Am I in your head? My dear I think you already know the answer to that... I'm talking to you aren't I?

Well yes but--

"Alice?" A voice broke my concentration.

"Huh? Oh um," I chuckled a little bit and gave my head a slight shake. "Yes. I'm sorry, I seem to have tuned out for a moment." She laughed.

"Well I can see that." She stopped and opened a huge door, leading to the garden. It was beautiful. Delicate flowers swayed in the wind, being carried by mother nature. There were a million shades of red and black, grey acting like an accentuation. I watched in awe as all her flowers coruscated with raindrops that danced across the soft petals.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" The Red Queen asked. She was watching my amazement with much amusement. It took me a minute to finish taking in the ravishing view. My world was dull and boring; but just this little garden was bright and lively.

"....It's..... amazing." Not paying attention to where I was walking, I ran into a tree with a thump, sending me crashing down and landing full force on my butt. We both laughed at my stupidity.

"I think the path continues this way, Alice." She was still giggling a little bit.

"You couldn't have spoken a second sooner?" I replied.

"Now where's the fun in that?" She said as we reached the other end of the garden.

"Alice." She was serious now. "It's been fun with you here, but I don't want to keep you here if you don't want to be."

I realized where she was going with this.
I entered my thoughts.
~~~~~~~~
Hatter? Hatter are you there?

I am always here for you, Alice. What is it that you need?

What do I do? I'm so confused as to what side my loyalty lies. The Red Queen seems kinder than I've heard.

No Alice. Please, I'm begging you no. She is a terrible person. She is dark and cold, and she will manipulate you until you are unsure of who you are. Please, for me, go to the White Queen. Tell her everything. Tell her the Red Queen manipulated you and captured Mallymkum, Cheshire, and I--

She captured you?? Hatter why haven't you told me that!

I thought you knew seeing as we passed in the halls.

I thought you were here the same way I am! I wasn't aware you were here against your will! Hatter let me stay and help you. I can--

No Alice, you won't hurt yourself for my sake. I won't let you. Just leave, go find the other sister; due north of here; and tell her that we need help, and that I wouldn't let you stay here. You really need to go, Alice. We are running out of time.

What will happen to you while I'm gone Hatter? I won't leave you here alone if...

Alice I will be alright. It will be alright. I promise. And I never break my promises. Please Alice. Just go. Go home.

"Go home" he said. I remember I used to call it that in my dreams, home. Suddenly everything came back. All the memories of me being in Wonderland flushed through my eyes and I relived it all.

Hatter... please don't make me do this... I remember now... I can't just leave you after what you did for me... please....

Alice. Do not fret my dear, and do not be sad. Remember that I am always your protector, (giggle), not the other way around.

That doesn't mean I won't try.

Oh I know Alice... I know...

So I'm not leaving you--

Ali--

And that's final.
~~~~~~~~~~~~

With that I came out of my head and listened to the rest of the Red Queen's speech about giving me freedom.

"So Alice?" She paused, a frown on her face and her hands folded within each other. "What would you like to do?"

I paused.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alice please... I'm begging you please go home... Please my dear please....

Shut up Hatter.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I made you a promise didn't I?"
With that she smiled and grabbed my hands.

"Oh Alice!" She squealed. "I'm so glad you'll stay!" She sounded like a perky Barbie doll if you ask me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She looks like one too.

I laughed out loud, and I could hear him laughing in my head along with me.

Shut up Hatter.
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