Chapter 3
Annie felt a hand on her shoulder as she stirred, begrudgingly leaving a warm dream that she immediately forgot upon opening her eyes and finding Jeff's scruffy face smiling down at her. She couldn't stop the warm smile that spread on her face as she rolled over onto her back and looked up at him.
"Good morning," she murmured blinking against the sun that fell through the skylight. She had a moment of confusion as she remembered where she was and just a flash of disappointment that she was still trapped in a delusion until March offered her a steaming ceramic mug.
"Morning. I thought you might like some cocoa before you head into the Wood. It helps keep the chill from settling in."
Annie sat up and graciously accepted the mug, breathing in the sweet aroma before yawning and arching her back to stretch. She thought she caught March staring at her chest, but he quickly returned his gaze to her eyes and spoke again.
"We let you sleep as long as we could, but if you're going to make it to the Heartland before dark you need to head out soon."
"Oh. Is it that much further?"
"We're pretty much smack dab in the middle of the Pink, so you still have a ways to go. And once you're out of the Wood you need to go a few marvels before you reach the limits of the Heartland."
"Oh. I see." Annie didn't bother to ask him what a 'marvel' was; she got the gist of what he was saying, and was disheartened by how far she would have to travel for a solution she wasn't sure would work. She sipped her cocoa, surprised by a hint of orange in the flavor.
"Hey. Don't get discouraged, kid. You'll get home."
"How can you be so sure? I don't even know how to get to the Heartland, and yesterday the only thing I found in the wood was Chang and the Tweedle-deansasters!"
"Well, then, look at it this way: today certainly can't be any worse. Well, unless you run across the Jabberwock." March was lounging on a large cushion next to her sleeping bag, drinking his own steaming cocoa.
"The Jabberwock? What's that?"
"It's the most hideous, despised and frumious creature in the Tulgey. It's pure evil…uh, but no one's spotted it in months, so I'm sure you have nothing to worry about," he began to backtrack as he seemed to understand Annie's growing concern.
"Don't worry. March is right. No one has seen the Jabberwock for months, and a lot of people assume he's dead. Of course, true evil can never die. That's canon," Hatter joined their conversation, dressed in a suit identical to the one he had been wearing the previous day, except that this one was peacock blue and salmon.
"Of course," Hatter continued, "it would probably be better if someone went with you to make sure you're safe. Someone tall and strong who knows his way around the Wood." Annie followed Hatter's gaze to March who glared in return.
"No. I don't go into the Wood anymore, remember? I moved into the cottage and that was it for me."
"Riiiight. Then I guess we'll just let Annie go into the Wood alone and hope for the best. Annie, remember, if the Jabberwock comes for you, don't fight it too hard. I hear it makes it more painful."
"Hatter! Stop trying to scare her! Annie is perfectly capable and I'm sure she'll be fine."
"How sure?" Hatter pressed and Annie found she was caught like the net in a tennis match, just switching her attention between the two men. Hatter's face remained completely impassive, but she could see that even though March was growing increasingly irritated, there was also doubt creeping into his eyes.
"Annie…doesn't need me. She doesn't need my help to guide her through the woods. She's a big girl. She can do it herself."
It was a double-edged sword, hearing him defend her independence. She was thrilled to hear that he didn't think of her as a child, but she didn't feel very much like a mature adult at the moment, as she was terrified to go back into the woods by herself. She wanted to appear brave, so she bit her bottom lip to keep it from quivering as she looked at March, hoping he would agree to go with her. She saw his resolve start to crumple and, finally, he threw up his hands in defeat.
"Gah! Okay, fine! I'll take you through the woods, just, please, stop doing that thing with your eyes!"
Annie grinned as Hatter gave the smallest hint of a smile.
"I'll pack a bag. March gets cranky when he's hungry. You'll also probably want to look for White Rabbit, make sure he's okay. I'll pack him a thermos of special drink, too." Hatter disappeared further into the fort and Annie stood shyly for a moment before finally speaking.
