Chapter 4, Through the Cheshire Forest
The wind pounded against Alice as the teacup moved at lightning speed. She held onto the side looking up as the crystal liquid flowed from the onyx stone. Some mist flowed by and she reached her hand out feeling the cool touch of it. She smiled for the first time since she had been put in the institution. She noticed the Hatter staring at smiling. She smiled back. She thought he was kind of cute, and about the same age as her.
She saw the pale green light at the end of the tunnel and they were coming up on it fast. She braced herself for the catastrophic collision, but instead the Hatter reached out and pulled the lever back a notch and the teacup slowed its pace. They came to a stop and Hatter stepped out and held his hand out and she took and landed on the dirt beside him
"This Alice, is the Cheshire Forest." Hatter said smiling kind of insanely.
"Why are you smiling like that?" Alice asked.
Hatter just shook his head and started walk forehead, which usually meant follow or you're doomed. She followed behind him close to make sure she wouldn't lose him. The treetops were the shade of army green, and the sky turned dark gray. A chilling fog formed the kind like in a graveyard. She peered behind herself half expecting to see a dead body, but instead she found nothing.
She turned to see Hatter staring straight at her.
"Ever heard the expression I have eyeballs in the back of my head. Well I do, and if you don't keep up the eyeballs make me turn around."
"Sorry," Whispered Alice.
He turned and continued walking. Alice stared at him before she heard something rustling in the bushes next to her.
"What is that?" Alice whispered.
"Probably one of the Cheshire Lions," He replied.
"A lion," Alice screamed.
Hatter turned and stared her square in the face. He put a finger to his lips. She immediately went silent. Hatter knew this place better than she did.
"Going somewhere?" A voice asked.
Alice turned and looked all around her, but no one was there. She turned back around and quickened her pace to stand right next to Hatter.
"Something scare you?" He asked.
"Did you not hear that Hatter?" Alice questioned.
"Of course, but I pay no attention to it at all." Hatter replied.
"Better listen to your friend," said the voice laughing maliciously.
Hatter whirled around to face the treetops. He frowned at a particular spot.
"Show yourself Cheshire!"
Suddenly, a large lion appeared its paws folded over each other. He was dark purple and pink stripes. He smiled at her with huge white teeth.
"Well if it isn't the one and only Hatter." Cheshire said.
"Cheshire, why in the world would you be scaring a poor innocent girl like Alice," Hatter asked.
"Alice?"
Hatter suddenly went quiet and he stood frozen solid. He had said the wrong thing at the wrong time.
"The Alice?" Cheshire asked.
Cheshire looked to Alice staring her over intently, before turning back to Hatter.
"Alice of Wonderland?" Cheshire asked
"Well, Alice you have my approval and luck. I wish the best for you and this tortured land. I am behind you as well as the whole Cheshire forest." Cheshire said putting his paw to his heart.
Hatter looked stunned like he had been hit by a bus.
"I've never know you in all my years, Cheshire, to show affection."
"Well you never know what might happen when you travel through the Cheshire Forest."