I come across that scary street again. And being me, I can’t help it. I am curious.
I detour again, driving along, looking left and right. It’s a dim-looking street, but not really scary. I keep driving until I reach the gate. I wonder how it opens. Maybe this is the way to the university.
I get out of the car and walk to the gate. There is a single red button on the right wall of the gate. It says: Don’t push this button.
It seems that, even after we won the war, the nonsensical never stopped. Why is there a button if I shouldn’t push it?
But I do. I am curious.
The gate opens slowly. And a timer appears on the wall. Sixty seconds. I assume it’s the time the gate stays open.
Jumping back in my rabbit car, I hit the accelerator and gun it throughout the gate.
And it’s only seconds before I see the horror and understand what’s really happening in the future.
Chapter 13
THE PRESENT: OXFORD
The Cheshire had been roaming the street in Jack’s body for some time. And boy was it fun.
First of all, Jack was young, and allowed the Cheshire to mingle with young people, which excited him. Yesterday he’d played a game of football. Gone to a movie with a few youngsters he befriended at the game.
Even better was how girls liked Jack. They always complimented him and flirted with him. They thought he was funny and easygoing, though the Cheshire hardly talked. He didn’t want to expose himself as being a very old creature.
Usually, he only smirked, laughed, and used Jack’s attractive facial expressions to push a conversation.
The best thing about him were his dimples, the girls said.
Thankfully, he knew enough about Jack to sustain believable short conversations when he forced to say something.
At the movies, everyone wanted to see the latest Star Wars movie. But the Cheshire persuaded them to go see Puss in Boots.
That was some experience for him.
Seeing a kick-ass cat, subtly evil, loved and cherished by the audience, made the Cheshire’s day. Maybe humans weren’t that bad after all — but soon he changed his mind and convinced himself that Puss in Boots must be a Wonderlander he hadn’t heard of. One with expanded influence in this world. He should tell the Queen about him later.
Then he went to dinner with a girl. She kept holding his hand all night, showing him she liked him. She made him drive her home and spent a significant time at her doorstep, talking to him. At first he didn’t understand, until she neared and kissed him.
“Meow.” He moaned.
The girl backed off immediately, pretended she had school tomorrow and disappeared into her house.
“She’s definitely not a cat person.” he told himself.
Walking away, the Cheshire wondered about those strange human emotions. Holding hands, going to movies, kissing. Those humans sure knew how to enjoy themselves. They didn’t spend their days hunting for a rat to feed themselves and their families. And they didn’t spend much time evading imminent threats of predators, dogs, and passing cars.
Holy furs, grins, and purrs.
They didn’t even have fleas sticking to the backs of their necks, driving them crazy all day and night.
And most important, each and every one of them had a place to go home to at night. It was just silly.
Suddenly, the Cheshire heard someone call behind him, “Alice!”
The Cheshire turned and saw no one. But the voice continued, “Alice. I love you.”
The Cheshire’s eyes rolled. Was he getting madder than he already was?
“I need to tell you why I came back for you, Alice.”
Enough, the Cheshire thought. What was going on?
Then the headache started. He clapped his hands over his ears, but the voice persisted. He finally realized whose voice this really was.
It was Jack’s. The Cheshire was listening to Jack’s thoughts. About none other than Alice.
The Cheshire grinned. A big grin. It was time to listen to why Jack had really come back for Alice.
Chapter 14
THE FUTURE
The place I just left turned out to be a compound of some sorts. Safe and sound from the mad world outside.
Here in the streets, it’s a circus of insanity. It's like a kindergarten for adults. People drive cars into each other and laugh at the injured passengers. Others are vandalizing every other building they come across. There are a bunch of what look like protestors gathered in the streets. They're holding signs that read: We want our brains back.
And that's just what I am capable of comprehending from a brief look.
I stop the car, too worried to get out, still trying to understand what's going on. Is this the real future? What about the place I came from?
I turn back and see my neighborhood behind the gate is protected by a fortress wall. Surveillance cameras everywhere. Several signs with warnings stretch across the walls. Don't come near or you will be fried like toast.