"Thank you, for going with me. You really don't have to – "
"Yeah, I really do. I'm not that big of a jerk that I'll let you go through the Wood all by yourself. It really isn't safe and I…I would worry about you." March just barely met her eyes as he spoke and Annie had to hold back a squeak of delight. March turned a little red and seemed anxious to leave the subject as he continued. "Um, anyway, I should probably let you get dressed."
"Oh, right!" Annie realized she was still in her underwear and, although it was antique and conservative, it was still underwear.
She looked down next to her bag where she had folded her clothing the night before, but found it was gone. Instead, the pile had moved to the side of the room and the dress was laid out neatly. As she crossed to it, she was surprised to find that a new pair of tights were laying beside the dress, as well as a pair of satiny ruffled underwear that she knew her grandmother would have referred to as 'drawers'.
"How did – "
"Oh, that. I take it you don't have Brownies where you come from?"
"What? Yeah, we do, but what do they have to do with my clothes?" Annie tried hard to imagine how a chocolate desert would manage to manifest new panties for her.
"Don't your Brownies do helpful, household things for you?"
"No. Our brownies just add to your waistline. Well, unless you mean the girl scouts kind of brownie, but they're not any better with those cook – you know? Nevermind. I'm just gonna go…change." Annie quickly gathered her clothing and disappeared behind the 'changing room' curtain, mentally berating herself for babbling like an idiot. She dressed quickly, grateful to whatever the Brownies were for getting her new underwear.
Now if only they could provide you a bathroom and a toothbrush, she thought as she ran her tongue over her teeth and realized her bladder was demanding her attention. She poked her head around the curtain as she finished buttoning her dress.
"Um, you guys wouldn't by any chance have a bathroom, would you?" She couldn't stop herself from blushing when she asked the question, and March seemed amused by her discomfort.
"You think just because we live in the woods we're uncivilized? Of course we have a bathroom. It's right in the cottage, just past that polka-dot wall." He motioned toward one of the sheets and Annie quickly pushed it aside and found the door to the cottage.
She passed through the wooden door and was surprised by how much the cottage looked like a mish-mash of Jeff's apartment and Abed's dorm, the aesthetically simple mixing with the whimsical almost seamlessly. She wandered into the living room and found Abed in the small kitchen area, shoving cans into a backpack. He gave her a small smile when he saw her come in.
"If you're looking for the bathroom, it's right through that door."
"I…um…thanks, Hatter." Annie was a bit unnerved that he knew exactly why she was there, but she just accepted his seeming omniscience and went through the door he indicated. She was thrilled to find that not only did they have indoor plumbing, but toothpaste she could use to finger-brush her teeth. She left the bathroom feeling refreshed and minty, but screamed when she found Hatter right outside the door with the backpack.
"Your bag's ready."
"Th-thanks, Hatter," Annie said, hesitantly taking the pack and putting it on, adjusting the straps until it sat comfortably on her shoulders.
"Ready to go?" March asked from the doorway to the cottage, leaning casually in the frame, fiddling with his blackberry.
"Um, yeah. I guess so."
"I packed everything you need for this kind of adventure. And I packed a lunch so if you find White Rabbit you can give it to him. I made sure to put in all his favorite things."
"Well if we run into him, we'll be sure to let him know his mom loves him," March quipped as he turned and walked out of the cottage. Annie shook her head and turned her attention to Hatter.
"We'll find him, Hatter," she assured him as she held onto her backpack straps.
"He's highly emotional. If he spends too much time in the Pink he'll attract the Red Guard for sure."
"You don't have to worry, Hatter. I'm sure he's fine." She patted his arm and tried to give him her most encouraging smile as he shrugged.
"I'm not worried. I just know his limitations. If he becomes a victim of the Red Queen she won't let him come back to the Wood. She'll say we're a bad influence on him because we might make him more neutral and susceptible to the other side."
Annie could see he was becoming upset, even if he refused to admit it, and so she headed to the door, joining March outside. However, as he stood in the door to wave goodbye Annie turned back and gave him a hug.
