HALLOWEEN IN WONDERLAND-short story

Since I am posting this Wednesday evening, Halloween, I have a treat for you. It's Halloween in wonderland and there is a party going on. Wanna come? Enjoy the story!

 

HALLOWEEN IN WONDERLAND

 

It was getting close to the special night when the spooks and goblins came venturing out but it wasn’t what Rabbit feared as much as them. On nights like this it brought out all kinds of them. And it was already starting with the invitation that he was holding in his paw.

The mad hatter had personally delivered it to his hole and dropped it down landing in his salad. When he plucked off the radish that was stuck to it, he knew what it was. He shivered as he opened it. As he read the details, he gasped. He was bringing her. He got up and paced, wringing his paws together, mushing up the invitation, in hopes of coming up with an excuse that would be accepted. He could not go.

“Why does he always want to bring her to these parties? She always looks at me like she hasn’t eaten in days. No, I will not go to this party with her there. That’s final.”

Now it was the day before and he still had not come up with a believable excuse. Hatter would be coming to confirm him to coming. Maybe if he hid?

The ground above shook. He knew it was Hatter. Rabbit ran and crawled under his bed. “Rabbit, are you down there, my little friend? Come out my fluffy eared fellow. I have someone here with me. They would love to see you.”

Rabbit covered his mouth with his paw. She was here already! He stayed quiet and prayed they would leave. After a bit he could hear a sigh. “Maybe he is gathering some greens. Let’s go to his favourite patch.”

Rabbit waited for a bit to make sure they were really gone. Then he slowly crawled out from underneath.  He let out an exasperated sigh. “What am I going to do?”

He grabbed his small little basket and decided to go pick some berries which was in the opposite direction of the place he picked his favorite greens. He first poked his nose out and sniffed. Nothing so he came out and headed toward the berry patch. He was halfway down the path when he heard voices behind him. He froze. The voices were not the Hatters. The way they giggled it sounded like sprites. They were always up to no good and just as he was going to make haste another voice joined them. This time it was the Hatter. He rushed off now. Rabbit could take the long way around and get back to his hole.

But of course, he was spotted when he heard his name. “Rabbit, there you are. I’ve been looking for you.”

Rabbit didn’t even turn around, he could hear his fast paced footsteps coming towards him. Soon Hatter was standing in front of him looking down at him beaming. “Aren’t you excited about the party?” He waved his hand in the air like he was about to conduct an orchestra. “And I have someone special that is coming to the party.” He looked over Rabbit’s head. “Come dear and see our dear friend. Rabbit cringed as he heard that all too shrilly laugh. His nose twitched at her over powering rose perfume.

She came rushing up beside Hatter looking down at him with her bright pink lipstick lips. Her teeth shone and looked sharp to rabbit. He backed up a bit. Her long pointy fingernails were painted hot pink as well. She held out her hand to rabbit. “So lovely to see you. When I heard about the party, I came right away as I knew you would be there.”

Rabbit swallowed hard and let out a nervous laugh. “Well…” said rabbit. “I…”

“Oh come on my fluffy friend. Don’t stammer. Get the words out before they run away,” laughed Hatter.

Rabbit had forgot about the sprites who now were joining them. Their wide eyes resembled glassy marbles. Pale green skin freckled with brown spots on their shoulders and arms led to hands that sported sharp claws. They smiled at Rabbit but he knew that they were only faking it. They were both nuts and liked trouble for their main entertainment. Well he was not going to hang around be their amusement for the day. 

He threw up his furry chin at them all. “I have things to do, I must go.”

He hopped around them listening to the giggling sprites that sounded like their nails on a chalkboard. His ears quivered. “See you later,” she said.

He mumbled under his breath. “Not if I can help it.”

Rabbit gripped his little basket so tight that he went right by his berry patch and when he realized that, he sighed. “I’m not going back there. It will be salad for supper.” He hurried back to his home before he met up with them again.

Back in his hole, he cleaned up and got ready for his meal when he could hear the sound of someone coming towards his hole. He held his breath for a moment. “Rabbit, are down there? I need to have a word with you. It won’t take long.”

It was Hatter. Rabbit let out a breath and went up to see what he wanted. All he hoped was that she wasn’t with him. With relief, she wasn’t. He smiled down at him and presented him with a basket of berries. Rabbit eyes went wide.

“I knew you would be too worked up to pick, so I picked for you. Of course I hope I can convince you to come to the party. It will be great rabbit-only of you just make an appearance.”

Rabbit eyed him carefully. “Make an appearance? That’s all I have to do?”

