Lorina.

She was here?

Here?

Alice stared stupidly ahead, shocked. Her sister, Lorina of all people, here? In this wonderful wonder world? When? How? Alice couldn't think, she just couldn't believe her sister had been here! And why was it no one remembered her then?

Alice thought back to when she was in her own world, that fateful afternoon when she and Lorina had been outside together. Her sister had been talking about a "wonder land" after all...

Had she known? Had Lorina known Peter would come for me? Is that why she went inside in the first place? So I could come here?

Alice shook her head slowly, in complete disbelief. How was this even possible? It was crazy! Insane! But yet, Alice couldn't shake the thought that it might be true, that all this, the people, this world, Lorina had already met, and knew it would be good for her younger sister.

Had Lorina known, had she set this whole story into motion?

Alice thought about it, and it really seemed plausible. It made sense, Lorina knew she wasn't feeling all that useful, or even happy, in her own world. Lorina sent her here to be needed, to feel like she had a purpose!

Alice fell into a stupefied trance as everything seemed to fall into place.

And as everything has a beginning, it also has an end.

Alice looked at the little vial in her hand, knowing that her sister had made the same choice, many years ago.

She was no longer needed here, in the Land of Hearts. Everyone was happy, everything was fine. Yes, people were still gun crazy and trigger happy, but Alice had to admit they weren't as likely to shoot on sight as the people here used to be like. No one would just shoot for fun...

Well, maybe Ace.

Alice felt a small smile grace her face, and closing her eyes she raised the vial to her lips.