We're All Mad Here

Silvery flakes drifted down, glittering in the bright light of the harvest moon. The blackbird swooped down, landing next to the hole at the base of the fallen pine tree. The bird’s caw echoed through the trees that surrounded him. A beam of moonlight erupted through the dark canopy overhead and poured into the entrance of the hole. Something began to ascend from the darkness.
A man holding a white rabbit stepped out of the hole as if he was stepping outside for an afternoon stroll. He looked around at the scenery and smiled. “She’s been here. I can sense her.” He said to the rabbit and the blackbird.
He walked with a grace that made him seem like he was floating over the white covered ground, his long red coat whispering over the newly fallen snow. His jaw was set and he had the look of a man who knew what he wanted, deciding that he would do anything and everything to get it. He had been waiting for this moment for twenty-one years and he wasn’t about to stop now, not when she was just within his reach.
“Wonderland has been waiting for you, Alix.” He smiled as he watched a girl get out of a car with her mom.
The blackbird flew to a tree in the parking lot and cawed at the girl. She turned toward the bird as if she knew he was there for her.
“All in good time. All in good time.” The man said, as he turned with the rabbit and disappeared back into the woods.

Doctor Turner met us outside in the parking lot of Lincoln Cole psychiatric ward. I could see the worry in my mother’s eyes as she looked at me, but I was more angry than sad at the moment. I rolled my eyes and turned to watch the crow that had landed just as we pulled in. I had seen him other places before and it always seemed as if he was watching me just as much as I was watching him.
“Alix’s episodes seem to be getting worse. Tonight she was standing on the edge of her balcony getting ready to jump ‘down the rabbit hole.’ She said she wanted to visit the Hatter and wanted to play hide and seek with the Cheshire Cat.” I heard my mom explain.
Doctor Turner started talking and I blocked him out. I had heard his speech many times before, he would say that I was experiencing hallucinations as a symptom of psychosis that was caused by my bipolar disorder. I stood there, looking up at the moon wondering why no one understood that I wasn’t hallucinating. Everything that I said I saw, was real. The Cheshire Cat, the Hatter, the rabbit hole. It was all there, all the time. For me, it was normal.
As I stood there waiting to go inside, I heard the unmistakable call of my name. I looked around and a dark shape caught my eye at the edge of the woods. A figure was standing there, watching me as if he were waiting for me.
Alix.
A voice echoed in my head, pulling me toward the woods. Without realizing what was happening, I stepped toward the dark figure. Then next thing I knew, I was running straight toward him. He had been waiting for me.
My name was being shouted behind me, but the whisper of his voice in my head was louder than all the rest. I kept my eyes straight and honed in on the place where he stood. As he came into focus, I saw he was holding a white rabbit, the same one from my ‘hallucinations’. My pace quickened as I felt a rush of recognition pull me toward the figure. It was a man, dressed in a long red coat with a crown on his head. He smiled as I got closer and then turned, telling me to follow him. I did, I knew where he was taking me and I smiled. The one place I knew where I wouldn’t be called crazy and my hallucinations would be reality.
When I saw the familiar fallen tree, my legs pumped faster and I was ecstatic. I could see the moonlight pouring into the hole that would take me to where I belonged. The man was standing at the entrance, watching me get closer and then he jumped in. Everything passed me in a blur and then I was enveloped in a bright silvery light as I descended into the rabbit hole. I couldn’t wait to find what was ahead of me. Finally, my hallucinations had some solidity.
Suddenly, I stopped falling. Not realizing I had shut my eyes, I opened them to a dimly lit room with a table directly in the center. Not knowing what to do because I had never gotten this far in my hallucinations, I took in my surroundings. I was sitting in the middle of what looked like a dining hall with tons of people staring at me. The crowd parted and the man that I had followed down the rabbit hole was standing in front of a red throne, the back of which was shaped like a heart.
“The Red King.” I gasped. He was the one that I had seen staring through my window and watching my every move. He coaxed me into my hallucinations, leaving a trace on my life that only I could see. There was something he wanted and I had to find out what.
