Wonderland

Maddison's P.O.V.
There was a magical buzzing around us, as a bright light surrounded us. We stepped all the way through and found ourselves in a forest. We looked behind us to see only a well. Releasing each others' hands, we inspected our surroundings.
"Welcome!" we heard a familiar voice shout. Kitty and I swung around to see from where the voice came. We saw a tall boy with long-ish blonde hair. He wore black army boots with matching black finger-less gloves. He wore a frilly white button down with a blue suit jacket. He had a black tie round his neck and forest green trousers tucked into his boots. His appearance was all brought together with his icy blue eyes. My heart stopped when his and my eyes met.
"ALEX!" I heard Kitty shout. She ran up to him and jumped onto him, Glaucia still in hand. He caught her and twirled her around, both giggling. Glaucia growled, warning them to stop. Alex set her down and pet the little beast's head. He knew it was her, because dogs didn't exist in Wonderland. It was just then that I noticed an aging woman had accompanied him. "AUNT ALICE!" shouted my sister, as she clung to her. The woman wore a long blue dress with a white apron over it. She wore the same black flats she had worn the day I last saw her. As she greeted Mom and Cheshire, Alex approached me.
"Maddison?" he tried to get my attention. I had zoned out for a minute or two, but hearing my name being spoken by that boy made me return. I smiled warmly at him.
"Yes, Alex?" I answered. His worried face soon changed into a smile, as he surged forward and lifted me from the ground, spinning me just as he had Kitty. When he finally stopped twirling, he held me up. I cupped his face and laid a soft kiss on his forehead. He set me down and gave me a kiss on my lips, a deep one. We were interrupted by Mother clearing her throat. "Sorry, " I uttered to everyone around us. I looked into his beautiful blue eyes and said, "I missed you."
"I missed you, too, Mads, " he returned. We hugged tightly and didn't let go for a long while. Kitty had finally had enough and squeezed between us somehow.
"Hey, where's my love, you two?" she meowed. I looked at her.
"Do you mind?" I asked.
"Hey, he's like your cousin, Sis! It's kinda gross, " she returned.
"Keyword there: 'like'. We're not related in any way; therefore, it's not gross, KitKat. Now, move. I'd like to kiss my girlfriend, " Alex tried. Kitty didn't budge.
"Nope! I stand by what I said. It's gross, " she persisted. By now, our parents were calling to us to follow them. The moment was gone. Kitty started walking backwards.
"You're gonna hit something, Cat! Stop!" I told her. She shook her head.
"I got's to keep my eyes on you two! I don't want any incest between you guys!" she explained.
"WE'RE NOT RELATED!!" Alex and I shouted at her. Just then, she backed into a tree. Laughing, I told her that I had informed her thusly. She scowled, turned around, and ran after the adults. Alex and I sighed in relief that she had finally left us alone. Alex grabbed my hand, and I responded by holing his.
We had walked for some time until we had reached a tall building. It had a sign that said 'Wonderland Hotel'. I had been told that Alex and his mother owned the place as a safe haven for us Wonderers in the event of a crisis. It was a crisis alright.
"It's better than it looks. I promise, "Alex assured me as we came closer to the old building. I wasn't so sure about that, though. Seeing my discomfort, he continued, "Some of the others are already here. We've been waiting for everyone. Well, Mom's been waiting for everyone. I've just been waiting for you. " He planted a soft kiss on my temple, easing some of my stress. We entered the dilapidated hotel and saw almost everyone.
There was Whitney Rabbit in her usual red tea coat over a white blouse. Her ears were down and she kept checking her large clock, as if she were waiting for someone. She was taping her white flats against the carpeted floor. Her black tights must've been too small, because she kept reaching under poof-y red skirt to adjust them. Her father sat to her right, his glasses riding low on his nose. He, just like his daughter, was constantly checking his over-sized clock. His yellow button down shirt was wrinkled and his red trench coat was frayed at the edges. His white boots tapped the floor. His dark purple bow tie hung loosely round his neck. His usually soft and fluffy white hair was matted and messy.
