ALiCE in WoNDeRLaND

-3-

I stared down at the rabbit as we approached the doors. "Are you sure you want to do
this?" I asked, politely as I could.

He nodded. "Whatever is in there has to be better than whatever is out here."

I nodded in agreement, and took a deep breath as I faced the entrance. "Right or left?" I
questioned.

"Left," the rabbit replied.

I reached for the right door and rested my hand on the handle, pausing for a moment to
catch my breath. I glanced down at the rabbit, then pushed the door.

Nothing happened.

I shoved my shoulder into it, but to no avail. The door was locked. "The door's..."

"Locked? Oh, what do you know?" the rabbit replied, turning to leave. "Great. We
might as well be on our way."

I began to follow, but I had the strangest feeling. "Rabbit..." I whispered.

"Yes?" he asked as he stopped to look back at me.

Our eyes met for a moment, and a great flash of light blinded my eyes. I closed them for
a moment, attempting to regain my senses. I slowly opened them once more, and stared
in dumbfounded awe at the sight before me.

"ALiCE?" the rabbit called out. He was quite a distance away from me, but we had still
been staring into each other's eyes when I had opened my own.

I broke away my gaze, and began to take a good look at the amazing sight before me. I
was in the house, at the very top, where the walls were made of glass and the ceiling of
that same stone that surrounded the rest of the castle. "Oh, my God..."

I took a few tentative steps toward the center of the room, where an magnificent fountain
stood. After a moment of two I went back, heading toward a large piece of furniture with
an intricate covering. I had barely taken more than two steps when I felt a small tug at my
dress.

I turned, expecting to see the usually outspoken rabbit, but froze when I saw the small,
frail blond boy standing behind me.

"Hi," he said softly.

I looked down at him, puzzled, then back up, hoping to locate the rabbit.

In his former place stood an attractive woman, smiling at the young boy's feat.

"What?" I breathed, looking back down at him.

"Um..." He seemed terrified of something. I could already see the small tears welling up
in his eyes. "Do you..." He paused to look back at the woman, then looked back up at
me. "Do you want to go to the dance with me?"

I racked my brain, desperately searching for some sort of clue or indication of this event.
Dance? I thought to myself. What dance?

I stooped down to peer right into his eyes and smiled. "I'd love to," I lied. I had no idea
what this kid was talking about.

He hesitated for a second, his chin quivering in fear. He took a deep breath, then let out a
bloodcurdling scream.

***