The sensation of falling is what wakes me up. My eyes fly open, but I close them again almost immediately when the pounding headache catches up to me. Ugh. I sit up slowly and look around.
Then I do a double-take.
I don't recognize where I am.
I'm on a dirt path leading through what seems like a forest, but the 'trees' are giant blades of grass. The grass goes on for miles in any direction, and I can't see where the path ends.
"Where the hell am I…?" I wonder aloud.
"Well, you could call it Wonderland, but that wore out a long time ago."
I jump. Christina pops up beside me, but that can't actually be her. The Christina I know doesn't have black cat ears and a tail, and especially not a ridiculously wide grin.
"W-Wonderland?" I ask. Her smile is really distracting. It should stretch her face, but it looks completely natural.
Her brown eyes darken for a split second, and then she brightens up again.
"Yep! I'm the Cheshire cat, but you can call me Kitty!"
"Um…I think I'll stick with Cheshire cat."
"Oh, okay! Say, that's a pretty dress! Where'd you get it?"
I look down, seeing what I'm wearing for the first time.
I'm clad in a knee-length midnight blue dress with black ruffles, long black socks, and black dress shoes. My hair is down and I feel a bow in it. I don't like this look at all. I feel like a little girl, lost and vulnerable.
"Er…I don't remember."
Christina—I mean, the Cheshire cat looks at me strangely.
"Do you remember coming here?" she asks, tilting her head.
I stiffen. Should I tell her? Something tells me I can trust this replica of my best friend.
"No. I just woke up and I was here." I say honestly. The Cheshire cat thinks this over and nods decisively. "Okay, I'll help you. Just remember: Stay under the radar of the Queen." She whispers the last part, glancing around as if she's said something risky.
Maybe she has. I push the thought away; I can't become paranoid. I smile at her.
"Thanks. Do you know the way out of this…forest?" I'm not sure what else to call it.
One of the cat's ears twitches, and she disappears.
"H-hey! Where'd you go?"
She appears farther down the trail. "Well, come on! Do you want to be left behind?" she calls.
I run to catch up to her, wondering if I'll ever figure out how to get myself out of this mess.
Alright. This was a sort of test chapter, to see if anyone will read it. The next chapter will probably be longer, and you get to see who's who! But you have to review to find out… (hint, hint)