Next to them was Caterpillar. He smoked a pipe and mumbled to himself whilst picking something out of his golden loafers. His arms seemed to have minds of their owns, as usual. Blue hair ruffled, one of his hands tried to fix it. To his right, sitting on the arm of the couch, was Butterfly Pillar. I knew Kitty hated her, even though she never voiced these thoughts. She wore her usual dress. The revealing outfit sported a small shawl. With most of her chest exposed, she always complained about being cold, but never wore anymore clothing. Four of her six arms were folded across her body. The last two arms were twirling her hair as she checked her nails. Her legs were crossed, top leg bouncing up and down, which caused her golden slippers to shimmer in the light.
Standing in the corner were two people I didn't expect to see. The Queen of Hearts and her son, Quincy Hearts, were pacing back and forth. The Queen still wore her formal dress and grimaced at everything. Red hair a mess of curls, her crown sat off kilter on her head. It was strange to see her in this state, though she didn't look nearly as bad as everyone else. I then looked at Quincy and glared. I hated that boy ever since he broke Kitty's heart. They had dated for over a year, in secret mind you. Cheshire would have had a fit if he had known. The Queen had forbade Quincy from leaving their palace when she had been informed by one of her knaves of the hidden relationship. Just a week after that on Quincy's 16th birthday, he had told Kitty that him dating her was just an act of rebellion against his mother. He told that he felt nothing for her and never had. She cried for months, never leaving her room.
I saw him stare at her now, eyes longing. He watched her greet everyone, save for him or his mother. His black pants made his skin seem paler than usual. His white shirt mended perfectly with his white ascot. He had removed his red jacket with gold flower print and placed it on a nearby chair. His matching vest was unbuttoned, so were the top buttons of his shirt. I was surprised to see him in such a disheveled state. His mother made sure that they both looked as if they were holding royal court at the very minute. He continued to stare at Kitty, who just ignored him.
"Why is he here, Alex?" I asked the blonde at my right. He looked at the two in the corner. He sighed, knowing of my hatred of the red headed boy.
"He and his mother are not behind the war. They were in danger, and this hotel is for all Wonderers in peril. I didn't want him or the Queen here, but Mother insisted, " he explained. I huffed in disdain. Looking over to Kitty, I noticed that she was watching him, too. He was speaking with his mother, not seeing the poor girl. She sighed and looked away before he saw her.
"Alright, everyone! We have just enough room for all of you. Caterpillar, you and Butterfly shall live in Room 2a. Whitney, you and your father will be in Room 3a. Hearts, you two will live in Room 1b. Cheshire and Hattress, you will have to live in a separate room from Kitty and Maddison. There is only enough room in each room for two people at most. Is that alright?" Alice said. Cheshire nodded. "That's great! Well, you and Hattress are in Room 2b, while you're girls are in Room 2c. They are right next door to you guys. Here are the keys, " she said, handing out the keys to the rooms.
Everyone dispersed and headed to their own rooms. Kitty and I headed up the stairs, followed by Mom, Cheshire, The Queen, and Quincy. We unlocked the door and opened it. It was small and dirty, but it was more than we needed. It was going to be a big shift, no doubt. I took the left side of the room while Kitty took the right. There were two beds. We immediately started to make this tiny room home. I set up my books in the empty bookshelf. Kitty helped me set up my tea set on my bedside table. I put my father's coat on the coat rack near the door. Kitty splayed out on her bed and mumbled profanity into her pillow.
"I know; I don't want to be here, either, but we have no choice, Big Sister," I stated quietly.
"Liar," I heard her mumble. I turned my head towards her.
"What?" I asked her. She sighed and sat up on the bed. She looked at me, tired and sad.
"You're a liar. You want to be here. You can spend all day with your boyfriend, while I'm stuck having to deal with my ex. You have a reason to be here; I don't," she said. I sighed.
"Yeah, I don't mind being here. Seeing Alex again makes me so happy, but that doesn't mean I want to be here. I want to be in Wonderland, practicing my magic and having tea parties. I know, you want to be back in Wonderland, fading in and out of existence and catching mice, but that can't happen with a war raging. You know that," I said despairingly. She sighed again and face-planted into the pillow. That night, while I slept, I dreamed of magic and whimsy, beauty and light. Before I had awoken, I had began to dream of logic and fright, homeliness and darkness.
