Illuminate

I do not recall when I had ever been to a more curious place before, even if my most wildest dreams. The moment that Peter White brought me down the rabbit hole, everything had changed. We stood surrounded by darkness and shadows. I could see Peter clearly and yet nothing else was visible. He ushered me along through the darkness, seeming to know where it was we were to go. He suddenly came to an abrupt halt, one of his snow white ears tweaking slightly to a sound I could not hear.

Then the madness overcame his features, settling in his eyes that flared like hell fire. He growled quietly and snatched the pocket watch from his jacket, watching the arms ticking as time trickled by. He shoved the watch back in its place and gazed up around in the darkness.

"Don't you dare separate Alice from me!" he shouted desperately to the shadows.

A chill of fear swept over me as I took a step back, gazing through the darkness. I could not see anyone else, so who was he speaking to?

Do not be afraid, Alice. Follow the sound of my voice...

That familiar voice whispered from the shadows into my ear and I flinched in surprise. I quickly realized that this person, whomever he was had been helpful before. I cast a glance at Peter to make sure he had not noticed and was relieved to see that he was still preoccupied with whatever waited in the darkness.

"No!" he cried, reaching into his pocket once more when suddenly his movements jerked to an unnatural halt. Sweat broke out on his forehead as he seemed to struggle with himself.

Follow my voice, Alice. Now!

Heeding my unseen savior's urgent warning, I spun away from Peter White and ran.

"ALICE!"

The sound made my knees tremble in fear, but I forced myself to continue moving at a swift pace. The darkness was never ending and made it seem as though I was going nowhere, but Peter had disappeared, leaving me all alone in the abyss.

You're almost there, Alice. Just keep moving...

The whispers continued long after he finished speaking, and finally I decided to follow him until a giant ruby door began to appear through the dark haze. The door sparkled, tall and proud, made from ruby gemstones with a glistening golden doorknob. I stared in awe at the magnificent door when I realized that two others had simultaneously appeared on either side, hovering just in the shadows. One was made of emerald, the other made of diamond. Confusion and curiosity settled in as I observed the doors in silence. Did this mean I had an option?

Open the red door, Alice. This is your way out.

I took a moment more to process what I was seeing and whether or not this unseen man was here to help me. My feelings told me that none of those three doors would take me home. I realized much later that I should have listened to my instincts, but then there would be no story.

The door opened without a sound and revealed more darkness, although if observed closely, shapes could be seen in the distance. The whispers urged me forward, and that familiar temptation swept over me like a fog. The curiosity was intense and sharp like the edge of a blade, causing my feet to move of their own accord. I stepped through the gateway until the door closed on whisper, trapping me on the other side.

Scents filled with my senses of flowers, perfumes and foliage. As I walked, the sound of pebbles could be heard beneath my feet. Relief was swift and kind, allowing me to truly breathe for the first time since my grand entrance to this strange place. Songbirds twittered all around and the breeze carried the sound of music playing faintly somewhere in the distance. I recognized the sound--it was a Merry-go-round. I followed the sounds until things gradually became more clear and revealed my surroundings. The shadowed shapes of trees and hanging vines appeared around and above me the further I walked.

Tiny mushrooms with beautifully colored tops seemed to glow along the forestry floor, leading the path to where I could see sunlight. The woodsy scent was calming as I tried to take in everything before me. This dreamworld was nothing like my reality. Tiny orbs of light floated around through the trees gracefully, creating a soft tinkling sound as they went. Upon closer inspection, I realized they were tiny creatures that resembled small fish, the wispy tail fins leaving a wake of glittering dust.

Alice.

I stiffened at the sound of my name being whispered through strange lips. The breathy sigh was unrecognizable and did not match that of my personal guide. Soon my fear began to fade and a sense of rightness and belonging settled in. I was meant to be here. This was my home.

"My, my...you sure are taking your sweet time, Alice."

Jolted from my hazy trance, I lost my focus and footing. With a cry, my body tumbled forward in a somersault until I lay face up on the forest floor. Above me in the trees branches, a small wispy shadow moved from tree to tree. A shiver raced over my skin as I followed the shadow closely with wide eyes. Slowly the shadow began to take shape, forming only the face of a beautiful, leopard-like feline with soft grey and silver fur. Eyes the color of a topaz opened, leaving thin black slips that dilated when they focused on my form.