As I looked around, all I could see were things that were definitely out of the normal. A frog walked around in a waiter’s outfit and handed the guests their drinks. The March Hare was sitting at one end of the table, shaking so hard, his soup spilled right off his spoon. All the other guests were dressed in mismatching clothes and unusual hats. The ceiling swirled in two tones of red, looking like a piece of candy. Everywhere I looked, I saw red. Red walls, red tablecloths, red napkins, red silverware, red candles. Even most of the food looked as if it had been colored red. It made me feel as if I was sitting in a sea of blood. The guests all looked up at me and watched in amazement, not understanding where I had come from.
Some of the guests looked up at the Red King with the same questioning looked that painted my face.
He smiled down at me and extended his hand. “Ladies and gentlemen. I would like to introduce to you someone very special to Wonderland. Alix Lydell.” I accepted his hand and stood next to him.
As he led me to the Red Throne, whispers erupted around the room and people’s faces were painted with shock. I had no idea what was going on. I looked at the King, a question forming on my lips.
“Later, Miss Lydell. Right now, we are here to entertain the guests.” His smile seemed to hide something but I couldn’t put my finger on it, so I went along with whatever he said.
At dinner, I sat silently with my patience decreasing quickly. I watched the guests as they ate. Most of them were silent as if they knew more about why I was here than they led on. The March Hare watched me with a look of shock and worry. I could only guess what was going through his head at that point. My attention was pulled away from the Hare to the White Rabbit that sat next to the Red King. He stared at me as if I was a piece in a museum. I shared a look with him, trying to ask a silent question with my eyes. He winked before he returned his attention to his soup. I glanced at the Red King, hoping he would take the hint that I was growing restless. He nodded at me, acknowledging that I was getting impatient.
“Everyone, can I have your attention please?” What little talking there was, stopped abruptly and all eyes were on the Red King and me.
Feeling uneasy, I shifted in my seat and waited for him to speak. I was not expecting anything that came out of his mouth.
“The devastation from the Red Queen’s rule has left Wonderland in a time of darkness and sorrow. We have seen so much death and very little light since before the Red Queen. Today is the day, that darkness will end. Today is the day a Lydell Heir will prove herself worthy of the crown and pull us back into the light. We have been waiting for you, Alix. Wonderland has been waiting for you to come home.” Cheers burst into the room.
“It is my honor to inform you that tonight when the moon is at its highest she will be enduring the Trial that will prove she is the one to claim the throne. Everyone is invited to attend and watch the outcome.” Claps filled the room.
I looked up at the Red King in horror as he spoke. A question arose on my lips but was quickly interrupted as the door to the dining hall slammed open and a man ran in. Chains locked his hands together and his appearance was rather mad. His mismatched clothes were tattered from being manhandled by his captors. His hair was disheveled and his hat was missing. I looked at his eyes, seeing the familiar sadness that resided there.
“Hatter.” I gasped. I knew I wasn’t crazy. I had seen him in my hallucinations, sitting at a table with the March Hare, having tea. Why was he chained up in the Red castle?
The Hatter began running toward the table but stopped short as he saw me. “Alix.” His face changed from horror to excitement in a matter of seconds. “She has found her way home. Finally, there will be salvation from this red disaster!” He yelled, pointing at the Red King.
I could tell the King felt threatened. His face turned red and he looked around the room, watching everyone’s reactions.
“Cards, please take this abominable man back to his cell.”
Before I knew what was going on, three actual red and black cards ran out of nowhere and captured the Hatter. He struggled against them, breaking free and running toward me.
“Down with the bloody Red King!” Three Cards ran forward and grabbed his arms, dragging him backward out of the dining hall.
“No, wait!” I heard a voice say. It had taken me a minute to realize it had been my own.
“I beg your pardon, Miss Lydell. This man has threatened treason against the King. He belongs in the gallows.”
