Maddie fell deep into her sleep after hours of tossing and turning.
But her mind kept going back to what she'd avoided thinking about, making falling asleep a hard option. Her thoughts were driving her mad, driving her over the edge as she couldn't decide what she was to do.
On one hand, she didn't want to let Ben down, turn her back on her longest friend.
On the other hand, she didn't want to get on the bad side of Quinn, who she was sure was going to kill her if she didn't go through with the plan.
Maddie was the daughter of the Mad Hatter, a hero and the Queen of Hearts, a villain.
Who in the world was she? Ah, that was a great puzzle. Which part of her was she supposed to be?
A hero like her father, following her madness and doing what was right.
Or a villain like her mother, following her madness and letting it decide what would happen, whether it was good or bad.
Her mind tried to sort out the pros and cons of either side, though she lost count and had to start over multiple times. She finally decided to quit, the exhaustion of her thoughts lulling her to sleep.
But of course she woke up on the Isle of the Lost, as it her mind wanted to taunt her, sending her places where she knew she shouldn't be. Her world was a mess, she knew that much, but it was partly her fault: she'd let herself fall deeper into the world of madness. She was falling and there was nothing she could do about it. Because nobody was safe from the monsters from their head, and Maddie was included.
She took a deep breath and entered the Chip Shoppe, where Quinn sat facing the door, sitting on a table, her legs crossed as she smiled at Maddie.
"Maddie!" Quinn said, snapping the attention of her friends that were in the shop. Hanna, Helia, Heather, HJ, Sam, Harry, Gil, Chelsea and Uma. "I've been expecting you! What had taken you so long to dream about coming here?"
Maybe that she didn't want to dream about her ever again?
"Oh yes." Chelsea said. "Waiting for awhile now. What took you so long?"
Maddie remained silent, glancing between the group that stood around her. She didn't like where this was going.
"I have an excellent idea." Chelsea said. "Let's get to the point and change the subject of why she wasn't here because we know she won't say why. And we know she has no control where her dreams take her."
"I suppose you're right." Quinn said. "I guess she had no choice in the matter. Anyway you do know what you are here for right Maddie?"
"Of course she does." Helia said. "She's had you repeat it to her for ages now. You're getting really repetitive Quinn. It's rather annoying."
"Me? Annoying?" Quinn repeated, placing a hand over her heart. "That's rude, Helia. I'm not annoying. I'm just maddening. I'll drive you mad, because my mind isn't all there anyway."
"Glad you can admit that Quinn," Helia said. "Most people don't like putting out there that they're are crazy in the head you know? Good for you."
"Helia you make it hard to tell if you actually mean anything you say." Quinn said. "But I'll assume you did. I appreciate you knowing I'm crazy."
Helia smiled slightly and Quinn gasped over dramatically.
"Oh my gosh." Quinn said, covering her mouth. "Helia just smiled."
"Why are you being so dramatic?" Heather asked. "Helia smiles. We've been over this."
"Yes but its still surprising." Quinn said. "It's hard to see her as a person who smiled when she's always scowling at me."
"Did you ever think she doesn't like you?" Hanna asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
"What are you talking about?" Quinn said. "Everyone loves me. All of you love me right?"
They all looked away from her, as Quinn placed a hand over her heart.
"You guys don't love me?" Quinn asked. "That's rude. I always say I love you guys. Why can't you love me back? Just kidding. I don't care anymore."
"You change your mind too quickly." Sam said.
"I do." Quinn said. "I know. Thank you for telling me. It's much appreciated Sam."
"No problem." Sam said. "I like reminding you of things you do wrong."
"As I like reminding you of your mistakes." Quinn said, with a lopsided grin. "What were we talking about before all this again?"
"I'm pretty sure you wanted to tell Maddie you're plan or whatever." HJ said. "But you got distracted like always and delved off the topic."
"I always get distracted and delve off topic." Quinn said. "It's a known fact. Let's get back on track shall we?"
"Finally," Uma said. "Took you long enough."
"Shut up Uma." Quinn said, sticking her tongue out at her.
"You're being childish." Uma said. "Grow up Quinn."
"Yeah Quinn grow up." Heather said.
"Is the whole world against me?" Quinn said. "First you say you don't love me. Now this? What type of friends are you?"
"Darling the world isn't against you." Chelsea said. "You're just against yourself."
"That was so inspirational." Quinn said. "Thank you, Chelsea."
"No problem." Chelsea said. "Now please get to the point. We haven't got all day."
"You're right." Quinn said to Chelsea, before turning to Maddie. "Maddie." Quinn said. "You best come through. Even if I know you will, I have a feeling the VKs won't come through and you trying would mean more to me than you succeeding."
"Are you insane?" Uma asked as they recovered from the shock of her mood change. "Like you were extremely angry at her and now you're saying you wouldn't care if she failed."
"Insane is a rude word." Quinn said. "I prefer mentally creative. Now I'm pretty sure we all know Mal will fail and we won't leave the Isle. But Maddie'll regret not making an attempt to help. She will."