ALiCE in WoNDeRLaND

-4-

I awoke with a start, belting upright in the bed, that small scream still echoing in the back

of my mind. What the Hell had just happened?

I looked around the dark room, my gaze slowly coming to a stop at the edge of the

blanket, where a dark figure sat silently beside me. I gasped, pulling the quilt up to my

chin. "Surrender?"

The boy made a face as he clicked the lightswitch. He was trying to play it

cool, but I could feel the fear beneath his suave exterior.

I blinked as the brightness filled the room, temporarily blinding me. I dove under the

cover to shield my eyes.

"Come on," the boy said, getting up and pulling on the end of the bedding. "Get up."

I groaned, throwing the blankets onto the floor as I arose. Stretching, I tried to clear the

cobwebs in my head as I turned to face the stranger before me. "Hey." I tried to smile,

but I wasn't sure if I succeeded or not.

"Are you okay?" He had a confused look on his face.

Now I was confused. "I think so. Why do you ask?"

He shook his head. "Never mind." He made his way toward the door. "If you're sure

you're okay, then come on down. Everyone's waiting for you."

I wasn't sure exactly who "everyone" entailed, but I followed him out the door

nonetheless. Looking down at my dress, I wondered when I had started sleeping with my

clothes still on. When I looked up again, we were downstairs, and approaching a large set

of double doors.

He paused before me, then opened the doors with a flourish.

I gasped in awe as I entered the dining room. The walls were cloaked with paintings, the

high ceiling covered with a design that would rival the most beautiful cathedrals. I had

barely taken it all in when the clearing of a throat brought me back to my present reality.

"Ahem," the voice came again.

I looked down at the enormous dining room table, amazed that I had failed to notice it

until now. Before me sat four more young men, each with a different colored head of

hair. One red, one blue, one green, and one black. The boy beside me was blond.

They had been talking. I had heard their voices before I had entered the room. They had

heard us coming, and had ceased their arguments. Now they all stared at me, as if unsure

of what to say or do next.

The blond one came from behind me, giving me a little shove, and I took another step

into the room. I turned, looking at the male beside me, then looked back at the other four

seated at the table. After a moment without deviation I had to speak. "Hi," I whispered.

They just stared.

I actually missed the rabbit.

***