The Cheshire Cat
Have you ever gone into Wonderland?
Amusement ran through me like lead in a mad hatter as I looked at my cards for the seventh time that night. All the queens had somehow managed to worm their way into my hand, ruining any chance I had at winning. Growing frustrated, I threw my money on the blood-red table and left.
Seeking a new thrill to pass the time, I glanced around, eyeing the peculiar pitch black drink sitting on a lone tray like a discarded toy. The Cheshire Cat - a casino famous for its carnival delights - was not the type to leave things lingering around, heightening my curiosity. The mysterious, inky liquid beckoned me to come closer like an animal dancing with its prey.
As I closed my hand around the glass jar, the sound of rings clinking on the cool chalice reached my ears. The sound of watery swishing filled the deafening silence as loneliness pushed me out the door, quickly growing louder in the disquieting alleyway. Now, under the cover of darkness, I opened the container, revealing the glowing midnight beverage, and took in the syrupy scent. The delightful, hypnotizing aroma swept away my thoughts, and my desire to taste the suspicious potion consumed everything.
Almost like the drink was screaming to be swallowed.
As I fumbled with the crystal-clear lid, the contents splashed against the rim, the thin and runny liquid dripping onto my hand. I threw all of it back and immediately understood why there was only one left. The drink was sickly sweet and delicious. My lips formed into a wicked grin as I tasted the nectarous flavour, the cloying ambrosia satisfying my thirst.
Closing my eyes, I fully focused on the rapturous onslaught on my senses from the rich, honey-like sample. Loving the intoxicating feelings. Losing grip on my reality, I let the glass slip from my relaxed fingers. The shattering sound of the clear bottle startled me from the sensations, like a rabbit caught in the headlights.
But it was too late.
My vision went blurry, and before I knew it, I was sinking into the haze of addiction, going back and forth with the euphoric rush: tumbling into the world of wonderland yet again.