Mystical Wonderland

By Jessica Goodsell

Drake Taylor is from New York, and he is the descendant of Alice.

Suddenly finding himself in a modernized Wonderland, Drake meets the daughter of the Mad Hatter. Rosie Hatter, who goes by R.H., is not thrilled to have the descendant of Alice in Wonderland. Drake, Rosie, and a group of their friends must all work together to try to save Wonderland. Will they be able to work together or will Wonderland’s fate be sealed?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9781662400957

Book preview

Chapter One

This was your last chance! Why did you have to mess it up like every time before? Allison Taylor said to her son as she paced the study room full of family.

Drake Taylor had absolutely no desire to someday run the family business. But his parents got it into their head that he desired just that. They had been subtly suggesting that they were going to turn it over to him.

Their exact words were that they were going to give him one last chance to prove himself. So what did he do? Drake did what he always does: he disappointed them. Instead of just telling them he didn’t want the business (which was a contracting business), he goes out partying with his friends and comes in roaring drunk to work and blows the whole deal that their business had been working on for six months.

It wasn’t the loss of the money that infuriated his parents. His parents were so rich that they could run their own country if they wanted. Nope, it wasn’t the money loss. It was the bad name he had just gave them due to his behavior. In other words, he had embarrassed them. He admitted that he had gone overboard with the drinking this time, though. With that thought, Drake turned his attention back toward his mother.

Well? What do you have to say for yourself? When he continued not to say anything, his mother let out a sigh. Fine. Then you leave me with no other choice. From this day forward, you will be completely cut off from this business. With no benefits from it whatsoever. You will be cut off until you decide to get your act together and start acting like a real adult.

After his mother’s speech was over, Drake rolled his eyes. His eyes narrowed as he crossed his arms, and he looked at his mother. His stance both expressed indifference and Back the hell off. He clenched his teeth before he spoke.

What exactly do you mean by ‘get my act together’ and ‘act like a real adult’? he calmly asked his mother.

We have continued to give you the chance to prove your worth to this business, but you either come in here late or drunk. And those people you call your friends are not helping matters either, his mother said angrily. She was furious with her son for his behavior. The business was supposed to go to you. But how can you expect to be the face of this business if you insist on acting like some drunkard!

What makes you think I want this business? Why can’t you see that I don’t want it? Drake finally exploded at his family. He looked at all of them before settling his gaze on his mother.

Give the business to Melainy, he told her, referring to his sister. Then he turned to walk out the door.

Where do you think you’re going? his mother demanded, stopping him.

Drake turned back toward her with a shrug. Don’t know, don’t really care. I’m not a part of this business anymore, so I have no reason to be here.

And with that, he left.

∞∞∞

Psst! Hey, R.H. Over here!

Rosie looked around for her best friend and spotted her hiding in the bushes next to her house.

Krissy? What are you doing?

Shh! Not so loud. They’ll hear you.

Who? Rosie whispered to her as she crouched down beside Krissy.

My brothers, that’s who. I’m trying to hide from them.

Rosie laughed at her friend.

What did they do this time? she asked. Krissy sighed.

It’s not what they did so much as what they want me to do, Krissy told Rosie.

And what exactly is it that they want you to do? Rosie asked.

Krissy glanced around like she was looking for eavesdroppers. Then she sighed again as she turned back toward Rosie.

Okay. So listen to this. My brothers were approached by some hooded figure that told them that life here is fixing to change. So naturally, they asked what he meant by that. Then he told them that the change is going to be both bad and good. As vague as ever. I know, she said as she rolled her eyes.

Anyway, she continued, my brothers were all like ‘What?’, and the stranger said a great evil would try to take over Wonderland. He also said that the great evil would succeed unless a force of good stops it. Supposedly, the great evil is worse than the Red Queen ever thought of being.

Okaaay. First of all, we weren’t even alive when the Red Queen reigned. Secondly, what does any of this have to do with you? Rosie asked.

Krissy shifted her weight nervously next to Rosie. She was suddenly uncomfortable. When Rosie looked at Krissy, she wouldn’t meet her eyes. And she was seriously blushing. Rosie narrowed her eyes as she studied her friend. Rosie laughed under her breath as she looked away from Krissy. Then she looked back at her.

