I warn you dear child, if I lose my temper, you lose your head. Understand?

I followed the map closely and made my way out of the Maze. I grinned proudly as the sun shone warm upon my face. I walked down to the bakery I had seen last time I was here. I walked into the bakery a few people stared and I could hear the hushed whispers of people talking about me. It seemed word had gotten out about how I was the kings fiancée. Even though I had been pretty popular back home, I was also quite shy.

I quietly ordered a piece of delicious looking apple pie and sat down at a table by myself. I took a bite, it would absolutely delicious, it tasted just like my grandma's.

I heard the screech of a chair being pulled back and I looked up. I saw Chesh. His dark hair was tousled, but he still looked nice.

I smiled, "Hey, Chesh."

Chesh smiled back, "Morning Karina. How's the pie?"

"Delicious! I have to come here more often," I said with a grin.

Chesh laughed, "Tweedle's is the best bakery around… It's also the only bakery around, but it's still good."

"It must be the best one throughout the whole universe" I smiled.

"You're probably right" Chesh said and laughed.

I finished off the piece off pie and smiled "that was the best thing I've eaten in a long time."

Chesh laughed, "so would you like to go for a walk? I can show you around the rest of town."

I nodded "that sounds great!" I said and got up. I pushed my chair in and threw out the paper plate. I started to wipe of the table with my napkin.

"You don't have to do that." Chesh told me.

I shrugged "I don't mind." I told him and finished what I was doing. I threw out the napkin and smiled "ready to go?" I asked.

Chesh nodded "yep."

The man behind the counter smiled at me as thanks for cleaning the table and I smiled back

"The pie was delicious." I told him

He smiled even wider "Thank-you."

I walked outside with Chesh "So what do people do here?"

Chesh smirked "just look and you'll see."

I started paying attention to what was happening around us. The little boys were running around and playing catch on the streets holding onto their newsboy caps so they wouldn't fall off. The little girls played with dolls in doorways and on the stairs wearing cute little dresses that matched their dolls. I smiled and as we walked I saw the kids getting older, the boys still played catch and played other sports while the girls giggled in little groups. Every once and a while one of the girls would go and talk to the boys while the other girls watched; probably on a dare.

I smiled, "it's just like when I was little."

Chesh laughed "it never changes."

I continued to watch, as I saw people closer to my age walking together, girls and boys. It reminded me of what you would see at school or the mall. I sighed. It reminded me too much of home and I really missed it.

"Chesh, you're a smart guy, right?" I asked.

"What kind of question is that?" Chesh asked, "of course I'm a smart guy."

"Then can I ask you a question?"

Chesh nodded, "go ahead."

I sighed and was silent for a moment, "I'm really starting to like Elliot, but I'm worried that he'll hate me if I tell him the truth and kick Liz and I out. We have nowhere else to go and can't get back. We'll get kidnapped again. I also want to tell him thought because I really like him and feel bad lying."

Chesh paused and thought for a moment, "Go with your gut. There's going to be pros and cons to each thing you just have to decide what is worth losing."

"I hoped our advice would be a bit more straight forward," I sighed.

Chesh laughed, "I can't tell you what to do. Only you can."

I groaned, "why can't you give me normal advice!" I sighed, "thanks anyways, I think it helps."

Chesh smiled at me, "good luck."

We walked around for awhile longer, talking about Upper World and Wonderland. He walked me back to the entrance of the Rose Maze.

"Well, I hope everything works out for you whatever you choose," Chesh told me.

I smiled, "Thanks Chesh, you've been a really good friend."

Chesh laughed, "Thanks Karina, I've been doing the best I can."

"I'll see you soon then," I told him with a smile.

"Bye," He said and left. Both of us went our separate ways. By the time I got out of the maze, it was starting to get dark. The sun had almost set. The sky was streaked with mysterious blue and purples and painted with swirling oranges and yellows. I stopped and stared for a moment as the sun went further under the horizon. When it was gone I sighed and went inside the castle and walked to my room. I yawned and soon fell asleep after I laid down.

I ran out of the kingdom being chased by the guards. I knew I shouldn't have told Elliot the truth, now he wants to kill me. I had no idea where Liz was, I think they got her a long time back. I wanted to go and save her, but that way neither of us would survive. I made it through the trees and suddenly they stopped chasing me. Everything was eerie silent. I crept through the trees trying to be as quiet as possible.

Loud, thumping, footsteps crashed through the trees. I started running again, trying to get away from them. I was tackled to the ground in a few moments.

I screamed, "get off me!"

My attacker held a knife to my throat, "This is what you get for running away the first time."

The guy attacking me shoved the knife into my throat.

I woke up with a scream but quickly muffled it. I felt sweaty, but I was cold. Hot tears dripped down my face, I ran a hand through my hair and took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. I got out of bed and wrapped a sweater I had gotten from Elliot around myself. I walked silently down the hall and wiped my eyes, I couldn't believe I was actually doing this. The only thing was I just hoped Elliot wouldn't react the way he had in my dream.

I stopped outside and closed my eyes. I pressed my hands to the doors but didn't open them. I felt the cool wood under my fingertips and tried to keep myself from tearing up again. Of course that wasn't possible. I wanted to wait till I could control myself but that was just another stalling technique. I pushed the door slowly open; Elliot was still asleep.

I walked over to where Elliot was sleeping on the massive bed. He looked so peaceful. I could barely bring myself to wake him, but if I didn't do it now, I never would.

"Elliot?" I whispered. He stirred slightly. "Elliot?" I asked again but louder this time. This time Elliot woke up.

"What are you doing here, Karina? It's late." He asked groggy and confused.

"I need to tell you something important," I told him.

"Can it wait till morning?" He asked, clearly tired.

I was about to say no, but I shook my head. "No, I have to tell you now or I never will."

Elliot sat up and frowned "What is it?"

"Well… I lied to you." I said quietly. "I'm not actually a princes… or from York. York actually is not even real. I made it up. Liz and I got kidnapped from a place I think people call Upperworld. We had no idea where we were or how we could get home so we made stuff up hoping you'd let us stay here."

Elliot was silent. He stared straight forward, thinking.

I sighed. "Liz and I will be gone before morning." I turned away so he wouldn't see the tears streaming down my face and I left. Before I got out the door I felt to strong, warm arms wrap around my waist and pull me close to him.

"I don't want you to leave," Elliot told me. "But I suppose I can't force you to stay."

I frowned, confused, "Aren't you mad that I lied to you…?"

"Oddly enough, no. I love you, Karina. I don't want you to leave."

I turned towards him and smiled "really?"

Elliot nodded "Yes."

I smiled and hugged him "You really don't know how happy that makes me."

"What brought this on?" Elliot asked.

"I had a dream that I told you and you got mad so Liz and I left but when I got out of the kingdom I was found by the people that had kidnapped us in the first place and he… he killed me."

Elliot held me close. "I would never, ever, let that happen."

I smiled, "Thankyou, Elliot."

"Well, why don't I walk you back to your room?" Elliot suggested.

"Actually… I was hoping you'd let me sleep here…? You don't have to though."

Elliot laughed "sure"

He led me over to the bed and the two of us laid down together. After only a few moments we were both asleep.