are you kidding? I've had loads of boyfriends."
"Yeah, and after a few weeks of snogging, you dump 'em. You don't really like any of 'em."
"That's not true! Josh was… nice…"
"He smoked crack!"
"Well, what about Dan, then?" Sarah challenged. "He was normal."
"If normal is a bisexual sadist, then yeah, he was really normal. Did ya forget about the time he left ya handcuffed and bleeding in your dorm?"
"How could I? You held it over my head for months!"
Connor rolled his eyes. "Sarah, honestly, who are you trying to fool? Me? Yourself? Mum? Dad? Chase—?"
"Don't you dare say his name."
"It's been years. Besides, wasn't it your idea to see other people?"
"You know what? I don't care. I'm not having this discussion."
Sarah stormed out of the dining room, her low heels clicking as she hurried down to her bedroom. The door slammed behind her.
*~*~*~*~*~*
In the kitchen, Hatter and Alice both jumped at the sound of the slamming door.
"Sarah…" they mumbled.
"I think some time in Wonderland would do her some good. She hasn't been there often since college started," Hatter said.
Alice sighed. "But in Wonderland, there's Chase. And we all know how well that ended."
"There's the shop. Maybe she'll want to fix it up and start selling regular tea there. Only I suppose it'd have to be 'A Taste of Oysterland' instead of 'A Taste of Wonderland'," Hatter suggested, smirking at his wife, his hat crooked.
"I don't think Wonderland's the answer."
"It's part of her and Connor. Alice, they're twenty now. We can't force them to stay in New York forever."
"I just have a bad feeling, Hatter."
He kissed her on the lips. "Alice, luv, let them be kids for once, eh?"
"I don't know…"
"It's their birthday."
Alice stared at her husband. She couldn't resist his pouting. He always knew how to slip under her skin and get his way. He was like a big kid, her Hatter. But she loved his odd sense of humor, style, and ideas.
"Fine. If that's what they want, then they can go."
*~*~*~*~*~*
"Why do I always let you talk me into these ridiculous plans of yours?" Connor groaned.
Sarah slipped her backpack on. "Ridiculous? I happen to think they're brilliant."
Connor adjusted his fedora as Sarah straightened her own hat. "Yeah, but I better not get shot this time…"
"Oh big deal. You were wearing a vest—I wasn't."
"Are we still on about this?"
Sarah cocked her head at him. "Really? When were we off it?"
"Jabberwock?"
Sarah threw her arms around her dad. "Are you going to come along?"
"Maybe in a day or two. It's been busy at the shop."
She nodded. "I'll miss you. Want me to tell Grandpa Charlie hi for ya?"
"Yeah and check on Dormie and Ratty. Make sure they're staying outta trouble."
Sarah kissed her dad on the cheek. "Love ya, da."
"Love ya, Jabberwock. Be safe."
They broke apart, Hatter slipping a knife into her hand with a wink. She pocketed the blade before hugging her mum.
"Have a good trip," Alice said.
"Always."
Connor and Sarah stood beside the mirror together. "Who's going first?" Connor asked.
"You."
"Wha—"
Sarah pushed him through the mirror with a smile. "Bye!" she called, waving to her parents before sliding through. Except, unlike a normal passage between the worlds, Sarah felt herself dropping down, not through the second frame leading to Wonderland.
With a scream she tumbled down, down, down into darkness.
Author's Notes:
Well, what do you all think? It's five years down the line from the current A&WCA so a lot's changed. Both Sarah and Connor have just graduated college and are turning twenty. If you have any questions or suggestions, please let me know!
Enjoy and please review!