"Thank you for everything, Hatter. And, you know, it's okay to worry a little. After all, he is your friend, and I know he worries about you."
"I…White Rabbit worries about everything," Hatter replied, though she could see her words had had an impact. She gave him a final smile and small wave before turning and following March Hair into the Wood.
Goosebumps raised on her skin as soon as they entered the forest, the cool dunking over them like a cold bucket of water. Despite the bright sun she had seen just moments before, the wood was dark and maintained the strange blue hue she had noticed the day before. Mist swirled around them as she followed March down long, winding paths that seemed to double back on themselves and lead to no where. The further into the forest they went, the louder the forest noises became, and Annie found herself inching closer to March as she heard the unfamiliar sounds that indicated life other than themselves in the Wood. When she thought the chirping and ticking was going to drive her mad, she finally spoke, her voice quavering slightly.
"So, which kingdom did you live in before you moved into the Tulgey?"
"Neither, actually. I was living in a kingdom far away before the war broke out. A glorious, rich and very comfortable kingdom. Unfortunately, when the war happened there was also some…internal strife in my kingdom. I got exiled and found my way to the Tulgey so I wouldn't have to get involved in the Color War."
"I see. That sounds like my Jeff. He was a lawyer at a big, fancy law firm until they found out he faked his degree. He got disbarred and had to go to Greendale to get his degree so he could go back to being a lawyer." Annie found she was feeling a little better about the haunting babble of the forest as they conversed, falling into step with March despite the disparity in their heights.
"You know, it's weird. You said that everyone you've met here has an identical twin in your world, right?"
"Not completely identical, but yeah. Basically," she answered, wondering where his question was leading.
"Well, it seems strange to me that there's no twin for you. Wonderland doesn't have an alternate Annie."
"Oh, I'm sure she's around somewhere."
"No, trust me. I would know if someone like you existed in Wonderland." Annie's breath caught at the passion of his words. It seemed to surprise him as well, for suddenly March looked away from her and back to the path they were walking down. "So, why do they call you Annie?"
"Be…because that's my name. Annie Edison."
"What does it mean?"
"Um, well Annie is actually a nickname. My real name is Anne, and that means 'favor' or 'grace'. But not like graceful grace, more like gracious grace. Otherwise, my parents did a really terrible job naming me."
"Your parents named you? Before you were an adult? That's weird."
"Not as weird as being named for a month of the year March," Annie teased, bumping her shoulder into his arm.
"Well, March is my Description Name."
"Your what now?"
"Description Name. My Function Name is Hair because, well, I've got great hair."
"And let me guess…they started calling you March Hair because you look windblown?"
"Exactly."
They walked a bit further in silence as Annie mulled over what he had explained. She realized that nearly everyone she had heard mentioned had a two-part name that fit the pattern March described, although she had no idea what it meant to 'tweedle' and she was sure she didn't want to find out. She wondered what they would name her, if she wasn't an Annie, and Description names began to float through her mind.
"Oh no. Annie, stop thinking."
"Wh – what?" She stopped short, looking up at March curiously as she saw him scowl. After a moment, she realized that all of the description words she had been thinking of were not floating in her mind, but rather floating from her mind. All around them words made of smoke swirled and wafted, yet Annie didn't feel as disturbed as she thought she should about them. Instead, she found herself mesmerized by the way the letters curled together and the sudden tangy sweet smell that seemed to fill her consciousness. There was the sound of laughter and Annie thought she might have heard a curse.
"I think I know what happened to White Rabbit. Annie, come…Annie?"
She looked at March, but became distracted by the new words that were appearing around her such as 'snuggle-bunny' and 'screwing like rabbits'. She giggled as she tried to catch one of her words and was vaguely aware of a groan.
"Annie? Annie focus!" She snapped her attention to him, but found her eyelids were growing heavy. "Annie, I need you to stay right here, okay? Do not go anywhere; I'll be right back."
"Sure, March. This place is perfect," she murmured to his retreating form as she swayed in place, the clamor of the Wood now sounding like an orchestra to her. After a symphony, March returned and held out something to her.
"Here. Eat this."