“There must be some mistake.” I looked back at the Hatter and felt the pain that poured from his eyes. He missed his true home and I was the only person who could bring it back.
“Cards, take him away.” I heard the Red King say.
The three Cards dragged him out of the dining room and the doors were pushed shut. There wasn’t a sound in the room.
“Spoon.” The March Hare sat in his seat, looking at his teaspoon without any notion as to what had just happened.
The Red King rolled his eyes and then returned his attention to the guests. “Everyone, I apologize for the disruption. The Cards are taking care of the matter. Please, let us finish our dinner before the Trial is to begin.”
We sat in silence for a minute as everyone collected themselves and tried to make some sense of what had just happened. Slowly, the chatter picked up, but I didn’t feel any better. Something was definitely off. In my hallucinations, the Hatter was never a prisoner, was always free and happy. I didn’t understand why everything was suddenly different. The Red King was never concerned with the Hatter and the Red Queen was always around. What had happened?
I didn’t have time to ask questions as the frog waiters joined us again to clear our plates and to provide a small tart for dessert. I looked at the red jelly sitting in the middle of a red colored pastry and I couldn’t even fathom consuming the thing. My mind was everywhere else and I didn’t think my stomach could handle any more curious food.
I watched over the guests, studying their faces and realizing that not all of them were happy to be there. Some seemed terrified and others were completely lost. It didn’t make any sense that all of a sudden, my hallucinations were the complete opposite of what was really going on here. Or were they?
The Red King clinked his knife against his red goblet, pulling everyone’s attention back to him. “My friends, it is time to enter the arena for some entertainment. The Trial will begin within the hour.” He smiled.
The sound of chairs scraping against the floor filled the room. Everyone went out the main entrance and I could hear a band playing an odd, yet comforting melody that I had recognized from many hallucinations. I stood with the Red King and he led me out of the dining hall. As we walked down a hallway, I was surrounded in a sea of more red. The carpets and the drapes were all a bright red. The color of blood, something I remember all too well from my hallucinations. I could see the last of the sun disappearing behind the mountains and the moon was just visible in the sky. As the sun sank, I got a sinking feeling in my stomach that something wasn’t right about this Trial. It almost seemed too easy of a way to prove myself as the Lydell heir. There had to be something more to it than what the Red King was letting on. The only way I could find out what would be to play by his rules.
“You have an hour.” The Red King said, pulling me out of my analytical thoughts. He gestured into another red filled room. I looked at it, realizing that my life would never be the same, ever. I wasn’t ready for that.
“I can’t do this.” I looked at the Red King.
His face shifted a bit and I could tell that something had snapped. “Alix, you don’t have a choice. Completing this trial is the only way to prove yourself as the Lydell heir. It’s the only way to get Wonderland back on its feet. To heal the destruction the Red Queen brought to this land.”
I looked at him. “I don’t understand. I thought you sided with her.”
“To be honest, I was for a while. But when she began to call upon the darkness and let it loose on the land, I realized that her intentions were nothing but pure evil. I wanted nothing but peace for Wonderland and her reign caused nothing but chaos.”
I could see the pain in his eyes as he remembered the destruction that rained over Wonderland this past fall. I had seen it all in my dreams, as if I was there, feeling the devastation with every creature that I only knew to be gentle beings filled with care and pure madness.
I sighed. “What happened to the Red Queen?”
The Red King bowed his head. “She resides in a place that will be able to handle her dark mind.”
“Shudderland.” I whispered the name of Wonderland’s version of hell. The place where residents go who had taken a wrong turn.
Thoughts were swarming in my head. If I didn’t complete this Trial, Wonderland would continue to be in the dark. On the other hand, I didn’t know what this Trial would require and it could easily cost me my life. How was I going to choose?
Before I knew what I was doing, I walked in and he slammed the door behind me. No explanation, no good luck. A black shirt and pants were sitting on one of the red couches. I changed quickly and twisted my long dark brown hair into my usual side braid.
“You look just like her,” a voice said.
