Unwonderland

Alexias was sleeping heavily. Her medicine kept her like that. Every breath hurt like hell. Her breathing was ragged and harsh. She was sweaty and practically naked.

The nurse wrapped her up. The bandage encircled her whole stomach, over her shoulder, then back around to cover her breasts. She wasn't permitted to wear a shirt, it might rub, might make more pain for her.

"Miss Alexias?" a whispery voice asked. It was Ancilla. Alexias opened her eyes, slowly.

"Yes?" Alexias asked. Her voice was raspy. She stayed where she was, staring at the plain white ceiling of her room.

"We must change your bandages, do you think you can walk? If not, I could get Jeston," she offered.

"No need," she sat up, slowly. She let out a pained squeak.

"Are you sure, Miss?" Ancilla asked, rushing to her side.

"Yes," she brushed away Ancilla's nervous hands. She stood, carefully, and reached for her sword.

"Miss?" Ancilla must not have known what Alexias was doing.

"It'll help me walk," Alexias leaned her weight on her sword, "Okay, we can go."

***

Needless of Alexias' heeds, Jeston was called anyway.

"Alexias, I'm here to help," smiled Jeston. Alexias turned her head, looking into his dull orange eyes. They were pretty.

"That's okay," she said, softly.

"Nope, it's not okay," he moved toward her, scooping her up, gently, in his well built arms. His muscles rippled. He had long blonde, almost white hair. It brushed her cheek. She looked up, and saw is face. With nose high and cheekbones visible, he was very pretty. But he wasn't her type.

He walked as lightly as he could. Alexias could feel it. He swayed her only slightly and his step bounced a little bit. It was actually quite soothing. She laid her head on his shoulder, clutching her sword in her hands. He carried her to the infirmary.

***

"Okay, Alexias, hold still, this shouldn't hurt too bad," the nurse said softly.

"Okay," Alexias whispered. Alexias was sitting up, her hands placed behind her, keeping her upright. Her left arm was almost healed and didn't hurt as bad. She could put weight on it, that was good. She absently looked at other things, instead of watching the woman.

The nurse untucked the end of the bandage, quickly and efficiently taking it off. It was soothing to feel the soft brush of the bandage coming off. Then the nurse stopped. The bandage had come loose around her breasts, but still covered them. Alexias wondered why she had stopped.

"Jeston, you must leave now," the nurse spoke to Jeston who was sitting quietly in the corner. Alexias actually forgot he was there. She breathed a little, not caring about the conversation.

"Why?" he asked, reluctant to leave.

"She will be naked," the nurse explained.

"Oh," Jeston blushed a bright red, "I will be right outside."

"Sounds good," Alexias mumbled. Jeston nodded and left, the door swinging behind him.

"Okay," the nurse said quietly getting back to work. The soft brush of the bandages lulled her mind at ease.

"Ow," Alexias snapped her gaze to the woman who was working silently in front of her.

"Sorry, Miss Alexias, seems the bandage got stuck in one of your stitches. I'll get it out, hopefully without anymore pain," she reassured Alexias.

"Okay," she nodded, looking away again. And the nurse was right, she got the rest of the bandage off without any pain.

"Well Alexias, your cut looks good, looks like it's healing nicely," the nurse assessed her naked torso.

"Does that mean I can wear a shirt, now?" Alexias asked.

"Not quite yet," the nurse smiled at her. Alexias sighed, "don't worry Alexias, in a couple weeks you can go back to wearing shirts."

"Alright," Alexias nodded.

"I'm going to wrap you up now. It might hurt a bit. It has to be tight," the nurse explained. Alexias sucked in a breath and let it out slowly.

"Okay," she whispered. She closed her eyes and kept her breathing level. Very slowly the nurse started to wrap her back up, and she was right, it was tight. She squinted her eyes shut.

"I'm sorry Miss Alexias, I'm almost done," the nurse spoke.

"Aright," Alexias spoke, tightly. Within minutes the nurse was done. Alexias breathed.

"All done," the nurse said cheerfully.

"Thanks," she smiled, calmly.

"I'll get Jeston," the nurse moved to the door. Alexias didn't protest, because Jeston would be called anyway. Alexias was absently looking around the infirmary, when Jeston walked in.

"Alexias," he smiled. He was one of the very few that could address her like that.

"Yes?" she looked to him.

"Are you ready?" he asked, advancing on her.

"Will I have to go back to my room?" she countered. She didn't want to go back to her room.

"I'm afraid so," he nodded. Alexias sighed.

"Do you think you could take me to The River?" she asked, "Instead of my room?"

"Well, I guess that's okay..." he looked torn, "shall I stay with you, or should I bring the Bandersnatch?"

"Please bring the Bandersnatch. I'd like to be alone, I don't mean to hurt your feelings or-"

"I understand, Alexias," Jeston smiled at her. Alexias nodded, "C'mere," Jeston held out his arms. Alexias lived her arms like a little girl. Jeston scooped her up wedding style and carried her to her room.

***

They were almost to her room when Alexias noticed.

"I thought we were going to The River," Alexias stated.

"I must get the Bandersnatch first," he smiled down at her.

"Oh," Alexias said and looked away.

"Don't worry Alexias, I wouldn't deceive you," he said softly. This boy was one of her best friends.

"Okay," she said softly.

***

"Here we are, Alexias," Jeston said. The Bandersnatch followed silently after them. Alexias smiled.

"Thanks, Jeston," Alexias looked to him.

"You're welcome girl," he said. Alexias has noted that Jeston doesnt speak the way she did. She spoke proper and formal. He spoke...odd. He had a drawl and spoke with weird analogies, "Where shall I put you?"

"By the river, please?" she requested.

"Okie dokie," he spoke. There he goes with the weird talk. He graced over to The River, setting her down slightly.

"Thank you, really," Alexias looked sincerely in his eyes. He smiled really big at her.

"Not a problem," he smirked, "Well, I'll be going now. I'll be back around dusk. If you come any earlier, mind if you tell me?"

"I don't mind," she said softly, her eyes wide as she looked at him.

"Okay, well I'll see you later," he waved and left.

"Bye," she said. She sat in silence, save for the bandersnatch's breathing.

"Miss Alexias," a boys' voice reached her. She turned around, thinking it was Jeston but no one was behind her. She looked to The Red Forest. Sebastian was standing by Abel's tree.

"Sebastian?" Alexias asked excitedly. He nodded, "what're you doing here?"

"Before Sir Abel left he told me to come and see you when I have time. And I have time," he shrugged.

"Sebastian, thank you," Alexias smiled.

"You're welcome," he smiled slightly. Alexias knew she had to move to the boarder, and she tried.

"Ow," she whispered, trying to keep her pain to herself.

"Miss?" he asked, moving close to the boarder.

"I'm fine," she said. Leaning on the Bandersnatch. It stood up, helping her across the meadow.

"Thank you," she smiled at it. It lowered her gently to the ground. She made a pain face and sighed.

"Miss, are you alright?" he asked. His pale blue eyes, concerned.

"It's nothing," she shook her head.D