Chapter 2

As I looked around I saw flowers taller than me and colors so bright you had to cover your eyes when the sun hit them. It was beautiful. The rabbit decided to give me some time to soak it all in for a moment. Sooner than I would have wanted, he again drew my attention by prodding me in the leg with his clawed finger.

"We must go now miss Taylor there is someone waiting for you." He said with an air of mystery that intrigued me.

And with that he hopped off down a dirt path that looked worn as if from many years of travel. I followed him wondering what lay ahead of me.

When we came to the end of the path there was a giant blue mushroom with leaves surrounding its enormous top. As we came closer too it the leaves parted slowly to reveal a caterpillar as long as I was tall and looked as if it had swallowed a pillow because it was so swelled. It also smoked a hookah that gave off little shapes as if telling a story to amuse its owner. The rabbit, as if in the presence of royalty gave the caterpillar a majestic bow. Not wanting to offend the creature that looked big enough to swallow me whole, I also bowed to him. Then the rabbit said

"All knowing Absulum, is this the girl you prophesied would be the key to the hatters happiness?"

Then the caterpillar looked at me up and down with such scrutiny that it sent shivers up my spine, quite certain that my eyes gave away my fear as I tried to control the shaking in my knees. Finally, just when I thought it would be too much to bear the caterpillar smiled a toothy grin and said

"Yes, she is the one. Bring her to the Hatter immediately. "He said with a booming voice and then added an approving nod.

And with that the leaves began to pull back around the caterpillar until he was no longer in sight. Then the rabbit turned to me, nodded and smiled. Then he hopped off down the path we had come down to see the mysterious caterpillar.

As I followed him back to places unknown I noticed that the flowers looked as if they had faces. I could even see the eyes and the mouth I was starting to think I was going bonkers. Although most people who know me would say I already have. As I was looking at one flower in particular, a beautiful royal blue, it opened its eyes wide and then started shouting at me!

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE STARING AT YOU UNGRATEFUL LITTLE BEAST!"

My face flushed a bit "I...I'm sorry I didn't mean to stare." And I ran off trying to catch up to the rabbit that had gotten a bit ahead of me. As I ran I heard the shouts of the flower, now joined by others who were awakened by the sudden commotion. Strangely enough the sky seemed to get a little darker and the colors seemed to lose some of they're brilliance.

It made me wonder what was happening to this place and if maybe some of it was my fault. So I decided to ask the rabbit.

"White rabbit? Why did the sky get darker just now? Is it because I'm here? Maybe I should leave. I don't belong in a place as wonderful as this." I said looking down at my feet.

The rabbit stopped mid hop. Without turning around he said

"How dare you talk down to yourself. No one deserves to think this way. That is why you are here. The people of Underland know that you are a diamond." Here he turned around and looked me strait in the eye." You are beautiful inside and out and don't ever let anyone tell you any different. Including yourself." Then he turned on his heel and started hopping off again.