Elizabeth and Alice in Otherland Part 3

After uncounted hours of walking Alice and Elizabeth came to a small clearing. A welcome sight after having to navigate a maze of trees and underbrush, some decidedly unfriendly to the presence of travellers. Sighing with relief Elizabeth increased her pace, but was stopped short by Alice, who raised a hand.

"Down." She commanded.

From the bushes they observed the clearing. A large rodent caught up in a snare trap was kicking up dirt and garbage in the middle of the clearing. As the creature struggled to right itself it showed itself to be a bipedal creature and, more alarmingly, capable of speaking in English. Cursing it's predicament it tried vainly to grasp the earth with it's tiny hands and affect some kind of foothold through which it could escape.

"That poor animal is trapped." Elizabeth observed.

"Tread lightly, Wonderlands can be deceiving. That 'poor animal' could be more dangerous than you realize."

As Elizabeth stepped into the clearing she heard a branch snap underfoot. At this the small being spun wildly in it's trap. "W-who's there? I'm armed, you know?"

Elizabeth raised her hands as she approached the trap. "Calm down, I'm here to help."

"Help? Then you aren't with...them?" It asked, trying to establish eye contact as it's spinning slowed.

"Them?"

"The king's army. Him and his men used to stick to the cities, but now they've been coming deeper and deeper into the jungle." It continued.

From behind Elizabeth could hear Alice as she drew closer. "Hm, it sounds like this 'king' is someone worth investigating."

"They set traps like these." He said, pointing to the snare. "To capture us and take us to his kingdom."

"What happens there?"

He shrugged. "Hey, uh, not to interrupt your questioning but you said something about help? All this blood going to my head is making me dizzy."

Elizabeth couldn't help but smile as she loosened the trap and watched the creature right itself. It's mannerisms were exuberant and childlike, making her forget where she was for the moment.

"Thanks a ton, Missy. My name is Finder." It declared, raising a small furry hand in greeting.

Elizabeth took his hand in hers and softly shook it. "Hello, Finder. My name is Elizabeth. And this is Alice."

"Charmed."

Finder looked around at the garbage that littered the clearing. "Hey. You wouldn't mind helping me collect my things would you?"

"Is this all yours?"

Finder grinned proudly. "Every bit."

Alice watched impatiently as Finder and Elizabeth gathered up the junk around them. Broken cathode ray tubes, thin strips of paper, and others odds and ends of seemingly no use for someone like Finder. It also occurred to Elizabeth that there was far more on the ground than could have ever fit inside of Finder's small backpack.

"So, where are you two heading?" Finder inquired.

"The city." Answered Alice.

Finder emitted an uneasy whine and stared at her with his large brown eyes. "Is there any way I can talk you two out of going?"

"I'm afraid not."

"Then...can I at least come along? I'd feel real bad if you two got killed after you helped me and all."

"That-"

"I don't see why not."

"You really don't?" Alice asked in an exacerbated tone.

Crouching, Elizabeth ran her fingers through his soft brown fur. With each brush of her hand the low gutteral noise in Tope's throat rose in volume. "Oh come on, he's harmless. Look at him! He's purring."

Alice audibly huffed and folded her arms. "Of all the-fine! Keep your pet. But I won't be held responsible if he dies or reveals himself to be a turncoat."

"That's a terrible thing to say." Elizabeth accused, standing up.

As she approached Alice a small glimmering object caught her eye. As she bent to pick it up she realized it was a thimble, just like the one she wore before coming to her Wonderland. Rotating the thimble in her fingers she smiled.

Turning away from Alice she raised the small trinket so that Finder could see it. "Finder, I have a favor to ask." Finder tilted his head in reply.

"Would it be alright if I kept this?"