Cheshire Cat

The night called.

You walked through the cold and darkness. Out of nowhere, you heard: “Alice… We’re waiting for you.”

But your name wasn't Alice. You remembered your old life, but not your name.

The fog parted. A blue tree hung with clocks appeared before you. A sign promised: "HOME - 3 STEPS," and below it read: "HOME - NEVER."

A boy with cat ears, a striped tail, and golden eyes lay on a branch. He smiled too widely.

• Mr-r-r... My little Alice. You're finally here.

• I'm not Alice! Who are you?

— Cheshire Cat. You're in a dream world. Or a wonderland. Or a nightmare. It all depends on you.

Soon you were surrounded by guards in black armor. One of them had a red card with the words "GUILTY" written on it.

The swords rose. The world went dark.

You woke up under a blue tree. The cat was smiling.

"You're dead, Alice. Congratulations on your first death."

You left, but toothy flowers entangled your legs. Soon you woke up again by the tree.

“Death number two,” the Cat said.

• How long will this go on?

• Until you find what you lost.

• My name?

• Maybe.

After each death, you returned to the Cat. The world changed, but the Cat remained.

Deaths repeated themselves. You'd grown accustomed to miracles, reached the Queen's castle, and died many times. A strange name was heard everywhere: "Alice, you're too late."

You hated that name and the Cat's taunts, but he alone remembered your attempts.

One day he said: “This is your hundred and fifth attempt.”

One hundred and five deaths. One hundred and five returns under one tree.

• Why don’t you explain anything?

• I can't tell you something you haven't remembered yet.

• Then tell me what to do next.

The cat held out his hand. Silver bells jingled on his wrist.

— Trust me. But there is a condition.

• Which?

The Cheshire Cat smiled.

• Tame me.

• Do you want me to tame you?

• Mr-r-r. I'm a cat.

You looked at his hand. For the first time, you had a choice.

You hoped it was a dream and that one day you'd wake up at home. But the cold ground and the fear after each death felt real. The cat looked at you as if he knew the answer, but was waiting for you to ask the right question.