"Oo, what is it?" she asked, taking the small chunk of a spongy beige substance.
"Just eat it. It'll clear your mind."
She gave a small shrug and popped it into her mouth, chewing thoughtfully. The flavor seemed to penetrate her mind, it's bitterness like a headache gripping her skull. After a moment of discomfort, however, she found the sweet smell was gone and the words around her were quickly fading.
"What the hell was that?" she asked as she returned to her senses, rubbing her forehead to soothe the remaining tendrils of her headache.
"That was a moral morel. It wipes your mind clean of any…altering substances."
"Altering substances? What altering substances?" Though Annie's focus had returned, she was now having difficulty immediately grasping what he was saying.
"Come on and I'll show you."
She followed him down a narrow path off the one they had been traveling on and Annie noticed the flora began to slowly change from blue to a wild mix of colors, and instead of the typical grey fog, a purple mist clouded the air. They crossed through a curtain of smoke and Annie gripped March's arm in shock as she took in her new surroundings. Giant toadstools surrounded them, some even taller than March, and blades of grass and dandelions towered like trees. She couldn't see the tops of the grass through the haze of smoke, but still struggled to adjust to the new proportions of the forest.
"Who are you?" A woman's voice suddenly floated through the smoke and seemed to wrap around them. Annie grabbed March's arm, hugging it closely as she tried to find the source of the voice.
"Brittapillar, you know who I am," March answered as he walked towards the voice.
"Do I? I know what you are, March, but have you ever told anyone who you are?" the woman asked, her voice becoming more familiar so that when March stopped and the haze cleared, Annie was not surprised to find a woman identical to Britta lounging on a large mushroom smoking from a strange pipe. She was surprised, however, to find that this Britta had an extra set of arms and her lower body was that of a giant caterpillar. Annie also noticed her green segmented body was curled around a reclining White Rabbit. He sat up when he saw them come through the mist and looked slightly guilty.
"Uh, heeeey guys! I, um, I was just hanging out with Brittapillar, learning about the different kinds of ecological disturbances that have happened in the Wood since the Color War."
"Right. I'm sure she knows all about them, but what did she tell you about how her smoke treats the environment?" March asked using the smug Jeff-Winger-knows-better-than-you face.
"Hey! This stuff is all natural and perfectly safe for the environment. Can't say the same about your synthetic fabrics and – "
"Ugh! I don't care, Brittapillar. And Rabbit? Get your ears out of that poison cloud and go to the cottage. Hatter is worried sick about you."
"Aw, dude, I totally forgot! Oh no."
"Wait, wha – Rabbit!" Brittapillar called as White Rabbit immediately hopped down from the toadstool, although he needed a moment to recover his balance when he landed on the ground. Annie quickly took off her backpack and dug through it until she felt the brown paper bag and thermos.
"Rabbit, before you go I promised Hatter I would give you this. He said he packed all your favorite things." She handed him the bag, which he readily accepted and opened.
"Oo Dunky Doodles? That's a fun-time snack! Thanks Annie!" He began to hop off then stopped and turned back to her, his ears drooping slightly. "I'm sorry I just took off on you yesterday. I shouldn't have done that. I hope you find your way home okay. See you March. Bye, Brittapillar." He waved goodbye to each of them then took off into the woods.
Annie turned her attention back to March, who was glaring steadily at Brittapillar.
"What?" she asked, feigning innocence.
"Oh, you know what. You're eating that bunny alive. He's a good kid, Brittapillar - "
"And I resent that you would make such an accusation. I'm just trying to expand his mind."
"Oh bull. You're just trying to fluff his tale because you like that he won't call you out on your crap."
Annie shifted awkwardly from foot to foot as they argued, her heart sinking as she realized that they had the same relationship as her Jeff and Britta. She knew that, with the way they were fighting, there was no way this pair hadn't also been lovers.
"Just because you have a things for rabbits doesn't mean you need to try to screw every one in the wood." March's biting comment confirmed her suspicion and Annie hung her head, hating how the disappointment settled in her stomach like a rock.
