Chapter 1

A Chance Encounter

Alice shifted gracefully and abruptly heard a gentle breathing next to her. Her eyes flickered open and she subsequently smiled in light pleasure. Cyrus lay opposite her peacefully, his head a few inches from hers. He lay in what appeared to be a deep slumber. Alice tucked her hand under her cheek and watched him as he traveled into another world, entirely of his own making. She glanced down at his chest and noticed that his necklace was gleaming red. It flickered a little and then shone brighter than it was before. Alice smiled and momentarily glanced back at Cyrus's face, she was startled that he was watching her back.

"Alice," Cyrus started. Alice knew that it was his way of saying 'good morning.' A smile crept up onto his face. She admired the way his dimples were set in place. Suddenly, the sun beamed through the window and Alice went momentarily blind.

"I think it will be sunny today." She guessed whilst moving her hand above her eyes, to block out the morning sun.

"Clever observation," Cyrus said.

The two were up early that morning as they had made plans to go to the village market together. Alice thought the best pickings were in the morning, but Cyrus preferred going late and getting the last minute deals. He knew that nobody on the market wanted to waste their crop, so towards the end of the day they'd sell their products discounted. Alice adored saving money, but when it came to grocery's she adhered to the best pickings.

Alice busied herself with putting her hair up into a tight pony tail, whilst Cyrus sat and waited for her at the end of the cushions. The two lived inside Cyrus's bottle. It was handy for staying out of the way and instead of a bed they had cushions. His bottle didn't need much more than that, because when it was being transported it was particularly horrible to be sitting inside it, when the furniture was moving around. However, they always kept bits of mushroom and cake inside the bottle and on them in person at all times so they could come and go freely. Cyrus began to leave as Alice pulled her shoes on and momentarily glanced around the room. She picked up her rucksack and followed Cyrus out the end of the bottle.

"Can we get fresh vegetables?" Alice asked as they walked through the woods. Cyrus lay behind a little as he finished stuffing his bottle into his bag. "I could do with a fresh meal in my system."

"Whatever you wish," He beamed over the sound of his bag clicking shut.

"Must you say that?" Alice pledged mockingly. She looked through her lashes at him and it warmed his heart.

"Say what?" He questioned, slightly raising an eyebrow.

"You wish," She uttered and smiled politely.

"Ah, force of habit. I shall stop if it pleases you?" He suggested.

"If it is part of who you are, don't ever stop saying it." Alice took his hand in hers and entwined her fingers with his as they entered into the market. "I love you for who you are Cyrus, but you should know," She browsed through the first stall they came to, which was an apple stall. She picked one up and placed it in his hand, "I will never grant anything off you." She turned back to the stall and paid the owner. Cyrus was left with a smile on his face as he watched her disappear to the next stall.

"You know I could pay for this," He gestured to her browsing abilities. He put the juicy red apple she had handed him earlier into his bag and chased after her through the bustling crowed.

"I wouldn't dream of it," She smiled pleasantly as she added emphasis on 'dream.' "Though you might help me pick some carrots?" Alice asked as Cyrus rolled his eyes and started grazing through the batch of carrots like a donkey with an appetite. He watched as she picked up a couple of good one's that weren't bruised.

As he found decent looking carrots he passed them to the shop owner. He watched as Alice moved onto the other vegetables. As he glanced over her shoulder something caught his eye. He turned his gaze to the far end of the village market. There was a familiar creature standing at the far end, looking rather suspicious. There were many stalls set up and his eyes wandered in excitement as each stall presented numerous bright colours and products. He knew that something or someone was calling to him. With his heart leading him in that direction, Cyrus patted his hand on Alice's shoulder and left her at the vegetable stall and made his way through the crowed. Alice watched him walk away warily, but carried on meaninglessly grazing through the carrots and other vegetables. She looked back for Cyrus but he'd disappeared. She pushed her eyes as far as her sight would take her, but she couldn't see him. She turned back to the potatoes and picked out a few large ones. She was getting lost in her thoughts when a few moments later a voice called from behind her.

"What would you say to an adventure?" Cyrus's voice called from behind. Alice turned to see where his voice was calling from. He was coming out of the crowed that he'd just disappeared into, with a large enthusiastic smile on his visage.

"An adventure?" She asked purchasing the vegetables and putting them into her bag. "What sort of adventure?"

