Hello readers! Here is a quick little short story I've been working on, which could potentially have a sequel if people are interested in something like that. Please comment what you think!
The mirror in the upstairs attic hides strange faces inside it. I’ve seen them before, staring back at me as I would peek behind the white sheet that conceals the reflective surface which binds them. I spend hours gazing into that mirror, my blue eyes locked on the eyes of one of the mysterious faces that looks back at me. My parents don’t see the warped faces which live behind the mirror. They tell me that it is only my 8-year-old mind playing tricks on me, to keep my thoughts to myself and to tone down my curiosity.
I listened to their advice and was reluctant to share my thoughts with just anyone. The only person I have ever shared my thoughts openly with was my beloved grandmother, whom I was named after. Before she sadly passed away last year she had told me stories about the mirror, and how when she had been my age the mirror showed her faces too.
“That mirror is a family heirloom,” my grandmother would tell me whenever my curious mind wanted to hear another story. “The faces are starring at you from a wonderful land that I used to visit when I was a little girl like you.”
“What is the wonderful land like?” I ask with a smile stretching widely across my face.
She smiles back at me and continues. “It is the most astonishing place I have ever been lucky enough to visit. The smell of the sweet grass which covers the ground fills the air, and the forest trees are so tall they reach above the clouds. The people who live there wear bright colors and funny hats. They host tea parties and dance until the midnight hour!”
My eyes are wide with excitement as she describes this new and interesting world. “Can I visit this land, grandmother?” I request, hoping she will tell me the answer my little 8-year-old heart desires.
“Maybe someday!” She answers trying not to make me lose hope.
But I am sure someday will never come. Not since my grandmother has passed away and left me alone to stare into the mirror with no one to answer my questions.
Today is Sunday. My brown hair is down and held back by a pretty white ribbon. I am still wearing the tiny blue dress and black dress shoes which I had put on for church earlier this morning. Something seems to be different about this day, something that sets it apart from the rest.
I enter the attic and uncover the mirror. Oddly only one face stares back at me today, and it is my own.
“Where have you gone?” I ask the missing faces of the mirror, but of course there is no response.
With disappointment sinking in, I cover the mirror back up and make my way over to the attic window hoping to find something new to spark my curiosity. I look at the small field which rests beside my house, and then at the woods. I spot a furry creature running from the field into the woods. The creature appears to be wearing a suit of some sort and it also appears to be holding something that resembles a pocket watch.
I quickly make my way outside to follow it, without even realizing the existence of such a strange creature could be impossible. My tiny legs carry me through the field and my curiosity pulls me forward as I venture deeper into the woods.
“Hello?” I cry out, hoping the small creature might pop its head out somewhere to respond. It does not, but my eyes do catch a glimpse of white fur run behind a tree.
I chase the white fur, soon discovering that the creature I am chasing is a rabbit.
“Rabbit, where are you going?” I call out, but the rabbit does not turn back.
I quickly turn to go around the tree, but to my surprise the trees that were surrounding me begin to float away while everything turns to darkness. I am falling. Falling down the rabbit hole. My curious mind has finally been given exactly what is has been craving. Then I see the rabbit. He is not alone.
“I knew I would be meeting you someday,” the stranger in the hat begins. His clothing is rugged and old fashioned. His hair is a dirty black which peaks out from underneath a giant top hat which is a dull purple color. His face seems familiar, like he isn’t actually a stranger, but someone I have seen every day of my existence. He is from the mirror.
“Who are you?” I ask hesitantly.
His smile is very bright and welcoming. “You can call me Hatter, and I believe you’ve met Rabbit,” he gestures to the furry creature standing beside him.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss!” Rabbit exclaims.
It takes me a moment to grasp my thoughts. “What’s going on?” I finally ask. My question echoes through the vast room I have fallen inside of. The room is lit by candle light and the floor is made of dirt. The walls appear to go upward forever, or at least up until a non-viewable point from my perspective.
Hatter’s smile slowly disappears as he takes a couple steps in my direction. “You don’t know?” He looks at me confusingly. He turns back to Rabbit, who gives a small nod which signifies something unknown to me. “A long time ago, a little girl who was your age came to visit me. She helped my people reclaim the land that is rightfully ours by helping to banish a very mean lady. But now that little girl who helped us is gone, and that very mean lady has come back. Do you know who that little girl was?”
My eyes widen as I realize whom he is speaking of. “My grandmother!”
Hatter nods. “Your grandmother, and now we need you to save us, just like she did a long time ago.”
Time stands still as my tiny mind analyzes what information Hatter has presented to me. I have been handed just what my inquiring mind has been yearning for, an adventure. I wish my grandmother could see me now.
As if he can read my mind, Hatter’s smile returns, knowing I have accepted his challenge. I smile back as my new reality sinks in. I have entered the world that my grandmother has told me of so many times I have lost count. Someday has finally come. I have fallen down the rabbit hole, and have landed on the other side of the mirror. I am Alice...and I am in Wonderland.
