Okay, I know I haven't really been updating and I've got a feeling you don't want to hear my excuse's so I'll just apologise. I'll try to update more often. I really hope more people start to read this story and remember, every review is much appreciated!

Anyway, enjoy the story!

Thinking she had waited long enough, Alice began making her way back to the path they were following. Or in this case, what she thought was the path. Crossing her arms to keep herself warm, she walked slowly. She winced as wind blew harshly against her wet cheeks. Her whole body was sore and she looked like the living dead.

She heard movement and for a moment, she could hear nothing but her heart beating. Her fear was getting the best of her. Without looking back, she ran.

It was painful but nothing could stop her. Thoughts of what hideous creatures might be behind her made her run faster. Her chest felt numb and her hands were shaking uncontrollably.

She had only closed her eyes for a second when she bumped into something. She fell to the ground quickly but painfully. Clutching her fists, she opened her eyes. Almost jumping in joy, Alice gasped.

"Dean! You're alive!"

Dean's face was utterly blank. The sparkle from his eyes had completely disappeared. He looked like a ghost- like he wasn't real. When he didn't move to help her, Alice grumbled to herself and stood up. "Wouldn't hurt to help me up you know! It's your fault I fell anyways."

When she saw his blank expression, her eyes narrowed. "What the hell is wrong with you!"

Not even flinching from her deafening shriek, Dean continued to stare. After a short pause, he finally spoke- his words cold and dull. "Follow me."

Without even waiting for her reaction, he walked away. Alice sighed loudly but followed anyway. He continued with the silent treatment. Alice was getting increasing frustrated.

Is he stupid or something? She thought. It's as if he doesn't even remember what I did before!

Thoughts of the painful kick she had given him gave Alice ideas. Being so distracted, she didn't notice the shadows following her. It was when Dean began running did her instinct arrive. Chasing after him, her fear returned. This is as creepy as before! She thought to herself.

Dean began running faster. He ran swiftly and dodged every branch and twig that threatened to stop him. Not being as gracious as him, Alice ran clumsily - but quickly behind him. The path they ran down was narrow and almost every branch left its mark on Alice. Feeling every scratch and cut, Alice winced but continued racing after Dean.

What happened next chilled Alice to the bone. He just disappeared but his dull voice echoed around her.

Follow me.

Tears threatened to spill from her eyes. what's going on? The echoes continued. Suddenly, Dean reappeared but in more than one amounts. He would appear in front of her, urging her to continue or would be leaning against a tree - watching her intently. He would run just a bit ahead, too far for to touch. Her fear was blocking her head from registering she was in danger.

Dean stopped running and slipped past two bushy trees. Sobbing uncontrollably, Alice followed suit. On the other side was a clearing right next to a cliff. Dean smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. He was walking now but his headed direction made Alice's eyes widen. He was about to walk over the cliff. Stopping by the edge, Dean turned around to face her. "Follow me. It's the our only escape."

Bewildered, Alice didn't know what to do. Dean waited patiently by the edge. Alice desperately wanted to shout at him to come back but the words wouldn't come.

Finally, a hand grabbed her arm. She almost screamed. "Alice, snap out of it!" Dean screamed in her ears. His words were stubborn and unkindly but it was enough for her head to whip around. Her sobs vanished and now she was staring.

"Listen to me," He shouted. "I'm here. I'm the real Dean! I'm holding you right now - all of them are just illusions." His grip on her wrist tightened as to prove he was real. With his other arm, Dean pointed to the cliff. Following his gaze, Alice realised that the Dean who was about to jump off the cliff was gone. Shock was written all over her face. Had he jumped?

"It was just an illusion." Whispered a voice in her ear. Taking a deep breath, Alice closed her eyes. It was just an illusion. This was the forest of illusions after all.

How could I be so stupid?! She thought harshly to herself. Opening her eyes, she smiled kindly to Dean. "Thank you."

Dean returned the smile and continued to look down at her.

"You can let go of my arm now."

Turning a bright red, Dean quickly dropped her arm.

"How amusing." Came a voice behind the pair. They both turned around and gaped at the man before them. He was incredibly tall and wore a long cloak covering all his body. He had long pale blonde hair reaching his wide shoulders and his eyes were an incredibly intense blue.

"I am Aion, the illusionist." When Alice and Dean gave no reply, he continued. "Now now, who did you think created these illusions? The trees?"

Aion laughed at his own joke. Alice and Dean merely continued staring. After a short pause in which all stared at one another, Aion, who was getting rather frustrated, coughed loudly.

"You see my friends, this is my forest and personally, I don't like being disturbed. I'm sure both of you can relate. As a consequence, my temporarily guest become permanent guests. You've already escaped some of my trickery," At this he gestured towards the cliff.

"But I'm not going to ruin my "tradition" just for two blasted humans."

The way he said blasted made Dean narrow his eyes. He no longer looked like the cheerful traveller but a determined politician or so Alice thought. Aion replied with a wicked smile. The grin stretched even more so when a long silver sword appeared in his right hand. It was no ordinary sword. It was wide and at the end, nasty looking twisted spikes stuck out. It looked rather heavy but the Aion seemed to carry it with ease.

Alice and Dean exchanged worried looks. There was no way to escape, unless of course they were jumped off the cliff. Without even looking, Alice knew that it was a long way down.

Aion stepped forward in one long stride. He obviously thought he could take them out on his own. Alice didn't dare doubt him. She was pretty big-headed but she knew when someone was obviously better than her.

As Aion raised his sword, a bright light came through the trees. Aion stopped short and whipped his head around. By the annoyed expression on his face, Alice knew this was no illusion.

In a matter of seconds, the light disappeared and revealed a beautiful woman wearing a thin white dress that reached just past her knees. Her hair was the colour of the sun and reached her thighs. Her eyes a dark gold-like colour. Although she was incredibly beautiful, she looked old enough to be Alice's mother.

"Aion, old friend." Her voice was soft and velvety. "I'm afraid I cannot let you harm these two…the lady's orders."

Obviously knowing who this "lady" was, Aion groaned but his sword continued to dangle in his hand.

"Aion, I'm warning you. Let them go." She threatened when he didn't move. Her eyes had narrowed and her voice had become harsh. She didn't seem so friendly anymore. Aion glowered at her but made the sword disappear anyway. All that was left were small glowing orbs.

Aion faced the woman, blocking Alice and Dean. "I'm not happy about this - you can tell your Enchantress that!"

Grumbling like a small child, Aion slipped into the trees and could no longer be seen. A genuine smile appeared on the woman's face. "Follow me."

Alice groaned but knew that this time it was no illusion and followed reluctantly behind.

The sun had began to appear when the woman finally stopped. She looked back at the two and smiled. "We're here."

"And where exactly is here?" Alice asked impolitely.

The woman continued to smile. "The end of the forest of illusions." Although they were still surrounded by trees, Alice noticed a change. The trees weren't nearly as tall or wide as the ones they were surrounded by earlier. Instead of deathly silence, birds and other wildlife could be heard in the distant.

"Thankyou milady." Dean addressed politely. "God only knows what would have happened to us if you had not come along." He smiled sincerely and kissed the tip of the woman's hand.

"My my, aren't we a gentleman." She replied. "Moving on, you two better get going - you're not out of danger just yet! Hurry now, I'm not getting paid to let you die!"

The last sentence took Alice and Dean by surprise. Before either one of them could ask, the woman had disappeared.

"What did she mean by that?" Dean asked.

Alice merely snorted. "So much for true kindness."

Dean shook his head and chuckled softly. Without a word, the pair walked into the not so intimidating trees to continue their journey.