A Different Wonderland

Lost in Wonderland

There was a disturbance in the wind. Something wasn’t right. Something bad was coming. Wonderland trembled and the creatures that inhabited this magical world could feel it too. The tea cups in the Hatter’s dwelling rattled, Cheshire felt the leaves in her tree shake. This was a sign and everyone knew it. An age of darkness was coming, but would the savior of Wonderland return in time?

Alex Peterson straightened up the items in the antique shop he worked at on 2nd street in New York. It was about closing time in the quaint little store, White Rabbit’s Treasures, and he just wanted to go home. He sighed as he flipped the “open” sign to close and locked the door.

“Twenty-two and still working for minimum wage.”

He didn’t particularly hate his job, but it wasn’t exactly the most exciting and successful occupation. His parents had given up on him a long time ago and now all he had left was his girlfriend, Alice. With eyes the color of freshly polished emeralds and hair that reminded him of sunshine, she was his refuge, his sense of home. Tonight was a Friday and they were planning on watching a marathon of Disney movies, her choice. She specifically loved Alice in Wonderland, because she felt as if she was part of the movie. He honestly found it a bit cheesy, but he loved to watch her eyes light up whenever her favorite scenes came on. Sometimes he would call jokingly call her the Queen of Hearts when she wouldn’t hand him the popcorn bowl or teased him about his clock obsession. Alice would always scream “Off with you head!” in response. They would both laugh and everything would be alright. It was definitely worth it.

When he came to the small apartment, in the slightly raunchy complex, he saw the flashes of a TV screen through the window. The scent of popcorn filled the air, as Alex unlocked the front door. Inside, Alice was sitting on the couch with a huge bowl of popcorn. The last bit of Peter Pan played on the screen.

“You’re late!” She said with a smile. “It’s just about to come on!” He quickly removed his shoes and joined her on the cheap couch they’d bought a few months ago. He gave her a quick kiss and took a hand full of popcorn.

“Sorry, I tried to make it home sooner, but Jack wanted me to clean up the store a bit.”

“Don’t worry about it, you’re here now, we have popcorn, and my favorite movie is in five minutes. You are most certainly forgiven.” Alex laughed. He place his arm around her shoulders and they settled there perfectly content.

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The shadows on the wall danced as Hatter sipped a hot cup of tea and shuffled a battered deck of cards. Desperate Wonderlanders with big egos and too much time on their hands loved to try and beat her at a game she knew too well.

“So you think you’re game enough to challenge moi?” Hatter said with a slight smirk.

“You haven’t got the skills to beat me! You’re just a little girl!” chuckled a hefty old walrus with a huge mustache. He stepped up to the small Victorian table where Hatter sat.

“You would have to be MAD to think that you could win against me.”

“Well I’m afraid that’s the point, dear sir!” Hatter replied. “The name ‘Hatter’ sorta implies it. Besides, losing can be a wonderful tragedy when there are much bigger things to be won.” The Walrus was starting to get agitated.

“Shut it with your cryptic tongue and begin already!”

“My pleasure.” She said, a certain mischievous tone lingering among her voice. “If you win, you can have this elixir. Said to increase vitality. If I win, then I get that fabulous sapphire ring of yours.” The Walrus looked down at his finger and thought for a moment.

“Fine. It’s a deal. But no tricks! I know how you people work! Now hurry and deal.”

She handed him a set of cards as well as herself. When they looked at what they’d gotten, and placed cards on the table, it was clear the Walrus had won.

“HAH! What did I tell you child! Never play a pro! Now hand over that elixir.”

“Huh, I see I’ve been beaten. Here ya go, you need it more!” She tossed him the small vile and he sauntered off. As soon as he was out of sight she chuckled.

“Did you get it Dormouse?” A tiny mouse scurried onto the table holding a gold pocket watch.

“O’course Hatter! Haven’t lost me touch yet. Good thing that vile was only berry nectar, people fall for anythin’ these days.”

“Tell me about it, Mousy. Better get movin’ before that narcissistic bag of blubber, notices he’s missing his watch.” Dormouse hopped onto Hatter’s hat, and she snapped her gloved fingers making the table disappear. Off they went, back to the hidden cottage within the Forbidden Forest to examine their newest treasures.

Hatter’s Cottage was a quaint little estate surrounded by colorful plants and talking flowers. This place was hidden to anyone besides Dormouse and Hatter; thanks to a little magic her father had helped her with before his passing. Being half human, it was hard for her to master the abilities in which Wonderland had provided for her. It wasn’t an uncommon thing for Wonderlanders to travel to the human realm and back. However it was strange for a Wonderlander to fall in love with a human, which is exactly what her father did. She tried not to think of her past, or her old life. Instead she sat in her antique chair and counted their loot.

“Let’s see. We have some ruby earrings, a golden cufflink, some silver, and of course a splendidly engraved gold pocket watch. Another one to add to my collection!” She went over to a thick leather chest with a gold lock. She opened it with a small key hidden in her belt. The chest was full of different pocket watches. There were small and big ones, golden or silver ones, and some over a hundred years old. Hatter always had a love for pocket watches. Or Time in general. There was so much of it and yet people, humans specifically, never seemed to have enough. Here in Wonderland, no one was affected by time and its principles. That always left her pondering if Time really existed.

Shaken from her thoughts, she noticed the afternoon light outside was getting dark. There was a giant mass of clouds that covered the horizon. The ground shook and she knew. That they were running out of precious time.