Author's note : First fan-fic i ever uploaded ! :3 Do note that characters all belong to Lewis carroll (c) This Alice is a mixture of the recent movie, the book and the game Mc gee's Alice, do enjoy and reviews are much appreciated ! PS. the format is difficult to read, im trying my best to do something to it S;
Under the darkly moonlit sky was the dense forest, a thick heavy mist surrounding it . Trees surrounded her, their overhanging branches looking horrifying like long vicious claws reaching out to grab their unsuspecting victims. She dated her gaze frantically back and forth, her heart thumped wildly in her chest.
From a faraway distance, an unearthly howl echoed in the forest, sending shivers down her spine. Where am I? What is this place? The girl pondered to herself, shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot. A small cracking noise caught her attention. She jumped, color drained from her face and fists clenched awaiting for the incoming danger.
The howl could be heard again, the time seemingly closer. She could not take the pressure, her trembling feet took control and she ran. Sprinting, dodging low branches and jumping over logs, she dashed for her life. Something was following her, its loud plundering footsteps joined behind, not more than a meter away.
She could not bear looking behind, for she was much too afraid, albeit, concentrating on running away from this beast. An eerie howl emitted behind her, and a shudder went down her spine.
"Help!" She managed to squeak, tears forming at her baby blue eyes.
A huge mistake, for her tears momentarily blinded her vision and she tripped. As she fell, a horrifying thought crossed her mind. I am going to die. She heard the soft thud as she tumbled onto the grassy floor, arms bruised and soiled. She felt the monster, whatever it was, bend down and sniff her curiously.
She tensed, frozen to the spot, her heart thudding wildly. All of a sudden, she felt long sharp claws dig into her skin. She shrieked in agonizing pain, a spasm of terror condemned her to the spot…
Fresh blood soaked the grass and the monster let out a bone-chilling howl of victory-he had found her and was a second away from ripping her apart. The girl clenched her teeth, the pain unbearable when an alluring sound of a humming clock going 'tick-tock-tick-tock' seemed to appear out of nowhere. It seemed to draw her out of her thoughts and she soon found herself falling… falling into darkness.
Alice Liddell awoke, cold sweat all over her pale face. Her heart was still hammering away in her chest. It was just a dream. She comforted herself, nothing but a dream. She forced her breathing to slow her. Glancing to her left, her clock showed a quarter past six. It was rather early in the morning, but Alice could not fall back to sleep.
Her dream-nightmare, more like it, had thwarted her sleep and she dared not to fall back into that forest. Shuffling her duvet to the floor, Alice hopped off the bed and scuttled towards the bathroom.
A pale and sickly-looking girl stared back gloomily at her when she entered. Her light blonde locks looked ruffled and her blue misty eyes were unnaturally fearful. Alice frowned at the girl in the mirror. She cocked her head to one side, observing her own features. Sighing to herself, she picked up a blue comb on the basin and began to untangle her messy-looking mane.
It didn't help much. Dark circles infested underneath her eyes- she hadn't been sleeping very well. Who would with those terrible nightmares?
"I'm going mad." Alice whispered staring into the mirror, and placing her comb down.
For a week, those dreams had been pursuing her, and Alice could not put a finger on why. Her dreams always had the same ending – of her dying and a rather alarming sound of a clock humming its ticks and tocks. For days she tried figuring out the location of her dreams but to no avail. Alice sighed, rubbing her temples in frustration. Another terrible start to her day.
Breakfast was laid out at the parlor. Alice was circling the table with mild curiosity, for breakfast would usually precede at the dining room – which possibly meant the Liddell's had a guest today. A scowl appeared on Alice's face. She detested having visitors. It meant wearing dresses and acting too lady-like for her own good.
"Alice!" A surprised shout came from behind.
Alice whipped around to see her sister, Lorina.
"My dear, quick. Go and get dressed, we have a guest today – as you can see." Lorina's hazel brown eyes shone brightly, gesturing at the parlor table.
Alice's frown became more pronounced, "Who died and made you queen?" she snorted quietly.
"What was that, love?" Lorina's eyebrow rose slightly.
Alice made her way to the exit, stopping at the door, not turning to face her sister.
"Yes, dear sister." She scoffed, voice heavy with sarcasm, before making her way out.
Alice climbed the white staircase up to her room, where she started to ransack her cupboard for a dress - that was not 'unflattering' quoted by her mother and Lorina. Her room was a mess with clothes and shorts flung everywhere, so when she mother entered to check on her, it was practically impossible to find Alice.
"Child! What in heavens name are you doing?" Her mother stood by the doorway, arms akimbo.
"Finding a dress." Came a grumpy snort from beneath a stack of clothes. She heard a sigh escape her mother's mouth.
"How about that blue dress?" her mother pointed at no where in particular.
Alice's head popped out from the jumble of clothes, " I have a blue dress?" she asked skeptically, sub-consciously turning to where her mother was pointing.
She saw a blue dress on the floor, a mere two feet from her.