"Good gracious..." I breathed, pushing myself up into a sitting position. "Where in heaven's is the rest of your body?"

It was the truth. All that was visible to my mortal eyes was his lovely furry head and enchanting gem-like eyes. The corners of his lips curled into a wide, toothy smile. His body began to form, joining his head with sleek legs and long sleek tail. The tip curled around his body as he seated himself on a thick branch, peering down at me cheekily. His large size was slightly intimidating as I stared at his form.

"I'm special," he said with amusement, tilted his head slowly from side to side with that ever growing cheshire smile.

Looking down at myself, I patted my hands over my white and blue sundress. "Yes, I can certainly see that."

A soft breeze brushed against me, removing the stray pieces of foliage stuck on the fabric. When I looked up, I no longer saw the beautiful feline, but a tall handsome man. His hair was the same color as his fur had been, the pointed tips of his ears dark with small silver hoops. He was dressed in black tattered clothes, silver chains dangling around his neck and his tail curled about his legs lazily. He observed me with a predatory gaze as he crept closer, his footfalls leaving nothing but silence in his wake.

I could only stare until I was forced to tilt my head back, he was so close. His eyes were enchanting and so beautiful that I felt I could gaze into them for the rest of my life. His lips curled into a sly smile that I would soon learn was his trademark grin.

"Staring isn't polite, Alice," he murmured in the same familiar voice, those topaz eyes glittering with amusement.

I forced myself to close my mouth and felt a blush heat my cheeks as I tore my gaze away from his own. I struggled to cool myself down, placing my palms on my fevered cheeks with embarrassment. He gave a low chuckle that tickled along the edge of my spine.

"Feel no shame, dear Alice, " he assured as his long tail curled around my legs, his fur soft and comforting. I glanced at him in surprise only to find the massive beast of a cat he truly was, walking beside me.

I looked away as he steered me into an open meadow. Critters chirped all around, and the sunshine was warm and bright. In the distance stood a tall beautiful ivory castle with red hearts on each tower peak. Everything looked like it just came out of a fairy tale. I looked to the strange beast with the special smile.

I recalled my encounter with Peter White and the liquid that he had forced me to drink. The cheshire cat seemed to know my thoughts, and in a swirl of color, turned back into his human form. He reached out and gently took one of my soft hands in his own with a smile, his eyes all knowing.

"Fret not, Alice. You are safe with me," he assured with a wink, and cast a glance towards a forest off in the distance where smoke plumes rose above the trees. "I'm going to introduce you to come people that protect you from that pesky rabbit."

I looked at him inquisitively. "What about you, Mr. Cheshire?"

His eyes widened in surprise and he gazed down at me, suddenly seeming like a young innocent boy. It would seem that my question had thrown him off guard, and he looked oddly pleased with my question. Just as quickly as the expression came, it left with that familiar curl of his lips and he gazed at me with the deviousness of a young man up to know good.

"Alice dear, have you grown attached to me already?" he murmured, taking my chin gently between his fingers and tilted my head up to meet his warm gaze.

I flushed red with embarrassment and averted my eyes to focus on anything but him. "Well, I would not quite say that. You are the second person that I have met however, and in all honestly I do feel comfortable with you."

Again, my honesty seemed to take him by surprise. This time when he smiled, it wasn't calculating and sly, but warm and open. My heart skipped a beat at that smile and the warm glow of topaz eyes as he released my chin. I felt a piece of heart tear away, secretly just for him.

He released a genuine laugh, his eyes sparkling as he brushed the hair back from his forehead. "My Alice...whatever shall I do with you?"

I couldn't help but return a smile for he seemed so innocently happy. The moment was ruined however when a gun shot rang out, scattering a flock of flying fish from the trees of the forest we had been observing before. The gentle smile was gone and replaced with a serious expression, his eyes black slits to help him focus further into the distance where I could not see. Reaching out, he grasped my hand in his and gave a squeeze.

"I believe it's time to go, darling," he said, his voice oddly serious and began to lead me away from the meadow. Another shot rang out and I jumped at the sound.

