Deep in the Meadow
Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games or Alice in Wonderland.
Thank you to NKubie for pre-reading and my beta, Vintagejgc. Both of the ladies have been just plain awesome- they helped me brainstorm, shook their pom poms and held my hand. Love you both!
Summary: The Hunger Games/Alice in Wonderland crossover. This story picks up after Katniss drops the tracker jackers onto the Careers. Follow as the tracker jacker venom brings the girl on fire down the rabbit hole.
Chapter One: Down the rabbit hole
Everything is shimmering. The arrows in my hand...they undulate, the blood like rubies sparkling in the sunrise.
I hear canons and footsteps, blurry double vision, the birds fall silent.
"What are you still doing here? Are you mad?" Peeta's voice rings out and I swing my head around looking for him. I stare uncomprehendingly at a small white rabbit at my feet. He's wearing blue trousers, a bright red waistcoat and a little white baker's cap. There is a small pair of eye glasses perched on the end of his nose and he's clutching a chain which holds a golden pocket watch. He shakes his paw, the watch swinging around wildly and the sun reflecting off the shiny surface sending prisms of rainbows over his white fur.
"Get up! Get up!" he shouts impatiently. "We're late!"
I blink at him, shocked as he thumps his paw nervously, constantly looking over his shoulder.
Is this real? Or have the hallucinations begun?
"Run!" he screams. "Run!"
The fear in his voice rattles me. I rise on shaky legs and start to move forward. Looking back over my shoulder, I see an army of butterflies chasing me. Wings painted vibrant orange and red spread like fire, descending upon me in masses. It's only when they are closing in do I notice their sharp teeth and the tiny blades poking from their heads where antennas should be.
I try to walk faster but my entire body feels sluggish and heavy. I've lost sight of the white rabbit, my vision all fiery fluttering, everything is shimmering still. I stumble over roots and rocks, my breath coming in ragged pants, and I'm not sure how much longer I can keep this up.
Then I tumble to the ground crashing into nothing. I'm weightless, in a free fall, gentle gusts of fresh, cool air rushes across my face.
Exhausted and disoriented, I'm able to form only one thought:
That rabbit just saved my life.