"I must be blind." She muttered to herself and practically swam across the sea of clothes to obtain the blue dress.
"Get changed, clean your room and get down to the parlor for breakfast." Her mother eyes her, "Remember your manners and if you try to do anything silly, so help me, I assure you, I will ground her." With that she disappeared downstairs.
Alice began stacking and stuffing her clothes back into the cupboard, grumbling to herself, before finally taking a look at the dress her mother graciously picked for her. At once salty tears stung her eyes. Of course, how could she forget? The dress her father bought for her.
"Alice?" her father entered her room, holding onto a small box.
Alice looked up, eyebrows raised. "Yes, papa?" she enquired staring at the box he held.
He handed the box over to her. "I remembered when you were young and used to love to wear these." He told Alice, as she unwrapped the box enthusiastically.
"Oh papa!" She exclaimed in surprise as she pulled out the blue frilly dress.
"You look beautiful in blue, Alice. That dress would go well with your eyes." He told her ruffling her hair affectionately.
Alice smiled back in adoration. "Thank you, papa."
Alice snapped back to reality. Her father died months ago. Why was she reminiscing of him? Reluctantly, Alice got dressed, her golden curls pulled up into a bun and her long fringe pinned up to the side. She hated doing that, but she did not want to upset her mother. Staring at the frowning girl in the mirror, Alice sighed.
"Having visitors can be so vexing at times." She stated bluntly, to no-one in particular and shook her head.
"Very vexing indeed." came another soft voice.
Startled, Alice whipped around. "Who's there?" She whispered, trembling as she faced the bathroom door. Icy finger crawled up her spine. Was this another one of her dreams?
"Oh jeez, I must be hearing voices now." She comforted herself, opening the door and heading to the parlor. Now, on to breakfast.
"Mother I think my bathroom's haunted." Alice grunted from across the table, fingering her bread.
Her mother glared at her, "Do not speak of such nonsense! And stop playing with your food!" She reprimanded, pointing an accusing finger and wagging it.
"I heard a voice!" Alice retorted, turning to her sister seated beside her, hoping for a little back-up, but all Lorina could offer was a grim smile.
"Mrs. Liddell?" A new voice entered the room.
The three ladies faced to the door, and at once Alice's mother smiled warmly. Alice's eyes widened as she watched the new person enter the parlor. He was a blonde gentleman with the most striking amazingly green eyes.
"Greetings." He approached Alice's mother gracefully and bowed respectfully, kissing her hand.
"Do have a seat." Alice's mother beckoned the young man to be seated on the chair next to her.
He nodded and waltzed over to her. At the moment, he noticed Alice eyeing him coldly.
"Now Alice," her mother warned. "This is Chester. Kindly stop glaring at him."
Chester tipped his head to Alice. "Pleasure to meet you, Alice." He grinned, showing a set of white teeth.
She narrowed her eyes. Why did he sound so familiar? "Pleasure is all mine." She murmured a reply, rather befuddled.
"Now that we've exchanged pleasantries, Alice, Chester is your new fiancé." Alice's mother spoke, sounding none but solemn. "He's a lord, nonetheless, from a very successful family."
At once, Alice dropped her bread in surprise. "No!" She stood up, the chair scraped across the floor.
"I told you already mother! I don't want to marry anyone!" She was aware of the dagger stare from her mother and sister, but she did not care.
"This is so unfair! I'm old enough to make my own decision- "
"SIT DOWN." Her mother commanded, looking beyond furious.
Alice ignored her, glaring at Lorina, who was shaking her head. "Alice.." she began, but Chester lifted a hand in a 'stop' sign. Alice's brows rose as she saw Chester stand up too and moved towards her.
"A word, Alice?" he smiled gently.
Alice was positively confused – so were her mother and Lorina, but she followed Chester out.
"Chester, I'm really sorry." Alice began as she and Chester reached outside the garden. He was staring curiously at her. "Sorry for?" he inquired, cocking his head to the side.
"I am not her to marry you either." Chester grinned, his green eyes twinkling. "Ah, your mother has such a way of thinking." He dusted his white suit.
"Wait – than what are you here for?" Alice glanced at him bewildered.
Chester seemed to take his time as he sauntered over to a close oak tree, examining his surrounding quite amusedly.
"I – we acquire you assistance." He spoke out after a while.
"We? Who?" Alice eyes narrowed.
"You need not ponder over such little things. Will you help us?" Chester looked at her, a small grin on his face.
"Why should I? I don't even know who I am helping and what for." Alice stated icily, glaring fiercely at Chester.
"Acquiring help from little girls are truly vexing indeed." Chester smirked, looking expectedly at Alice.
Alice froze. The voice! In the bathroom! It was Chester! But how? Alice inched back slightly.
"What are you?" She whispered.
The blonde man grinned, his mouth parted widely.
"If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense; nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't."
As he said those words, he began to fade slowly, until the last thing Alice could see was his wide grin, a set of teeth.
Realization dawned on her.
Wonderland.