"What is going on?" I asked, feeling a trickle of fear settling in. I had no idea what was going to come next, or what was going to happen to me.

He said nothing as he led me through the woods until voices became more clear.

"Where is Alice, Hatter?"

I gasped and quickly covered my mouth with my free hand, eyes wide as Cheshire met my gaze. It was Peter White, and he was searching for me. Chills rushed through my veins and I suddenly felt sick. Those topaz eyes observed me carefully for a moment before turning to the scene unfolding before us.

"I'm afraid I have yet to encounter Alice, Peter. Why don't you try elsewhere? You're disturbing my tea party," a deep voice responded, sounding slightly annoyed and very dangerous.

I peeked around Cheshire to try and get a look at the stranger who was speaking. Peter White stood in the open, his arm out pointing a handgun. His expression was twisted with desperation, his eyes wide and crazed. His pocket watched ticked through the tense silence. With the clench of his jaw, he lowered his arm and straightened with a masked expression.

"I'll believe you this time Hatter. I would surely know if Alice had been here," he said quietly, holstering his gun inside the coat pocket of his jacket. On a sigh, he snatched his pocket watch from the small pocket on the front and clicked it open.

"I must go before the Queen gets restless," he said formally, placing the pocket watch back where it belongs. His eyes lifted to meet the strangers darkly. "You will tell me when you have seen her, won't you Hatter?"

I paled. There was no question in his tone. He was being polite, but it was a definite warning. The sound of footsteps neared, followed by a low hissing. A tall handsome man wearing a fancy white and black pinstriped suit stepped into view. Black hair curled at the collar of his shirt, his black felt top hat glistening in the sunlight. His eyes were such a deep blue that they almost looked black. When he tilted his head slightly, and sunlight graced the side of his face, a galaxy reflected back at me.

"Don't threaten me, White," he said in warning, his features taunt and his eyes hard as steel as they glared at his opposition. Even Peter White knew when to back down.

His expression suddenly blossomed into a cheerful smile and he tilted his head. "It was so nice to run in to you, Hatter. Please do join the Queen and I for tea next time. She does love to talk to you."

With that said, he gave a bow and disappeared down the pathway back into the forest until he disappeared from sight and sound. I turned my attention back to the man called the Hatter and found myself trying to get a better look at him. He noticed the movement, his blue black eyes pinning me in place as he whipped out a pistol. I froze in surprise and saw out of the corner of my eye Cheshire had disappeared.

"Who's there?" the man demanded, his eyes hard and unyielding.

Frightened, I lifted my hands in a surrendering pose and slowly stepped out into the open. I swallowed at the sight of the gun barrel aiming straight between my eyes, and regarding him carefully.

"Um, I do apologize but Cheshire and I had been drawn towards the sounds of guns," I murmured fearfully, flickering between his eyes and the gun.

His black brows drew together carefully as he lowered the gun slowly. Those eyes trailed over every inch of my body, leaving behind a heat that I had never experienced before. It made my heart pound and my breath quicken.

His eyes returned to mine, stealing my breath away. His lips curled crookedly into a lady-killer'smile. "Good day, darling Alice."

I released the breath that I had been holding once his weapon was placed away. Grasping either side of my dress, I dipped down politely into a curtsy.

"I am Alice Liddell," I said calmly, remembering my manners before straightening and meeting his gaze. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Hatter."

He looked suspiciously surprised. "You know who I am?"

I flushed with embarrassment and bowed my head. "Forgive me, I was led here by the Cheshire cat. He had said that he wanted to introduce me to others who could protect me from Peter White."

He looked thoughtful for a moment, before uttering a curse. "Of course that damn rabbit would be looking for you."

I regarded him carefully, sensing that he was a very dangerous man. He could either help me, or be my worst nightmare. It was more wise to be on his good side, I decided. I stepped forward, momentarily turning the focus away from myself to the brightly colored table filled with tea cups and desserts.

"Are you having a tea party, Mr. Hatter?" I asked curiously, glancing around to the open field in which he was hosting it. Odd place indeed, and he seemed to understand my thoughts.

