An extract from my university project 'Ace In Wonderland', an exploration about my personal experiences with identity in a fictional narrative:
“Careful not to wander the forest. There are many dangers lurking there.”
The queen’s warning whispered back into her mind, stopping her footsteps just short of the treeline, as if it was ordained to find her here.
The forest she stares at was thicker than those surrounding the castle, the trees winding in whimsical spiralling branches. It was a sight to see, one Ace wished she could capture with something other than her wandering mind. Despite the melancholy colouring of the world around her, its unnatural beauty overwhelmed her.
With a mournful sigh, she chose not to delay her return to the queen any longer. She turned back to the winding grey path and took one step forward, her internal prayers answered by one simple noise.
Laughter.
It was distant, whatever it was, and Ace knew she shouldn’t stray into the forest. It wasn’t even merely a suggestion, but a warning, an order.
Her curiosity was always her fatal flaw.
She stepped away from the path, and crossed the line. The echoed laughter shifted into conversation, a man’s voice guiding her through the trees. She kept her footsteps quiet, wincing with each crunch of dirt beneath her boots.
“Oh, they are infatuated with being perceived as such.” The man laughed out as she stared in bewilderment. “Makes you wonder if their efforts to normalise such behaviour is suggesting there isn’t more to life than- Oh, wonderful! You’re finally joining us!”
The man stares directly at her, a kind but quivering smile on his lips as she hesitantly steps around the tree she watched from.
“It is a pleasure to meet you!” He announces with flair, taking off his hat and bowing to her in such an incredulous manner, she had to stifle a giggle. “We have been expecting you.”
“We?” The word slips from her mouth before she can catch it.
If he had any objections to her disbelief, he dismissed them with another smile, shoving his hat back onto his head and gesturing to the table behind him.
“Yes, yes. Come! Sit!”
Ace didn’t think this man could be much older than she was. He was tall, a tanned flush to his skin and few crinkles etched into the corners of his eyes like laughter was his favourite hobby. He was nothing like the queen had described the forest dwellers to be. A little mad, but mostly… comforting.
She took a seat on the other side of a small table, feeling the looming presence of the castle in the distance. She should feel guilty, or at the very least scared, to not have listened to her majesty. But sitting here, cradling a tea cup as the man opposite chatted away about nonsensical matters, she felt reassured.