I turned around, looking for the source. I didn’t see anything at first but then a pair of eyes appeared in front of me. Then a mouth and finally a body.
“Ches. I should have known it would be you.” I said, smiling at the cat I had seen so many times in my hallucinations.
“It’s a pleasure to officially meet you, Miss Alix.” He bowed his head as he floated in mid-air.
“I’m glad to see you in the flesh.” I smiled. “Are you here for the Trial?”
“I never involve myself in violence.” The cat smirked. “I feel it is far too messy for my feline taste.”
I giggled. “You, picky? I never would have guessed.” I smiled, scratching behind his ear.
He purred for a second and then a serious look painted his face. “Alix, you must heed my words. Everything is not as it seems.”
I sat down on the small red couch in the center of the room. “Ches, I don’t understand.” I replied, looking up at him.
“All in good time you will, my Queen. All in good time.” He said as he floated down so that he was face-to-face with me. He patted my face with a furry paw.
I felt sick to my stomach and everything was blurry. “Ches, I don’t know if I can do this.” I felt a sting in my eye, knowing that tears weren’t far behind.
“Now, now, my Queen,” He wiped at my eyes. “You can do this. If you are anything like Alice, you have the strength and courage to pull through anything. We all believe in you, Alix. We will not rest until the rightful heir has the crown. Be brave, my Queen and remember, at precisely midnight, look for the smile in the moon, it will light your way.”
I looked at the familiar face of an old friend as he began to disappear. “Ches, wait. I don’t understand.” But he was gone.
There was a knock at the door. “Miss Alix, it is time.” I heard the Red King say.
“Coming.” I hollered back. I took a deep breath, if I was truly Alice’s descendant, then I had her power. I had the courage to believe in the hallucinations when I was being told they weren’t real and to follow them to find the truth.
When I opened the door, the Red King was standing there, waiting for me like a snake waits to strike its prey.
“Are you ready?” He smiled.
“When this is all over, I want my sanity back.”
He chuckled. “Just like your great great grandmother, always witty in a time of great stress.”
Following the Red King down the hall, I could hear a loud roar flowing through an open door. I could feel a knot twist in my stomach as I saw all of the seats were filled. All eyes were on me as I walked to the center of the arena. I watched the Red King take his seat.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please turn your attention toward the arena. The Trial is a test that is designed to prove the identity of the Lydell Heir. Tonight we will see if Alix has what it takes to claim the throne.”
I took a deep breath to calm myself. Okay, Alix, you can do this. I waited for some kind of signal that the Trial was starting. A massive roar ripped through the arena, sending shivers up my spine. I turned and saw a door opening next to the one I had just came through. At first, all I saw was darkness in the doorway but then, something moved. Red eyes bobbed up and down as the creature moved out of its cell.
“Let the Trial commence!” I heard the Red King say.
A sound of chains being dropped on the floor caught my attention and I watched the Jabberwocky fly out of its cell and pounce right toward me. I listened to the silence as the crowd sat at the edge of their seats. I felt a sense of panic rush through me. This creature was nothing like I had ever seen, even in my hallucinations. Its body was darker than the night sky and its eyes were the same color of blood from the dining room. Spikes stuck out on its head and massive wings drug on the ground as it walked toward me. Its talons pierced the dirt, leaving holes big enough for a family of wolves to live comfortably in. Its tail swished over the dirt, leaving trails with the spikes that covered the end. Rearing its ugly head, the creature roared again, this time it was much more aggressive, leaving a haunting feeling in the air as it echoed all around. What had I agreed to? This was not in any of my hallucinations, I didn’t understand why things had changed so much.
“Everything is not as it seems.” Ches’ voice echoed in my mind. He was right. Someone had altered my hallucinations to entice me with the oddities of Wonderland. But in reality, Wonderland was dying. I looked up at the Red King as the realization cleared my confusion. He was the one that had set this whole thing up. I didn’t have to prove myself as the Heir at all, everyone already knew that I was the rightful Heir. He wanted me dead without getting any blood on his hands. He wanted the throne for himself. He wanted Wonderland. This was his plan the whole time.
