Unwonderland

"Alright," Alexias nodded. He left. He didn't know what else to do, so he left the clearing, walking slowly to the castle. He could hear Alexias' silent sobs, but only barely. He didn't turn around, didn't go back. He knew that if he did, now, he'd never leave.

Almost at the castle, he remembered the map and pictures. He knew Alexias would feel guilty for keeping them. So he ran back.

Again he heard her soft sobs. He felt his heart breaking. He couldn't go back yet. But right then her sobs stopped. He advanced on the clearing a bit faster.

"Alexias?" a voice asked. It was female and very... What would it be? Formal, maybe? He didn't know. He didn't hear Alexias reply to her name, "Alexias?"

He peeked around a tree to see The White Queen walk into the clearing, "Alexias, are you okay?" she asked.

"Yeah," she sniffed, wiping her tears from her cheeks. Abel wanted so bad to hug her, run right across that boarder and hold her to him.

"What happened?" she asked.

"It's nothing," Alexias looked down. The White Queen moved to her side. She sank, gracefully, down to the ground, hugging her around the shoulders.

"Miss, your dress," she said, halfheartedly. Abel heard it in her voice.

"Don't worry about it," she said softly. It looked as though The Queen actually cared about her, "Tell me what's troubling you?"

"Well to start, I lost my mother at the age of ten, as you already know," she side glanced at the Queen. Abel's heart squeezed. He didn't know that. The Queen nodded, "and I've kept my feelings bottled up for at least three years. And remember what I asked you? About that guy in Red Queen Territory?"

Abel stiffened. Don't do it Alexias. Don't get yourself in trouble because of me. He thought.

"Yes," she nodded, "what about him?"

She knew? What was happening? He was so confused.

"Well, his name is Abel," she said. Abel felt his heart jump at the sound of his name. He almost went out right then and there. But he didn't, he stayed where he was, "I've been talking to him for about a week now. He's been with The Red Queen for all of his life, but he's not bad, I can see it. He's actually," Alexias cracked a little smile. He was happy not to see her cry, "he's mad."

"He's mad?" The Queen asked, incredulously, "Iracebeth has a mad man?"

"Yes," Alexias nodded, "He's the nicest person I've ever met. His mother was killed by The Red Queen," Abel felt a wave of sadness when Alexias mentioned his mother. She looked The Queen right in the eyes. Alexias nodded as if The Queen had said something.

"She was thinking of coming to our side, when The Red Queen caught wind and had her killed," Alexias' face contorted in pain and he knew exactly what she was thinking. 'I know what you're going through.

"So, why are you crying, dear?" The Queen asked. Alexias looked to The Queen again. Tears escaped her eyes.

"I'm all alone, again," she whispered. Abel again wanted to cross that boarder and never leave her side.

"You're not alone, dear, you've got me, the kingdom, Ancilla, Bayard, even the Bandersnatch. Alexias, you are far from alone," The Queen said softly.

"I know, but I have no one to talk to," she whispered. Was he the only one who Alexias actually talked to?

"You can talk to me," The Queen said, softly.

"But you're always busy," Alexias said. The Queen nodded as if Alexias spoke something that she didn't know.

"That's true," she spoke, gently. Alexias' face turned to guilt. She was guilty for keeping The Queen.

"I'm so sorry, Miss, I'm keeping you," Alexias began to gather herself, starting to get up. The Queen's hand shot out and caught her wrist. Alexias looked stunned.

"Sit back down, Alexias," The Queen ordered, gently. Alexias sat back down, leaning heavily against the Bandersnatch. She looked exhausted.

"Alexias, listen to me," The Queen said softly. Alexias looked at her, "You are not alone. Whenever you need me, no matter where I am or what I'm doing, don't hesitate to come and get me."

Alexias threw herself into The Queen's arms. He smiled at her ballsiness for hugging The Queen. Hesitantly, The White Queen wrapped her arms around Alexias' waist. Alexias sobbed into her shoulder.

"Thank you," she choked out. The Queen never answered, but he saw her smile. It was a nice smile. One he wished he got more often.

"Alexias?" he made is voice light. He acted as though he heard none of that conversation.

"Abel-" she choked out, looking to him. She seemed startled.

"Yes," he smiled. He kept his figure relaxed.

"What're you doing here?" she asked, her voice wavering a bit. His heart squeezed and it seemed he couldn't draw in enough oxygen.

"I came to say you can keep those pictures and the map," he said. He scrounged for a way to say that and not sound like a dumbass.

"Wha-?" she started, "but they're yours."

"I know, but I want you to have them," he said, smiling. Alexias looked as though she would cry again. He didn't want to see that.

"Thank you," she whispered up to him, smiling. He smiled back.

"Hey, stop crying," he said, moving toward the boarder. As close as he could get without crossing. He had to stay aware of the boarder and of The White Queen.

"Sorry," she wiped her tears with her good arm. As she did so, The White Queen spoke up. What was he supposed to say?

"So I guess you're the famous Abel I've heard so much about," she said. Her face was serene, he couldn't read her expressions.

