Cheshire the Cat

         He stood there watching her while twirling his cane. She didn't see him yet, but she would soon. Her hair was brown and her eyes were sort of greenish; she was in all cases beautiful. Most of all though, she was lonely. He smiled his wide grin while tipping his hat to make sure she wouldn't see his complete face. She approached with caution.

         The man she saw had purple hair, which was very odd, and was dressed in matching formal clothes, top hat, and a black cane with a diamond on top. He must be very wealthy... She thought to herself before proceeding to confront her watcher.

         "Hello milady, how do you do?" Cheshire asks in a respectful tone. "Quite well, you?" "Oh fine! Fine indeed!" Cheshire answers with a broad smile. She raised an eyebrow, obviously confused by his cheerfulness. After a long silence she asked "Why were you watching me?" Cheshire lessened his smile and moved his hat up with his cane, showing his face in detail. She saw that his eyes had an ominous glow like a cat's. His eyes looked joyfully at her, "I wanted to play a game with you, I come for this invitation. It is a game that will very much help you in the grand scheme of your life. Would you like to join?" Cheshire asks her while setting his cane to the ground.

         The woman looked at him with much caution, "What do I get if I play?" she asked as he seemed to fix his coat and hat. "Nothing! Unless you win, but that is different than just playing." He answers while standing up straighter and fiddling with his fingers. He seemed very impatient. "If I win, then what do I get?" she asks, now fixing her question. "A single and a very free wish. You can wish for anything you can ever think of! It's a great prize, don't you think?" Cheshire says enthusiastically. The woman thought more on this, it seemed to her like a very well deal...but something was wrong.

         "What happens when I lose?" She asks him, he smiled wildly. "The only way to lose is to die." Cheshire answers with a sly grin. The woman looked disgusted at the offer. "Why would I want to join a sick game like that!? You must be quite mad for such offers, sir!" The woman said with appall. "Very much so, thank you for noticing! But I wouldn't ask you if you wanted to risk your life for a single wish if I didn't think you'd take it!" Cheshire says while she starts to turn away. "My sweet child, I know all about you and your loneliness. You must have thought of the possibilities!" Cheshire adds while moving towards her back.

         Cheshire grabs her shoulder roughly and turns her to him with a gloved hand. "Let go of-" She tries to say before Cheshire put a finger to her lips and brought his face close and shushed her. "You don't live around here do you?" He asks her. "Whatever do you mean?" "I mean...you live in here." He says, it was more of a statement than a question as he poked her forehead. "You live in the mind." Cheshire added with a slight smile. She shook herself out of Cheshire's grip, "And if I do?" She asks frantically, shocked at how awkward this man was being. "You don't belong here, you should be at home. You should be in a wonderland filled with fascination! A garden maybe? I can give it to you!" Cheshire tells her, now peaking her interest. "How?" Was all she could manage in her thoughts. "With the one wish you need to save yourself from a dreadfully boring life of loneliness and craving! Why should you question an opportunity to get a new life when all you need to do is give up this lonely one?" Cheshire asks while showing ears behind his top hat and a tail behind his back. 

         "You're a-" The woman started as Cheshire raised his arms and cane above his head. "Half man. Half cat. All fun! Indeed child, I am from a world of fantasy much like the one in your head." He told her while holding out his hand. "Now, my dear, all I must know is your name and hand; then you may go home." Cheshire tells her while taking the glove off of the held out hand. She smiled shyly and hesitated, "How long will I be gone?" she asks him while moving closer to him again. "Does it matter?" He said slyly; with a smile to match. "My name is Alice..." She told him as she gripped his hand. He gripped it back, welcoming her to his control. "Well Alice..." Cheshire started with a broad smile, "Welcome to your wonderland." Then they were gone, teleported from London's streets to a beautiful meadow, a majestic forest, and a land of mystery and death.