Follow the White Rabbit (Beautiful Madness #1)(15)

“So she’s a very important rabbit?” Marc interjected, wearing a goofy smile. Gwen shot him a look—she didn’t need him to step in and break the tension.

“No,” Gwen continued, trying to keep her voice calm. “She has taken over the role of the White Rabbit. She’ll be the one to bring Alice to Wonderland.”

“Okay,” Lucky said skeptically. “And how am I supposed to do all of this? How do I find Alice?” Lucky’s tone had lost the edge of panic, and Gwen hoped she was beginning to come to terms with everything that had been thrown at her.

Gwen tried to remain sympathetic. It couldn’t be easy to be ripped from your body. Growth and knowledge deserved patience. She took a breath.

“When you passed out an hour ago, you were unconscious for ten minutes. Where did you go?”

“I’m not sure exactly... It was summer, and I was outside a brick building. There were people everywhere.”

“And did you see anyone familiar?”

“I wasn’t really looking. I just try to stay out of the way and focus on getting back to my body. What does this have to do with anything?” Lucky stood up from her seat and began to pace about the room, keeping her eyes trained on Gwen.

“I suspect you’re being pulled toward Alice—in her world. You’ve probably seen her already. Next time you’re there, start watching the people. Keep track of who you see.”

“Next time,” Lucky muttered to herself.

“This will stop once you’ve brought Alice here.”

Lucky paused, and Gwen could practically see the questions whirring through her mind. “And how do I do that? Is it safe?”

“I don’t know how. Not specifically.” Gwen paused to adjust her hat. She hated not being able to offer up more substantial information. “I’m hoping your presence will be enough to move things forward. But... I’m not sure.”

“And it’s safe?” Marc asked, echoing Lucky, his face a mask of concern. It was just like him to worry about the wellbeing of a stray he’d picked up in the forest.

“As safe as anything.” Gwen shrugged. She wasn’t about to offer up any guarantees. “Wonderland wants this to happen. Maybe even needs it.”

Lucky stopped and turned abruptly towards Gwen, suddenly rid of the haze she’d been in. “What do you mean?” Her look of concern for Wonderland matched Marc’s for her. Gwen could use that.

She beckoned for Lucky to sit back down. All the pacing was making Gwen dizzy. Once she was settled, Gwen continued. “I would think you’d know the stories better than most, having grown up in the Neverwood. Back before the Red Wars, before Alice, things were different. The wildlife was as much a part of Wonderland society as we were. Ancient beasts lived atop mountains, and Queens held the power to give life to mundane objects. Even the flowers grew so tall that they were said to take on lives of their own.”

The shadow of a smile passed over Lucky’s expression. It was difficult not to be impressed by Wonderland’s history.

“Things have changed since then, slowly but surely. It started in the Queendoms, and the essence of Wonderland has been draining away ever since. It won’t be long until even Neverwood Forest starts to wither and die.”

Lucky blanched, leaving no trace of her earlier smile. “And bringing Alice here can stop all that?”

“I hope so. If that doesn’t work, there isn’t exactly a plan B. All any of us can do is play the role we were born for and hope Wonderland does the rest.”

“Well, it looks like I’m a part of all this whether I want to be or not,” Lucky conceded. “What do I need to do?” Marc reached out and gently squeezed Lucky’s shoulder, and the girl seemed to melt into his touch as the tension in her shoulders disappeared.

Gwen tried to smile a thank you at her friend, but his eyes were still trained on their guest.

“Eventually, an opportunity will present itself, or maybe you’ll learn to control your new ability. For now, you may as well just continue life as usual.”

“With the addition of the occasional fainting spell,” Marc added. In typical Marc fashion, he was trying to lighten the mood. Perhaps Gwen was making things a little tense.

“There is that,” Gwen said, offering a forced smile. “I don’t know how long this part will last or what has to happen. The previous White Rabbit didn’t exactly keep a journal.”

“So I put my life on hold? Wait?”

“You might be able to help it along if you want. Next time you make the jump, see what you can learn. Come back here in a few days, and we’ll see if you’ve learned anything else.”

“Days? I have a regular job. Well maybe not a regular one, but one that wasn’t chosen for me by the cosmos.”

“Lucky,” Marc said softly, “it will be okay. You can do this. You need to do this.”

Lucky pressed her lips together, seeming to weigh her options. “Okay. I’ll go home for now, get some sleep, and go from there. I’ll try. I can’t promise anything more than that.”

As soon as Lucky stood from the sofa, Marc bounced up from his spot as well. “I’ll walk with you,” he offered.

“You don’t have to do that. I know the way.” A subtle blush colored Lucky’s cheeks.