Hatter nodded.

Rabbit looked one way and then the other. “I…suppose…”

“Good, I take that as a yes. I will come and escort you to the event.”

“Oh you don’t have to do that…”

“No, I insist, I want you to arrive without incident. I know those sprites and such like to play games.”

Rabbit’s ears fell a bit. “Okay.”

“Wonderful.” And off he bounced leaving Rabbit with his berries.

The day had come and within hours Hatter would be arriving to pick him up. He paced back and forth wiring his paws. He knew that she would be with him.

“Rabbit, are you ready?”

He listened for a moment but could not hear her. Slowly he went up and saw Hatter by himself in all his glory, dressed in a bright orange coat that swept the ground and his shirt was bright green. Rabbit could see his outfit shimmer like the makeup around his eyes.

“Good evening Rabbit. Happy Hallows eve.”

Rabbit nodded. “Same to you.”

“Don’t be so glum rabbit. You wait and see.”

The Hatter escorted Rabbit to a waiting carriage. Silver foxes waited to pull the orange pumpkin shaped carriage to their party. Rabbit gasped. Fire flies lit the way. The Hatter helped him up and off they went. The trees were lit up with lights and the old table was brimming with goodies. The guests were there in all their elaborate costumes. Faeries wearing masks of leaves of every color of the forest adorned their faces. Their cat like eyes glowed in the light when it hit them giving them a mischievous look.

Rabbit felt like he was being stared at as the silver foxes that brought them rushed past them and suddenly started playing on the table scattering nuts everywhere. The masked faeries got in on the game. The chaos had started.

Of course there were other rabbits there and they were nibbling on carrots and clover enjoying themselves and ignoring the rest. Rabbit wanted to do that as well. But not to be of course as she came waltzing up to them. “Oh, your here.” The shimmering lights reflected in her gold eyes that peered down at him through a mask that covered almost her entire face. It was mostly made of feathers.

“Dance with me rabbit.”

Before he could decline, she grabbed his little paw and led him to where all the others were dancing. He shivered as he looked up into the faces. Some had flowing dress wear that looked like spider’s silk. Wild flowers decorated their colored hair over their painted faced. The feathered and leaf masks were a favorite. Rabbit stayed close to her. He didn’t want to get touched by one them.

The music filled the air and they were all drinking out of little cups. Rabbit knew the cups were filled with honey wine and honeysuckle wine. They would all be quite happy in a hour or two. He would leave before then-for sure.

Rabbit just hid in the grass as she danced around him. He kept looking for Hatter but he appeared to have been swallowed up by all the guests. Horned creatures and woodland elves all enjoyed the food and drink. Their laughs sounded like wolves howling on an eerie night.

Finally Hatter was headed their way and Rabbit knew by the look on his face that he was maybe going to rescue him. Oh he hoped so.

“Well, how are we doing?”

Before she could answer, one of those horned creatures came up at the same time and grabbed her and they danced off. That left Rabbit and Hatter. He smiled down at Rabbit. “Ready to go?”

Rabbit nodded quickly. “I thought so. Come with me my friend.”

Rabbit was a bit worried what he had planned. Nothing was ordinary with Hatter. The carriage was waiting for him again and this time, deer were going to pull the carriage. They looked friendlier than the silver foxes. Hatter helped him up and sat beside him. Off they went.

The carriage was not heading toward where Rabbit lived. “Where are we going?”

“Don’t worry Rabbit. I have something special for you.”

Now Rabbit was worried. He looked around as the bare leaved trees looked like fingers ready to pluck him out of the carriage. The moon was full tonight and in the forest the mist was creeping in. Rabbit was imagining all kinds of things that were hiding in the mist ready to grab him. He was ready to hide under the seat when they stopped.

Hatter jumped up and held out his hand. Rabbit was scared of taking his hand and shook his head. “Trust me Rabbit, it will be great.”

Finally he took Hatter’s hand and they went to a small opening in the forest not far from the carriage. Rabbit kept his eyes open for goblins ready to eat him. The moon’s light lit up something. Rabbit couldn’t make it out.

“Here is your surprise my friend. I know you will like these.”

Rabbit looked a little closer and his eyes went wide. “There were magic mushrooms. These ones only grew at certain times of the year and then sometimes there were not very many. Tonight, there was an abundance of the little mushrooms. Rabbit couldn’t believe it.

“Happy Halloween Rabbit.”

“Why thank you Hatter.”

“Let’s go gather you up some, shall we?”

