Chapter 2
Step by step on my quaking legs she led me nearer to the black of what I assumed was a wall. However, once we got nearer, I realized it was not as solid as I had previously thought. It was the cold deep gray color of cinder blocks. There was a narrow hallway leading off to the right, just wide eough for me and the girl to stand side by side. It was the same dark walls and cold grey floor as my cell, my feet ached from the cold because my captor had not thought to provide me with a robe or slippers. There was a door a bit farther down that was pulled slightly ajar letting in a cool fresh breeze to the otherwise stale and musty air. Carefully and with much ceremony she looked me in the eyes as we got to the door. Her emerald eyes seemed so heavy and solemn, especially for one so young. She looked me up and down as if trying to asses if I was worthy of her help, or maybe if I was going to able to handle what we found on the other side of the door. Without further pause she gently pushed open the door.
It swung easily back to the wall behind it as we stepped through and the girl let go of my hand for just long enough to shut it before we resumed our journey. My senses were coming back to me with every step. Why did I trust this girl? She could be a slave to my captor for all I knew! But for some reason I did not care. It was something about her eyes, so subdued and yet they held a spark of life within them. Looking around I realized I was in a larger room, it was warm, and the glow of candles threw more light than the lone window in my cell had.
Rows and rows of the same large white beds lined the walls. As I walked down the center of the room I dropped the girl's hand. Each bed held a girl, some as young as the one that had come to me and others that looked twice my age. Each girl was sleeping peacefully with their legs stretched out and their hands folded over their chests. Their heavily fringed eyes were shut and long golden curls were fanned out around their faces. Each of them regardless of age looked identical to the girl who had come to me, and she looked identical to me. I turned around in astonishment only to see that the girl had followed me. Something here was not right. My head still seemed foggy, as if my mind was being repressed. My senses seemed less alert than they should be and I still could not grasp my reality. I was standing in a room of girls, clones of me. Or was I a clone of them? Did it even matter? Something in my head just did not feel right. Black began to cloud my vision and the world began to sway. I fell to my knees in despair. I should not feel this helpless. I need to stay strong to make it out of here and return to Ciel! He was always so upset when I was late for tea with him! The girl knelt beside my collapsed figure and once again took my hand. She looked down at me endearingly, as one would look at an injured bunny. Smoothing back the hair from my fevered face she murmured "Welcome to Wonderland, dear Elizabeth, we have been long waiting for you and at last you have arrived".