[The video swings back and forth to the rhythm of Max's footsteps. Sticks crunch underfoot and golden rays filters in through the forest canopy, coating the ground in dappled morning light. It's not quite autumn, Max's favorite time of the year- the green forest stretches on into the distance, no trace left of the party that had been in full swing only the night before.
The video turns this way and that as Max scans the forest, apparently trying to find one specific area. Having chosen a direction, she then continues walking, the camera jerking up and down slightly as she does so.]I think this is near where I first woke up in Wonderland. We're all familiar with what
that's like: wowser, enchanted forest, big fancy mansion over yonder, etcetera etcetera.
[The words are light, but Max's tone is strained, tight; reminiscing but also purposeful and laden with restrained emotion.] I stumbled through here- I think this was it. And- and standing over there-
[She points the camera out of the forest now, where far away the mansion looms. The smaller second mansion is partially obscured behind it.] was
Alex Kralie. Right where the trees end, big flashlight pointed right at my face.
[The video becomes still as Max stops walking.] It was winter and I was soaked, and he didn't offer me his coat. He's not what you'd call a
good Samaritan.
[She sits now, and lays her device next to her, the camera pointed at the forest ceiling. Blue sky, clouds, and sunlight peek here and there from between the leaves. Max lets out a long sigh, self-conscious about speaking for so long to an audience. But this... Wonderland needs to hear this.]...So I dunno how it happened, but he ended up being my first friend here. And one of my best friends. And... and now he's gone.
[A wind rustles through the trees, blowing away a stray leaf here and there. Max gets into her stride and keeps talking, her voice becoming softer now and then as she shifts position.]I'm not sure how much he ever told anyone, but
home for him is a pretty screwed up place. He's... He
was going through a lot. Everyone here is, right?
[Max has always noticed that, at least.] And believe me, I
know that he could be a total ass about it. Or just... in general. But that's because he wasn't
okay. And he needed help, but... didn't know how to ask for it, or accept it even. Like I think...
somehow he knew he was going home. And he never told anyone... or, or
me. But what I- I liked about him was that he- he was never...
selfish about it. He never
did anything just because he
wanted to... in fact, a lo- lot of the time, he
didn't want to. But he felt... like he
needed to. A-and that, you know, to give up the things you w-want or love, and-... and even
yourself, because I think toward the end he was sort of... of
letting go... that's... hella
brave.
[A short pause here as she drags in a shaking breath.]I just...
wish he'd told me. And I w-wish that I... knew how to- to help him. Be- because he needed it and- and I- he-... w-we never got to shoot off fireworks like he w-... wanted.
[Another shaky breath.]W-wonderland doesn't make much sense. And it's so- so cruel to send him
home. I don't... I don't get why he was even here. Why he was even...
fuck...[She jams some sort of jewel in front of the camera, and her hand shakes as she holds it.] Someone- someone has to tell me what the f- fuck this is, because
goddammit Alex this is the
worst fucking goodbye gift!
[She drops it and fumbles with the camera to turn it off, though it catches one last, shaking mumble, followed by a sniff.] A-asshole!