His demeanor changed, switching from a dangerous mafioso into a charming and cunning young man. The change was so swift and smooth that it caused me to blush when he gently took my hand and placed a soft kiss on the top.

"Would you like to join us, lovely Alice?" he murmured with a foxy smile.

Frowning in confusion, I looked back to the table and saw that no one was even there. I looked back at him questioningly.

"Is everyone late?"

His eyes sparkled as he tossed his head back and laughed heartily. The sound sent my nerves on edge in a pleasant way, humming along my skin. He leaned in closer, his lips brushing against my ear gently.

"Look closer, " he whispered, his voice seductive and I felt my entire body go up in flames. Surprised, I leaned away and covered my ear gently. He seemed amused that he had caught me off guard in such a manner.

Taking his advice, I stepped closer toward the table and did indeed look closer. It was almost like out of thin air, forms began taking shape in all of the chairs. Their voices started as whispers on the wind before transforming into a table full of unique characters laughing and enjoying their tea and dainties. I couldn't help but smile when the familiar grin of the cheshire appeared in his own seat, his human form winking into view. He flashed me a wink, his tail curling around the legs of his chair.

Pleasantly surprised, I tipped my face to sky and laughed. This strange land was so unique and just lovely to me. There were surprises all around me at every turn and I knew that there would be many more to come.

The sound drew the attention of all of his guests, everything growing eerily silent as all eyes found me in surprise and awe. Even cheshire looked on with sparkling eyes at the sound. The Hatter gently placed a hand on my lower back and gave a gentle push forward. With a smile, I obliged and met the gaze of each person. When I stood at the head of the table, I curtsied with the dip of my head gracefully and smiled.

"My name is Alice," I said happily at all of their surprised faces, "I have been invited to join you. Is that alright?"

It was silent for a moment before everyone began speaking at once, moving to make room and arranging a new place for an extra person. I accepted a seat made between two young men, identical twins with black messy hair and beautiful harlequin eyes of sea green and ocean blue. The only way to tell them apart was by their eyes, as they were the opposite of each other.

"It's a pleasure to see you, Alice!" the one to my left crowed with a handsome smile. "My name is Tweedledee."

I was disrupted before I could speak, my attention brought to the one on my left. "I'm Tweedledum, lovely to finally see you again, Alice!"

Confused, I looked across the table to where the Hatter sat next to Cheshire. He sipped his tea, eyes twinkling as he smiled. I took note however, that it did not reach his beautiful topaz eyes.

"We've all been waiting for you for a long time, Alice," he murmured as each person around the table nodded excitedly in agreement, except for one whom I learned was the March Hare. He was tall and handsome like a Greek god with long curly locks of sunlight and piercing grey eyes. Two tall brown rabbit ears poked up and out from his hair.

"It's going to cause problems, is all it is," he said sourly, casting me a wry glance and I frowned.

Ignoring his snide remark, I looked to Cheshire this time for an answer. "I'm afraid that I don't understand," I said honestly, slightly concerned.

Cheshire grinned, his tail curling around his chair lazily. "Don't worry, precious Alice. It's just how this world works," he said cryptically. "We all share a love for you."

I blushed from tip to tail while his grin grew wider at my reaction. Even Hatter smiled at my embarrassment.

Once I managed to calm my racing heart, I managed to find my voice. "Love me?"

March Hare leaned forward, his expression slightly scary. I found myself leaning away from him unconsciously as his eyes glittered like cold steel.

"This game was meant just for you by that damn rabbit," he said clearly, "We are forced to love the one named Alice, but I don't. I will not fall into that trap again."

My blood ran cold at his words and I stared around at everyone, horrified. Hatter stabbed his knife into the table with a resounding bang. Everyone stilled and the March Hare paled, his eyes fearful. I gazed down at the table top in confusion.

It was an unsettling feeling to know that these characters loved me, as if they had known me before. Was this true? It made me feel sick to my stomach at the idea of having been here before, but unable to remember. I thought back to Peter White and the unseen voice that had rescued me from him. If I found him, I wondered if I would find the answers I sought. I had no way of contacting him however, wherever he even was so I came to the conclusion that there was only one other person who would know.

Determined, I lifted my gaze to the Hatter and Cheshire.

"Take me to Peter White."