"Well I'm apparently not the only one with a thing for rabbits. What's this little blue thing clinging to you?"
Annie looked up as she heard herself mentioned and opened her mouth to defend herself when March spoke quickly.
"Annie is lost and I'm helping her get back home. She's not interested in me."
"Right. You don't think I'm buying that you're trying to help someone other than yourself, right? Because that would be a real first. Especially when the person you're 'helping' is a set of boobs with big, shiny eyes that say 'oh please Mr. Hair, please teach me the ways of this world because they're oh, so confusing'. "
"Ugh, I do not say that!" Annie crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Brittapillar, who dismissed her with a snort.
"Trust me, sweetie. Whatever you think you can get out of this guy: think again. He's got walls up thicker than the Red Queen's rose hedges, and his thorns are way sharper."
"I should have known better than to come here. Let's go, Annie." He started to usher her from the clearing but Annie held her ground, turning back to Brittapillar.
"No, wait," she said as she marched up to the toadstool holding the monster with her friend's face. "What is wrong with you? I know someone who is just like you, and she may be pretty awful sometimes, but she's never mean. What is it that made you such a…a Bitterpillar?" For a moment the words seemed to strike a nerve with the blonde, but then a smirk slid over her face.
"Naïve-much? Look, sweetie, when you've grown up and actually had a life you'll realize that the world isn't rainbows and butterflies and not every man you meet is a charming prince." She cast a dark look at March, who crossed his arms over his chest defensively.
"I know they aren't! But even if they'll never be perfect, they can learn to be better; you just have to be patient and show them. I can't believe you, of all people, don't believe you can change the world just by trying to teach someone to be a better person, because that's what my Britta believes. And even when it's stupid for her to keep trying, she does, because that's how big her heart is! And, for her sake, I hope she was right about people growing, because she would be devastated to know her Wonder-twin is such a bi…big meanie." Annie caught herself, trying to refrain from name-calling despite her frustration.
Brittapillar looked at her, shell-shocked, and Annie knew her words had gotten through. So she turned on her heel and grabbed March's arm to pull along as she retreated from the clearing. March stumbled along behind her, his face slack with shock as she ploughed through the smoke and brush until they were back on the main path. She shivered, as her adrenaline faded and the wet cold of the forest settled over her again, but turned to March with her chin held high.
"So. Which way?" she asked and he stared at her dumbly for a moment before shaking his head and pointing to the right.
"Um, this way. We're about ten-minutes from the end of the wood."
"Great." Annie began marching off in the direction he indicated, her hands clutched tightly on her backpack straps as she continued to shiver, and she clenched her jaw to keep it from chattering. After a moment she felt a soft warmth brush over her and stopped, realizing that March had wrapped his jacket around her and was giving her a soft smile.
"You looked cold," he offered with a shrug and Annie smiled gratefully as she slid off her backpack, setting it to the side on the ground as she put her arms through the jacket sleeves, rolling them up so that they didn't completely cover her hands. Suddenly a flash of brown skittered past their feet and snatched the backpack, disappearing into the brush on the other side.
"Hey!" Annie cried as the familiar sound of Chang's laughter echoed in the air.
"Oo, monkey, what have we here? Such a nice bag, left out for just anyone passing to grab it."
"Give it back, Changshire!" March threatened, but the laughter only intensified.
"Finders keepers, losers! Star Face pays a lot for these bags and I'm getting my money. Ow! Monkey! Stop! Fine! Our money! Geez, don't get your tail in a knot."
Annie shot a quizzical look to March who merely shrugged.
"Changshire – "
"Later, losers!" The laughter bounced off the leaves around them, then faded deep into the Wood.
"God, I hate that cat," March muttered as he buried his hands in his pockets and looked to Annie. "I'm sorry, but it's no good trying to catch him. And he'll have the pack on the pink market in no time."
"Well, that's okay. We're not that far from the Heartland, right? I'm sure we can get something to eat there."
