Writers Island The Gift

The following piece is my offering for Writer's Island

the theme this week being “The gift”.

THE GIFT

As Alice stared, the lines curved and moved before her eyes - connecting with each other and then suddenly disconnecting.

“What is happening?” she cried in astonishment. “I don’t believe it! Moving pictures? Now I feel I really must be going mad!”

“No, your certainly not doing that,” came a smooth voice from the fireplace.

Alice looked up, startled; sure enough, a figure was emerging from the fireplace - though Alice found this vision quite easy to believe after seeing such strange things already in Looking Glass house. She watched the boy as he carefully stepped over the fender, gathering his midnight blue dress robes around him as he did so. The stars and moons scattered all over his robe glistened in the dim afternoon light which came in from the window.

“You're very lucky, I declare,” remarked Alice “that the fire wasn’t alight… or else you would have burnt feet!”

The boy chuckled dryly. “That’s where you’re wrong, I’m afraid… I’m a wizard. Or at least, a trainee one… just wait until I’m graduated next year!”

Alice said nothing for a moment, she simply stared at him.

“I don’t think I believe you… a trainee wizard? There’s no such thing my father says. Tell me truthfully, who are you?”

The boy wizard looked at her thoughtfully, nodding his head slightly.

“Am I not meant to say something like “I think you should tell me who you are first. I’m sorry, I’ve forgotten my Alice in Wonderland… it’s been a long time since I read it.”

“Don’t worry about that I’ve moved on from Alice in Wonderland anyway, this is Through the Looking Glass now,” said Alice quickly. “But who are you anyway? I’m curious to know.”

“Ahhh… you’re quite right to be so,” said the wizard, brushing a piece of dust from his robe. “My name’s Bartholomew Dross. I’ve come from Hogwarts school of wizardry. I was trying to get to Nocturne Ally, but I must have taken a wrong turn… I’m sorry to disturb you, Alice.”

As he turned to go back into the fireplace, she stopped him by catching at the sleeve of his robe.

“No - don’t go! Wait… I might come with you. I’m rather intrigued… I’d like to learn some wizardry also. How do you travel through the fireplace?”

The young wizard stopped at once and turned to Alice, smiling gently.

“You need floo powder to do that Alice - let me give you some. I’d like to leave you with a little gift… something to remember me by. That is, if you won’t come with me now, back into the fireplace. Will you?”

Alice gazed in wonder at the little pot Bartholomew handed her - she opened it and stared at the white powder inside. And she felt quite breathless with excitement. “But what do I do? How does it work?” She demanded.

Bartholomew stood there in the fireplace gathering his wizards robes around him and holding out his hand towards Alice.

“It’s easy - won’t you come with me, and I’ll give you a practical demonstration of travelling in time and dimension. You’re not afraid?”

Alice shook her head and fearlessly took his hand.

“No, I’m not afraid,” she said, stepping over the fender beside him. “Lead the way!”