"One that involves your home world," Cyrus said and he watched as her heart sank. Her lip quivered slightly and her eyes became empty.

"Then I would say no to such an adventure." She began walking through the rest of the stalls. Cyrus followed close on her back.

"I've had a calling," He started as he tried to catch up and he instantly captivated Alice's attention. Her eyes widened and he smiled at her eagerness.

"How so?" She pouted, obviously trying not to look too eager.

"Apparently someone in your realm knows how to free me." His tone was hopeful and his eyes were pleading.

"Then we must go." Alice urged with her eyes wide. She stopped to gain better eye contact.

"You just said that-"

"I know what I said, but we must!" She interrupted in anticipation. "What is this town called?" She pondered aloud.

"Storybrooke," As the word left Cyrus's lips, Alice felt a sudden surge of dizziness. He acknowledged it immediately and his perfectly shaped eyebrows knitted together.

"The Knave told me of this town before…" She began and then subsequently doubled back on herself. "Who told you of this… this Storybrooke?"

"It was more of an epiphany," He didn't look her in the eyes.

"You're not making any sense Cyrus." Alice said getting slightly annoyed. She watched as a multitude of emotions flickered across his face. "If you're expecting me to leap into another world with you, one where I've coincidentally never been happy, you better start telling me the truth."

"It was the white rabbit." His honesty hit Alice's heart.

"Oh tell me you're joking?" She scorned, but Cyrus didn't flicker. "He can't be trusted."

"But I must try. If it's false we can come back." He begged. "Don't you see, Alice? We can be together with no strings attached."

"We're already together." She pointed out. "I thought you were happy?"

"I'd be happier without these chains." He gestured towards the sky and Alice sucked in the air around her more heavily. "You showed me a kindness, Alice. One I will never forget, but just because I won't be a genie anymore, it doesn't mean I'll love you any less." Alice smiled and Cyrus placed a hand on her cheek lovingly. She placed her hand gently over his.

"We should get some more groceries." She said and Cyrus sighed in slight annoyance. He watched as she warily started walking through the bustling crowed. "We're going to need it if we're travelling to another world." With those words, Cyrus's heart was up lifted. He then continued following her through the market.

"So you're coming?"

"Of course I am. I wouldn't let you go alone anyway." She said slipping her hand back into his. As their fingers locked into place, Cyrus felt like his life force locked with hers also.

Alice stood with Cyrus in the middle of the forest. Cyrus sat on a tree stump not too far from her. She felt like a child kicking the dry dirt beneath her feet. She glanced at him. He was staring at the floor too, throwing odd sticks meaninglessly ahead of him. She noticed that his hair was getting long and it slightly fell into his eyes. He used his hand to sweep it back and in the process caught Alice's eye.

"Are you sure this is the place?"

"Positive," he said and at the same moment nodded behind her. She turned to look.

"Alice," The white rabbit nodded.

"Rabbit," Her tone was flat. Cyrus got up onto his feet and dropped the remainder of the sticks on the floor. "Can you promise Rabbit that there will be no strings attached?"

"I can promise you no more and no less. I have guaranteed you a portal there and a portal back, nothing more." Alice glanced at Cyrus, the two thought that it was fair and Cyrus nodded his approval.

"Let's go then," Cyrus said moving forward.

"Wait," Alice put her hand out to stop him, "What if we wish to portal somewhere else? Will you aid us then?"

"Be warned, when I say one portal there and one back that is all you get. If you venture outside that realm, I will not come and find you." Alice felt it was fair, but her heart sank none the less.

"Okay, we've got it Rabbit, just do what you have to." Alice said and Cyrus nudged her. She realized that she was being quite rude.

"Thank you, Mr Rabbit." Cyrus said and the White Rabbit rolled his eyes. Alice giggled slightly at his efforts of being polite.

Cyrus watched eagerly as the white rabbit thumped hard on the ground and in the same moment a blue portal opened on the dirt ridden floor. Cyrus took Alice's hand in his and moved towards the portal. Alice watched as the rabbits whiskers twitched. She opened her lips ajar, as if to speak, but she was a moment too late.

"Time to go," The rabbit pressed as he nudged Alice with his paw. She stumbled slightly and rapidly lost her balance. She stumbled on the hard ground and fell forwards through the portal her hand pulling Cyrus through with her.