"We're better off finding something to eat in the Wood if you're hungry. You can't trust the food in the Heartland. You never know what the Queen has made herself, and her baking is powerful magic. She bakes mind-control tarts," he explained as they started walking again.
"Okay. Well, I'm not really hungry. I guess that mushroom you gave me was really filling," she joked.
"Yeah, Annie, about that…I'm sorry for what happened back there. See, Brittapillar and I had – "
"A thing. Yeah, I know," Annie interrupted him, not wanting to hear yet another Jeff talk about sleeping with Britta.
"How did you know?"
"Well, it was pretty obvious to figure out, but that was also because my Jeff and Britta had a thing, too. I guess some things just have to happen." Annie kept her eyes fixed on the path they were walking, not wanting to look at him as they discussed his relationships in any world.
"Yeah, I guess so. But you didn't have to stand up to her back there like you did. That was…well, thank you."
Annie stopped and finally met his eyes, her heart dropping when she saw the way he was hanging his head. She reached out and touched his arm, causing him to look at her with wide eyes.
"I meant what I said, March. People aren't perfect, but I think that deep down, everyone is good at heart. Even the most selfish people can learn what it means to be a true friend and put others first."
He gave her a look she didn't understand, but it made her toes curl and her heart stutter. Her breathing hitched as he stepped closer, not quite close enough to kiss, but close enough that Annie felt herself flushing.
"So, in your world, Annie, what's your relationship with Jeff?"
"I…um…we're friends," she answered, her voice squeaking a little.
"Friends? Really."
"Yeah. Just friends. Jeff has made it pretty clear that there's nothing going on between us." Annie crossed her arms, feeling the usual pang of disappointment when she thought about how often Jeff had denied anything between them. March snorted and shook his head.
"I find that very hard to believe. It's pretty obvious you have feelings for him and he, well, nevermind." March turned and took a couple steps down the path, Annie's heart thumping too hard to let her voice work for a moment. Finally, the sound burst out.
"Why?" He stopped and looked back at her and she was suddenly embarrassed by how loud and desperate her question had sounded. Still, she needed to know, so she took a breath and continued with more restraint. "Why is it so hard to believe?"
He considered her a moment, obviously debating something before he finally gave a small self-deprecating smile. "Because, Annie, like you said, some things just have to happen. And there is no way, in any world, that Jeff can be 'just a friend'."
Annie's heart shuddered in her chest as March turned around and started walking down the path again. She stood a moment, dumbfounded, before she finally found her feet and ran to catch up with him. She was a few steps behind him when there was a rustling deep in the Wood that made March's ears perk up and the hair on the back of Annie's neck stand on end. They both froze as they listened to twigs snapping and branches shaking, when a low murmuring sound began that sent chills up Annie's spine.
"Annie, take my hand and when I tell you, we're going to run," March whispered, slowly reaching out his hand for hers. She took it, knowing he could feel it trembling even though she tried to look brave as she gave him a nod.
The sound still seemed a good bit off, but was growing louder and Annie had no hesitation when she felt March give a quick tug of her hand. They both took off running, March leading the way down the twisting, turning path, all while the burble behind them began to rise into a moan. Annie thought she could feel hot breath on her neck and almost screamed when they suddenly burst out of the dark blue wood and into a bright, sunny meadow of scarlet poppies. Both collapsed on the ground, fighting to catch their breath, as Annie kept her eyes fixed on the tree line of the Wood.
"What…the hell…was that?" she panted, rubbing her neck to try to erase the feel of its breath on her skin.
"That…I believe…was the Jabberwock," March answered, lying back on the ground, his ears crushing a couple of flowers.
"What? Then why are we lying here? Shouldn't we keep running?" Annie stood, panicking as she looked back to the Wood.
"Relax, Annie. The Jabberwock doesn't leave the Tulgey and can't be in broad daylight. We're safe here."
"Oh," was all she could say as she gave a final look at the woods. She then turned her attention to the opposite direction and gasped when she saw what she assumed was the Heartland.