Now they were heading back to his hole. Sitting in his lap was a basket full of magic mushrooms. He couldn’t believe that he would be having some of these for his breakfast. Hatter helped him down and before he went down his hole, Hatter had another little gift. “Here is a little treat for you.” He handed Rabbit a carrot muffin.

Rabbit smiled. “My favorite, thank you so much.”

“You’re quite welcome my friend. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

Rabbit went down his hole with all his goodies. He could hear Hatter go off with the carriage. Now all that he could see was the soft moon’s light shining down his hole. He yawned.

He took his basket of magic mushrooms and placed them in his little pantry, next to his berries that Hatter had given him. He smiled to himself.  Today wasn’t so bad after all.

He snuggled down in his bed and mumbled. “Happy Halloween Hatter.”

 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM WONDERLAND!!!

 And if you would like to give me a treat, the tip jar is below. Thank you!

 

TIP JAR:

paypal.me/VeraSoroka

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABITHA-FLASH FICTION

Halloween is near so I thought we would tale a little tale of a little spooky kitty. Hope you enjoy!

 

 

 

TABITHA

Flash fiction

Once a year she comes out in her true form. They said it was a curse placed upon her oh so long ago.

A dark prince who she turned down to be his love cursed her forever and one day.

When it becomes dark and the full moon shines bright in the black sky, she comes out.

As black as the night and full of mischief, she comes out to play. She casts more tricks than any goblin and fools more for believing in her.

Her bright eyes shine like jewels and lures you to her with a purr and swish of her long black tail.

If you give her attention and a treat, she’ll let you go—maybe.

If you hear a laugh after you’ve left her side, be aware for trouble that night.

Her mischief comes in many forms, such as a trick of the eye and ghostly images floating behind dark corners.

If you hear a purr in your ear, go inside and close the curtains. You might hear a scratching at the window. Don’t go investigate, no matter what.

If you do, you might be cursed as long as she is.

Happy Halloween!

 TIP JAR:

paypal.me/VeraSoroka

THE MIRROR-SHORT STORY

Happy Fall everyone! Today is a short story about a special mirror. Hope you enjoy!

MIRROR

SHORT STORY

The mirror had been in the antique shop for some time I remembered. In fact it had been there so long that I remembered seeing it when I was little. Why it stayed there for so long I have no idea. I wondered why the owner had not gotten rid of it.

But I will never forget the day. I was walking by the shop and my eyes instantly caught it. The mirror that had been there since I was little was not in its spot. I stopped short in front of the old dusty window. I looked around and the only thing I could see was the outline of the mirror that it left against the wall.

For whatever reason it was, my feet took me to the front door and I went in. The little bell above rung in my ears. The air was stale and dust tickled my nose. I stood there alone looking around at all the old things that looked like they were all forgotten about as they laid resting under a blanket of dust.

The floor creaked under my feet as I made my way over to the empty spot where the mirror was. I stared at the outline it left behind and just as I was about to let my hand touch the wall a gentle voice stopped me.

“Can I help you?”

I whirled around with a thumping chest. A tall young man in a black suit stood quietly observing me. I wondered how I had not heard him come into the room. My mouth opened but no words formed. Finally I managed to sputter out about the mirror.

He raised an eyebrow. His dark blue eyes glanced over to the corner and mine followed. There was the mirror leaning against the wall.

“Would you like to see it?”

I only nodded.

I swear he made no noise on the creaky floor as he took me over to it. Staring down at it, it felt odd. This mirror that had hung here for so long felt ominous and almost surreal. I had never seen it up close. There was an intriguing pattern carved into the frame. It felt like it possessed something but what I don’t know.

“Would you like for to bring it out into the open so you can get a better look?”

“Sure,” I said.

With swift silent movement, he picked up the mirror that looked heavy but to him was nothing but feather weight. I was amazed.

He hung it on the wall right in front of me. I saw my reflection and his as he stepped back. A slight chill ran up my arm. The silver was a bit tarnished now and overall grey looking but I could still see us in reflection. We looked like a black and white photo.

“It feels like the mirror could take me anywhere.” I don’t know I said that.

He cleared his throat but did not respond to my odd statement. I felt a bit stupid but I couldn’t run out the door and look really stupid. So, I walked up to the mirror and let my fingers slide around the edging exploring this interesting looking carving.

As I was doing this I told him, “This mirror has been here since I was little. I wondered why it stayed so long.”

I looked into the mirror at him and his dark eyes were intense. I quickly looked away to avoid eye contact. When my fingers found the bottom of the mirror, there was words engraved into one of the carved swirls. It said Portals into dreams. My finger rested on the words.