Whoa. Wait. Do you know this guy? Rosie asked Krissy as she raised her eyebrows at her.

Know him? Pssht. Yeah, right. Whatever. I just told you he was a stranger, Krissy said while trying to keep her voice normal but failing miserably.

Mm-hm. Yeah, sure. Soo… When and where did you meet him? Rosie pressed.

You’re not going to let it go, are you?

Nope.

Krissy sighed heavily. Fine. Okay. So I know him. So what?

Why did you even try to hide it from me? Rosie chuckled.

It’s not that big of a deal! Seriously. Besides, it’s not the point anyway, Krissy said.

You kinda made it a big deal when you wouldn’t tell me. So what’s his name, anyway? Rosie asked. Krissy mumbled something under her breath that Rosie couldn’t quite hear. What was that? Rosie asked as she put her hand to her ear.

I said his name is Ryan, Krissy said, a bit testily.

Ryan. Okay, so on with it then, Rosie said, motioning with her hands for Krissy to go on. Krissy rolled her eyes.

Anyway, as I was saying before being rudely interrupted, my brothers want me to go with Ryan to approach the White Queen with the issue at hand. Krissy made sure to emphasize Ryan’s name instead of calling him a stranger.

Why do your brothers want you to go with him? Rosie asked.

Because they don’t know him, so they don’t trust him.

So they would just throw you to the wolves figuratively speaking? Rosie said questioningly.

No. They just figured that if I go along, then I can make sure he’s telling the truth. And gather more information than the vague bit he told my brothers, Krissy explained.

So they’re sending you because you know him?

They don’t know that I know him. Krissy sighed.

Kinda sounds like you already made up your mind to go and you’re just stalling for time here, Rosie said.

Krissy sighed again. Yeah, I suppose so, she said.

Sooo… Can we stop hiding now? Rosie asked.

Krissy rolled her eyes as they both stood up. And as soon as they did, her brothers were on them.

There you are! Lucas, Krissy’s oldest brother, exclaimed.

Where have you been? We’ve been looking everywhere for you, Washington, her other brother who goes by Wash because he hated his name, said to her.

In all honesty? Hiding from you two, Krissy told them.

Why would you be hiding from us? Lucas asked her.

Because obviously she knew you were looking for her, Rosie stated, being smart as usual.

She told you, didn’t she? Wash asked.

Yep, Rosie replied.

Damn it, Krissy! Lucas groaned. We told you not to tell anyone, he went on, obviously about to lurch into one of his lectures.

Well, I just couldn’t go disappearing with a stranger and not tell anyone now, could I? Krissy interrupted before he could start in on her.

Telling people could start a panic, he told her.

It was a bit too vague to cause a panic, if you ask me, Rosie quipped. Lucas glared at her.

I didn’t ask you, he said to her through clenched teeth.

Rosie just shrugged at him as she grinned. Wash snorted.

Well, we should have known that Krissy would tell her. And anyway, it’s not going to be a problem. R.H. won’t tell anyone, Wash told Lucas. Lucas was still glaring, but he relented.

Fine. But nobody else can be told of this until the White Queen decides it’s necessary for everyone to know, he said firmly.

Rosie rolled her eyes but nodded along with Krissy and Wash. Lucas turned to face Krissy.

You leave in the morning, he told her. Then he turned and walked off.

Oh, joy! Krissy said with false enthusiasm.

Well, see ya later, sis. I have something I have to go do, Wash said as he, too, walked away.

And then there were two, Rosie said.

Yeah, well. I guess I should go too. Bye R.H., Krissy said to Rosie.

Neither one of them knew it would be the last time they’ll see each other.

∞∞∞

Drake paced his apartment. He was finally done with all the family business. He didn’t really know where to go from here. Although his family thought they were punishing him by cutting him out, they had no idea how relieving it was for him to be away from it all. Drake’s phone started to ring. When he answered it, it was his sister.

Hey, Melainy.

Mom was pissed. I’ve never seen her that angry before. Especially when you walked out, Melainy said.