A cookie-cutter village of every shade of red rose up a hillside, leading to a large crimson castle, with spires shining like garnets, which sat on the peak of the hill. It looked like it was taken from the pages of one of Annie's fairytale books, except, of course, that everything was red. She heard a sigh next to her and looked down to find March looking at the kingdom with dread. He stood up and took her arms, turning her to face him and hunching so that they could look eye-to-eye.
"Don't be fooled by it, Annie. That place is dangerous and frightening, and you can't trust anyone. Let me do all the talking when we're in there and, above all else, do not get emotional. We do not want to draw attention to ourselves and an emotional display is the quickest way to get the Queen's attention. Just try to be cool."
"Right. Cool. Got it. Gonna be cool, yeah." Annie tried to be mellow, doing her best to impersonate Jeff, but March shook his head.
"No, no not like that. Just….just don't say anything, okay?" Jeff said with a sigh and Annie just nodded as she followed him up the red brick path to the village.
This really is becoming more like The Wizard of Oz. Maybe these ruby slippers are going to work after all, she thought, her hopes buoying as she fought the urge to link arms with March and skip. She shook away the fanciful notion, however, when she saw the tense set of March's jaw, with the little nerve in his cheek jumping.
"March? Are you okay?" she asked quietly, but he just gave her a short nod.
"Fine. Now shush. And stop worrying." She flinched from his clipped bark and fell back to silence, wondering what sort of horrible person the Queen of Hearts must be to make March so nervous.
They reached the village and March immediately let them into a bustling market, obviously familiar with the layout of the town. Annie clung to his arm as they were jostled by the crowd of people milling from stand to stand, buying and bartering, though some looked like they were merely standing around gossiping. Annie was amazed by all the merchandise available for sale, from pretty glass figurines to odd-looking pies and cakes to all manners of colorful clothing and accessories.
"Shoes, shoes, shoes," she heard March mutter as she let him pull her along, happily skimming over all the different stands, surprised to find that not everything being sold was red, though everything did have a decided reddish hue.
"Here we go! Now remember, let me do the talking," March said as they finally reached a stall that contained racks and tables filled with shoes.
They gave a short nod to the merchant seated on a stool, reading a book, as they walked into the stall, perusing row after row, looking for red slippers. After a few minutes it became clear that there were no ruby slippers to be found.
"Excuse me, sir?" March spoke up, giving the merchant his most winning smile. "We're out-of-towners and my little sweetheart here is just dying for a pair of ruby slippers her friend bought last time she visited the Heartland. Do you have anything like that?"
"Ruby slippers?" the man asked, scratching his head. "Nope. Don't have nothing like that here. Might try Fat Neil's Shoe Emporium. It's just down the main street and to your right, just past Vicki's Hats."
"Got it. Thank you so much." March took her arm and lead her back through the crushing crowd, his height an obvious advantage as he looked over everyone else's heads to read the signs hanging from the shops that were housed in permanent structures. Eventually they reached a shop with a window filled with pumps and sneakers, a hand-painted sign over the door proclaiming it to be Fat Neil's.
Poor guy really can't catch a break, Annie thought sympathetically as they walked through the door, a small bell tinkling upon their entrance.
"Hello! Anything I can help you two find today?" Fat Neil greeted them from behind the counter. Annie bit her lip to keep from squealing as she saw the large displays and long rows filled with women's shoes of all styles.
"We were looking for a pair of ruby slippers and a man in the market sent us here. Do you have something like that here?" March asked, keeping a hold of Annie as she moved to look at the nearest display of ballet flats.
"Ruby slippers? We had something like that for a while, but the line was discontinued. They gave people some really bad blisters."
Annie's attention went from the display to Neil, her face falling as she realized what he was saying.
"You don't have any? Not even in back?" she asked, ignoring March's instructions as her heart dropped. Neil shook his head, but slowly looked more sympathetic as tears filled Annie's eyes and she bit her lower lip.
"I…I…let me go check," he finally conceded and exited through a curtain in the back of the room.
"You seriously have got to watch how you use that look. It's like a super power," March muttered as Annie turned to look at him, blinking innocently.
"What look?" she asked and March smirked as Neil reappeared, carrying a small shoebox.