When I looked up into the mirror, he was not there. I turned to see where he went. It appeared I was alone again. The thought of me leaving entered into my mind. I could slip out and no one but him would be the wiser.

But something kept me from leaving.

It was only a moment and he came out of the back with a small wooden box in his hand. It looked a bit beat up. He looked at me and this time he offered me a small smile. “If you would like the mirror, I can give you a deal. This little box goes with it.

“What is in it?”

He did not answer. He simply set it on the counter. “Would you like the mirror?”

I stood staring at it for a moment. I took a deep breath and sighed. “Okay.” It felt like this mirror had waited a long time for me to finally come in and take it home. Maybe I was meant to have it.

He smiled when I nodded.

Before I hung it up on the wall, I dusted it and polished up the mirror for what it was. I could see myself in the mirror a little better but I would have to look into getting it silvered again. I had forgot about the box until I turned around and saw it on the night stand where I had set it. I picked it up and sat at the edge of the bed and opened it. There was something wrapped up in old handkerchief. When I unwrapped it an old but heavy key fell into my lap. I picked it up and held it up and that is when I noticed something strange in the mirror.

I stood up and walked over to the mirror. There was a door and it was not the reflection of the door in my room. It was obvious what I was supposed to do but did not expect it to happen. I took the key and aimed it at the key hole of this special door.

The whole mirror shimmered as my hand went right through this liquid surface. The key fit perfectly. I quickly pulled my hand back and took a step back but as soon as I did, I realised I was not in my room anymore. I whirled around and I didn’t know where I was. That same smell from the antique shop tickled my nose. There was movement in the room so I knew I was sharing the same room with someone. When I looked in the direction that the movement took place, I saw him. It was the same young man that was at the shop.

“Who are you and how did I get here?”

His eyebrow went up. “You used the key.”

“Yes, but key opened a door that only showed itself in the mirror. How is that possible? What is that mirror?”

“First, my name is Julian and I come from a world not like yours. That mirror was a portal and the key you used got you here.”

“Why me?”

“That mirror waited a long time for you to show up. You were missing.”

 I looked for the door but it was not there. I was trapped. “I was not missing but now that I am here…I’m missing now.”

He shook his head. “As difficult as this is, you are now home.”

 “No, I’m not. You have to let me back.”

“Don’t panic, you can go back to your world anytime but give me a few moments of you time.”

So I stood still as he came closer to me. My chest was alive with fear.

“Please do not be afraid. I will not hurt you, I promise. I have waited for this day for a very long time. To finally find you and bring you home. It feels like what you say-surreal.”

I looked into his dark blue eyes. There was something a bit different with his eyes. “What are you,” I asked him.

“I’m an ethereal creature, just like you.”

I shook my head. “No, I’m not. I’m human like everybody else.”

He grinned. “I suppose that is to be expected since you were raised in that world. But trust me, you are not human.” He came closer and took my hand. This coolness raced up my arm at his touch. I couldn’t snatch my hand back. My hand was getting cold.

Finally, he let go and covered my cold hand with my warm one. I was not what he was.

“Stay with me for a while Anna and I will show you what you really are. Okay?”

Before I could answer I found myself standing outside the old antique shop looking in. Why was I out here? I looked around and a sense of relief washed over me. I was back but I knew what had happened. I thought about going inside the shop but instead I looked though the mirror. There he was at the counter. Our eyes met and he smiled at me.

I turned and started to walk home. I shoved my hand into my pockets and I felt something hard. I pulled it out and it was the key. I stared at it for a bit and then quickly put it back into my pocket and started back home.

I never went near the little box that I put the key back in and I never went down the street where the little antique shop was. The mirror got moved to a back room. It was hanging on the wall but when I did this, the silver on the mirror got even darker. Dark ugly ink like stains started to appear. I shut the door to that room.

It was in the middle of the night when I heard what sounded like something crashing to the floor. I was hoping it wasn’t the new TV I had bought and got hung on the wall. Very quickly I got out of bed and headed for the living room. But from the hallway, I could see the moon’s light reflecting on the screen. It had not fallen. The moon’s light through the window drew me closer. Everything outside was this white blue. I often liked nights like this and was tempted to unlock the garden doors and slip out but then I remembered the crash reminding me that something had fallen.

Walking down the hallway, I caught a light glowing from under the closed door where the mirror was. My hands prickled. Very cautiously I made my way to the door not knowing what to expect. I turned the knob ever so slowly and when I heard the click, I almost jumped.

