Alice Kingsley woke with a start. She climbed out of bed and wondered down the stairs; just as she always did after a dream. When she finally reached the bottom of the stairs; she saw her mother sitting by a warm fire.

"Mother?" said Alice, her voice soft.

"Alice, it's not even midnight. Why on Earth are you awake?"

Alice approached her mother and then sat on the floor in front of her. Her mother took her hands and held them.

"Another dream?" asked Mrs. Kingsley.

"Yes, it was a dream; but it wasn't the same. I didn't see the Rabbit hole, or the Hatter, or even the cat who could speak."

"Then what did you see?"

"I was standing on a hill, wearing a white gown and a chain of flowers on my head. Then, I suddenly saw a man standing at the bottom of the hill; and I began to go to him, just so I was able to see him more clearly. Then, just as I began to walk; he dissappeared and I woke up."

"Alice, you've only just returned from China, and your simply having trouble adjusting to being back in London."

"Are you sure that's all?"

"Of course I am. Now, go back to sleep and I'll see you in the morning."

Alice stood and kissed her mother's cheek. She then walked back up to her room and went over to the cage where she kept her butterfly, Absolem.

"Absolem, wake up." whispered Alice.

Absolem yawned and stretched out his wings. He seemed slightly annoyed that Alice had woken him.

"I know it's late, but I must tell you something."

Absolem yawned again. "Let it wait until morning."

"No, it can't! I've just had a dream."

"Everyone dreams when their eyes closed, and their minds open."

"I know it's not unusual to dream, but I swear that this wasn't an ordinary dream."

"I'm listening."

"I was standing on a hill, in a white gown, which I'm sure was wedding gown. Then, I saw a man at the bottom of the hill; but I couldn't see his face. So, I began to walk, and then I suddenly woke up."

"It doesn't concern me, silly girl. Now please, allow me to sle-"

"I've not finished yet...I'm sure that I was standing on a hill in Underland."

Absolem fluttered to the other side of the cage and stuck his head through the bars.

"Underland, you say?"

"I'm certain that's where I was."

Alice sighed and grabbed her bedsheet, stockings, and a few of her dresses. Absolem watched on in interest.

"What are you doing?" asked Absolem.

"I have to get to the Ascot's estate. It's the only place that has an entrance to Underland."

"You aren't going back, are you?"

"Absolem, I've had this dream ever since I arrived in China. I can't simply ignore it the rest of my life."

"You'll be caught, tried, and executed."

"I'm sure that the Ascot's servants are asleep now."

"What are you doing with your belongings?"

"I'm trying to make a rope, to help me get to lower ground."

"You intend to climb out the window?"

"There's no other choice."

"Then allow me to come with you."

"No Absolem, it may be dangerous. If I'm not back by morning, then I'm sure that Dinah can keep you company until I return."

"A cat can eat a caterpillar, you know."

Alice didn't seem to even hear Absolem; and continued to tie the bedsheets and clothes together. She soon made a makeshift rope, just long enough for her to climb down and reach the ground. She threw it out her window and began to climb down; only to freeze when she reached the parlor window. She could see that her mother was still in the parlor, and was only a few feet away from the window; thankfully, her back was turned and she didn't see Alice.

Alice held onto the rope as tightly as she could; in hopes that her mother would walk away from the window and leave the parlor. Soon, she saw the light go off in the parlor and felt it was safe to continue to climb down. Unforunately, by this time, Alice had lost her grip and let go of the rope; falling to the ground with a large thud. She was able to pick herself up and rushed away from her house.

After a near hour of running, Alice finally arrived at the Ascot estate. She was able to see that all the lights in the house had been turned off; which meant that she was right, and the servants had already gone to bed. She quietly sneaked into the garden, and made her way through the maze, until she came upon the rabbit hole. Although, she was surprised to see that it had been buried.

"You've come this far, Alice." whispered Alice.

She knelt in the grass and began to claw away at the dirt with her bare hands. She soon uncovered the hole completely and then stood to her feet. After taking a deep breath, she jumped down the hole and soon began to enter Underland.