Alice

Part 1

I awoke in a mysterious place, one that looked different than anywhere I've ever been. Everything was complete black with a white spotlight showing a pathway.  "Where am I?" I asked aloud. No response. I stood, deciding to follow the path. "Hello?" I asked. "Hello miss." I turned, surprised. Out of the shadows came a man wearing a gray suit. His motions were quick but slow, his eyes glinted with confidence and his smile shined like the stars. "Hello." I said politely. He walked up to me quickly, standing close. I could hear his heart beat, his breathing, everything. I gulped. Slyly I could feel his sharp fingernail trace my arm all the way to my shoulder, sending goosebumps down my back. "Are you lost?" He whispered. "Um, I suppose. I don't know where I am." He smiled, his canines glinting. "Why your in the Cave! The entrance to Miracle Valley. Where," he paused to lean into my ear, "where anything can happen."
He grabbed my hand and pulled me down to where the brightest of the light shone. "What should I call you?" I asked. I heard him chuckle. "Canine, will do." "Good to meet you Canine. I'm Alice." I heard him lick his lips. "Lovely name to go with a lovely face. What brings you here Alice?" Canine asked. I laughed, "I don't know. I just woke up here." He stopped walking, and turned. He pulled me up against him, holding me tightly. I leaned over his shoulder, only to see we weren't even near the end. "Shh. He's here." Canine said. "Who?" "Hunter." Canine then pulled me into the shadows.

He covered my mouth to keep me quiet from this Hunter. "Shh." He whispered. I felt a wall behind my back as I was pushed against it. I felt a sly hand gingerly touch my thigh, making me very uncomfortable. I squirmed under Canine's grip. "Mjdph odjdisks shoos!" I tried to speak but was unable to. "Shh. I'll eat you right up and then he can have you." Canine licked his lips and dove into my neck. I squirmed and wriggled, trying to move. I felt panic rise in my chest. Everything was black, I couldn't see the light anymore. I felt the sliminess of his tongue and the pressure of his body. Suddenly he was pulled away from me, the hand removed from my mouth. I screamed, wiping away his spit. I felt a firm hand take mine and lead me back into the light. My rescuer had scruff on his face, his blue eyes piercing Canine's shocked face, and his black hair giving him a mysterious air. He threw Canine to the ground, holding a carving knife to his throat. "What did I tell you about preying on them?! I should kill you." The man said through clenched teeth. Canine spit in his face, snarling. "I'll never stop." Canine grinned. "It's what I do." Instead of killing Canine, the man dug it deep into his arm and cut him, making Canine howl. "Go. And don't you ever touch her again!" Canine scrambled away, running back into the dark. The man then turned to me, wiping his knife on his plaid red shirt. "Are you alright?" He asked. I nodded, "He didn't get very far when you came along." I rubbed my arm, shaken from what had just happened. "I'm Hunter." Hunter said, outstretching his arm. I shook it. "Alice." I said. "Where are you headed to Alice?" Hunter asked, putting his knife away. "I don't know. I just woke up here." Hunter smiled. "Everyone is headed somewhere. You just need to find it."

Hunter escorted me to the end of the pathway, the end of the light. At the end was a doorway, a small table, and a small key. I turned to Hunter, grateful. "Thank you for escorting me here, and rescuing me. I don't know where I would be if you hadn't." Hunter smiled. "You're welcome Alice. Now as you step through that door and enter Miracle Valley, beware of all its wonder and majesty. It might look like the perfect place, but it isn't. I'm just the guardian and the protector for those on their way." He then handed me the key, folding my fingers around it. I walked towards the door, placing the key in the hole. I turned it, hearing it click. I opened the door, a door full of mysteries and people.