When I woke up, I checked the clock. It was three in the morning. Usually, I would've gotten up and started the day, but now I was tired and just tried to sleep more.
Kitty's P.O.V.
It was raining. Black umbrellas. Black dresses. Black shoes. Black messes. We all waited by the forest for the caskets to pass by. I heard people sobbing and others gasp 'oh my'. I looked over to my father on my right. His face was stricken, and his presence caused great fright. I looked over to Maddi, my best friend. We promised to be there till the end. Her mother stood to her left. I just watched her as she wept. Behind them stood the girl I couldn't stand, but today we all mourn, hand in hand. Her father stood, smoking his pipe. I thought of the sorrow he must've felt on that night. Behind me stood my friend the rabbit. She was biting her nails, which was her habit. Her father wept by her side that day. I knew his feeling of dismay. Behind them stood the handsome boy in red. He knew my sorrow of a loved-one dead. His mother never let out a cry or shout. We all knew that she was put out. Across the aisle, grieved a blonde boy. In this whole thing, he was just a toy. Beside him wept his mother, never again to love another.
I watched as the coffins came up. One by one, they were placed in front of the benches. An old man walked down the aisle after them. Then he spoke in a tone most saddening.
"Today we all mourn the death of a beloved-one. Be it a mother, a father, a wife, a husband, a king, or a friend, we have all lost someone on this day. We are not here to mourn, though. No, we are here to celebrate the lives of those who fought, and the legacies they have left behind. I will call up the children of the deceased one by one to bestow upon them pedants of their parents. Maddison Hatter."
Maddison walked slowly up to the old man and knelt before him. He placed an old hat upon her head, a torn coat over her shoulders, and a metal box in her hands.
"Your father's hat, his coat, and his tea set. May these help you to remember the great man that you knew as 'Father'. Stand, Child." Maddison stood in front of the old man. He pulled her head to his, so that their foreheads touched. "Long live Wonderland," he muttered to her.
"Long live Wonderland," she responded. He let her go and she went back to her mother. The instant her mother touched her shoulder, they both began to weep heavily.
"Kitty Cheshire," he called me. I stepped forward and knelt before him as Maddi had. He placed a medallion round my neck, a small painting in my hand, and a pair of gloves in my other hand. "Your mother's medallion, her portrait, and her gloves. May these help you to remember the great woman that you knew as 'Mother'. Stand, Child." I stood. He pressed his forehead to mine and said, "Long live Wonderland."
"Long live Wonderland," I spoke back. I went back to my seat. My father placed his hand on my shoulder, but I did not cry. I had cried enough that day.
"Whitney Rabbit." Whitney went up just as I had and knelt before the man. He placed a hat on her head, a jacket round her shoulders, and a clock in her hands. "Your mother's hat, her jacket, and her clock. May these help you to remember the great woman that you knew as 'Mother'. Stand, Child." She did as she was told. He brought their heads together and whispered, "Long live Wonderland."
"Long live Wonderland," was her response. She took her seat and wept. Her father had as well.
"Butterfly Pillar," said the old man. She went before him and knelt. He placed a shawl over her shoulders, a necklace round her neck, and a ring on her finger. "Your mother's shawl, her amulet, and her ring. May these help you to remember the great woman that you knew as 'Mother'. Stand, Child." She did. He once again pulled the young face to his and muttered, "Long live Wonderland."
"Long live Wonderland," she repeated. She went back to her seat, too, and smelled the shawl over her shoulders.
"Alex Caroll." Alex went forth and knelt before the man. He placed a black tie round his neck, a satchel round his torso, and a dark blue ring on his finger. "Your father's tie, his satchel, and his ring. May these help you to remember the great man that you knew as 'Father'. Stand, Child." He did as he was told, and the old man brought their heads together, whispering, "Long live Wonderland."
"Long live Wonderland," was his response. He went back to where he stood, next to his mother.