She is the one that pushed it. And I didn’t say anything that wasn’t true. I don’t want the business. It isn’t for me. You were always more interested in it than I was. It’s time they start seeing that, Drake told her.

Thanks, but they probably still won’t give the business to me. Anyway, what are you planning to do now? Melainy asked.

Go as far away from here as possible. I don’t know where yet, but I’m definitely going away.

I don’t blame you. Our family is overwhelming most of the time. I’m thinking about a vacation away from them as well, Melainy replied.

I wish you the best of luck. You’ll need it. I should go now, Drake told his sister.

All right. Bye. Love you. And good luck to you too, she told him.

Bye. Love you too, he said back, then they hung up.

Not two minutes later, his phone was ringing again. He answered on the third ring.

Hey, man! What are you up to? his friend’s voice filled the other end of the phone.

Nothing much. Why? Drake asked.

Well, I might have something interesting for you to do, his friend told him. Drake had told him what had happened with his family earlier that day.

Yeah? What’s that? Drake inquired.

It requires you to come here, his friend said.

And where is ‘here’ exactly? Drake asked. Knowing that his friend had never told him where he lived, the answer he got back was surprising.

Where I’m from. You know, my home.

Ummm. Okay. Where is your home, exactly?

In Wonderland, said his friend, but his voice wasn’t coming through the phone anymore.

His friend was suddenly standing right next to him. Before he had any time to react, his friend reached out and grabbed his arm. At the contact, Drake felt a pulling motion from inside him. Then everything went black.

Chapter Two

When Drake awoke, his head was a bit foggy. He looked around, but everything was unfamiliar to him. He was in a small field. Sitting not too far away from him was his friend.

Hey! ’Bout time you woke up, his friend said with a grin. Washington Pierce aka Wash had been Drake’s friend for the past three years now. In all that time, he had never mentioned Wonderland before. The only thing he had really talked about was his older brother and younger sister. What were their names again? Oh, that’s right. Lucas and Krissy.

What the hell is going on exactly? Drake demanded.

Well… We are now in Wonderland. I know it’s hard to believe, but hear me out, Wash said with his hands raised when Drake started to speak.

We are in Wonderland. It is a very real place. This is my home. Where I’m from. I know it must be hard to wrap your head around this, but it’s true. I’m not pulling a prank or playing a joke on you. I swear to you. This is real. This is actually happening.

Wash watched Drake carefully. Drake just sat there, staring up at him. He shook his head, trying to clear it. When he finally recovered, he gave his head one last shake then stood up.

"You’re really telling me that we are in Wonderland? In Wonderland? Like Alice in Wonderland?"

Yes. Very much so, actually was Wash’s simple answer. Drake was back to staring at him.

Care to elaborate? Drake asked a bit testy. Wash shifted his weight uncomfortably.

Well…you’re kind of…um… Wash started to say.

Kind of what? Drake asked impatiently.

The um…many-great-grandson of Alice, Wash said the last part in one breath.

"You’re telling me that my great-great-great-great-grandma Alice was the Alice?"

Yep, Wash said.

How is that even possible? Drake asked.

Time passes differently here, Wash told him.

How differently? You know what? I don’t even want to know, Drake said. Why exactly did you bring me here?

Wait. So you believe me? Wash asked instead of answering Drake’s question.

Drake shrugged and stared at Wash expectantly. Wash sighed.

We have a bit of trouble here in Wonderland, Wash told him.

What kind of trouble?

The worst kind.

Which is…?

Wonderland is under attack and it’s worse than when the Red Queen reigned.

∞∞∞

Rosie was sitting in her favorite spot in her father’s woods when Lucas came stomping by, muttering to himself.

Stupid. Absolutely stupid! What was he thinking!

Rosie followed silently behind him without Lucas being aware of her presence.

When I get ahold of that brother of mine, I’ll strangle him!

Rosie continued to follow, amused.

As if we didn’t have enough problems already. Why doesn’t anyone ever listen to me?

Make it a habit to talk to yourself? Rosie asked.

Lucas jumped and whirled around. What are you doing here! Lucas exclaimed.

"This is