Chapter 2

I will remember how to get to the cave. I will remember how to get to that light. I will remember how to get back to Trea's house. And I will forget how to get out. Dear, me. Am really willing to abandon my house already? I am a sad thing if I am willing to do that after my first meeting. And Trea will stay 18 for me. For me. ... ... ... I smile. How can I not? Goodness. I need to get home. Day is breaking. And so am I... into a run.

 I crawl into my room by the window and quickly change back into my pajamas again. Oh, soooo happy and giddy! I close my eyes and cover back up. I can't wipe my ridiculous grin off of my face. Try as I might, every time I attempt to do so, Trea shows up in my mind. Crooked grin, hat, and all. I break into another grin. He is my secret. Why should I tell anyone about him? Or that of Wonderful wonderland? No. Only Trea and I will know. I giggle again. I have to get a hold of myself by the time Mom comes in. I will just about die if I have to tell her about my special places. Take a deep breath. Stop grinning. Let out. Another breath. Trea must wait. Wait? I sit straight up. Trea doesn't deserve to put his life on hold just for me. Either I am there or I tell him to forget me, for his own good. My mind reels in the realization. "Dear, Time, I am the friend of Hatter! Mightn't we be friends, too? Please! Make time go slow for the Hatter so that less time is wasted in his life! And make mine go faster, please, so that I might be able to go back over to wonderland! I can't leave him alone waiting for me always!" I hope that works. I sooooooo hope Time is willing to be my friend.

Old Man Time

 Next thing I know, Mom is up, pulling the covers off of me. Was I sleeping? "Get up!" Next thing I know, I'm off to the bus. My heart wrenches for going so far away from Trea. Oh, if only time would go by faster! Before I know it, algebra is done and it’s already lunch time. I am not hungry. I save it. I don't talk to anyone at school. I will not be coming back here ever again, even if I have to leave in the middle of the night. Next thing I know, I'm home. Time, go a little bit slower. I want to pack properly, I think. I get rid of all my school books and supplies. In the backpack, I put in just a few items that I'll need. Or might need. I doubt that I'll need anything. I'm sure that Trea will provide all of that for me. Still yet, I play it safe. With all of that packed, I scribble a note saying good-bye. That I love them all, but I have to go out and try my wings. I hope that will soften the blow. I quickly stuff in some PJ's and a coat into the backpack. I put the note on the pillow. I hitch my backpack out the window. I swiftly scramble out of the window and land as softly as I can. I grab my backpack and run back to the cave. Oh, to be in the sweetly dark cave again! To hold Trea's hand again! Perhaps something new for me!

 Finally, the bushes. I part them, pick up the key, and run headlong into the cave. As soon as the light of the entrance fades completely, I slow down, and stumble my way back to the light. At last! The light! I bend down and pick up the rock. This time, I hold tightly onto the rock and the key. I don't want anyone to follow me into the only entrance I know of to Wonderland. Oh, the havoc that it would create for mother and father if they were to actually follow me in! The familiar air sucks me in as I turn the key. I enjoy the exhilarating feeling of the near-fall, fingering the key and lock. My feet firmly on the ground, I can see the trees of many colors. I have arrived at Wonderland once again!

   "Time! Stop! I need this moment of happiness to last!" I run to Trea's house. I stop just short of sight and take a deep breath. I have to calm down somehow. I walk up to the door and knock. The door opens. More slowly than usual this time.

 "Hello? Who is it?" Trea's voice asks from behind the door.

   "Hello," I say, excitement nearly bursting from me and my heart nearly out of my throat. "Trea, it's me."

   "Lyssie?" Trea steps out of doors. "I never thought you'd come back!"

   "Why ever not!? I promised that I would!"

   "I thought you'd forget all about me and wonderland, as did Alice."

   "Oh, Trea, I am not Alice. Even if we did come from the same world." I smile grandly at him. Oh, finally, I have made it through this awful day for the wonderful reunion! If it can be called a reunion when the two meeting once again have only met once in their lives.

   "You are not lost this time, I take it." the statement is a question. I smile broader still.

   "No. I am not lost. I am home."

 Taken somewhat aback by that statement, he looks at me again. My hair is not in a mess anymore, thank goodness. And I am not disheveled in any way whatsoever. I am confident in myself. He sees my backpack. And nods. With a smile.

   "Come, Lyssie. I will show you around my house. Then, when you are settled in, we'll have some tea."

   "Thank you, Trea."

 I walk in for the first time into Trea's home. "This is the kitchen." I can see the walls splattered and in want of cleaning. Pans are hanging everywhere. "Here is the dining room." It is huge. The table is set with many dishes, few of which are actually clean. "Behind this door is my private living room, since I almost always live alone. Few guests come by, so I live in here." That is an interesting concept. But it does make sense. It's not a living room if it is always vacant. "This is the toilet-and-bath room." ok, I can see that. Nobody really rests in a restroom. And you don't always take a bath in the bathroom. I can see how toilet-and-bath is a much more proper name for this room. "And, last but not least, the guest room. This is where you'll be putting your things. I'll leave you to it and I will get started on the fresh pot of tea."

   "Thank you again, Trea."

   "Oh, no thanks required! On the contrary, it is QUITE my pleasure! You may stay absolutely as long as you like!" I smile in response. It is really quite worth the effort, I think. Of course, how am I to know? Only time will tell. Oh, right. Time, do not tell me yet. I want it to go on as long as possible! Please!

 I now begin to take into account the items that I've brought. I put the lock on the dresser and the key on the table. A coat. PJ's. Left over lunch. I probably should eat that before it goes bad. Then I have a compass. I highly doubt that that will be necessary with Trea around. He seems relatively sure of himself. He didn't even ask where I needed to get home or where I came from, and still yet, he was able to take me where I needed to go. Come to think of it, I didn't question him once or tell him where and I still made it home. Something about him tells me to trust him. I wonder why... not that it matters. Well, actually, it does matter. I'm willing to come down here for it. For him. Maybe I really should wonder at why. All I know is that I haven’t the slightest doubt in him and thus far it has served me well, and I'm not about to start doubting him now.

 I hang my coat and backpack up, fold my PJ’s and put them in the drawer. I quickly eat my cold lunch/dinner. With that done and over with, I go out to join Trea in tea.

   "So tell me. What is Earth like?" Trea asks me. A question I am not prepared for.

   "I beg your pardon?"

   "What is Earth like?"

   "I am not sure on how to answer that. There is a great many things that it is and isn't. I do not know where to begin."

   "Do animals talk?"

   "Goodness, no. I would hate to hear what all they must think of us humans! Not very many humans are good to the wild animals, you know. And there are some domestic ones that are treated badly, too, though not near as many." Trea seems appalled. "Don't you worry. I wouldn't hurt them intentionally, you know. So many of them are cute! I do not think that I could if I wanted to." Trea seems to relax after having heard this. He goes on asking me questions and I answer him, late into the night. Finally, I say, "Trea, I would love to continue talking, but I am utterly tired. I will go to sleep. We can talk in the morning, right?"

   "I'm sorry. I did not mean to keep you up. Yes, tomorrow we will talk. Good night, Lyssie."

   "I will see you in the morning, then."