Destructive Memories

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the concept of the story.

6. Weakness in Dreams

Reoccuring images are one thing, and it wasn't long before Alice had seen another. The once beautiful garden that was surrounded by the maze was now just like the Hatters' broken down tea party area, with smashed tables and wilting roses. Peter had let go of her hand for a while, and stood close to her as they continued to walk down the path. The maze burned around them, like a wall of fire protecting it from the outside.

Peter stopped. Alice bumped into his shoulder, her bleeding arm stuck out to push herself against his back.
With a jovial smile, Peter took her hands and led her to a small table. As they came closer, Alice saw a figure sitting at the head of the table. Her silky purple ringlets hung over a circlet on her head, it's crystal heart glittering against the fire's glow. The soft burgundy gown she wore flowed along the ground, and her hands were covered by fingerless fishnet gloves. She glanced over to them, and a warm smile spread across her face.

" It is true. You have come back," she smiled, her glossy purple eyes reflecting the flames around her," but at a most unfortunate time."

Peter pulled her towards the table, pushing her into one of the heart shaped chairs. " Vivaldi, I-it just doesn't seem real." Alice looked down at her crossed hands, clenching them tighter.

" What doesn't seem real, my dear?" Vivaldi asked, leaning forward.

Alice brushed her hair from her face, her sea foam eyes hiding behind her chestnut bangs." All this. This-this war! Why did it ever happen! And how long will it be before all of Wonderland is burned to ashes!"

Peter stood close, placing his hand on her shoulder." It's the way things are, my sweet. It can't be helped, and any thoughts of stopping this war will come only once the Jabberwocky lays dead."

Alice looked at him, despair covering her face." Then why hasn't somebody killed him yet? In the last 10 years, surely there was someone who tried to kill him."

Listening to herself, Alice knew she was practically begging for someone to stand up to this Jabberwock creature." This isn't how Wonderland is supposed to be," her fists clenched tighter," it's supposed to be a.. a .." Alice cut off. She brought her hands to her face, hoping to hide the tears that were coming. Nothing could make this worse. Nothing.

Peter grabbed her into a hug, pulling her close to him and wrapping her with his red cloak." One day it will change."

Alice could hear Vivaldi's voice, before she fell asleep behind the wall of flames.

It's been so long since I slept. It's been so long since I dreamed.

Alice lay on her side, huddling against the floor of the dream world. This place haunts me so much. All I want to do is sleep.

" Then go to sleep. If you stay in my world, I can protect you easily," the incubus called to her.

Glancing up, Nightmare was floating over her, but she laid her head back on the cold floor, closing her eyes.
A cold hand touched her forehead, gently stroking her hair. " At least you haven't dealt with it for 10 years," Nightmare laughed. Alice couldn't help but giggle." I'm happy about that," she sighed.

Nightmare sat next to her, and for the first time since she had been back, he wasn't wearing his cloak, but instead wore that normal outfit she had grown accustomed to." I thought you might feel more comfortable if you remembered our past meeting, when we both looked like this."

Alice smiled. You still care about me.

Nightmare inched closer to her, eventually laying beside her. Her stroked her arm, only to discover the messy cut. " What happened?"
Nightmare looked down on her, but Alice didn't look up. " I fell on some glass, it's no big deal." Alice closed her eyes again.

Touching the bandaged part of her arm, Nightmare sighed heavily. " You know, Alice, just because I can't read minds anymore doesn't mean I can't tell when something's wrong. I know you're upset, but I can't help if you won't tell me what's wrong."

Alice huddled closer to him, turning to look at him with sad eyes." I feel so.. weak. Like I have to pull myself everywhere I go or let somebody else pull me there. And right now.. I'm so..tired. I want to just sleep. Sleep for hours if I could." Alice lay back on her side, her limbs falling loosely at her side. Nightmare placed his cold fingers on her cheek. " Then sleep." His touch seemed to lull her to sleep, but she could help but ask him for a favor.

" Nightmare?" she whispered.

"Hm?"

"Will you..take me back? I want to go back..to the tower."

He leaned over her, wrapping her in a halfway hug. " If that's what you want. We'll come when you're awake and ready."

" Thank you.. Nightmare"

With what seemed to be both a laugh and a sigh, Nighmare stood up." I look forward to the time you return. Morning is something everyone looks forward to." He faded away, along with the rest of the dream world.

Yet, somehow, I don't.