Once upon a time, in a land far away, Alice fell down a rabbit hole. She met a lot of fun and enthusiastic characters—the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts, the Cheshire Cat, the Caterpillar, and many more. Life seemed to be at its peak. That was until she woke up. 
The blaring lights and the cacophonous sounds of the hospital were overwhelming each time Alice came in and out of consciousness. When she finally came too, all she could process were the white walls and the bustle of her nurses. She could not move and she could not think. Days went by and Alice did not mutter a word. One day, her nurse came in and helped her up. She gathered up Alice’s personal belongings and signaled for her to follow.
“You’re just going to go away for a while, Honey,” the nurse told her in a voice as sweet as sugar. Alice stood there in silence. She felt like a hollow shell of a person. As she stood there staring at the nurse, she could feel her pity and she knew she had done something wrong, yet she couldn’t remember what. She could feel pain yet she couldn’t understand it. She opened her mouth yet nothing came out. Her thoughts were overwhelming yet her head was empty. She was non-existent.
Outside of Alice’s room, a woman in a black business suit approached the nurse and her. “I’m here to pick up Alice for the hospital,” she chirped in a cheerful tone. We’re already at the hospital, Alice thought to herself. 
“Carolin, it’s always lovely to see you!” the nurse exclaimed. Even in Alice’s state of insensibility, she could tell something was going on between the two women. 
“As is for you, Athea,” Carolin gushed. “Now, is she ready?” 
“Yes she is, but you should know that she hasn’t spoken yet, nor do I think she plans to anytime soon. Just… be gentle with her. Her mother refused to pick her up and no matter how many attempts her sister made, she’s much too young to be able to do anything to help her.” 
“This will be good for her. I’m sure of it,” Carolin assured. 
“Yes, I’m sure it will be. I still worry though, she’s so young. I just-” 
“It’s our job, Athea,” Carolin interrupted. 
“I know. I wish it could just be different,” she muttered. 
“Yes, well, we can talk tonight. I’ve got to get this poor little one to the institution.” 
🂱         🂱         🂱
As Alice and Carolin drove in silence, she couldn’t help but feel relieved. It was so uncomfortably silent, but it was silent.
“Athea told me you didn’t talk but I still have to go over a few things with you, okay Hun?” Alice knew it wasn’t actually a question, but she still felt bad for not responding. “You’re going to be at a safe place for a while. You’re going to get better there,” Carolin continued. Better from what? Alice wondered. 
“There will be other people there that you can talk to. It’s going to be good for you. Now, you can’t leave this place. I know that sounds a little intimidating but trust me, it’s going to be fine. You’re going to be fine,” she reassured. Alice took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She hoped it would make the world disappear and that Carolin’s voice would dissolve into nothing. It didn’t work. Carolin continued to sputter nonsense and the world still held Alice down in chains. She dug her fingernails into her thigh and squeezed in a repeated motion until the car finally came to a stop. 
When Alice opened her eyes, she sat paralyzed. “Collier Psychiatric Hospital Institution” read the sign out front of the large, gray building. 
“Alice?” Carolin questioned in concern from outside of the car. Alice stared at her lap as her chest began to restrict and her lips began to quiver. She couldn’t stop the tears from falling. She couldn’t help but feel helpless. She didn’t understand what was going on. Fear consumed her like a parasite. Nausea overwhelmed her, her ears began to ring, and everything went dark.
Alice awoke and found herself in a room. The room was empty except for the bunk bed she woke up on and a stripped-down desk and chair. She knew why. Alice was crazy. She must be or else they wouldn’t be in a mental hospital. She needed to get out. She needed to be free. 
“Hey,” echoed a voice from above. When Alice looked up, she was taken aback. When taking in the room, she had failed to see the girl sitting cross-legged on the top bunk. 
“Didn’t see me at first, did yah? I guess I am a little invisible sometimes,” the girl continued. “I’m Dorthy. Dorthy Gale. What’s your name?” 
“I’m… Alice,” she replied. Dorthy looked a little surprised. 
“They told me you didn’t talk much. I guess I’m just special.” After a few moments of silence, Dorthy questioned, “What are you in here for?” 
“I don’t know,” Alice replied. It was the truth but she could tell it wasn’t the answer Dorthy was hoping for. 
“You don’t know?” 
“No,” Alice muttered. 
“Why are you all scratched up?” 
“I fell down a rabbit hole,” Alice said matter-of-factly.
“You, a teenage girl, fell down… a rabbit hole?” Dorthy questioned. 
“Yes. I met the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts. She said ‘Off with her head!’ and it was fun and it was scary and then I found myself in the hospital,” Alice frantically explained.
“Well now I see why you’re in here; you’re crazy!” Dorthy exclaimed. 
“What? I-I’m not crazy.”
“Sure you are. Everyone is a little crazy.”
“Not me-” Alice was suddenly cut off by manic screaming. 
“Charles Darwin the Seventh, get back here!” screeched a nurse running through the halls after the girl.  
“This is our chance!” Dorthy gushed. 
“What chance?” Alice questioned. 
“To get out! I’ve been scheming, and Charles Darwin the Seventh has given us our chance,” she explained. 
“But how?” 
“Just follow me and be quiet!” Alice obliged and followed Dorthy to the window. “I’ve been working on plan after plan for a while but none of them would ever realistically work. Now that you’re here, I’m not alone. The glass in the window is breakable, you can tell from its glare. I’m going to punch it and the moment I do you need to get out of the room. Then you’re going to help me. I knew I wouldn’t get far if I was alone but if I have you to help me and my injuries then I think this could work.” Alice was astonished but she was willing to try anything. So that’s what they did. Dorthy pinched the window and alarms began to blare. Then Alice did what she was told. She hopped down and she and Dorthy began to run.
They left the blaring sirens and the chaotic noise of the nurses. They hadn’t quite figured out what was next but they knew they would do it together. Alice felt something with Dorthy. It might have been her cunning demeanor, her bravery, her leadership, or just her. Alice wasn’t quite sure. She had never felt this before. 
Alice and Dorthy evaded police and captivation by settling down in an abandoned cottage in the woods. Whenever they became adults, they ventured out into society and lived their lives in a small town as cat ladies. They got married and eventually sought therapy where they got the help they oh-so desperately needed. It wasn’t exactly a perfect ending for the two, but they found the loves of their lives and got their version of happily ever after.