Fifty Six |

Tic.

Toc.

A breeze brushed past me as I seemed to be standing somewhere with my eyes closed. It was clear I was barefoot, as I could feel the soft grass under my feet. Not to mention the sweet grass smell that tickled at my nose. Along with another smell. A more...herbal one.

Tic.

Toc.

I knew where I was – back in the wrapped dreamland, home of my mimic self. Sure enough, when I opened my eyes there she sat. At her favourite tea table with a tea cup in one hand and a pocket watch in the other. She dressed in an unbuttoned white blouse. Wearing a black bra underneath. She wore leather pants and atop her head sat a top hat with a red ribbon and a playing card tucked into it.

I sat down, looking at my own outfit. A blue dress with stripped tights – it took me a moment but then I realized I had been dressed like Alice from Wonderland. My eyes narrowed as I looked back up at her. The top hat, the outfit...she was supposed to be the Mad Hatter?

"Isn't the watch outside your character?" I asked dryly.

Tic.

Toc.

She smiled, "Not if I killed the white rabbit to obtain such a beautiful thing."

"Why Alice in Wonderland?" I demanded, her answer annoying me.

This caused her to giggle, "It was your favourite bedtime story. Do you remember? When Mom used to read it to us? Her favourite was always little Alice – you were her little Alice. Remember Erin?"

Sorrow and pain tore at my heart, "My mother. You are only an infection in my mind."

"Not just your mind."

"Whatever," I snapped not understanding her words, "Why am I here?"

She leaned back, sipping at her tea. I watched her waste time before she rose her hand. Picking the card from her hat and placing it down on the table. I peered at the strange card to realize it was no ordinary card. On it, sat a queenly woman wearing a flowered crown. At her feet lay a deer, and around her was a forest.

A tarot card. My mom used to collect paintings of them.

This one was always my favourite.

"The empress. She was kind, a perfect queen," she drawled out, "But anyone dare hurt those in her forest and she would not think twice. A woman of action, a woman whose trees are stained red from those who dare harm the ones she loves."

Tic.

Toc.

"So what?"

She paused to stare at me, those green eyes twinkling, "Would you go to the end of the earth to exact revenge dare anyone ever hurt Jax?"

"Of course," I had no hesitation.

She smirked, "And what of him? Would he do the same if it meant leaving the Town of Roses?"

I paused, unable to answer the question because I knew he wouldn't. His duty went above all else. That meant above me. I knew this and I was ok with it...and yet it left an empty feeling in my heart. I sighed, not able to hide all my true feelings.

Maybe Jax and I just weren't meant to be.

"So you dragged me here to have girl time?" I asked tiredly.

Mira laughed, "Oh no. I could not care less. However, in order for you to reach your full potential you need to stop caring for those below you. Worms in the ground below your feet. Jax is not worth you."

I groaned so tired of hearing the same shit.

Tic.

"Think about that, I know you will learn eventually, before time runs out."

With those parting words, the world around me swirled with darkness before I felt myself being pulled away. My eyes fluttered shut and I instantly knew she was done with our little talk. Relief filled me as I was blessed into a new, dreamless sleep.

Toc.

Slowly I was pulled out of my sleep. I awoke to burnt out candles and a certain man who seemed to get too close to me in his sleep. His arm had been thoughtlessly thrown over my side and his other lay under me. He had pulled me into him – my head burrowed in his warm chest. My eyebrow twitched in annoyance and I slowly, very gently lifted my palms.

Then, with all my force I shoved him back, "Get off me you troll!"

He groaned, peeling his eyes open, "What the hell love?"

I could feel my face burning like a thousand suns, "Why were you cuddling me?"

"Oh," he hummed, sitting up, "Simple. You were warm and squishy."

"Squishy?" I screeched, my hands flying to cover my chest.

His eyes rolled, "Not like that. Whatever, we should head out."

I didn't spare him any more words as I got up. Grabbing my sword, I left the small storage room and into the larger area. I had to admit the gift shop was much kinder during the day. Sunlight danced across the ruined shelves, shards of glass sparkled like snow. It made me sigh softly, wishing there was a time I'd be able to see this place when it wasn't destroyed.

Just as I was admiring the glimmers of the beautiful day, Sebastian waltzed out.

"You need a shirt," I commented noticing the sun dance across his muscled chest.

He waved me off before strolling outside with the bag, "Come on love, time's wasting and we have yet to find David and Omar."

I had half the mind to crush him under one of the shelves. Instead, using patience I quietly followed after him. It was nicer out – the sun tickled against my exposed skin and blinded me for a moment. It was times like these I forgot we liked in the end of the world. It was times like these everything felt almost normal...but what was normal?

I sure as hell didn't know.

"You slept peacefully," he said after a while of following the cobble path.

I grunted in responds as my stomach grumbled.

"So you must have not hated the cuddling," he continued.

"I have a boyfriend," I reminded the fool.

He snickered, "So you say."

"Ok! It is way too early for this bullshit. Just shut up for a fucking while," the snarl tore from my lips before I could stop them.

Sebastian grew silent for a while and I grew worried. Had I been to harsh on him? Kira had died just yesterday, he had been attacked by a wolf, we'd been separated from everyone and now I was being a complete bitch. It wasn't his fault for trying to make things less awful.

Guilt soaked into my heart as my harsh words echoed through my brain. My eyes slid across the cobblestone and up Sebastian's body to his face. Only to find the creep watching me. Instantly I looked away, my face burning.

Asshole.

Silently steaming, I glared at the cobblestone until beside me Sebastian stopped walking. Then, my head shot up as Sebastian studied the map. While he figured out where we were heading, I looked around the place. Nearest us was a dried up, cracked fountain and across from that was a chain-link fence with a very thriving swamp ecosystem.

"Where the fuck are we?" he groaned, crumpling up the map.

I rolled my eyes and pointed to the swamp, "Near 'gators. I hope you didn't just wreck out map you fool. How was that a good idea?"

He stuck his tongue out, "Well now I know where to go. Come on, we don't even need the map anymore love. I am a navigator-Extraordinaire."

I couldn't help giggle at his silliness. A grin stretched onto his face. Without another word he marched across the cobblestone with determination. I shuffled quickly after him trying to hold my skirt down with one hand and my other hand on my sword.

"Panda's are up ahead – come on love! Move faster!"

"Do. Not. Order. Me. Around," I huffed following him before stopping mid-step.

He didn't even have to point to the panda exhibition. Beyond the glass as tall as the sky stood bright, green bamboo stalks. It was beautiful – the sweet smell seemed to drift past the sturdy glass. I breathed in deeply, closing my eyes. This was a moment I didn't want to end.

Until reality set in as a zom moaned to my left. I turned, pulling out my sword and cutting into the pre-worker's throat. He went down and I put my sword away. Sebastian watched me for a few moments before smirking slightly.

"Come on BraveHeart, let's go."

My eyes rolled as I followed him along the glass. We walked until we rounded to the other side where it seemed the glass had been previously broken. He stepped over the ledge into the exhibit before holding his hand out to me.

I took his hand and stepped over after him, "So larix is a tree right? I thought there were only bamboo trees here."

He shrugged his shoulders as we walked, weaving in and out of bamboo. He then stopped, pointing off in the distance. I squinted to see an oddly placed pine tree? Looking back at Sebastian, his crimson eyes sparkled as he smiled.

"I think that might be it," he said.

I giggled, shaking my head, "You think?"

We walked towards the tree when a sudden, low growl cut through the air. Both of us paused, our eyes meeting. I could feel mine grow as fear bubbled up inside me. We turned slowly, my heels pivoting into the soft dirt.

Wolves.

"Fuck."