"What is the meaning of this?" he screamed in fury. We didn't hang around. Chess grabbed the key and we all sprinted out of the room. The rug curled up under our feet. Chess went flying, and the key soared from her grip. She shreiked, but luckily Queenie caught it in her hand. Chess was quick to catch up. We came to a sharp corner and I slammed into the wall. A painting fell to the ground and smashed in front of me. I groaned and rubbed my head, but hearing the enraged bird behind me spurred me on. We came to the staircase and ran down, taking three steps at a time. At one point Queenie lost her footing and slipped down the rest of the steps. At the bottom I grabbed the key. Grabbing her hand we darted out of the house as fast as we could. We ran out into the clearing, our hearts pounding. Many of the other houses had awoken. The white rabbit hopped out of his house and gasped as we ran past him, almost knocking him off his feet. The Dodo pursued us angrily, but he soon ran out of breath and had to stop. It was over, we'd got away. We ran on and on until we could run no more. We collapsed in the Tulgey Wood. I landed flat on the ground, arms and legs outstretched, panting heavily. Sweat plastered my forehead, causing my slightly ginger hair to stick in the most uncomfortable way possible. My clothes seemed to weigh me down. I was exhausted, but I didn't care. We were one step closer to rescuing the Hatter. I let out a laugh, but my parched lips released something that more resembled a croak. But everyone understood the message.
"We've got the key," Chess panted. "Now we need to find the Red Queen."
"Can't we rest first?" Queenie protested. "I'm so tired." I yawned. Until now I hadn't realised the extent of my exhaustion.
"Ok... maybe just for a few...minutes." I closed my eyes, and felt the welcome sensation of sleep overwhelm me.
****
I awoke, to my suprise, in my own bed, in my own room, in my own house. My little dog Zero was curled up on my lap, comforting me like a hot water bottle. I yawned, stretched and eased him to the side. I slipped out of bed and staggered over to my bedroom door. Had all I'd seen just been a dream? I grabbed my purple dressing gown and slipped it on. Opening my door, I padded out onto the landing. I heard faint snores from my parents' bedroom, and the odd muttering from my sister Jackie. I crept downstairs and into the kitchen. I pulled out some cornflakes and poured them into a bowl. I mused over what I now decided was a dream. It had all seemed so real, all those times I nearly thought I was dead, they seemed so lifelike. I finished my bowl and put it out on the side. I went upstairs and had a shower, I felt the warm, refreshing beads of water drip down me, soaking my hair. I got out of the shower and towel dried my hair. I decided against using my hairdryer so as not to wake anyone. I pulled on my nightmare before christmas shirt and black netted gloves. I put on my grey skinny jeans and my black boots. I brushed my damp hair through and stared at myself in the mirror. Zero was still fast asleep on my bed. I suddenly had an urge to watch some TV. I grabbed my Alice in Wonderland DVD and placed it in the DVD player. I watched as the film loaded. But the menu did not appear on my screen. Instead, a huge figure of the Hatter appeared. He was staring at me in such a morbid way I felt like weeping. He placed his hand against the screen. I walked over to him and stared at him. His hair drooped, and he was incredibly thin, his clothes hung off his skeletal figure. I tried to reach for him, but my hands came against the cool television screen. He started to choke, doubling up in pain. I could see flecks of blood spitting out of his mouth.
"No!" I screamed. I pounded the screen with my fist, so hard until it smashed. Glass flew everywhere. I clutched my bleeding fist and collapsed on the ground, sobbing. Suddenly the world began to spin, and I fell to the ground. Everything went black.
****
I sat bolt upright, sweating. My heart was pounding. I looked around. Bright sunlight filtered through the trees. Soft ground. I glanced down at my knuckles. No blood. I was still wearing my brown jeans and green jacket. My hat lay next to me. I sighed in relief. Just a dream. It was the first time I'd thought of home since tumbling down the rabbit hole. I suddenly remembered our mission. Oh god. The Red Queen! How long had we been sleeping? I didn't bother to wake anyone up. I placed my hat on, grabbed the key, and scarpered. I ran through the bushes, and out onto the outskirts. The Queen was sleeping against a withered tree, with the Knave around the opposite side. Her eyes snapped open as I approached. She blinked in the light, and smiled in that sickly sweet way of hers. I bowed. She nodded.
"Stayne!" she elbowed him in the ribs. "Wake up!" He jolted into motion, looking around. He saw me and scowled. I stuck out my tongue. The Queen seemed to find this very amusing, and let out a short cackle that burned my ears.
"My lady," I began, clearing my throat. "I have brought you the key." The Queen clapped her hands in childish delight. "Excellent! Produce it!" I drew from my pocket, a black, rusty key. The Queen squealed like a small child, and the Knave's eyes lit up. I suddenly felt a shadow overwhelm me. I shivered, and turned around to see Carlotta grinning at me. She was mounted on an enormous black horse, her eyes glinting.
"Oh sh...oes,"
