Whoosh! Something small and white brushed against my legs. That couldn't be... My train of thought trailed off as I saw my sister had dressed up our white rabbit in a waist coat, and his watch had fallen out of his pocket, flailing behind him. Poor thing, I thought, Margaret is so silly with him. I walked over to the corner he was hiding in, and picked him up, intending to put him back in his cage until mum got home from whatever errand she was doing. Funny how she always has errands to do when dad isn't home.
"Margaret!" She was by my side in a flash, "What did we agree on just two minutes ago?" She looked quizzical.
"That I not pile my hair on top of my head when guests are over?" I just looked at her. "Okay then," She said taking the hint that it was incorrect. "That I..." She trailed off, not knowing what we had talked about.
"That you not dress up the rabbit in such nonsensical clothing." I said depositing him in his cage. I had taken off his clothing in the process, and now gave them to her. When I turned to give them to her, I saw her face was as red as a strawberry.
"Maggie, what's the matter?" She pointedly looked behind me.
Standing there was, no other than, Max Hatter. "Alice," He nodded to me, then turned to Margaret, "Margaret," He nodded to her, and she turned a brighter shade of red, if that were even possible.
"Maggie, go into the house and fetch Max a glass of lemonade. I'm sure we have some in the house." I said, turning her around and walking her a bit closer to the house. "And open your hair, you look silly." I'd said this to her a million times before, but instead of rolling her eyes at me; she smiled and ran to the house.
"Alice, I have an urgent matter I have to discuss with you. It can't wait." Max had never sounded so serious before, so I guided him towards a bench under a tree, shading us form the blazing sun.
"Oh! Here comes Maggie." I said pointing to her. She looked more like ten than twelve. She was cute that way. She had opened up her hair, letting it fall to little ringlets behind her. She was carrying a tray with two cups of lemonade.
"This needs to be between only us," Max said just before Maggie was in earshot.
"Here you go," She said in typical Maggie fashion, always the nice one. Whereas I was the opposite. Funny how sister's can be so different. "I'm sorry to have to leave you, but I do have homework." Maggie said when she'd handed us our glasses.
"It's okay Maggie. I thought you were done early with your math." She looked guilty, and rushed away without a goodbye. "You wanted to tell me something?"
"Oh, yes," He cleared his throat, "Alice, you have to promise me you will believe every word I say," I nodded. Max and I were best friends since before I can remember. I'd believe anything he said. "Well, I can't exactly explain it. You're going to have to come and see for yourself."
I looked back at the house. "I can't just leave Maggie all by herself." Then I heard Maggie faintly greet mum. "Looks like mum is home," I said, turning to Max, but he wasn't standing there anymore.
"Max?" I called, but there was nothing besides the sun shining down hardly on everything. I stepped out from the shade, and saw a faint movement behind the brush by the house. I quickly moved to it, hoping I'd catch whatever was there.
"Alice," I heard Max whisper, and I jumped so high I was almost like a rocket, shooting off into the sky. "I'm sorry I scared you, but I didn't want your mum seeing." I was just about to ask what, when I saw what he meant: A giant hole in the ground.
"What is it?" I asked, bending down to peer in it. "Do you suppose it's a rabbit hole?"
"Please forgive me, but I have to." Max whispered, almost inaudible. I turned around to look at him, but before I got my head halfway around, he had pushed me in.
