"Why is a raven like a writing desk?" Hatter asked.

Many thoughts clouded my head as I headed out to sea. My mind drifted back to Wonderland and everyone there. As we left the harbor, I sensed a presence that made me feel relieved yet saddened. A strange blue butterfly rested upon my shoulder as I looked out at the sea.

"Hello, Absolem."

He flew away at that moment in time as I came to the realization that everything I had experienced was real. Absolem had said that he would see me in another life, and he did. He saw me here, in this reality which was called the 19th Century in London. And for the first time in years, I felt free from the chains that bound me to these shores. But yet I still felt as if I were stuck between two worlds; here and Wonderland.

I missed the Hatter, and I could sense that he missed me too. We had grown further into our friendship that which had transformed into hidden feelings that we could never have in this reality. If only there was some way to return back to Wonderland; through a parallel or a mirror of some kind, like I had in previous visits. Maybe this journey to China was my gateway back to Wonderland, or maybe I could enter the same I did the first time; through a looking glass.

I ran from the deck to my quarters; this was the first time ever seeing them. My quarters were filled with all sorts of fine-furnishing; complements to Lord Ascot. I had a mahogany wooden writing desk and wardrobe, with a match bed suite that was arranged nicely to my own personal comfort. But right beside my wardrobe, stood a tall floor length mirror that was now showing its age from numerous journeys. Stained so many times, and yet a new faced glass was placed in its frame.

I looked over myself and saw all my adventures up until this every journey. I imagined Wonderland and everyone greeting me as I returned. As I imagined I felt a gentle breeze of sea air carry a sweet aroma of freshly grown flowers and brewing tea. I could sense Wonderland on the other side of the mirror as I closed my eyes and wished to return. I took a set forward as I longed for the journey to take to my friends and the ones I most cared for.

BUMP!

I fell to the floor looking up before falling into darkness and disarray.

"Why is a raven like a writing desk?"

"I haven't the slightest."

I awakened from my thoughts only to find my reflection with a dark-shadowy figure standing behind me in the mirror. I tried to scream as I crawled away from it, but it followed me. It grinned and laughed maniacally as my fears become my worst nightmare. Nothing stopped the swift shadow that attacked me as it reached for me. I screamed loudly in terror as dreaming for home or Wonderland seized.

Silence covered my frail lips as the shadow lean towards me slowly. Its white eyes stared at me as if I were something of unknown. Suddenly it screamed and ran from me and jumped out my closed window. I sat there as my logic tried to find realism and truth, but bewildered I was. My sanity was now hanging onto itself by a thread and soon I would fall mad to the floor and find no knowledge to guide me.

My mind was already drifting as my heart longed for something to hold onto. Everything I knew started to falter as I laid on the floor; memories began to fade and moments began to slip from my thoughts. I slowly closed my eyes; forgetting time and space as I began to dream. I felt my body go numb as the warm sea air caressed my skin and left me to the contentment of the world. But suddenly shouts and moans filled my ears as darkness took over my life.

"Alice! Alice!"

"Hatter...where are you?"

"Find your way back. Escape!"

"No, help me!"

I was losing my mind as I called out to a voice that only lied in my subconscious. I was going mad with passion and fear for not seeing nor sensing Hatter's presence. I had lost all my senses at that moment; only the feeling of numbness and chaos burned my face. I tried to scream once again; was I dreaming or was this real? I called out to Hatter hoping he would answer or someone would respond. Silence found its place; nothing stirred in this thick darkness that blanketed my eyes and choked my soul.

"The Vorpal sword, Alice! Use the sword!"

To my realization without sensing it before, I regained my sense of touch back and in my hands was a sword. It felt as if it were the sword that I had used to slay the Jabberwocky; firm handle and pearled blade. I tried to open my eyes, but my sight was still untraceable. But I now I could feel the touch of what seemed to be thousands of iron hands trying to tear me apart.

"Alice, the sword! Fight back!"

"I can't see! I can't see!"

At that moment, I opened my eyes and saw the horror that was trying to destroy me; thousands of iron red card soldiers. They had been released from Wonderland to find me and destroy me, but how? The Red Queen had been overthrown by the White Queen; had everything reverted back to the past? Was slaying the Jabberwocky nothing when trying to save Wonderland? All these questions played on my heart as I welded the sword and attacked.

"That's Alice, my love. You're doing it!"

Hatter's voice was my encouragement from the depths of my mind, but his voice seemed to real to me now as if he were actually here. I continued to fight as each soldier began to fall apart with each quick motion I made. I could still hear Hatter cheering as I finished slaying each and every one of the card-soldiers. My mind had been cleared of rage and anger, but my heart was saddened with the realism of the past. Wonderland was in trouble again and I had to return again; this was not how I wanted to go back. But that's when I turned to look for him.

I searched the room now completely filled with the light of the sea-fair moon. Nothing; had this been another dream that had emerged from my mind to take over my reality?

"Why is a raven like a writing desk?"

"Hatter…Hatter…where are you?" I sighed sitting upon my bed, still grasping the Vorpal Sword in my hands.

"Alice…" a voice replied from the darkest corner of my chamber as the moon vanished behind a blanket of clouds. Now I was left alone with someone, who I could not see?

"Alice…Alice…"