Chapter 2 Part 1: Different

I was slightly aware of a cold sensation pricking Goosebumps onto my flesh; head ached like I had been hit with a hammer… it never hurt last time I came here, it had been so simple and I remember feeling fine- the sudden jolt of realisation hit me like a ton of bricks, I made it! I was in wonderland' Snapping my eyes open I wasn't expecting what I found- it was a dead wasteland and I could see the ruins of Gemini Goods, The Castle was slightly crumbling and Oliver's house was plagued with Ivy- the Rose garden was overrun with Weeds and the only place with the least disarray with Lance's forest.

I felt tears slide down my cheeks as I stared at the darkness surrounding 'Wonderland' what had happened? It used to be so bright after all… I felt myself momentarily winded when a young girl with Brown hair and Teal eyes knocked me to the ground- I barely saw the passing creature with sharp teeth, perhaps wonderlands version of a vampire? Three minutes and someone already had saved my life.

The girl shook her head at me and smirked at my idiocy, "Civilians shouldn't be out at night miss.. ?" she seemed to be inquiring for my name so I told her it was Meiko Dallti… she froze in shock as she looked at me as if seeing some sort of messiah, how could she know me? I realised she wore an outfit cantering to a job at the Palace, "What's your name? You work for Elliot?" I asked cautiously and she gave a nervous smile to me... "Not exactly, Elliot was kidnapped and now the town is run by Alistair… Oh and I'm Vicky Obbard" were her exact words.

The words digested slowly in my mind as I tried to decipher what I was being told; the king was gone and replaced… the town had spiralled into despair and the only place safe was inside the Castle or deep in Lances Forest, my heart thumped dully as my eyes widened. "Lance! What of Lance?" I practically yelled at poor Vicky but I was scared for my love- "I-I heard he went missing" Vicky stuttered out the sentence and I took off into the Forest, the one place that still seemed the same as it used to be.

I stopped in front of a group of trees where a Great Oak rested, he used to sit up there all the time and a few times had dragged me up there to mess with me… I was wearing a long fabric dress, but that wasn't going to stop me from climbing up the tree.

After 10 minutes of slipping and scraping up the tree I perched awkwardly on the branch that despite its coldness still smelt faintly of him…I felt myself lured into a deep sleep that gave me odd dreams, I hadn't noticed the necklace he had loved hanging beside me- A wonderland charm on it was of, Displacement through Dreams and it carried the ability to bring two people physically together for the length of a dream.

Chapter 2 part 2: Dreams?

Meiko… Meiko… the voice was repeating itself in my ear and the familiarity of it made my heart skip a beat, Lance? Could it really be him- Opening my eyes as if I hadn't just been exhausted I gazed into Loving Golden ones, I absorbed his appearance once more- his Black hair and Cat ears, his tail was still thin and his usual striped shirt seemed ragged… the collar around his throat was too loose, I had to be sure of his presence by placing my hands on his face; so cold yet so warm to my longing soul.

He smiled slightly at me and encircled my waist with his arms, this wasn't the old embrace however… this was full of fear and an edge that seemed like he was worried for me, but why would he be worried about me? We were together again! I leaned up to capture his lips but he put his finger on mine and nuzzled my hair with his nose, I gave him a confused and slightly hurt look… "This is a dream… although this is physical due to the charm, we will return to where we were when it ends Princess" he spoke softly in a tone a Parent would give to a hysterical child.

His embrace became tighter, like he was scared I would vanish… well to be honest I was worried HE would disappear and I would be left alone again, He moved his fingers to my cheek and pulled me flush against him- his lips attacking my own in a passionate flare; I felt my entire body shudder in surprise, unexpected but the touch was wanted; we were all alone here and no interruptions could possibly perk up.

I was suddenly very aware of how tall he was compared to me; very easily weighing me down… I could feel my balance begin to fail as he sent me careening to the ground with him still upon me, breathing had pretty much been forgotten at this point and all we could think of was Now- this moment and this embrace… But we were so much in love, and we were making a mistake with this rushing moment.

The next few hours went by in a blur; next thing I found myself exhausted and gasping for breath…my senses just starting to descend from Ecstasy again, Golden and Grey eyes gazed into the opposite- our hands both rested in the others hair with and iron grip, I rubbed his right ear slightly as I regained my breath and was content to find his Purring increase ten fold… I knew he liked it secretly! I took in a sharp breath and he wrapped his tail around my waist, kissing me sweetly as if the tastiest Caramel painted my lips.

I had never realised how strong he was; muscles on his chest were lean and I rested against him happily... If this was temporary displacement did it mean that this had really happened? Even when we return to where we had been? I felt his hot breath start to evaporate from my should and tears trickled down my face… it was ending and I knew soon we would be separated again, I felt a small ring being placed in my ring finger and everything became blurred- he muttered into my ear words I never expected, Meiko, when this is all over… Marry me I numbly nodded as he kissed me once more- A goodbye which I hoped was just for now, "How many times will this work?" I asked hoarsely to which he replied, "Once every Fortnight Princess" with a warm smile as I felt the exhaustion nip at my eyelids relaxing me to the point of sleep approaching, I didn't want to leave him!

Although I could feel his gentle warm embrace still I knew he wouldn't be there when I woke up, gone like a feather in the breeze… When I woke all hell would return and he would return to whatever horror he had been brought too.

My last conscious thought was: Where is he? The last thing I had heard was him speaking softly, "I'm sorry, Princess".