"Yes, ma'am, I'm glad to meet you," he smiled, stay polite, stay polite.

"He doesn't seem all that mad," The Queen whispered in Alexias' ear. Although she whispered it loud enough for Abel to hear.

"He's got this special medicine that keeps him sane for short amounts of time," Alexias explained, "but he doesn't like it."

"Makes me feel, different, like I'm not in control of my own self," he spoke up. He didn't sit, he had to leave.

"Abel, you have to leave," Alexias shooed. He was taken aback a bit. He didn't expect Alexias to shoo him away.

"I know, I'm sorry. Nice to meet you again, ma'am," he bowed and ran from the forest. He was late.

I'm starting to sound like that damn rabbit. He thought, then rethought, actually, the rabbit isn't so bad. He smiled.

He didn't get too far from the clearing. He wanted to hear a little bit more of the girls' conversation.

"Well he was cute," giggled who he thought was The Queen. He heard Alexias giggle with her. He didn't hear a reply. But that's all he could handle. He ran from the forest barely dodging the trees as he went.

***

Abel walked back to the castle. He was tired of running. He didn't want to go without Alexias, but had no choice.

"Sir?" Sebastian asked. He was standing outside the main entrance.

"It's nothing, Sea," he shook his head walking into the main entrance, then he thought of something, "Hey, Sea?"

"Yes, Sir?" Sebastian asked.

"When I'm gone, can you talk to Alexias, whenever you can?" he asked again.

"Yes, Sir," smiled Sebastian.

"Thanks, Sea," he smiled and left for the Palace Room.

***

"I'm sorry I'm late, your majesty," he bowed, looking to the ground.

"It's alright, Abel," The Red Queen spoke, "do you have everything ready?"

"Yes, but I have a question?" he asked. He never looked up. Wasn't permitted to.

"Go ahead," The Queen said.

"Will I need money?" he asked.

"Yes," she said, "I have money for you in the Real Realm."

"Okay," he nodded.

"Here, have some of the Jabberwocky's blood and go," she said. He took the blood, holding it to his chest. He kept his eyes low.

"Where will I be going?" he asked, playing with the vile in his fingers.

"Australia, Germany, Russia, Denmark, Poland, Portugal, Spain, France, Ireland, America, England and Italy," she listed. When he heard 'Italy' his heart jumped. He was going home.

"In that order?" he asked.

"Yes. The money is in any available bank there, seeing as there isn't one specific bank in those countries. The number for you to take the money is 6-2-3-8," she explained. Seeing as he has only been in Underland for a couple years, he already knows most languages. Every place he's going, good thing too, he knows the languages.

"Yes, your majesty," he nodded. He knew the Jabberwocky's blood would take him to the place he was last in the Real Realm. So he's be going to Italy first. He was about to drink the blood when The Queen stopped him.

"Wait, Abel!" The Queen yelled, uncharacteristically.

"Yes, your majesty?" he asked, closing the lid on the vile.

"You must take your medicine," as she was saying it the doctor was sliding the needle into his arm.

"But I'm going to be gone for some time, how will I take my medicine?" he didn't want to ask, but he had to. If he didn't The Queen would be suspicious.

"I have a house for you in every country, the cupboards are stacked for you they have food and your medicine. It is regularly restocked every Wednesday. Be sure to use your medicine. If you were diagnosed 'mad' in the Real Realm you will be taken to a building and kept there for the rest of your life.

"I beg you, take your medicine, Abel. There is an informant- what are you doing?" she asked. Abel was scrounging the room for paper.

"I'm looking for a piece of paper. I'll never remember all of this," Abel spoke absentmindedly.

"Here," Stayne handed him a paper and pencil.

"Thank you," he wrote down everything she said. The countries, the houses, the number, the schedule for restock, everything.

"Okay, sorry I interrupted. Please continue, your majesty," he bowed and awaited the rest of the information.

"Alright," she said, "as I was saying there is an informant in every country waiting to help you, they know what you look like and will find you as soon as possible."

"Okay," nodded Abel, "is that all?"

"Yes, you may go now," she said. Abel nodded, downing the blood of the Jabberwocky.

***

He opened his eyes. He was in a hole. How he knew, you ask? There was a light shining in through a hole at the top. He sighed. He was on the outskirts, that means hell we walking for a while.

His hands grasped the sides of the hole and he hauled himself out, plopping his but on the side. He breathed a little, pulling his legs out as well. He stood, and he walked. He could see the city of Roma. His heart skipped. Home, he thought and smiled.

***

"Ciao! Nuovo arrivato?" a slender man asked. His hair was blonde, his eyes light brown. His smile was warm and inviting. Newcomer? No, he wasn't a newcomer.

"No, no! Sono stato qui prima!" he spoke. He's been here before, definitely.

"Sei Abele De Luca, per caso?" he asked.

"Sì! E tu sei ...?" he asked. He wanted to know. Was he the informant?

"Sono Gabriele Sansotta. Il vostro informatore," he spoke. He was Abel's informant. And his name is Gabriel.

"Ciao, ciao! Sono contento di conoscerti!" Abel exclaimed. He was happy to meet him.