Unwonderland

Abel was sitting by his favorite tree. He was Red Queen territory, not permitted to cross to the lovely White River. He so wanted to know what it felt like. Miss Alice loved to walk there. Every once in a while, she'd bring a little girl with her. She was about his age. On occasion he would see her gaze lovingly into the water. He was younger back then, only the age of ten.

Three years have passed since he witnessed Miss Alice's death. The Red Queen sent her knights after her. He tried to warn her, but since he was Red Queen territory, she wouldn't listen to him. He kicked himself. Everyday he had wished he'd had the strength to help her. But he was only ten at the time.

Abel heard a rustling in the grass. He peered around the tree to notice a woman. Her hair was blonde and long, waves of curls raining down her back. She was thin and by the way she stood over the water, she looked just like Miss Alice.

"Miss Ali-"

"Miss Alexias, you mustn't be alone," a woman spoke. She wore the bracelet of the servants. This maid was a direct servant of this woman, who looked so much like Miss Alice. But her name is Miss Alexias.

Miss Alexias. That name sent shivers down his spine. He could feel his madness pressing to be known. His medicine was wearing off. But he didn't want to leave. This Alexias scooped some water into her hands.

"Ancilla," spoke Alexias. She never rose her eyes.

"Yes, Miss?" she asked.

"What do you think my mother was doing, walking by herself, here, of all places?" Alexias spoke again.

"The same as you, I suppose," Ancilla whispered. Miss Alexias looked to the woman and smiled, "You look just like her, Alice Kingsleigh." Her smile was just like Miss Alice's. Her eyes though, they set her apart from Alice. Her eyes were bright green, like The Hatter's.

He knew of the love between them, but he never thought The Hatter would have taken his own life for her, leaving his only daughter in this world alone.

"Let's go, shall we?" Alexias stood up.

"We shall," Ancilla spoke, walking ahead to lead her away from the boarder. He watched them go a bubble of maddened hysterics slipping through his lips. His medicine had worn off. He sprawled out in the soft grass his mind jumping from topic to topic, he even thought of crossing the boarder line.

But he didn't. He fell asleep right next to the tree. He dreamt of anything and everything. He didn't expect to wake up in anyplace but the grass.

***

"Abel!" I bloody scream wrenched him from his sleep. He was startled. He knew who this was. He scrambled out of bed, running to the Red Queen's Throne Room.

"Yes, your majesty?" Abel asked, bowing.

"Where were you?" she demanded.

"I was in the forest when my medicine wore off. I didn't get up quick enough and passed out in the grass, I'm sorry," he apologized, hanging his head. Good thing he was cute. The Red Queen liked him.

"It's alright, Abel, you have your medicine so go and do what you like," the woman shooed him out of the room. He bowed to her and ran for the forest.

Maybe he'll get to see Miss Alexias again. He sat in his usual spot, the tree right on the border but he sat toward the side, so whoever walked toward this part of the river was sure to see him. He pretended to be sleeping.

"C'mon," a whispery voice broke his sound barrier. He didn't move. The rustling got closer. It sounded like many people walking toward him. He decided to take a peek.

It was Miss Alexias. Quickly he closed his eyes. She was with the Bandersnatch. He shifted the slightest making the grass crinkle under his weight.

"Who's there?" Alexias whirled around.

"Wha-" he startled awake, as if he were just sleeping.

"Who're you?" Alexias asked, her eyes guarded, the Bandersnatch started to growl.

"My name is Abel," he spoke, his medicine started to wear off. He laughed, a maddened, hysterical chuckle.

"My name is Alexias, are you okay?" she asked, her green eyes searching his. She advanced on him.

"No, stop, you can't cross the boarder, you'll get in trouble," he giggled again. She stopped.

"Are you okay?" she asked again, a few feet from him and the river.

"No," he laughed, "no I'm not. I'm mad."

He could see the excitement in Alexias' eyes. She came and sat in front of him, never crossing the boarder.

"Are you for the Red Queen?" she asked.

"Yeah," he nodded, "But," he whispered, "I don't want to be," a giant smile spread across his face.

"You could always talk to the White Queen," she said.

"She'd never listen to me. I've been here all my life," he explained. His smile grew, and he started to sing, "Guardare fuori per la regina rosso sangue,
Guardare fuori per le cose orribili che ha visto.
Rovina,
Morte,
Sofferenza
E dolore.
Lotta per la sua sarà vano."

"What does that mean?" Alexias asked.

"It means," his sentence was interrupted by hysterical laughs, he flopped on his back, his train of thought running dangerously thin.

"Abel?"