"Prince Quincy Hearts," spoke the old man. Quincy stepped forward and knelt before the man as if he were proposing, one knee on the ground and the other before him. The old man placed a sword in his hands, a medallion round his neck, and a crown on his head. "Your father's sword, his crest, and his kingdom. May these help you remember the great man you knew as 'Father'. And, may you rule his kingdom as he had, with honor, integrity, and mercy. Please, stand, Your Majesty." He did, face still and stricken. He pulled their faces together and said, for all to hear," Long live Wonderland." Quincy closed his eyes.
"Long live Wonderland," he said. He walked back to where his mother, the queen, stood crying. He hugged her as she wept and shouted. We all went back to where we had come from. My father and I to our tree. Maddison and her mother to their cave. Caterpillar and Butterfly to their flower. Whitney and her father to their hut. Alex and Alice to their house. And, the Queen and the Prince to their castle....
I awoke crying in the middle of the night. I let out a gasp and Maddi stirred. I didn't want to bother her, but I didn't want to be alone.
"Maddi? Maddi!" I whispered at her. She mumbled something that I couldn't distinguish. I took my pillow and chucked it at her. She woke up then.
"What?!" she asked begrudgingly, rubbing her eyes. She looked at me and her tone immediately softened. "Kitty, what's the matter? Did you have a bad dream?" she asked, sincerely.
I broke down. "I dreamt of it, of that day......" I muttered through my tears. I buried my face in my hands and cried a little more. Maddison got out of bed and sat with me on my own bed. She hugged me, rubbing my back.
"It's okay. It's okay. What happened?" she tried consolidating me. I cried some more.
"It was the funeral. Everything. I remembered everything. It was like it as happening again. I can't go through that. Not again! I can't!" I shouted through my fits of tears. She tried to shush me, but I wasn't having it. "Everything is changing and getting worse. I don't like it here! I don't like the people here! I hate everything!" I shouted.
"Shush! You'll wake everyone up!" Maddi whisper-shouted at me. I covered my face with the pillow and softly cried. I soon ran out of breath and passed out.
Quincy's P.O.V.
I was awoken by yelling and sobs. I nearly jumped out of bed at the familiar voice. "Kitty," I whispered as I whisked the blankets off of my person. I looked over to my mother, hoping that I hadn't woken her. She stirred slightly in her sleep, but did not wake. I sighed in relief and opened the window. I slipped out and closed it behind me.
Though the thing did lock from he inside, I didn't worry about getting back in. I could pick the lock on the door and no one would know. I shimmied my way past Cheshire and Hattress's room. I definitely didn't want to wake them. That would be my death sentence.
I made my way to the window of Kitty and Maddison's room. They had left it open for the night. Or maybe Kitty had left it open out of habit. Perhaps it was just a mistake. No matter the reasoning behind the act, my heart rushed at the thought that Kitty was still leaving the window of her bedroom open just for me. Ah, a man can dream, can he not? A man can dream.
I opened it fully and slipped inside. I hit the floor with a regrettable thunk. Maddison swung around, ready to fight.
"Maddi, Maddi! It's me! It's me!" I whisper-shouted at her. She squinted through the dark and turned toward the bed. She looked back at me and flung a pillow at me. "Ah, hey! What was that for?" I asked.
"Why're you in here? Why are you even out of your room?" she asked me. I shrugged.
"I heard crying. It sounded like Kitty. Is she alright?" I asked her. She sighed and shrugged.
"She's been crying, but she just passed out. She should feel better in the morning. Now, can you go back to bed?" she told me. I shook my head.
"I can't go until I know she's alright, okay? It's a habit," I explained. She begrudgingly let me stay while she tried to sleep. I sat down on the edge of the cat's bed once her sister had returned to her own. I pulled the pillow and blankets away from her face and looked at that pink-haired beauty. "Why were you crying, Miss Kitty? I'm right here. You're okay, now," I murmured as I pet her behind the ears. Slowly but surely, her breathing was deep and even, and she seemed contented in her slumber. I soon fell asleep, just as happy to be near her. Every love story is beautiful, in my eyes, but the story I shared with Kitty was my favorite.