R3turnings

Wendy Darling, Dorothy Gale and Alice Liddell...

You know these women. At least, you think you do. The truth is, when you knew them, they were girls, and you are likely looking back at them through the misty eyes of nostalgia, coupled with some forgetfulness of the details of actual, and truly dangerous, adventures these three women had as children.

And don't forget, when all those things happened, the oldest of them was likely no more than ten. All three returned safe, and seemingly undamaged. But were they, really?

Imagine, a girl of ten or less, faced with the possibility of beheading. Or another, becoming a surrogate mother to a ragtag troupe of boys, on a dangerous island made from the fantasies and nightmares of sleeping children. Imagine a girl, orphaned, and once having found a new family, is then swept away from her uncle and aunt to a strange and beautiful place, where she finds friends, but also finds fearsome enemies. Imagine that this girl, (no more than ten, I remind you) has to become a heroine and save her friends, not once, but many times over.

Now imagine what it must have been like to return home. Are you believed? Was it real? How do you go back to school, to chores, to dull, dull real life? You find a way, but it is not a perfect way. There is guilt, regret and sometimes, a longing to return.

You think these stories have ended. You think you know the endings. The stories of Wendy, Alice and Dorothy are not over. Here is what happens next.