Taking a peek inside, I could see the glow was coming from the mirror. My eyes widened as in the mirror I could see the door and it was swinging in a very breezy night. Even when I stepped into the room, I could feel the breeze whip at my hair. How was that possible? Even the curtains were moving in the room. I walked up to the mirror and didn’t know what to do with this thing. The inky dark stains were still there.

I made a mistake.

My hand went up to touch the mirror and it went right through as expected but something grabbed my hand and pulled me. I fought but I had nothing to grab onto and then I was on the ground. My heart leaped as now I could see black men’s shoes. I slowly looked up into Julian’s face.

He sighed. “Let me help you up.” He offered me his hand. I took it as I felt there was no choice. Now I was facing him and his dark eyes almost glowed like a cat in the night. “Don’t be afraid. I didn’t like it that you took the mirror and hid it in a back room. I had to do something to bring you here.”

“Why? I don’t’ belong here.”

“Yes, I know what you believe but I am here to convince you that you are wrong.”

I was stunned and bewildered at the same time. How was I going to get back and away from Julian?

“Come with me and I will show you what is your real home and maybe something will tickle your memory of this world.”

He held out his hand and when I took too long he took my hand and pulled me along down a dark path. I pulled back. “I’m not going down some dark path with you.”

“I said you were safe.” His voice sounded a bit flustered but I didn’t care, I wasn’t going to go anywhere with him. I whirled around and ran for the opening that went through the mirror but when I got to it, it was like hitting a wall. I fell back.

I looked back a Julian who was waiting with impatience for me to come back. He held out his hand again. I went back to him but I did not take his hand. We walked side by side as we entered down this dark path. The moon did at least light it up a bit through the trees that closed us in.

“What is this place?” I could hear my voice almost echo under the canopy of trees.

“This is an ethereal world that lives between human dreams and this that no one understands.”

I looked over at him with a rather confused look and he only grinned. “You will understand when memory comes back.”

“What happened to me then? How did I end up in the human world?”

“You wondered off and curiosity took you through a portal into the human world. You weren’t very old.”

“Who looked after me then and raised me?” I whipped my head over to him. He grinned. “You have no idea do you? Do you remember parents at all?” He shook his head. “Of course you don’t. There was no human parents to look out for you. Only our kind. The problem was getting you back here. Your curiosity always got a head of us.”

I was starting to shake. This can’t be true as I tried to remember someone with me when I was little. Who was I with when I went past the shop? My mind was reeling trying to find answers. But none would come.

I stopped and so did he. “If you have magic, then give me my memories back.”

He sighed. “You don’t think I tried that? You wouldn’t’ let me.”

“Well, try now.”

Julian stood in front of me and it so dark here now. The moons light was now blocked by the thick branches and leaves of the trees that towered over us.

But his eyes slightly shone. He took my hold of both of my hands and he started to chant. I did not know what he was saying and I could feel no change. Just as I was about to tell him so, he dropped my hands. He looked right at me locking me with those eyes of his.

Suddenly I felt this wave come over me and I could this little girl running down this moonlit path. I came up to a door in the forest and I pushed it open and on the other side was a street. I was standing on the street in front of this antique shop. I tried to run back but the door was not there anymore. I was frightened and suddenly this wash of fear took over me and my whole body shook. I clasped my hands to my ears. “Stop it, please.”

Julian placed his hands over my hands and said a few words and everything went away.

“It’s alright, you are safe now and there is no need to fell afraid like that ever again.”

His voice was calming and I felt safe for the first time in a long time. I fell into his arms almost of sheer exhaustion. He held me tightly and I felt his lips against my temple. It felt strange. I looked up at him and his eyes wre hapf closed as he whispered. “Welcome back my love. I have waited for a very long time to be with you. Now we can be together forever.” His lips were no on tip of mine and the world went into a crazy spin.

It was some time after that I soon realized that I was not in my own world but I was not yet ready to go back to it. I was too use to this one but Julian was patient. I helped him at the shop. I got rid of the dust and tidied up things. He didn’t’ know why as he said that we would be going home soon and I knew this world was most uncomfortable for him.

But the day came and Julian said he wanted to celebrate my return with our wedding. He had not asked me and I told him that. He just laughed and pulled me close kissing me.

It came to me the day I left the human world. Those memories I had of me as a little girl running down this path were true but the reason I was running came to me. I looked at Julian and he knew what had just come to me but it was too late.

I was running from him.

 

 

TIP JAR:

 

paypal.me/VeraSoroka