"Okay, here's the thing. The man who owned the shop before me told me I was never allowed to sell these under any circumstances. But he didn't say I couldn't trade for them."
"Great. What about the boots she's wearing?" March offered and they all looked down at the shoes on Annie's feet. Unfortunately the once pristine boots were now scuffed, caked in dirt and the right one was missing a button.
"Um, do you guys have anything else?" Neil asked, looking to March, who buried his hands in his pockets and looked at his own shoes before an idea flashed on his face. Slowly, he pulled his hand from his pocket and held it out to Neil. Neil extended his hand and March dropped his blackberry into it.
"March, no – " Annie started to object, but March held up his hand to silence her.
"What about this?"
"What is it?" Neil asked, turning the glass berry over in his fingers.
"It's a blackberry."
Neil continued to fiddle with the small glass bauble until, finally, he shrugged and slipped it in his pocket.
"Works for me," he said as he pushed the shoebox toward them. March grabbed the box and tucked it under his arm.
"Okay, let's get out of here, shall we?"
Annie nodded, silently following him out of the store, still shocked that he had given up his blackberry so readily when she knew him well enough to realize how loathe he was to part with it.
"I can't believe you did that," she murmured, stopping abruptly as he guided them down an alleyway. March turned back when he realized she had stopped, looking around nervously as he walked back to her.
"It's not a big deal, Annie. It was just a piece of glass."
"It was more than that, I know it. That was really a sacrifice for you and I don't even know if this will work. I…thank you." She hugged him, wrapping her arms tightly around his middle and resting her cheek on his chest. After just a moment's hesitation his arms surrounded her and she felt him relax.
"You're welcome," he said softly.
"Oh, how nice! What a touching little scene!" a voice spoke from nearby, causing them to jump and separate quickly. A young man dressed in a red suit was suddenly standing next to them in the alley, smiling brightly.
"Oh no," March whispered, looking to the other end of the alley, only to find other men in red suits standing with their arms crossed and the same beatific smiles on their faces.
"That was so sweet, I have to take you two to the Queen! She will be so pleased to learn about your change in heart, Mr. Hair," the first young man spoke again, and March put his arm around Annie's waist.
"That's really not necessary. Annie and I are just on our way out of town, but I'm sure we'll stop by again and can have a nice long chat with Her Majesty then."
"Oh no, no, no Mr. Hair! We have to go see her now! Surely you have nothing better to do than visit the Red Queen? It has been so long since you've come to see her, and you used to be such good friends." The man gave March a slightly censuring look as he motioned for the other men to approach them.
"March," Annie said as she suddenly realized they would not have the option to resist being taken wherever these me wanted to take them.
"It's okay, Annie. Just relax. No need to get emotional, remember?" Between his significant look and the way his hand tightened on her waist Annie understood what he was trying to tell her. She took a deep breath and tried to focus on numbing all of her emotions. She focused on thinking about the poppy field, trying to remember every little detail, since that would be the place she would be putting on the slippers and wishing herself home.
That is, of course, unless you get yourself and March killed by the Red Queen because you can't manage to keep your emotions in check, she thought to herself as they followed the guard back into the city streets and up the hill to the gates of the castle. Annie tried to maintain a detached attitude, but she marveled as they passed through the hedge that served as the castle wall. On the hedge rose blossoms grew that were the size of Annie's head, and their fragrance hung heavy in the air, intoxicating in it's sweetness.
"Don't breathe too deeply," March whispered to her, and when she gave him a confused look he continued. "The roses. Their perfume makes you nostalgic."
"Oh," she responded, trying to surreptitiously cover her nose.
"Well…it's not that bad," he said with a small chuckle and Annie slowly lowered her hand.
They were walked through a large courtyard, red marble statues and fountains of cherubs and crosses dotting the lawn. The castle loomed in front of them, but the guards shepherded them away from the large wooden door and off to the side of the castle. A woman's voice became audible and, as they turned the corner, she turned with a bright smile and Annie gasped.
"Shirley!"