A cloud moved over the moon, blocking the light that poured into the arena. “At precisely midnight, look for the smile in the moon, it will light your way.”
I kept one eye on the cloud and the other on the Jabberwocky. He was getting closer and the cloud was taking its sweet time passing in front of the moon.
My heartbeat was quickening in my chest and my breathing was shallow. The closer the Jabberwocky got, the more I started to panic thinking of anything I could to stall until the cloud moved. The creature’s head swayed back and forth, waiting for the right moment to strike. I was running out of time and had no options. I looked around me, searching for anything that I could use as a weapon, but it was no use. There was nothing but dirt and metal walls surrounding me and the Jabberwocky was blocking my path to the exit door and his cave where the broken chains lay. The odds were definitely not in my favor.
Just as I was getting ready to test my luck and dart underneath the body of the Jabberwocky, the cloud finally moved just enough for the light to pour back into the arena. Right smack dab in the middle of the full moon was a smile I knew all too well. It was Ches.
A beam of light shot out of the moon and down into the arena, distracting the Jabberwocky from me. The light illuminated the creature’s body and descended down its legs where its talons sparkled in the white light. Another beam shot out, illuminating the entrance of the cave. That’s when I saw it, the red rubies sparkled in the moonlight pulling me toward the object.
I looked up at the Jabberwocky and he was entranced in the beam of the light that fell on his own body; he glowed like a new sapphire. Testing my luck once more, I ran past the creature, only looking back to make sure he was as distracted as I had hoped. I finally had the ace I needed and I was going to play it to my advantage.
I pumped my legs as fast as I could, sliding into the cave next to where I saw the red object. Sitting there in the dark was the white rabbit, the one that had been with the Red King, holding the red thing I was looking for. It was the most beautiful sword I had ever seen.
The rabbit handed it to me. “My Queen.” He bowed.
The sword was slightly heavy but nothing I couldn't handle. "The Vorpal Sword." I had only ever imagined what it would look like. I had only seen the version my hallucination revealed to me, the reality of it was so much more elegant. I picked up the sword and felt a vibration tingle through my arm. There was a small glow as the sword molded to my grip.
“It is your destiny.” The rabbit said and then hopped off into the dark of the cave.
As I turned around, I could see everyone’s eyes on me, waiting for me to make a move. The beams from the moon were both gone and the Jabberwocky had been released from his trance. The sword warmed in my hand, telling me it was ready for a fight. I took a deep breath and walked toward the creature. I was Alix Lydell, a descendant of Alice and I was the rightful Heir to the throne. This was my chance to prove who I really was, it was now or never.
The Jabberwocky reared up on his hind legs and roared at the tops of its lungs. As he fell back to the ground, one of his talon’s caught my shoulder and ripped it right out of its socket. I screamed in pain and fell to my knees. I could hear the crowd gasp as blood dripped down my arm.
“Not in a friendly mood I see.” I spoke through gritted teeth. He roared again. “Looks like I’m gonna have to take care of that.” I swung the sword at its face and it flinched back.
A gurgling sound pulsed out of its throat as if it was laughing at my pathetic attempt to fight. The creature slowly crept forward, sniffing the blood that was dripping down my arm. I could feel the Red King starring me down as I bled out. His face was unreadable. He was getting anxious now that I had the sword because it was not part of his plan, that’s why he hadn’t given me a weapon in the first place. Despite the madness that resided in Wonderland, there was finally some sense to what was happening.
The Jabberwocky roared once more, pulling me out of my realization and swiped at me with its humongous claws. I dove to the left, hitting my shoulder as I landed. I screamed out in pain and tiny lights floated in front of my vision. I lay on the ground for what seemed like forever, my shoulder throbbing with each beat of my heart. I could feel myself slowly giving up, wishing the beast would just end me. I was too tired to carry on.
