Chapter 4

We walk along a pebble pathway up to the rickety old shack that March Hare must live in. The roof is due for a good shingle replacement. And the wood of the house appears to be frayed. Trea walks up to the door and knocks. "In the back!" an old and waver-y voice calls. We edge along the side of the house to come upon the backyard which contains the stereotypical large tea table that was described in Lewis Carroll’s book. "Hello, Hatter! You are late for tea, you naughty, naughty boy!"

   "Forgive me, March Hare," Trea says as he takes a bow; a low one at that.

   "And who is this that with you?" I hold my breath, hoping Trea will call me by my real name.

   "Alyssa. She is new to Wonderland."

   "You mean Underland. Yes, yes, I would know that she is new to Underland. I know everyone who lives here and that comes here to Underland." That's right. Trea did say that some call it Underland, Wonderland, and Miser-land. And when I'm gone... it becomes Dimmerland... to Trea...

   "I take it that you are the March Hare," I say.

   "Yes... How did you know? We have never met before."

   "Well, Trea did say that we would visit the March Hare today. We have arrived to our destination, so I gathered that you are the March Hare, a friend of Trea's," I explain, perhaps in too many words. Either way.

   "Yes, that makes sense. And who is this Trea you speak of? I do not see anyone here besides you and Hatter." I blush a little, realizing my slip up.

   "Forgive me, I meant Hatter," I say in correction of my slip up.

   "It is a nick-name, March Hare. She did not wish to call me by my full name or by my trade," Trea says in his own explanation. March Hare gives a little raise of the eye-brow, and then a knowing nod. What is it that March Hare feels the need to nod in such a way? The way he and Chess behaves is putting ideas in my head! And I could by no means justly verify them! ARGH! It is almost too much! But I manage to keep a calm demeanor.

 "Here, Hatter and Alyssa, take a seat. Have some tea with me," March Hare offers. What is it with these people and tea? "Alyssa?"

   "Yes, March Hare?"

   "Are you preferring something else?" I feel humiliated. I must have shown contempt!

   "No, no, sir. Tea is perfectly fine!" A dormouse rushes in and pours all of us tea. How on earth does one so small do that? "Thank you, uh..." I stutter at the name. "What is your name?"

   "Mice don't have names, you twit."

   "Forgive me?"

   "We don't have names!"

   "Why ever not?"

   "Because we are servants. Servants don't get name privileges!"

   "Why are you so angry at me, then? Wouldn't that be a compliment, then, for me suggesting that you might have a name?"

   "It is an insult to ask a nameless servant for a name that she doesn't have!"

   "Then I shall give you a name!"

   "Why would you do that, miss?"

   "Because I think that everyone deserves one. Even servants! Now, then. How about... Molly?"

   "Molly? Don't you have anything tougher? I'm not one for vulnerable sounding names."

   "Ok, then, how about... Salandra?"

   "Salandra? ... Salandra... Salandra... I like it!"

   "Now, I can thank you properly. Thank you, Salandra, for pouring my tea." I say with a smile.

   "You are quite welcome, Miss." Salandra scampers off.

 "Tell me about yourself, Alyssa. Where do you come from?" March Hare asks.

   "I am from Earth. I am about 17 years old. I had a mother and father and a brother."

   "Had?" How do I answer without telling him why I left home? I ran away. Why? I can't say. Because I found Wonderland and thought it better worth living here than at home on earth. What can I say in reply?

   "Lyssie, can you pass the scones please?" Trea asks.

   "Sure," I say, grateful for an excuse to get away from the question. It's like Trea knows me already. No, I'm making stuff up. He just wanted something to dip in his tea. Small talk ensues from there. However, I barely hear or recognize what is being said by them or by me. I keep thinking of all the things I've done in the past couple of relative hours, what with Time being involved and all. Still, I am not quite sure. I left Mom, Dad, and Koran behind for something that I'm not even sure exists. I know Wonderland exists, that’s not my doubt in the lease. It's in Trea. Why did I leave home permanently when I'm not even sure if he likes me as much as I do him? These words and questions plague my mind the whole time we are at tea. At last, Trea gets up and bids March Hare good bye. I do the same.

   "Fare farren, March Hare. It was a pleasure to meet you, sir."

   "Fare farren, Alyssa. Take great care of Trea, now." My eyes go large, and I look down and mumble-

   "Sure thing, Bob." He just looks at me odd. They are probably not familiar with that phrase. That's all good and well. I just think that we need to get moving.

 We walk down the pebble path again, on the way back home. Home... funny how quickly Trea's house has come to mean home for me. And what is it with all that sly talk with the March Hare and Chess? Hang on tight, Hatter; and the knowing look; and the take care of Trea. Is it really that obvious of my feelings? And yet... Trea doesn't feel the same. At least he doesn't show it.

   "Lyssie," Trea says, interrupting my thoughts.

   "Yes, Trea?"

   "Why did you say had? Are you never going back to Earth?" the sound of concern is in his voice. Is he wanting me to stay? Or have I overstayed my welcome?

   "I... had planned on staying... but... I probably should go back..." I say, perhaps mournfully. I need to stay. I cannot bear the thought of going back to earth, away from Trea, risking everything. And the possibility of never being able to come back, it's too much to bear the thought of it!

   "Oh, well, can I persuade you one way or the other?" Trea asks. I start to say something, but I look up into his eyes. Those green, hypnotic eyes of his... Trea puts his hand on my shoulder and a tingle runs down my spine. And I can already see his choice. His wish. His persuasion. He puts his other arm around me, and a flood of relief over takes me. I will not have to go back to earth. I smile, almost about to faint from the relief.

   "Please, do," I barely whisper, with all my heart, nearly in tears. Trea leans closer to me. Is that possible?

   He whispers a single word softly in my ear, "Stay..." All of my fears of Trea's feelings for me fade away, faster than a sunset, faster than the ripples of a pond, swifter than the mist or dew in daylight. My mind can only think of my beating heart, which won't stop thumping, and Trea. Nothing else seems to exist. We draw closer together.

 Suddenly, an evil wind pulls Trea away from me. Much like the whirlpool pulled Ariel and Prince Eric apart in the movie, The Little Mermaid! I try to hold on to him. "NO! Trea! Don't let me go! Trea!"

   "Lyssie! Get Cheshire! He can help!" Trea's voice going farther away from me by the moment.

   "Trea! Trea!!!"

   "Tweedles... March..." the wind makes it too difficult for me to hear him.

   "TREA!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I scream. Tears run down my face. The wind dies down, but Trea is nowhere near. "Trea!!!!!!!!!" I sob. I run back to the March Hare's house uninvited. "March Hare!!! An Evil wind picked up Trea!!! Help me find him, Please!!!! March Hare?!! Where are you!!!!??"

   "Stop your shouting, Alyssa, especially when you arrive uninvited. Now, what is your problem?"

   "Hatter! An evil wind took Trea from me! I have to find him! You have to help me!"