My Alice (5) Cheshire POV

If you have questions or comments, just message me

Her mind wanders a lot; Alice’s did too. That’s how it starts off, with a daydream; cute and harmless. Thoughts begin wandering where they shouldn’t, then it turns into madness and suddenly it swallows you whole. My gaze trails after the girl as she steps through the door to meet up with the others, eyes wide with wonder. I’ve seen that look before, bright and curious. Strange though, I usually only see it in children.

Iris doesn’t really walk through Wonderland, she sort of just floats, as if she can’t tell where to go first. So much to see, so much to do. Colorful buildings line the golden streets, welcoming shopkeepers greet their customers at the door. Even the air tastes like it's made of sugar, every breath like your standing inside a dream. The colors will never fade in this town, the flowers will never die, no matter what horrific creatures live here.

I study Iris from afar as she finally meets up with the rest of the group, Rue clinging shyly behind her. Her mouth falls open as she takes in the characters on the street; dragons with rainbow scales, glowing jellyfish floating above the path, even two giants running in the distance that tower over the buildings.

Then I hear it. A familiar laugh, delicate and unreal, cutting through the forest behind me. “Your’e cheating again, aren’t you?” a little girl’s voice accuses, sounding distant. “You can’t turn invisible during hide and seek. That’s cheating!” My grin grows, actually genuine this time. Alice. My Alice.

There’s a long pause before I hear her again, almost pleading. “Stop hiding! The Others aren’t being friendly anymore.” That sentence hits me hard, alarm jolting through my veins. Others? Are there others around her?
Colors smear around me as I slip into nothingness and appear in front of her, frantic. Alice is sprawled out on a queen sized bed, gold locks scattered above her head. Her smirk widens when she senses my presence, not even needing to look up. “I can hear you purring, silly cat.”

I look her over, heart still pounding. She’s still laughing, cheeks filled with color. There’s no blood. No monsters. Nobody else was around. And for a moment, all I can do is stare, trying to calm my pounding heart. She knows that would convince me to come quickly. “No one else is here?” I finally ask, voice still shaking. Alice shakes her head, wide blue eyes meeting mine as she sits up. The smile returns to my lips as she hums to herself, climbing off the bed. “I found you, so now it's my turn to hide. No peeking this time.”

My eyes follow Alice’s movements and I hesitate before speaking. “It seems as if your world has attracted unwanted attention,” I drawl, trying to find the right words; Alice never liked new things. “They’re harmless really. If you’d like, I can guide them-”

“I already know about our guests, kitty,” Alice interrupts, picking up the stuffed cat from a shelf. A purple cat, the muse she created me from. “Lucas already told me about them.” My blood freezes at the name. 

“You’ve been speaking with Lucas White?” I inquire through bared teeth and Alice’s eyes narrow. 

“I speak with all of my friends, Chess,” she articulates, stretching each syllable. “Is there a reason I shouldn’t talk to friends?” She’s in denial. She’s been in denial for a long time. What’s it been, ten years now? It's hard to keep track of time in Wonderland.

I remember when that f*****g rabbit was first created. Curious little thing, very courteous and observant. He was originally supposed to be Wonderland’s guide, a friend to help keep Alice grounded. Now look at him. He was the first friend made for Wonderland and also the first friend to break. He fell quickly down that dark and twisted rabbit hole, his obsession with time and beauty turning him into a monster.

Alice lightly drags her nails across the plushie’s back, staring lovingly down at it before letting out a thoughtful hum. “Besides,” she drawls, “These guests aren’t the first ones Lucas has brought down here. Wonderland has had plenty of visitors.”

My eyes shoot back up to hers, the fur on my curled tail now standing on end. We’ve had other guests? Why wasn’t I aware of this? “There’s been more?” I hiss through a large, forced smile. “And you’re alright with this?”

Alice hums again, fingers moving up to scratch the cat’s ear. “Lucas said he was lonely, said he misses showing people around. He asked if he could bring in new friends and I didn’t see any harm. Wonderland should never feel boring.”

“Boring?” I ask in a mix of frustration and astonishment. “You can’t be serious, Alice. That doesn’t sound like you. To find your own world boring?” If Wonderland bores her, maybe that’s it’s way of reminding her it was never meant to last. That we were never meant to last.

Alice takes a moment to think before carefully placing the toy back down. “I wouldn’t call it boring,” she starts. “Just… still. My friends forget how to smile when there’s no one around.” Her voice lowers, almost whispering as a faint smile tugs at her lips. “But not you, Chess. Never you. You never forget how to smile.”

Her words cling to the air and my smile tightens. “How can I forget?” I tease lightly. “You gave me the grin, I keep it only for you.” I’ve learned that if you keep a smile long enough, you forget what it’s hiding.