I just wanted to sleep. “Alix.” I heard my name being whispered next to my ear. I knew that voice.
“Alix.” There it was again.
“Just let me sleep. I’m too tired to do this.” I waved my hand around me like I was swatting a bug.
I opened my eyes. “Ches, what are you doing in here? You could be killed.”
“When you have evaporating skills of my sort, you fear nothing. Not even a foolish Jabberwocky.” He smiled his famous smile.
I turned my head, looking for the Jabberwocky, he was getting impatient and I could tell he was about to strike.
“Ches, you need to get out of here.” I said, attempting to sit up.
My shoulder didn’t agree that I should be moving, so I just lay back down. “Ches, what am I going to do? I can’t fight, I’m too hurt.”
I could feel tears welling up in my eyes. I closed them and sent a silent apology to Alice and to all of Wonderland. I had failed them.
I felt a furry paw on my cheek, wiping a tear away that had fallen. “Just trust me, My Queen.”
I felt a burst of cool air on my shoulder and then a searing pain ripped through my broken joint, lasting only a few seconds, but felt like an eternity. As the pain subsided, I could feel my shoulder, reattaching itself and healing from the inside out. I opened my eyes to find that I was now alone and my shoulder was completely healed. My shirt was ripped and soaked with blood, but my skin looked like brand new.
I looked up to the moon, to see the smile was back. “Thank you, Ches.” I smiled back at him.
I returned my attention to the Jabberwocky, my mind settling in battle mode. I griped the Vorpal Sword as I stood, feeling the familiar vibration rippling up my right arm and warming me from the inside. The excitement of the sword radiated around me in waves. I half expected it to start glowing.
I walked with a purpose toward the Jabberwocky and he mimicked my motions. One of us would make it out of this arena and I was hoping with everything I had that it was going to be me.
The creature swiped out at me again with his claws, but this time I was ready. I ducked and ran toward the creature’s long neck. I was close enough to smell the putrid stench radiating off of its body. This was it. I raised the sword high over my head, waiting. The Jabberwocky roared and I brought the sword down with all of my strength.
Then silence pierced through the echo of its roar and the arena turned to madness. The crowd erupted in cheers, clapping violently with pride. I looked down at the creature, watching it’s red blood stain the dirt as it dripped from the Vorpal Sword. My body was vibrating with adrenaline and I could feel power rushing through my veins. I could feel the energy from the crowd adding to what I was already feeling. I had been successful and taken the throne back. Wonderland would be restored to its original madness and everything would be as it was supposed to be.
“All hail Queen Alix!” A chant started just small enough to hear over the roar, and with a crescendo, it grew and soon the whole arena was filled with praise. I looked up at the Red King to see that his face was just as red as the throne he sat on. Anger washed over his body and I was surprised that I didn’t see smoke coming out of his ears. A smirk wiped across my face as I watched him stand with a slowness that made it seem like he had aged ten years over the last hour.
“Silence!” His voice rang out over the whole arena, above all the noise and laughter.
“This proves nothing. It only proves that she can slay a pathetic lizard. There is still more that she has to endure.” He looked down at me, breathing heavy with anger.
“What’s the matter, Red? Are you upset that I didn’t die and now I’m going to take your crown?” I laughed.
“You better watch that tongue of yours. It always got your grandmother in trouble.”
“I’m willing to take the chance.”
“Cards, restrain her at once.” He yelled, but the Cards didn’t move. They remained in their position, all of their eyes on me.
Ches appeared beside me, his smile wider than ever. I looked at him.
“My Queen, I feel it would be wise to take your predecessor's advice.”
“I think you’re quite right, Ches.” I replied, then looked back up at the Red King.
“Cards, restrain him at once,” I smiled. “Oh, and release the Hatter while you’re at it.”
“As you wish, my Queen.” The Ace of Hearts replied.
Three of the Cards, restrained the Red King, the arena was silent, and all eyes followed the King as the Cards led him down into the arena. I watched, patiently, waiting for him to even try to make a move.
