Nothing major attacked us again, thankfully. A couple of small birds pecked at us but Chase handled them like a pro. I wanted to comment on it but after our conversation, we didn’t really talk. Flowers around us sang but at this point we were used to their sweet lullabies.
At last, I could see sunlight. It was setting in the distance, great reds and oranges making its way through the trees. I smiled.
“We did it, we are almost there,” I said.
Kenny walked up next to me. “Now you will have to face Morpheus. You think you are ready?”
“Oh, after all that we have just gone through, I know I am ready. Let’s go.”
By the time we got out of the forest, the sun had set and the stars and carnival lights lit up the area. It glowed spectacularly just as it did last time, looking innocent and charming to the unsuspecting eye. But I knew better, I knew the truth. It was dangerous and dark and Morpheus would use any means necessary to get a person wrapped around his finger.
I wouldn’t let him get away with it this time.
The moment we stepped through the entrance of the Circus, I knew this would be an all or nothing mission. Either we were going to beat Morpheus once and for all, or we would lose everything and Wonderland would cease to exist. It didn’t bother me, the weight of the mission on my shoulders, because I had the one thing that Morpheus didn’t.
Friends.
Malcolm stepped up beside me. “Are you sure about this?”
“As sure as I will ever be. Just trust me, okay? That’s all that I ask of you,” I said.
He nodded. “With everything I have to the very end.”
I turned around to the other boys. “You all ready?”
They nodded.
I smiled. “Then let’s bring this Circus down once and for all.”
The sound of clapping made me turn my head to find Morpheus approaching us. “I have to admit, Alice, I didn’t expect to see you walking in here ever again.”
“You don’t frighten me anymore, Morpheus, just give up now.” I stood tall, not letting my body admit fear.
He just laughed. “My dear, you are delusional. I would never admit to defeat, and why would I need to? You could never conquer me, not here, not anywhere.”
“That’s where you are wrong, I have grown. I am stronger and I can defeat anything you throw at me.”
Morpheus tilted his head. “Malcolm, are you going to let her destroy herself like this? You know I can take her to the point where not even you can bring her back.”
“She won’t need to be brought back,” Malcolm said. “She’s going to defeat you, I have no doubt in my mind.”
He just smiled. “And I see you brought another friend. Kenny, isn’t it? I remember looking inside your mind. There wasn’t much there, now was there?”
Kenny stuck his tongue out at Morpheus.
“Well then, if you think you are ready, my dear child, I shall make the arrangements.”
“The arrangements?” I questioned. I didn’t remember him having to plan for me last time.
“Yes, because this time you are going to be my main show.” He tapped his cane. “Now come, my customers are waiting.”
We followed him towards the tent, a few of his workers joining us, making sure we weren’t going to make a scene. I could tell Malcolm and the rest were nervous, but I didn’t let their fear rub off on me. I had to stay strong because I knew exactly what I needed to beat Morpheus and if I lost that, then I lost everything.
The tent was crowded once again with people from all over Wonderland. Their faces all masked with darkness, I couldn’t tell if they were enjoying themselves or not. I suppose they were since they were here. I wondered if they were in the ocean like I was when I was clouded in darkness, or if each of them had their own special place.
“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls! Welcome to a show like no other! I will be taking you to a place where none have gone before, into the mind of my dear Alice here, a human from the real world. You will see the worries of those pathetic beings and see how much more advanced we are than them.” Morpheus grinned. “And we will watch as she will fall into my hands once more.”
Grabbing my hand, he brought me into the center of the arena. The boys tried to come with but guards kept them back. Thousands of eyes stared down at me and I felt my heart beat fiercely against my chest. It was just like a recital, all I had to do was my best.
Morpheus held up his hand and fireworks filled the arena. “Let the games begin!”
CHAPTER 29
Everyone cheered as the fireworks went off, rooting for more. Jugglers and people with hula hoops danced upon the tight wire, acrobats flung across the tent, and a unicyclist was eating fire while going around the arena. If this was a normal Circus, it would have been spectacular.
But it wasn’t a normal Circus, it was evil, warped, and out to destroy the world, both mine and Wonderland.
The tent went dark. I could no longer see the crowd nor the performers. It was happening, I would have to face my fears once again.
And this time I wouldn’t give in.
All of a sudden my house appeared in front of me. It seemed worn down, as if no one had been here in years. The windows were boarded, the paint peeling, and weeds littered the yard in every direction. Not sure what was going on, I
