F abiola runs to a fireplace nearby and pulls an umbrella from inside—I think all Wonderlanders have a thing for fireplaces. It's a pink umbrella. It looks silly, and the color doesn't match the grand holiness of St. Peter's. She throws it at me. "You will need it," she says as I catch it. "And when I say you'll need it, I mean it."
I want to ask if it's going to rain inside the basilica, but the situation is too dangerous for questions. The doors are being pounded. The Reds who killed the nuns outside want in.
"And I believe you will need this?" She throws a hookah to the Pillar.
"Thank you for thinking of me, Fabiola," he says, catching it as the doors outside bang harder.
"As for me, I will need this." She pulls out a sword from the same fireplace. The sight of the White Queen with a sword in her hand confuses me. Since she's heard the pounding on the doors, she has turned into some warrior nun.
"What's that, Fabiola?" I ask.
"It's the vorpal sword." She stares at her sword with pride. "Time to stand up to the face of evil."
I am the most bewildered Alice of all.
"Holy Borgroves!" The Pillar enjoys this, staring at Fabiola like she's a superwoman. The glimmer in his eyes is unpredictable. I think the Pillar feels something for the White Queen. "I miss the old days," he tells her.
"Don't get any ideas, Pillar." Her words are sharp. "We're not fighting on the same side. We're only fighting the same enemy."
The three of us turn to face the doors. I can't help but feel like the worst twisted version of the Three Musketeers. The doors bang open. Finally, I will see the Reds.