I heard the door behind me open and the sound of chains hitting the floor reverberated through the air.
“At last, this red disaster is no more, let Wonderland be free!” I heard the Hatter say as he walked into the middle of the arena to stand next to me.
“Hatter, I am glad to see you.” I said, smiling at him.
Ches disappeared and then reappeared behind him, placing a ragged top hat on his disheveled head. The smile that spread across the Hatter’s face was almost an exact replica of the one that resided on Ches’ face.
My attention was pulled away from my friends when the Red King entered the arena. Immediately I could feel the Sword vibrate again, this fight wasn’t quite over.
“Well, Red, it seems that the tides have turned.”
“You won’t get away with this, you stupid little girl.” He shrugged off the Cards and unsheathed his sword as he ran toward me.
Before I knew what was going on, I was stepping into a deadly dance with the only enemy I’ve ever really had. Our swords collided, spilling sparks onto the dirt of the arena. I had never been trained in any kind of combat in my life, but that didn’t seem to matter. The magic of the Vorpal Sword kept my movements sharp and I was anticipating the Red King’s next move before he even made it. I could see all the guests and Cards watching us battle it out. Watching us fight for our lives and for the crown. I wanted to free Wonderland of all the damage he had caused and he wanted the crown, just to have a title and to be in control. I wasn’t going to let that happen. He wasn’t going to get the crown back as long as I breathed.
I could feel the energy and the power of the Sword grow as I became more determined to win. I twisted and turned and ducked, narrowly missing each blow the Red King threw at me. I felt invincible like I could take on the world, but I knew that this feeling would have to soon come to an end, the Red King was going down, I would do everything in my power to make that happen.
“Face it, Alix. It’s just a matter of time before your luck runs out and it’s off with your head.” The Red King swung his sword at my head and I ducked just in time.
I didn’t reply as I ducked and twisted, swinging my sword toward his abdomen. The fabric of his shirt ripped as the sword passed by and he moved backward.
“You’re sadly mistaken, Red. It looks as if your luck might run out first.” I smirked again, thinking of his face when I had slain the Jabberwocky. If I can do that, I can defeat him.
I looked around the arena, for anything that would distract the Red King and give me a minute to breathe. Our swords continued to clatter and the sparks were becoming more frequent. Red and gold flew around us as if we were standing in the middle of a fire ring. The Vorpal Sword began to glow with a golden light and the heat of it dispersed through my body. The King’s face turned to that of surprise and his movements slowed down. That was my chance; as he watched the glow of my sword, I dropped to the ground and swung my legs, knocking his legs out from under him. He fell to the ground with a groan and a plume of dirt and sparks filled the air. I bolted.
I ran behind the body of the dead Jabberwocky, stopping when I was out of view of the King. I slid down to sit on the ground and tried to catch my breath.
I felt the power of the Vorpal Sword swell in my hand. It was as if the Sword was encouraging me along. It continued to glow, urging me to get back into the fight and finish what I had started.
“I admire your tactics, Queen, but I’m afraid it’s going to take a lot more than that to stop me.”
I didn’t respond; I waited for the right time to move. I needed to take him down and make sure it was truly the end.
“You see my subjects, this is who you are leaving the future of Wonderland to, a coward. She clearly is not afraid to walk away from a fight and leave you all helpless.”
“I never get involved in politics, but I bet my head she is a better Queen than you ever were a King.” I heard Ches say.
That was it. I stood and slowly walked out of my hiding spot, straight toward the Red King’s back. The Vorpal Sword buzzed in my hand, pushing me harder. I could hear the Red King still speaking about me, but I was no longer comprehending what he was saying. The world around me was silent, the pulsing of my heart the only sound in my ears. I made eye contact with Ches and nodded. He knew what I meant and kept the Red King distracted as I got closer. I could almost feel the end just within my grasp. When I stood right behind the Red King, I stopped, not moving a muscle. Ches winked and I knew the time was right. I raised my sword and swung it across my body toward the King. “Off with your head!”